Rolled ice cream makes its debut in Dallas-Fort Worth

Rolled ice cream has finally made it to Dallas, but what does that even mean? The treat's been buzzy in L.A., New York, Houston, and even as a couple of food trucks in Austin. But really, rolled ice cream isn't that different from regular ice cream: sweet, extra creamy and very, very cold. The fun parts are the beautiful presentation and the intriguing process.

Orchid City Fusion Cafe, which the owners say is the only location in Dallas-Fort Worth to offer the Thai-inspired dessert at the moment, allows customers to watch as they transform a creamy substance and some Oreos into an Oreo mudslide—or whatever flavor the customer orders.  (A rolled ice cream spot called Chills 360 is under construction in Deep Ellum, according to CultureMap.)

In addition to Oreo mudslide, Orchid City Fusion Cafe also sells strawberry cheesecake, Mega Matcha (strawberry, white chocolate and green tea), Grease Monkey (banana and Nutella), coconut and mango options. Each single-serving dish is $6.

Orchid City Fusion Cafe, across from Tarrant County College's Southeast Campus in Arlington, is known for its smoothies, but owner Martin Doan loves discovering new concepts.

"I traveled to New York to experience this new food concept and I found the texture and favor to be amazing! People stood in long lines to taste this artfully-made dish," Doan says in a statement.

All flavors of rolled ice cream begin with the same base: a "secret" concoction of milk, eggs, sugar and natural ingredients.

How it works

Combine the milky substance with an Oreo (or other topping, for a different flavor) and mix on a plate frozen to -24 degrees.

As it freezes, flatten the mixture onto the cold plate. Then, using a metal spatula, roll it carefully into about five different rolls.

Top off the dish with fresh fruit or a cookie and whipped cream and voilà — your rolled ice cream has arrived.

The finished product is certainly worthy of some social media love; how else will your friends know? Be sure not to eat it too quickly (you won't want to get brain freeze from the extra cold ice cream) or too slowly (it would probably lose its intrigue if it melted). Finally, bring a friend so you can sample multiple flavors.

• Orchid City Fusion Cafe is located at 2135 Southeast Parkway, Arlington and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.