Dark Horse Coffee Launches Golden Hill Ice Cream Shop

This weekend, Dark Horse Coffee Roasters will debut Mutual Friend, its new gourmet ice cream shop next to Dark Horse’s cafe on 25th Street in Golden Hill. Starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7, the first 30 customers in line will win giveaways including branded t-shirts, keeper glasses, and enamel pins in honor of the store’s grand opening..

Ice cream-making has always been a hobby for Randy Charlson, who joined brothers Bryan and Daniel, who founded Dark Horse, to launch Mutual Friend. Head ice cream maker Mai Marche along with consulting Bay Area chef Spencer Huewill develop the shop’s monthly-rotating menu, and Marche tells Eater that there will always be at least two or three vegan flavors available. The opening lineup, scooped into freshly-made waffle cones, includes dairy-free Chocolate, Coconut Chai, and Melon Sorbet along with traditional Roasted Banana & Peanut Butter Cup, Fresh Mint Chip, Julian Apple Pie, Roasted Strawberry, and Madagascar Vanilla Bean. Randy’s in-laws own a citrus farm, so expect local produce to also be incorporated as well as, of course, Dark Horse coffee. And the shop plans to tap local breweries for a variety of beer-based flavors.

In addition to coffee flavored ice cream, Mutual Friend is offering affogato and cold brew floats as well as ice cream flights. Future menu items will include doughnut ice cream sandwiches made with Dark Horse’s vegan Skinny Donuts.

There will be a freezer stocked with pre-filled pints for those who want to skip the line, and the ice cream will eventually be available at all other Dark Horse coffee bars along with other select locations.

Mutual Friend will be open Monday through Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.