New frozen treat shop ‘rolls’ into U of M area

For any student with a sweet tooth, there’s a new local business just steps from campus ready to satisfy those collegiate taste buds.  

Thanks to local entrepreneur Bahji Hakimi, there’s a new breed of ice cream in town. As the owner of The 901 Scoop, Hakimi has brought the sensational trend of “rolled ice cream†to Memphis.  

His spin on the Taiwanese dessert includes a from-scratch milk base, whole milk, heavy cream and minimal sugar. Hakimi is a Memphis native and began working in the restaurant industry as a teenager. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the University of Mississippi.  

“I’ve always had strong passion for great food and creating exceptional customer experiences,†Hakimi said. “I saw a strong market near the University of Memphis.â€

Unlike most ice creams that are made ahead of time in a machine, rolled ice cream is made to order by hand in just a few minutes. A milk base is poured onto an extremely cold steel surface, and as it begins to freeze, a metal spatula is used to chop and blend toppings into the base. Once the sweet concoction is frozen, it is spread thin and scraped into rolls of solid ice cream. 

“I was unfamiliar with the concept of rolled ice cream until I started working here,†Casey Ives, a 901 Scoop employee, said. “I like that our milk base is made from scratch – you know you’re getting fresh ingredients. Rolled ice cream has a different taste than traditional ice cream – it kind of melts in your mouth.  The taste is very light, and ours is not too sugary.â€

The 901 Scoop celebrated its grand opening earlier this summer on June 14, and the store offers a rotating menu of up to eight specialty rolled ice cream flavors at a time.  

Hakimi said “The Cookie Monster†is one of his best sellers, which consists of cookie dough, M&M’s and chocolate syrup are chopped and blended into the milk base. Once the ice cream is rolled a second layer of cookie dough, M&M’s and chocolate syrup is added. “The Cookie Monster†is then garnished with a fresh chocolate chip cookie.

Another popular flavor is “Gimme S’Moreâ€, a creative nod to the traditional s’more dessert. It includes a chocolate milk base, graham cracker crumbs, marshmallow sauce, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and a s’more on top. 

“We are about to launch a fall menu, which will include the addition of pastries and brownies,†Hakimi said.  

For anyone who does not want something as unfamiliar as rolled ice cream, The 901 Scoop also offers 12 flavors of traditional ice cream, as well as shaved ice.  

Students can also sip locally roasted coffee crafted by Memphis’ own J. Brooks Coffee Roasters. Additionally, students who present a valid school ID receive 10 percent off any purchase.

 

Every Tuesday night, beginning Sept. 19, from 8 to 11 p.m. is “College Nightâ€, during which students will receive 25 percent off their order. The 901 Scoop is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the week and is located at 3536 Walker Ave.