Top sellers never really change

Despite all of the advancements since the introduction of the ice cream truck, the true favorites never really change. At least according to Hamidu Jalloh, an ice cream truck driver with 25 years of experience. He told The Washingtonian that his best-sellers are “ice cream sandwiches, the Bomb Pops, the cartoon (popsicles)—Bug’s Bunny, SpongeBob, Spiderman.” No local ice cream truck? Try out these ice cream treats when a craving hits. 

Mister Softee’s machine is top-notch

Without the Electro Freeze soft-serve ice cream machine, Mister Softee couldn’t possibly churn out its iconic soft-serve ice cream so quickly. According to NorthJersey.com, the integral truck appliance can turn the brand’s ice cream mix into bonafide soft serve in just two minutes. If you prefer to score your ice cream from a brick and mortar, these are the best shops for ice-cold treats in each state.

Mister Softee even has a secret menu

The iconic ice cream truck kicked off in 1956 in Philadelphia. Despite being an industry vet, it still boasts a secret menu like many quick-serve restaurants and food trucks. You only needs to have knowledge of Mister Softee’s ice cream bases, vessels, toppings and novelty items to indulge in a one-of-a-kind treat. They make an example of The Popsicle Dip, a coconut pop dipped in a magic chocolate shell. Amazing!

Ice cream truck style hasn’t changed much for a reason

Sure, you have some hip, modernized ice cream trucks, like Recess out of Los Angeles, but for the most part, these vehicles stay true to the traditional look and feel. The reason has a lot to do with human psychology and our inclination to be attracted to vintage items because they offer a sense of escape, bringing us back to a simpler, easier time, similar to these vintage recipes we’re still cooking up.

Zero-emission ice cream is on the way

Ice cream trucks tend to have diesel engines and some “vintage” models have to run their engines 24/7 in order to keep the freezers working. But Nissan is working on a zero-emission ice cream truck model called Sky to Scoop that will hopefully revolutionize the industry, according to Tech the Lead. In other important news, this is America’s favorite ice cream flavor.

Truck maintenance gets expensive

You might think maintaining an ice cream truck is a less expensive way to get into the ice cream game than, say, opening a brick-and-mortar shop. But keeping up the vehicle can get costly. “I buy a new engine almost every other year,” Teddy Athas, a Mister Softee truck driver, told City Lab. “I don’t really keep track of how much it costs, but it’s a lot. Plus, I have to pay for gas. The truck has two tanks, so that’s the expensive part.”

Ice cream truck drivers are independent contractors

Back in the day the big brands, like Good Humor, would hire full-time employees to hit the road in their iconic vehicles. But the Washington Post reports these days drivers own their individual trucks, meaning they work for themselves. It’s a bonus because they can set their own schedules, but is laborious in terms of all that this entails. They must get permits, health inspections, find legal parking spots, among other responsibilities of the self-employed. We may love ice cream trucks here in the US, but around the world there are a host of other ice cream traditions.

There are rules of the road

Every job has its rules, and ice cream truck operating is no different. In a story published on Medium, former driver Chris Mohney shared what his boss told him before sending him to hit the streets. “Drive at a walking speed of three miles per hour when selling and always have your music on,” Mohney wrote. “Never put your truck into reverse—shift into neutral and get out to push it backward, if needed. This was because reversing ice cream trucks had a chance of hitting a child,” and no one wants that.

Sales can go down when you wouldn’t expect

When it’s 100 degrees outside an ice-cold popsicle or ice cream cone sounds refreshing, don’t you think? But drivers say that when it’s too hot there are fewer people willing to go outdoors, and therefore not as many customers around to here the truck’s alluring jingle. When it’s sweltering and you’re still up for a cone or cup, here’s how to make homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker. 

