Nostalgia Meets Soft Serve Magic
There’s something about Troutdale’s Sugarpine Drive-In that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into a scene from a storybook, with a modern twist. Tucked along the Sandy River, this little roadside gem has become a big-time favorite, pulling in day-trippers from Portland and beyond who come for soft serve that’s anything but ordinary.
What started as a dream between husband-and-wife duo Emily Cafazzo and Ryan Domingo in 2018 has grown into one of the region’s most beloved sweet stops. Sure, you’ll find the classics, but you’ll also discover flavors and toppings that surprise you in the best way. Think pine-nut honeycomb crunch, seasonal fruit compotes, and miso-caramel drizzle that strike the perfect balance of playful and elevated.
But it’s not just the ice cream. Sugarpine’s location, right at the gateway to the Gorge, makes it a natural gathering place. Cyclists coast in for cones after a ride, families grab sundaes before heading to the river, and road-trippers pause their adventure for a photo-worthy scoop. There’s a sense of pause here, the kind you don’t get at a chain drive-thru.
And the community has noticed. In 2023, Food & Wine spotlighted Sugarpine as one of the best soft-serve stands in America, putting Troutdale on the national map. But locals will tell you the real magic is closer to home: it’s in the friendly staff who know your favorites, the shady tables where you linger a little longer, and the way one cone can spark joy that feels bigger than the treat in your hand.
Sugarpine is more than ice cream. It’s a reminder that simple pleasures, done really, really well, can connect us to a place, to each other, and to the sweet side of slowing down.
Swing by 1208 E Historic Columbia River Hwy in Troutdale for a cone with a view, or peek at the menu ahead of time at sugarpinedrivein.com