Colby Ridge Popcorn & Ice Cream In Lincoln, Nebraska, Is A Local Favorite For Flavored Popcorn

Bubble gum ice cream and cheese popcorn share the same counter at one cheerful Nebraska snack shop. That pairing alone should earn it a spot on your weekend list.

The popcorn comes in flavors like caramel and cheese, plus plain white for the purists. Gift tins and popcorn balls wait nearby for anyone who needs a present in a hurry.

Then there’s the cold side of the operation. Cotton candy, red velvet, mint chip, and lemon custard are just a few ice cream flavors that have rotated through the cases.

I like how one stop handles salty and sweet cravings without a second parking lot. I believe that’s a big reason this spot has lasted long enough to change its name.

So which side of the counter gets your first order?

A Popcorn Shop That Quietly Scoops Serious Ice Cream

Popcorn gets top billing on the sign, but ice cream shares the spotlight inside. Colby Ridge Popcorn & Ice Cream sits on the south side of Lincoln and runs as a proper popcorn store first.

That means bags of flavored popcorn, plain white kernels, and caramel corn for the snack drawer at home. It also means a full ice cream counter ready for anyone who wanders in craving something cold.

Two treats under one roof sounds simple, and honestly, it is. The beauty is in how rarely you see both done side by side in one compact shop.

You can grab a tub of cheese popcorn for movie night and a cone for the drive home. Nobody has to choose, and nobody has to make a second stop across town.

Families, gift shoppers, and anyone with a stubborn sweet tooth all find a reason to come here. The menu covers crunchy, salty, creamy, and sugary without breaking a sweat.

Lincoln has plenty of dessert options these days. Few of them let you leave with a popcorn tin under one arm and a waffle cone in the other hand.

Longtime Fans Still Remember The Goodrich Days

Ask an older Lincoln crowd about this shop, and one name might pop up first. Before it was Colby Ridge, the ice cream side was known by many as Goodrich.

That Goodrich name carries real weight around Lincoln. Generations grew up ordering malts and cones under that banner, and the memories didn’t vanish with the new sign.

Some folks have kept the same favorite flavor for decades. Bubble gum ice cream, for instance, has been a childhood order that stayed an adult order for longtime fans.

A name change can feel a little jarring in a hometown. Here, the switch seems to have kept the spirit of the old ice cream shop while adding popcorn to the story.

That blend of old and new makes the place feel familiar even on a first visit. Grandparents can point out what used to be, while kids just point at the colorful flavor case.

Nebraska towns love a spot that bridges eras like this. It’s the kind of place where a simple cone becomes a little family tradition passed down quietly.

Caramel, Cheese, And A Bag For Every Snacking Mood

Caramel corn and cheese popcorn lead the lineup, and they make a strong opening act. Colby Ridge Popcorn & Ice Cream built its reputation on flavored popcorn, and the selection shows it.

Sweet fans can reach for that glossy caramel coating. Savory snackers usually head straight for the bright orange cheese bags instead.

Not into heavy flavors at all? A low-sodium white popcorn gives you the plain, light crunch that works as an everyday snack.

Mixing and matching is half the fun here. One bag of caramel and one of cheese is a classic pairing that keeps everyone on the couch happy.

Flavors can change over time, so it’s smart to check what’s currently on the shelves. Favorites do sometimes retire, which makes grabbing your top pick feel a little urgent.

The popcorn also travels beyond the shop. Colby Ridge bags have shown up at Hy-Vee in Lincoln, so a craving doesn’t always require a special trip.

Still, buying it straight from the source has its perks. You see the full flavor range at once, and that’s dangerous for anyone with weak willpower.

Popcorn Tins That Rescue Last-Minute Gift Shoppers

Forgot a birthday again? Popcorn tins might just save your reputation before the party starts.

Colby Ridge stocks tins of popcorn that turn a snack into a ready-made present. They work for coworkers, neighbors, teachers, and that relative who swears they want nothing.

Popcorn balls are another fun pick from the shelves. They feel old-fashioned in the best way and look great tucked into a gift basket.

Gift sets round out the options for anyone wanting something a bit more unique. You can skip the generic candle aisle and hand over a local Lincoln treat instead.

