A scoop of mint here comes from mint grown in a country music star’s backyard. That one detail had me hooked before I even learned the rest.
The double chocolate has won a national award. The waffle cones are pressed fresh in-house.
And every single thing on the menu is gluten-free, cones included.
I love finding a small Tennessee shop that quietly outworks the big chains. The ice cream gets churned in small batches, with no dyes or stabilizers.
New batches roll out as the day goes on.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a weekend drive. So how does a little family shop on a quiet downtown street pull all this off?
A Family Microcreamery Where Every Gallon Starts From Zero
Most ice cream shops open a tub that arrived on a truck. Janarty’s Homemade Ice Cream in Smyrna, Tennessee, makes its ice cream right on site instead.
Owners Janelle and Marty built the name by blending their own. Cute, right?
The shop calls itself a microcreamery, and the term fits a place this hands-on.
Ice cream here is crafted in small batches, gallon by gallon. Staff have shared that they make at least eight different flavors every day.
Fresh batches keep coming as the day goes on, too.
That approach takes more time than scooping from a factory carton. It also means flavors rotate often, so the case can look different from one visit to the next.
The owners have explained that their ice cream has lower overrun. In plain terms, they churn slower and whip in less air.
The result is denser ice cream with no fillers added.
For a family business, that is a big commitment to make every single day. It’s also the reason this little shop has built such a loyal following beyond Rutherford County.
The Double Chocolate That Took Home a National Award
Bragging rights sit inside one specific tub in the case. The shop’s Double Chocolate carries a national award, and it shows up often in conversations about this place.
Chocolate lovers get a flavor that is rich and deeply chocolatey. Since it’s churned slowly with less air, each scoop leans dense and smooth rather than fluffy.
Here’s a fun angle for road-trippers. A small shop in Middle Tennessee earned national recognition while competing in an industry full of giant brands.
That kind of win matters for a family operation. It proves careful, from-scratch methods can stand toe to toe with anyone making ice cream today.
Not into chocolate? Butter pecan earns plenty of attention too, as does a candy bar flavor that comes up again and again.
Still, first-timers have a pretty clear starting point. Order the award winner, then branch out on your next trip.
Odds are good there will be a next trip.
Pair it with a fresh waffle cone, and you’ll understand the buzz quickly.
Waffle Cones Worth Planning a Detour Around
Waffle cones get more chatter here than almost anything else. That’s saying a lot at a shop known for award-winning ice cream.
Each cone is made in-house. Some folks even admit they normally skip waffle cones, yet they make an exception here for the crunch and balanced sweetness.
The best twist? Every cone is gluten-free.
The shop uses a gluten-free flour blend, and many guests can’t tell the difference at all.
You can order a classic cone or a waffle bowl. There are also bags of waffle cone pieces for snacking later, which feels dangerous in the best way.
One customer from Chattanooga even schedules Nashville appointments from Wednesday through Friday. The reason is simple: the shop is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and those cones are not optional.
That’s dedication. It also says plenty about how a humble cone can turn into the main event.
Plan for one cone and leave thinking about a second.
Gluten-Free Top to Bottom, No Asterisks Attached
For anyone with celiac disease, ordering dessert usually means a long list of questions. At Janarty’s, the answer is easy because the whole shop is 100% gluten-free.
The owners have said they will always stay that way. That promise covers the ice cream, the cones, and the baked treats.
Dairy-free guests aren’t forgotten either. Options have included a dairy-free cookies and cream, plus a creamy maple cinnamon that even dairy fans order happily.
The ingredient list stays refreshingly short. The shop skips artificial dyes like Red 40 and leaves out stabilizers, relying on natural flavors instead.
Staff members know how each flavor gets made. That knowledge helps families with allergies feel confident at the counter.
I believe this is where the shop quietly shines brightest. A kid who has never safely eaten a waffle cone can finally grab one like everyone else.
That’s a pretty sweet thing for a small town in Tennessee to offer. It’s also one reason people drive in from much farther away.
Backyard Mint, Campfire Smoke, and Other Flavor Surprises
Ask about the Backyard Mint, and you might hear a great story. Staff have shared that the mint grows in a backyard belonging to Martina McBride.