Ice cream truck drivers are members of the community

Drivers often zero in on a route over time, learning the rhythms of a neighborhood or city. Reshelia Cook, who drives the Atlanta Ice Cream Truck, told Atlanta magazine, “If they (kid customers) get a good report card, I give them free ice cream. I love to see them waving that report card for me to stop. The kids know I will tell their momma or their daddy if I see them doing something they shouldn’t be.”

Successful drivers know their audience

As in any business, in order to succeed, you have to know your customer and know them well. This industry is no different. In an Inc. article, writer Jim Haudan shared what he learned from reading Lessons from an Ice Cream Truck, penned by a man who goes by Pineapple XVI. One of the most important lessons is that a good ice cream man knows that his or her business is all about “joy, excitement and caring relationships.” Next, take a look at 28 ice cream recipes that’ll keep you cool all summer long.

The post 11 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Ice Cream Trucks appeared first on Taste Recipes.

They smooth surfaces

Junk drawers have a habit of spilling out onto what should be an otherwise clean, empty surface. Countertops and tables are practically begging to be littered with stray mail and other odds and ends. People with clean homes tackle that problem immediately. “When you keep large, flat surfaces clear, not only are they more visually appealing, but easier to wipe down as well,” says Carrie Higgins, author of Organization Hacks and founder of the blog Making Lemonade. “Don’t store appliances on countertops or clutter on your desk.”

They deal with dishes

If you wake up to a sink full of dirty dishes, you’re practically setting yourself up for failure. For one thing, you’ll have to do those dishes and pans first thing, which sets you back a crucial five to ten minutes—essential time on a busy morning. Worse, all that food and grease will be caked on and it will take even more time to get them clean. Do yourself a favor and load the dishwasher—and run it if it’s close to full—and wash the pots and pans before going to bed.

Find more easy ways to freshen up your kitchen.

They know how to make space

Even if you don’t consider yourself a collector of “stuff,” that “stuff” always seems to pile up in every corner and on every countertop. “Start following the one in, one out rule,” says Nancy Haworth of On Task Organizing in Raleigh, North Carolina. “When you buy something new, toss, sell or donate an older item to create space for the new item.”

For more expert advice, check out our secret cleaning tips from the pros.

They set cleaning systems in place

Clean homes don’t just miraculously clean themselves—neat people have a protocol in place to keep things maintained and orderly. “People with neat homes tend to have a cleaning schedule and routines so dirt and laundry don’t have time to pile up,” says Higgins. “For example, they set a designated day to vacuum or do laundry every Monday so those big tasks don’t get skipped.” Be mindful that you’re not actually making your home dirtier.

They think clean when they step in the house

Sometimes it really is the little things that lend themselves to a sparkling abode. Bailey Gaddis, a certified professional organizer and author of Feng Shui Mommy, starts with a shoes-off policy. “When shoes are left at the door you prevent toxins, soil, leaves and other goodies that quickly dirty up floors from making their way into your home,” she says. It isn’t just your shoes. The rest of your outfit has picked up germs too; that’s why you should never sit on your bed with outside clothes on.

They have a place for everything

“If you have too much stuff without a place to go, the clutter and piles in your home become impossible to actually clean,” says Jennifer Snyder, owner of Neat as a Pin Organizing Experts in Waco, Texas. So if you have a peg in the kitchen for your keys or a shelf for your mail, use them.

They clean as they go

“People whose homes always appear clean don’t wait until it looks like a bomb went off,” wrote Brittany Bergman on HuffPost. Rather, they have routines. “This might mean rearranging throw pillows and folding blankets when they’re done in the family room each night, having kids put toys back in the toy box, hanging up clothes at the end of each day, and folding the laundry right when it comes out of the dryer.”

Here are some genius organizational tips from tidying up expert Marie Kondo.

They find clever ways to store more

People with clean homes use their smarts when it comes to products that help them stay organized. “An over-the-door organizer has a variety of clear pockets where you can store jewelry and make-up, sorting by type—pencils, lipsticks, brushes and eye shadows,” says Paloma Baillie, a DIY expert with the 5mile app. “Everything is laid out, so you have easy access and can see items more clearly.” You can do a similar thing with office supplies if you don’t have room for a desk.