Edible gifts have one huge advantage over knickknacks. Nobody has to find a shelf for them, and they disappear fast during a holiday gathering.

A Nebraska-made snack also says something a store-bought gift card doesn’t. It shows you picked something from your own community and thought about who would enjoy it.

Office parties, thank-you gestures, and hostess gifts all fit the bill nicely. Just plan on buying an extra bag for yourself, because sampling the merchandise is basically required.

Cotton Candy, Red Velvet, And A Flavor Case Worth Studying

Cotton candy ice cream exists here, and that’s a public service. The flavor case at Colby Ridge Popcorn & Ice Cream reads like a candy aisle turned frozen.

Bubble gum, mint chip, red velvet, and lemon custard have all made appearances. Each one leans fun and nostalgic rather than fussy or overly fancy.

The selection runs extensive, so decision time can take a minute. Kids tend to lock in fast, while adults stand there pretending they’re not torn between three choices.

Flavors rotate, which keeps repeat visits interesting. The flip side is that your favorite may be missing on any given day.

A quick call ahead can help if you’re chasing one specific scoop. Otherwise, consider it a nudge to try something new instead of your usual order.

Portions run generous, and the pricing stays friendly for families. That makes it easier to say yes when someone asks for a second scoop.

One fun pairing idea involves lemon custard with salted popcorn. Sweet, tangy, and salty together sounds odd until you try it.

Dipped Waffle Cones And Old-Fashioned Malts Steal The Show

A waffle cone rim coated in chocolate and candy is basically dessert wearing a crown. Colby Ridge offers multiple cone options, and the dipped ones get attention for good reason.

Soft-serve fills those cones in fun flavors like red velvet. The chocolate shell adds a crackly layer before you even reach the ice cream.

Not a cone person? Old-fashioned malts and milkshakes give you a sippable route to the same flavors.

Malts feel like a throwback order these days. Ordering one here fits right in with the shop’s long ice cream history in Lincoln.

Milkshakes work great for the car ride home, too. They hold up better than a melting cone on a warm Nebraska afternoon.

Plain cones still have their place for purists. Sometimes a simple scoop lets a flavor like mint chip do all the talking.

Whatever format you choose, the menu rewards a little experimenting. Try a different cone or switch from shake to malt next time, and you’ll keep finding new favorites.

Donuts Next Door And Seating Both Inside And Out

Sharing a building with a donut shop sounds like a brilliant plan, and it is. Colby Ridge Popcorn & Ice Cream sits in the same building as LaMar’s Donuts.

That neighbor opens the door to some creative combinations. Ice cream on donuts is a dessert idea worth considering if you’re feeling bold.

You’ll find the shop at 4240 S 48th St #1, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506. The location is easy to reach from much of south and central Lincoln.

Seating comes in two styles, with tables indoors and options outside. Nice weather makes the outdoor spots a natural pick for slow cone eating.

Inside, the decor gives the room a friendly, casual feel. Clean restrooms and a tidy space add to the easygoing vibe for families.

The staff has earned a reputation for being friendly and polite. That matters when little ones are pressing faces against the flavor case for five full minutes.

All of it adds up to a relaxed spot for a quick treat or a longer hangout. Nobody rushes you out the door.

Open Daily And Worth Working Into Your Next Lincoln Errand Run

Seven days a week, morning through evening, the doors stay open. That schedule makes Colby Ridge Popcorn & Ice Cream an easy fit for almost any plan.

Hit it after a school pickup, a weekend errand run, or a long day at work. Late-day hours mean dessert after dinner is completely on the table.

Budget-minded families will appreciate the pricing here. Generous portions at friendly prices make it a solid treat without stretching the wallet.

Popcorn shoppers might want to buy what they’ll enjoy soon. Fresh bags taste their best when you don’t let them sit around for weeks.

Ice cream fans chasing a certain flavor can call ahead first. Rotating cases keep things exciting but can leave a favorite out of stock.

So is it worth the trip across Lincoln? For anyone who loves caramel corn, a dipped waffle cone, or both, the answer leans strongly toward yes.

This Nebraska spot covers salty, sweet, and nostalgic in one stop. Grab a bag for later and a cone for right now, and call it a good day.