That’s a very Tennessee flavor origin. It’s also a hint at how creative this case can get.
Campfire uses a smoked vanilla base for a bold, smoky taste. Orange five spice tastes just like its name, warm and zesty at once.
Fruit fans have options too. Past flavors include strawberry rhubarb, blackberry with chocolate, key lime pie, and a tropical pina colada.
Classics hold their ground as well. Cookies and cream stands out as a frequent favorite, alongside vanilla, peanut butter cup, and Andes mint.
Because flavors rotate, nobody can promise what you’ll find on a given day. The shop even keeps flavors “on deck” in a hardening cabinet at 40 below before they reach the front case.
So go with an open mind. Your new favorite might be sitting in the case right now.
Cookies, Lattes, and Treats Beyond the Scoop
Sometimes the best order isn’t a scoop at all. The menu stretches well past the freezer case into baked goods and drinks.
Chocolate chip cookies show up often in conversations about the shop. Brownies are on offer too, and both are gluten-free like everything else.
Chocolate-covered strawberries make a tempting add-on. Some families grab them every single visit.
Want something to sip? Milkshakes and root beer floats join the lineup.
Sorbet is available for a lighter, fruitier choice.
Coffee drinkers get a pleasant surprise. Handcrafted lattes and drinks are made with fresh in-house ingredients, and the coffee earns praise of its own.
That makes the shop a smart midafternoon stop, not just an after-dinner treat. A latte and a cookie can be just as rewarding as a sundae.
Of course, nobody’s stopping you from getting all three. A cookie, a coffee, and a cone sounds like a well-rounded meal plan to me.
Small-Town Charm With a Downtown View
Inside, the vibe feels warm and welcoming. The shop is clean, inviting, and decorated with real charm.
Parents will appreciate a small area for children stocked with books. It gives little ones something to do while grown-ups debate flavors.
Outdoor seating offers a lovely view of downtown Smyrna. On a nice evening, that’s an easy place to linger over a cone.
The friendly owners come up constantly when people describe the place. Janelle, Marty, and Marty’s daughter KJ, the team lead, keep things personal.
First-timers may get a quick overview of how everything works. The owners even text some customers when a favorite flavor returns to the case.
That kind of care makes the shop feel less like a business and more like a neighbor. It works for date nights, family outings, and solo treat runs alike.
One couple even spent Valentine’s Day here. Ice cream as romance?
In this cozy little room, it makes total sense.
Hours, Parking, and Pricing Before You Go
Timing matters here. Janarty’s opens Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and stays closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
You’ll find the shop at 111 Front St, Smyrna, TN 37167. Smyrna sits a short drive southeast of Nashville, making it an easy add-on to any Middle Tennessee day.
Parking right out front can be tight, and the owners admit they wish there were more. Free parking is available nearby at the train depot across the street.
A short stroll from the depot gets you to your cone. Think of it as a warm-up lap.
Prices sit closer to the premium side than franchise shops. The owners have explained why: from-scratch methods, pricier ingredients, no fillers, and slower churning all raise their costs.
Many guests feel it’s well worth it, and some even call it a better value than the big chains. Your own taste buds can cast the deciding vote.
Plan around the closed days, and you’re set.
Why This Little Shop Deserves Your Next Road Trip
Franchise ice cream is fine when you’re in a hurry. Janarty’s Homemade Ice Cream offers something chains rarely can: a story in every scoop.
It’s a national award winner, made fresh in small batches. It’s fully gluten-free, with cones pressed right on site.
Toss in backyard mint, smoky campfire vanilla, and owners who remember your favorite flavor. That’s a recipe for real hometown pride.
Visitors from as far as Virginia and Arizona have left wishing they had one closer to home. Tennessee folks get to keep it as a short drive.
From Nashville, the trip is quick. Families in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and beyond can easily fold it into a weekend in Middle Tennessee.
I like that the shop proves small can beat big. Careful hands, honest ingredients, and patience still win over shortcuts.
So pick a Wednesday through Sunday and point the car toward Front Street. Just be warned: one scoop rarely ends the story here.
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