They hire help

Not every household budget has room for a regular professional cleaning service, but those who do tend to keep up with daily maintenance for one very important reason. “It’s a good motivator to get things put away or moved along into the recycling bin when you know tomorrow is cleaning day and your house won’t get as clean if the cleaning service has to clean around all your stuff,” says Mary Gagliardi, Clorox’s in-house cleaning and laundry expert.

They know how to delegate tasks

Unless you live alone, mess and clutter is a group effort; therefore, cleaning should be a group effort as well. “Everyone should have weekly chores (dusting, emptying trash, vacuuming sweeping, etc) that not only build responsible adults out of kids but also makes it easier to keep the home clean—something everyone in the home should care about,” says Gagliardi.

Learn what to declutter based on your Zodiac sign!

They make cleaning feel less like a chore

If it’s not your thing, it’s hard to imagine putting a fun spin on cleaning. But there are ways to complete a task while distracting your mind. “Make cleaning enjoyable by listening to your favorite podcast,” says Tisha Morris, author of Clutter Intervention: How Your Stuff Is Keeping You Stuck. “Get wireless Bluetooth headphones to give you the freedom to move all around the house. You might even get enough steps in on your Fitbit for it to count as a workout.” They believe in working smarter and not harder. When holidays are around the corner, they make sure to follow these holiday cleaning tips.

They make organizing look pretty

If you consider storage and organization as part of your decor, as many with clean homes do, it makes the project a feast for the eyes. “I separate my wardrobe so all my dresses are together, all my jeans are together, sweaters, tops, coats, skirts, etc. Then I color code each category,” says Rachel Parcell, style and design expert behind Pink Peonies. “I love the way it looks and it’s easy to find things.”

They use everyday items to keep things clean

Don’t put off cleaning because you don’t have supplies. “You can clean windows without leaving streaks behind with the help of a coffee filter,” says Larry Patterson franchisee of the Glass Doctor in Dallas. “Coffee filters and old cotton t-shirts also work well to remove remaining lint left behind from dry cloths.” Another pro tip? If you wiped vertically outside, make sure to wipe horizontally inside. Then, you’ll know whether the missed spot is inside or outside. Smart!

The post 13 Secrets of People Who Always Have a Clean House appeared first on Taste Recipes.

Gimmicky food

Within the past decade, fast-food chains made a conscious effort to include lighter fare on their menus, like more salads and the option of apple slices or yogurt instead of fries. More recently they’re touting newer menu items as hand-crafted or even artisanal, but don’t believe the hype. “There might be a few extra toppings on the burgers or sandwiches we call hand-crafted, but they aren’t any better quality than the stuff you’ve been eating for years,” says Tricia, who has worked at two popular fast-food establishments as she attends college. Here are some new items coming to fast food menus this year.

Super-size

Just because the so-called value menu might mean more food for little money doesn’t mean you should order the largest size meal available. “After working in fast-food I’ve realized no one needs that much fried food,” says Nicky, who has worked at McDonald’s for two years. “It’s tempting when you think you’re getting more for less, but you’ll end up feeling a little sick after you eat all of those fries.”

The mac and cheese

Macaroni and cheese is pure comfort food, and sometimes the craving is too strong to resist. But a Panera employee responding to a thread on Reddit recommends skipping their take on the classic dish. “The pasta, it’s all microwaved. This includes the mac and cheese,” says commenter President Pancake. “The best items are the real sandwiches and salads. They use real ingredients and are usually fresh.” Here are some things you might not know about Panera Bread.

Tuna salad

You might want to avoid the tuna fish salad or anything similar that can be prepared ahead of time. “I worked at Friendly’s and they made the tuna fish once a week!” says Colleen of her time at the quick-serve restaurant. Find out some secrets fast-food workers wish they could tell you. 

