Magnum Icecream

Honestly the wait in line for a magnum ice cream bar is only worth it due to the hype and novelty of the fact that the store won’t be here forever. Maybe the magnum goodness is wasted on me though since I actually don’t have that much of a sweet tooth. I had the crushed macaroons, bacon, maple fudge, and toffee bits as my toppings, with vanilla ice cream center, dark chocolate coating and white chocolate drizzle. The best part I think was the bacon bits which complemented the sweetness of the ice cream nicely. If Magnum ever does this again though I would probably stick with salty toppings like the sea salt, bacon and crushed popcorn to counteract the overwhelming sweetness of the ice cream bar as a whole! I would probably rate this a half a star higher though if they didn’t run out of the gold nail polish =(

Only in Toronto would a pop-​up selling $ 6 Magnums exist. SUCKERS/​rich peeps. (Btw, a box of 3 larger bars are $ 5, on-​sale at the local grocery store.) Interior of the temporary Bloor St. store was pretty impressive for something that was only gonna be open for a month!
Not sure who they were catering to, locals/​tourists/​both!, but there were plenty o’ people willing to fork over some dough for an ice cream bar with some fancy schmancy toppings.
Line was out the door! I actually thought they were giving out free samples, but when I inquired with the reps outside the store, they informed me of the cost, and I promptly left… slightly disgusted. Too rich for my blood!
Maybe a photo booth/​other form of on-​site social media, sharing pics of patrons’ creations would’ve been a good idea. Oh well, this place is probably already closed by now…

For $ 6, this is totally worth it! I came on a Thursday afternoon and the line was only 15 mins. The staff were very friendly and the atmosphere was great! For $ 6, you get to pick your own ice cream base, a choice of 21 toppings, 3 choices of dipping and topping. Apparently there’s something call the golden touch where they’ll too your Popsicle with 24k gold flakes. Not many people know about this, so remember to ask for it :)

While I understand the concept, enjoy Magnum icecream and love bacon topped anything, this pop up shop is somewhat overhyped.
Cost: $ 6 for a small bar.
Instead: Go to your local grocery store and $ 6 will get you a whole box of Magnum icecream bars (which, by the way comes in 7 different flavors vs. the 3 choices you get at the pop-​up shop).
Time: 15 minutes in line.
Instead: Spend the 15 minutes enjoying a whole box of the delicious icecream bars at the park or patio with 6 friends and then walk by the long linup and smile at your fellow ice cream lovers who have been lining up for 45 minutes.

After being turned down at the door once before, I decided to give the Magnum Pleasure store another try (they close at 9pm on weekdays, so they shut the doors at 8:45pm in order to heed the crowds).
I came in on a lovely and super sunny Sunday afternoon for a midday treat. It was about 3pm and the line up was almost reaching the end of the block, but there were tons of Pleasure Makers working away in order to service all of the customers. The wait was painless and easy this time around.
When I could finally smell all of the chocolate and sweet treats, I was overwhelmed with excitement. For $ 6, I received a full customized Magnum ice cream bar. The woman who customized my Magnum bar was very friendly and helpful. Although she had probably been working all day long, she was still extremely patient through my indecisiveness (I was going through a sensory overload with all of the different topping choices).
The system was very efficient and they had customers in and out of the line in no time. There were plenty of seats available for customers and the décor is very minimal but pleasing to the eye.
Overall, I had a great time at the Magnum Pleasure store and it’s a great marketing ploy for their new product. It’s a great experience and it’s definitely worth the wait. I might be back for a second time before they close!
P. S. The Magnum bars can get extremely sweet with some of the toppings and all of that chocolate. I suggest getting some Nerds (or goji berries if you’re the health nut… though I don’t think a Magnum bar is THAT healthy anyways… go big or go home, right?!) to add a bit of texture and tang! It really breaks up all of the sweets really nicely.

Such as cool pop up store. You line up, pick your base ice cream, choose as many toppings as you like, they will mix it up and sprinkle it on your chocolate dipped bar then drizzle it with even more chocolate. Some funky toppings like rose flakes, poppin candy, pepper flakes etc. Limited seating area in the back. The line up can get pretty long. It’s not worth standing in line for 30min, 10min is ok.

