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About Rick's Ice Cream
Rick's Ice Cream is a neighborhood ice cream shop at 3946 Middlefield Road in the Charleston Center in south Palo Alto. Its website calls it a Palo Alto ice cream tradition since 1956. The Mountain View Voice called it a 70-year-old Palo Alto ice cream institution when it reported the latest change of owners.
The shop has changed hands several times. The Mountain View Voice traced the history in January 2026. Rick Payne bought the shop in the 1970s. The Rick's name came with him. He sold it in 1991 to Greg Schwarzmann. After more changes in ownership, the Khosla family took over in 2012 and ran it until they decided to retire.
The newest owners are Ketki Dandekar and Arshiya Shaikh, co-founders of Pints of Joy. That is a Sunnyvale ice cream company that began during the pandemic, after the two lost their jobs in financial technology. Pints of Joy makes eggless ice cream and is known for flavors drawn from Indian desserts and other sweets from around the world. Its first shop opened in Sunnyvale in 2022, followed by a second in Fremont. The website now presents the Middlefield shop as Pints of Joy and Rick's Ice Cream.
Rick's through the years
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1956 | The year the shop traces its start to |
| 1970s | Rick Payne buys the shop and it takes his name |
| 1991 | Payne sells to Greg Schwarzmann |
| 2012 | The Khosla family takes over |
| 2022 | Pints of Joy opens its first shop, in Sunnyvale |
| By January 2026 | Pints of Joy founders take over Rick's |
Sources: Mountain View Voice reporting from January 2026 and the shop's website.
The flavors
The case holds about 48 flavors. Under the new owners, roughly a third are Pints of Joy recipes and the rest are Rick's flavors. The lineup rotates, with the most popular kept in regular circulation.
Longtime regulars can relax. The Voice reported that favorites such as computer chip and industrial chocolate stayed on the menu. New arrivals from Pints of Joy include black sesame crunch, Biscoff and Alphonso mango. Pints of Joy's wider range includes flavors inspired by gulab jamun, falooda, malai kulfi and sesame peanut brittle, so watch for those in the rotation. The owners also said they planned to add more nondairy options over the year.
Flavors change often, so check the shop's social media or ask at the counter for what is scooping today.
Cakes, shakes and quarts
Rick's sells more than cones and cups. Ice cream cakes, sundaes, milkshakes and quarts to take home were all still on offer after the sale. Order ahead if you need a cake for a specific day, especially around birthdays and holidays.
A note on hours
The Voice listed these hours in January 2026: Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from noon to 8:30 p.m. The owners said they hoped to stay open later in summer. They were also working to align operations with their Pints of Joy shops. Monday was not on that list. Hours may have changed since the report, so call 650-493-6553 or check the website before a special trip.
We left the hours table off this page on purpose. The map data we use for hours predates the change in ownership. We would rather send you to the shop than show times we cannot stand behind.
Who it suits
Rick's suits families with kids, anyone looking for dessert after dinner in south Palo Alto and people curious to try ice cream flavors they will not find at a chain. The eggless Pints of Joy flavors may suit some diners with egg concerns, but ask about ingredients if you have an allergy. Quarts make it easy to take a favorite flavor home for later. Our guide to bakeries and desserts in Palo Alto covers other ice cream shops in town.
Tips for visiting
- Try one Rick's classic and one Pints of Joy flavor to taste both sides of the shop.
- Our south Palo Alto guide covers the surrounding neighborhoods. The neighborhood shopping guide covers Charleston Center and other nearby stores.
- For a morning coffee, try Palo Alto Cafe, farther north on Middlefield Road in Midtown.
Location and getting there
Rick's Ice Cream is at 3946 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, in the Charleston area of Palo Alto. Our Charleston guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the San Antonio Caltrain station (Mountain View), about 0.8 miles away. That is roughly a 20 minute walk or a short bike ride.
Parking: street spaces or a small lot nearby; check posted limits.
What is nearby
- Subway South Middlefield, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
- Piazza's Fine Foods, food shop, under 0.1 mi
- Pet Food Express, shop, under 0.1 mi
- Charleston Cleaners, service business, under 0.1 mi
- Peet's Coffee Middlefield Road, cafe, under 0.1 mi
- Cubberley Community Center, 0.1 mi
- Mitchell Park Library, 0.3 mi
- Mitchell Park and Magical Bridge, 0.3 mi
Other restaurants nearby: Mountain Mike's (under 0.1 mi); Dohatsuten Ramen & Tapas (0.4 mi); So Gong Dong Tofu House (0.9 mi); Dinah’s Poolside Restaurant (0.9 mi). Browse the full restaurants list.
Before you go
- Popular dinner spots in Palo Alto fill up on Friday and Saturday nights, so book ahead where the restaurant takes reservations.
- Many kitchens close earlier than in big cities. Plan to order by about 9 p.m. on weeknights unless the posted hours say otherwise.
- If you have allergies or dietary needs, call ahead or check the current menu on the restaurant's website.
About this listing
Checked October 29, 2026 against Rick's Ice Cream website; Mountain View Voice: Ownership change brings new flavors to this 70-year-old Palo Alto ice cream institution (January 19, 2026). How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Rick's Ice Cream in Palo Alto?
Rick's Ice Cream is at 3946 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, in the Charleston area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the San Antonio Caltrain station (Mountain View), about 0.8 miles away.
Who owns Rick's Ice Cream now?
Rick's is run by Ketki Dandekar and Arshiya Shaikh, the co-founders of Pints of Joy, a Sunnyvale ice cream company. They took over from the Khosla family, who had owned Rick's since 2012, as reported by the Mountain View Voice in January 2026.
Are the old Rick's flavors still available?
Yes. The new owners kept longtime favorites such as computer chip and industrial chocolate. About a third of the roughly 48 flavors are now Pints of Joy recipes. The lineup rotates.
Does Rick's sell ice cream cakes?
Yes. Ice cream cakes, sundaes, milkshakes and quarts were all still on offer after the ownership change, according to the Mountain View Voice.