Connie’s Frozen Custard
12545 Jones Rd., conniesfrozencustard.com

Born on the Coney Island boardwalk in 1919, frozen custard took almost a century to take hold in Houston, which it finally did after this stand’s 2000 opening. Don’t miss the Choc-O-Rocko, a combination of chocolate custard, roasted almonds and marshmallow cream.

Kwality Ice Cream
5636 Hillcroft St., kwalityfoods.com

Indian-born, Rutgers-educated food scientist Dr. Kanti Parekh created this small chain of scoop shops specializing in big Indian flavors. Fruity sapodilla (chikoo) or soursop (sitafal) join smooth spoonsful of ice creams that taste just like milky Indian sweets.

SweetCup Gelato
3939 Montrose Blvd., sweetcupgelato.com

Owner Jasmine Chida may have begun her business with gelato, but she’s not satisfied sticking with just one type of frozen treat. Yogurts, sorbet and custards are also available, in quirky flavors such as avocado–sweet basil and lavender–guajillo–tres leches.