The store itself was decorated in a simple and elegant manner. However, I felt that it was all just the hype. The ice cream ($ 6) was no good and the toppings (choice from 21) didn’t taste like much since the ice cream is so sweet and they decided to load the bar with more chocolate.
The line was not long. It was only a 10 – 15 minute wait.
My conclusion: looks good but if you’re looking to get good ice cream, I would not recommend coming here. It doesn’t really have enough space for you and your friends to hang out in this space anyway.

While I recognize this limited-​time-​only ice cream store is extremely gimmicky, I’ll admint that I couldn’t help falling in love with the experience. At $ 6 dollars a pop with as many toppings as my heart desired, this was like re-​living a childhood memory of being a kid in a candy store. Except in a much more sophisticated and swanky caliber, of course.
This place is only around until August 30^th, and make sure you’re ready to line up for it. And when I say line up, I mean LINE UP. The queue is out the door and spans across multiple store entrances!

Put that diet away and feel like a kid again!
Although there is a long line in front of the store and almost no one inside, it is well worth the wait (around 45 mins on average)!
Located right at Yonge and Bloor, for $ 6 (tax incl), you can create your own magnum ice cream bar with your own coating, drizzle and as many toppings as you like!
Ladies, if they have any left, ask for the free magnum nail polish! (Gold glitter by Nails Inc.)
Be sure to catch it before it’s gone August 30^th, 2013 as it is only a pop up store!
(It was supposed to end July 28^th but got extended by popular demand)

Man do I love these bars. The first time I went with my boyfriend, we walked in and ordered right away. I think it had only been open a few days, so most people didn’t know about it yet. We went back a second time with my parents maybe 2 weeks later and we had to wait in line for 1.5 hours! They really need more people working; 2 people making the bars and 1 cash doesn’t cut it.
On to the ice cream — to die for! I think $ 6 is a good price for getting unlimited amounts of toppings. They’ve got everything you could want. I loved getting the golden flakes and free gold nail polish when asking for the «golden touch» at the register.
I thought the bars were small when I saw them come out of the package the first time, but when you add all the toppings, it’s definitely big enough and I’ve left stuffed both times. They’ve just extended their store until the end of August. Good news for my taste buds, bad news for my waist.

I like ice cream well enough. Not obsessed, but I will not turn it down if offered. After brunch Jen told us about the new pop-​up Magnum store. I had no idea what she was talking about. Then we saw it; the line. We stood in line to keep Jen «company,» but needless to say, I had to try one too after looking at all the different topping options. I really did have a great time choosing the flavor combinations and although my ice cream bar looked like it was overflowing with too many toppings, it tasted good. I specially liked the chili flakes. It balanced out the sweetness of the other toppings. I would not get the goji berries again because they were too chewy, but other than that, this was my creation. from what I remember: Vanilla bar dipped in chocolate with white chocolate drizzle. Toppings: Pieces of French Macarons, chili flakes, honey, real maple pieces, toffee pieces, pop candy and goji berries. Oh yeah! Gold flakes! You gotta try this at least once. It’s an experience.

Lives up to the hype! It’s $ 6 for an ice cream bar and whatever toppings you want (they have a ton).
Definitely one of the nicest pop-​up shops i’ve seen! Looks better than most permanent shops.

Ice cream is ice cream is ice cream.
My pal and I wanted to see what all the hype was about so we went downtown to check out the Magnum store. We got to the store at around three o’clock on a Saturday. Thankfully it was a beautiful day, not too hot or humid so it was nice to stand outside and chat. We waited for an hour and fifteen minutes in line for this ice cream. Once we got inside, I noticed that the bars were $ 6, which is a little overpriced in my opinion. Yeah, you get an option of twenty-​one toppings, but besides the rose petals, I’m certain that I could go buy them at Bulk Barn. Anyway, I had to get my bang for my buck so I asked for ten toppings. I also asked for the Golden Touch so my nails will be beautifully gold for Monday morning at work.
This place is all hype; it’s a novelty store.
Good for: sweet cravings, killing time

