On June 2 National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day Say 'Thanks' To Oakland

OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- When you scream for ice cream do you scream for Rocky Road? If so, get loud on June 2, National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day, and give a huge thanks to Oakland, the birthplace of the flavor.

There's some debate over exactly who in Oakland first made this chunky confection of chocolate ice cream, marshmallows and nuts.

One theory is that William Dreyer, founder of Edy's Grand Ice Cream which later became Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, created Rocky Road in 1929 when he cut up some walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing shears and mixed them in with chocolate ice cream. He substituted the walnuts with almonds later.

The other theory is that Mr. Dreyer based his recipe on a flavor his friend George Farren over at Fenton's Creamery was already serving up at the shop that still exists today. It was a blend of chocolate ice cream and Rocky Road-style candy bars.

Regardless of which theory is true, on this Rocky Road Day, why not give props to both? Dreyers Ice Cream parlor is located at 5925 College Avenue. Fenton's is barely 2 miles away, at 4226 Piedmont Avenue. Who says you can't have Rocky Road more than once in the same day?

And when you do, don't forget to say, 'Thank you Oakland!'