Summer means long days, outdoor barbeques, sweltering heat and, of course, ice cream and custard. When it comes to having options for these desserts, the Milwaukee area does not disappoint.

Even outside of the national chains such as Dairy Queen and Culver's, Milwaukeeans have a plethora of shops to satisfy their ice cream and custard jones. Here are just a few of many city highlights (and for the record, check out custardlist.com to stay up-to-date on the latest flavors at your favorite local custard stand.)

Babe's Ice Cream & Dessert
2264 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 482-4000
Nestled next to Stone Creek Coffee in the lively neighborhood of Bay View, the family-owned Babe offers an assortment of flavors for those looking for ice cream (not custard.)

Baskin-Robbins
4164 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 964-3330
1417 N. Wauwatosa Ave., (414) 453-0330
8820 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 352-1020
Baskin-Robbins is actually the world's largest ice cream franchise -- with more than 5,400 outlets in 35 countries -- yet it still feels like a friendly, classic favorite. Famous for offering 31 innovative flavors, Baskin-Robbins now claims a flavor library that's approaching 1,000. They've also got a full range of frozen ice cream treats such as ice cream cones, cakes, sundaes, shakes and Blasts.

Bella's Fat Cat
2974 N. Oakland Ave. (414) 431-8480
2737 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. (414) 747-9746
This pseudo-1950s diner's menu features a special daily custard (some July highlights include the very Milwaukee Sprecher Root Beer Float and the scrumptious-sounding Granny's Apple Crumble Pie). Wash your custard down with one of their burgers or turkey burgers!

Cold Stone Creamery
2907 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 963-8810
2500 N. Mayfair Rd., (414) 257-9045
2935 S. 108th St., (414) 604-2441
An independently owned franchise, Cold Stone was developed in 1988 to offer combinations of customized ice cream creations. The uniqueness of the product is that the ice cream is homemade and mixed up right in the store on a frozen granite stone. The choices of candy combinations are seemingly endless, but the good news is that it's hard to go wrong.

Cream City Custard
1440 S. 84th St., (414) 774-4000
Adding to Milwaukee's repertoire of classic burger-and-custard stops, Cream City does it simple and does it right. They've got enough tempting flavors to resist any repeats in a month, as well as a few sandwich surprises on the menu.