With a plethora of 5 star reviews for this spot I wanted to try this place before it closed doors as apparently this is a limited time engagement.
I had walked by this place a few days earlier and setup looked nice and inviting. So with a ice cream aficionado friend in tow I walked up and reached our destination. Lo and behold there was a lineup there. Hmmm this would probably add to the anticipation for this place I said to myself.
We were handed a placard which explained the bevy of toppings that are available. Some were quite exotic and come from the most inaccessible spots on Earth (Hey that’s where they keep the best stuff isn’t it)
Here is how it works
Step 1. you pick the ice cream you want in the centre (Vanilla and Chocolate)
Step 2. you pick the dip of chocolate (White, Milk and Dark)
Step 3. you hit the mind boggling choices of toppings.
Step 4. (Optional)you can come back for a drizzle of the dipping you picked in step 2.
I decided not to get overboard and stuck with somewhat mainstream stuff. I chose dark chocolate, almonds and for kicks crushed macrons and with the useful hint for Unilocal I also asked for the golden touch (hint it comes with a keepsake golden bag). My friend went a bit more exotic (rose petals) and chose a whole bunch of toppings.
Visually pleasing this is a feast for the eyes. On to the taste hmm this is where the experience seems to falter. Other than the choices the main event is not spectacular. Its your run of a mill frozen ice cream bar with the topping to kick it up a notch.
I would say 3 stars max as there is a better choice for purely ice cream luver a few minutes away. I would add half a star for toppings, setup and location. Give it a try while they are open.
3.5 Stars.

Drop what you’re doing right now and RUN RUN RUN to Bloor. Oh my god, can you say «sugar coma»?
Walked past this place a few times at the beginning of the month, back when it was still thunderstormy and this place was pretty much empty. How I wish I’d had known about this place back then — now that the weather has picked up, there’s a line out the door every single time.
Basic procedure is just like how the other reviewers have outlined — pick your ice cream, pick your toppings, pick your chocolate dip. Definitely go crazy — highlights include macaron pieces, maple fudge, and bacon bits. Close second are the rose pedals (don’t really taste like anything, but fun to have!), gold leaf, and toffee bits. Get them all! The staff puts them into little metal cups and shakes them up like a mixed drink.
At the register, ask for the Golden Touch and they’ll give you gold flakes and nail polish free of charge!
Going to be completely honest here — it was way too sweet. It wasn’t the toppings as much as the ice cream — it just had too much sugar in it. I found myself stopping halfway and picking off the chocolate-​topping crust and eating that instead. They give you a convenient little paper tray so you can greedily scrape off and devour any of the toppings that didn’t make it onto your chocolate bar.
This place closes at 10, but if you want to get one you pretty much need to be there by 9pm.

I ventured into the pop-​up Magnum Pleasure Store (yes — that’s what it’s called), where the ill-​fated French Connection once stood. This after passing by a massive line-​up earlier in the day. I’m definitely not one to wait in line for anything — let alone ice cream. Yet, I waited about 15 minutes to try the much hyped ice cream bar with up to 21 toppings.
On display are some ridiculous glittery gold ice cream bars, and some wannabe Swarovski encrusted bars. You can definitely see the Italian origins — and this is probably a place you’d want to bring your girlfriends and people watch as you bite into your bar.
By the time I got to be served — the reason for the lineup is explained — there are about 2 people manning the counter and each order is serviced with delicate care and attention.
The combination is as follows:
1. Choose your ice cream flavour — Vanilla, Classic Chocolate, Dark Chocolate
2. Choose your shell. This is what holds your toppings together. Choose from white chocolate, classic and dark chocolate or gold
3. There are 21 toppings to choose from including — chili flakes, rose petals, bacon bits, crushed macarons, grape nerds, sea salt, dark chocolate flakes and rice krispies.
4. Choose your drizzle — select from 2.
Be prepared to have your mind blown for $ 6.
Be warned: This store is only open until the end of July!

omm a nomm nom nom nom nom nom
Yumm, Yumm I scream for Ice Cream
Line-​up not so fun, but order must be kept to get my premium custom made ice cream bar — better than Haagen Daaz on a sunny, humid day.
$ 6 gets you whatever chocolate dipped vanilla or chocolate ice cream — with 21 toppings to choose from the mundane to the exotic — rose petals and gold flakes.
Ask for the golden touch and ladies — you get a mini bottle of gold nail polish — get them while supplies last.
Also ask for a touch of sea salt and not the lot, otherwise it is too sea salty over everything else.
Sad there are no cheesecake bits, but yum yum to bacon, toffee and maple fudge bits with white chocolate drizzle.
Only around until July 29, so get ready to line up outside and go nuts and topping crazy.
Don’t recommend mixing bacon, chili flakes and sea salt together.
Excellent to try once, and maybe again if you are in the area — but no sharing please — there simply isn’t enough to go around.

