Chef Dan Kardos Launches Oar & Oak Creamery Ice Cream Truck

Chef Dan Kardos has made his mark on the Connecticut restaurant industry over the past two decades. He’s been the operator, the owner, and, of course, the chef of local favorites like Stratford’s Oar & Oak. This summer, he’s turning to something even sweeter. 

Kardos recently opened Oar & Oak Creamery, a 10x6 soft serve ice cream truck currently stationed at Knapp’s Landing in Stratford. The truck, Kardos emphasized, isn’t some extravagant ice cream parlor with dozens of flavors and toppings galore. It’s straightforward yet refreshingly original.

“It’s very simple,” he said. “We change the flavors all the time. Two machines, four flavors total, and they constantly rotate. That's really the nuts and bolts about it.”

“Simple”, however, can’t be confused with traditional. The ice cream is made fresh, and depending on the day, our lactose-free friends can look forward to non-dairy options. Kardos expects to develop additional non-dairy options in the future, including an oat milk mix that’s currently in the works. Customers can also expect some toppings to spice up their ice cream and sometimes, even sundaes.

The truck’s hours are tentative with the pandemic lingering and its contingency on good weather. For now, Kardos says, he’ll generally be open Thursday through Sunday from 3 to 8 pm, though a more concrete schedule is on the way. If the weather permits it, he hopes to be open everyday this summer.

As for the inspiration to explore this unchartered territory of an ice cream truck, Kardos points to an overlooked niche for these sweet treats with a lack of dessert trucks in the business. Plus, in a post-pandemic world, the truck will be a great way to reach ice cream lovers at parties and events.

“I figured it’s just a good addition and it’s something that’s simple,” he said. “And honestly, everybody likes ice cream.”

Besides the ice cream itself to look forward to, visitors can expect to be greeted by stunning views as they sit at waterfront tables at Knapp’s Landing. Located on the mouth of the Housatonic River, customers can admire the Long Island Sound while they enjoy Kardos’ delicious ice cream. 

“It honestly has the best waterfront view in Fairfield County. Period,” Kardos said. “It’s beautiful down here.”

In short, Oar & Oak Creamery is the perfect summer destination to satisfy your sweet tooth with some real deal ice cream. They’ve got a truck with a great chef behind it, new flavors on the regular, and picturesque views as far as the eye can see. What more can you ask for?

Make sure to follow Oar & Oak Creamery on Instagram @oarandoak_creamery for hours, flavor updates, and more.

Oar & Oak Creamery @oarandoak_creamery