Beware of garnishes

You may be thinking that the parsley and lemon look decent, but at a fast-food place you may want to think again: Jaime, who worked at a Florida-based fast-food restaurant, advises: “Never eat any garnishes or pickles. The place I worked at would wash them and reuse them if you did not eat them. They also instructed us to pull uneaten cups of coleslaw off of plates and re-serve them. Thankfully this place is long closed.”

Don’t order the fish sandwich

While ordering the fish or other seafood may be a healthy option at a regular restaurant, it isn’t in fast-food joints. “People don’t pay attention, but the Filet-O-Fish is one of the unhealthiest things on our menu,” says Charity, who works at a location in North Carolina. There’s another reason to avoid the fast fruits de mer: “I’ve worked at quick-serve places like Panera and at fast-food spots like McDonalds—do not order anything that is advertised as seafood,” says Michael. “There’s no way it’s fresh, and even if you’re aware of that, it has also been sitting around for a while. Go with something on the menu that you know people are ordering all the time.” Check out the most popular fast food place in each state.

Don’t ask for “fresh” fries

Across the board, the fast-food employees we interviewed rolled their eyes at folks who insist on ordering fresh french fries. One worker explains why: “When a customer orders fresh fries they usually end up complaining about how long it takes,” says Stephanie, who worked at a Burger King in Ohio. “Also, depending on how busy we are, we’re not making a special batch special for you, so you may walk away with the same fries you’d get without the request.” Find out which fast-food “facts” are actually false.

But you may want to order chicken nuggets fresh

On a Reddit post about items fast-food employees recommend you avoid, Ritch88 says: “If you order chicken nuggets, just ask for them fresh. Otherwise, they’ve been just sitting in their container in the heat. They have a timer, but nine times out of ten when that timer goes off, people just reset the timer instead of making new ones. This could go on until all the nuggets are sold.”

Watch the clock at the drive-through

Reddit member and former Panera worker Meganoli recommends being aware of the time you decide to pull through the drive-through. “Please, please, please don’t come through the drive-through at 8:30 p.m. and order three paninis and five salads and then get mad because it takes so long. The drive-through is excellent for people who want to get a quick coffee or bakery item, but even though our food is fast, we are not fast food. These things take time and it’s easier for everyone if you just come inside.”

Pass on grilled chicken at burger joints

If you’re hitting a place that’s largely known for burgers, you’re probably going to want to avoid the grilled chicken sandwich. “At least at our location, we didn’t sell many grilled chicken sandwiches. So it sits around a lot longer than other menu items and the texture gets rubbery,” says Stephanie.

Don’t ask for the “secret” Starbucks menu

Customers constantly ask Starbucks employees for the secret menu—but there isn’t one. The notion that there’s an alternative menu comes from the fact that some creative customers have come up with popular concoctions. But if you want a special drink, tell your barista the ingredients: “I constantly get questions about the ‘secret’ menu but I swear we don’t have one. Just tell me what you want!” says Amelia, who works at a Starbucks in Chicago, Illinois. Check out healthy fast-food options at the most popular restaurants.

The chili is a no-go

The chili at Wendy’s may look like a comforting menu option, but not when you find out what it’s made from. “[It’s] not really a health concern but most people are surprised when I tell them about Wendy’s chili,” says Reddit user Cozmo23. “The meat comes from hamburger patties that sat on the grill too long to serve to customers. They take them and put them in a bin and then throw them in the fridge. When the chili is made they take it out, boil it, chop it up and dump it in the chili.” With fast food inflation raising Wendy’s prices more than 35%, your dollar will surely go farther on alternative Wendy’s items. Next, find out the customer habits that annoy fast-food workers the most.

The post 12 Fast-Food Items You Shouldn’t Order, According to Employees appeared first on Taste Recipes.