FAN.TAS.TIC.
This pop-​up shop is JUST what your summer needs!
Premium ice cream, high quality toppings, delicious chocolate.
You know those make your own Sundae bars you loved growing up? The Magnum shop is SORT of like that, only high quality, and with a way cooler variety of stuff.
Mostly anything your heart desires, you can put into making your ice cream bar. Craving something traditional? Get a milk chocolate dipped ice cream with some nuts on top. Want to try something out of the norm? Grab a white chocolate dipped ice cream bar and dress it up with chili flakes and popcorn!
$ 6 flat and you can dress your ice cream bar up any which way you want. You can even put ALL 21 toppings on at once, if you’re really that brave!
My creative concoction consisted of: vanilla bean ice cream, coated in milk chocolate, topped with: gold flecks, shortbread, toffee pieces, white chocolate vermicelli, pop rocks, macaroons and fudge. It was an explosion of random deliciousness. Eating it was a bit messy, but still awesome and totally worth it.
I think what really makes these ice cream bars stand out is not only is the chocolate and ice cream of really high quality, so are each and every one of the toppings. None of them taste like something stale that’s been sitting under a counter somewhere waiting to be used. I was actually quite surprised how good the macaroons were — super fresh and ridiculously moist! Better macaroons than I’ve had at some bakeries!
Service here is awesome: everyone was extremely friendly, helpful, and sweet.
Ask for the Golden Touch and you’ll be lucky enough to get some Golden Flecks on your ice cream, and free gold nail polish (not on your ice cream — don’t worry!) They may ask a skill testing question — but it will be pretty simple.
There are nice cushy chairs and couches to lounge around on while you are devouring your ice cream creation.
I plan on eating way more ice cream than I really should this July — just to take advantage of this Magnum pop-​up before it’s gone: I highly suggest you do the same!

TIP: If you ask for the GOLDEN TOUCH, they will sprinkle shiny gold flakes onto your ice cream bar and give you a gold nail polish!!! Fun!!!
UPDATE: It is staying open until AUG 30!
This make-​your-​own-​icecream-​bar will not be here forever, so COME WHILE YOU CAN!!! They are open until July 28, 2013.
Hours are (I got this from Twitter):
Monday-​Saturday from 12 – 10 and Sundays from 11 – 7
Some awesome toppings include: almonds, crumbled French macaroons, chocolate flakes, biscuits, hazelnuts, toffee… popcorn, popping candy, bacon, rose pedals.
YES and I did have mine with rose pedals. My ice cream smelled AMAZING but the pedals tasted like dried tea leaves (haha).
The lineup was about 15 – 20 minutes for me. The bar is $ 6 each, and the experience is so fun and delicious. The staff are very very friendly, he stopped to pose for a photo (uploaded onto Unilocal)! There’s enough seating (surprisingly) for the amount of people coming in! Unless of course, a GROUP of friends stay there to chat (arg!!)
I posted the menu here on Unilocal Photos. ENJOY!!!

As an atheist:
DO YOU EVER HAVE THOSE MOMENTS THAT MAKE YOU WONDER IF GOD EXISTS?
As an adult:
DO YOU EVER HAVE THOSE MOMENTS THAT MAKE YOU WONDER IF YOU EVER TRULY POTTY TRAINED?
This store is the answer to those moments summed up in a delicious fatty package.
I stumbled upon the Magnum store as I was walking through my hood. The security guard and event promoter ushered me into a bright clean well lit space. Carefully placed modern photographs and tiny tables give this place a spacious upscale feel.
The enthusiastic Magnum ambassadors let you decide between two flavours for the bar: chocolate and vanilla. And then the real fun begins. You can coat your bar with dozens of premium toppings (cheesecake, pecan, sprinkles, truffles) and finish it off with a coating of dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate.
I was literally smiling from ear to ear the entire time. The staff were very patient with my childish curiosity and excitement.
Each bar is $ 7 but well worth it. And presented in a white paper dish, to prevent any of the toppings falling off.
The store is only open for ONE MONTH. So if you haven’t been yet, get your buns there STAT.