Photo Courtesy of Melanie Mirnaya
By Melanie Mirnaya
TAMPA, Fla. — Mayday, mayday, mayday, it’s sweet treat o’clock! Looking for a high-quality and aesthetically pleasing dessert pick-me-up near campus?
Mayday is a handcrafted ice cream shop located on West Kennedy Boulevard next to Falk Theater that offers familiar flavors like Cookie Crush and Strawberry Lemon Shortcake alongside more unique flavor combinations such as Yuzu Dreamsicle, Brass Pot Thai Tea, and seasonal specialties. Customers can also purchase sundaes, floats, affogatos, and pints.
This location operates through a service window, allowing for easy walk-up access, with nearby paid parking making it a convenient stop.
Mayday is named in honor of innovative Americans who served in World War II, and its aviation theme is reflected in the menu’s naming conventions. “The Pilot is one scoop and the Wingman is two,” said Mayday employee Alyssa Slater.
According to Mayday’s “Our Story” explanation, freezing temperatures during transport flights in Europe inspired pilots to make ice cream during the war. The account describes how they “strapped buckets full of cream and sugar into the gunner pod above the loading bays” and, upon landing, would have a bucket full of ice cream as “a reminder of home.”
Mayday carries the theme into its menu, which features handcrafted ice cream, sprinkles, and cones. Options include familiar flavors such as Triple Vanilla and Session Chocolate, alongside seasonal and unique specialties such as The Aviator and Parent Trap. The menu also includes gluten-free and dairy-free options, floats, sundaes, affogatos, and pints. Flavors change seasonally, giving customers something new to try throughout the year.
When asked which flavors she recommends, Slater suggested Queen Salted Caramel and Mint Monster. “A classic. You can’t go wrong with it,” she said.
During my visit, my sister and I arrived around 5 p.m. on a Friday. There were no other customers, so we were served right away. Before ordering, I sampled flavors such as Lavender High Tea, Society Island Ube Mochi, and The Great Pumpkin.
I chose one scoop of the Sunday Best Banana Pudding with a waffle topping for $6.72. My sister ordered Strawberry Lemon Shortcake and Mint Monster with sprinkles and hot fudge, which she received for free using Mayday’s punch card. After 12 stamps, customers can receive an order of ice cream and toppings for free. Although this location does not have inside seating, there are benches outside of the store.
Just by looking at it, you can tell that the ice cream itself is very thick and solid, and the natural-looking colors reflect the ingredients. The banana flavor was not artificially yellow, and the mint was not the typical bright teal color. When I tasted my ice cream, I could feel the natural fruit texture and pieces of bread throughout the scoop.
The sprinkles also stood out. I could tell they were homemade because they varied in shape and size and had a pale white color. Slater explained that the ice cream and sprinkles are made at Mayday’s Florida headquarters and shipped to its locations. The waffle cones, however, are made in the store every morning. The flavors we tasted were not overly sweet, and the consistency kept the ice cream from melting despite the Florida weather.
Beyond the flavors, Slater said the shop aims to create a welcoming experience for customers. She explained that the staff tries to make visitors feel comfortable rather than rush them through the service window.
“We just try to be as patient as possible,” Slater said.
I experienced this approach during my visit, as the employee working that day was patient and helpful as I decided what to order while also serving my sister.
Mayday’s location near the University of Tampa also brings in college students, particularly at night after the dining hall closes. Slater said the shop sometimes schedules two employees for evening shifts to accommodate the increased traffic. Parents’ Weekend also brought a noticeable increase in customers.
“We were flying through ice cream and cones,” said Slater.
Here’s the inside scoop: Students looking to try Mayday for themselves, the shop offers a 10% discount on orders with a valid student ID.
Slater also recalled a memorable visit from retired professional football player Rob Gronkowski. She said he tried several flavors and brought a friend along. According to Slater, he ordered O’ Canada, a maple ice cream, and his friend was from Canada. The two joked about the Canadian flag during their visit.
At $6 plus tip for one scoop, Mayday is more expensive than buying a pint at a grocery store. However, the homemade ingredients and attention to detail make the price easier to understand. I would have preferred a more visible display of the flavors and toppings as well as published nutritional information, but these are minor critiques. Someone looking for a casual, occasional dessert outing would probably appreciate Mayday, while someone prioritizing low-cost or a sit-down dessert experience may find it less appealing.
Overall, Mayday offers more than a scoop of ice cream. Its unique flavors, aviation-inspired identity, and friendly service contribute to an experience that feels different from an ordinary dessert shop. The idea of ice cream as “a reminder of home,” as described in Mayday’s own account of its history, also reflects the comfort that a simple treat can offer. While its proximity to campus is convenient, it is not necessarily the main reason I would return. I enjoyed the experience enough that I would willingly go out of my way to visit Mayday again.