It's-Its, Hoodsies and more: Regional ice cream favorites

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July National Ice Cream month, calling the popular summertime treat, "the perfect dessert and snack food." Likewise, National Ice Cream Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July, according to The International Ice Cream Association.

In honor of this fun, and tasty, holiday, here is a look at favorite ice cream treats from around the United States.

Hoodsie

A staple of many New England childhoods, the Hoodsie is a tiny wax paper cup filled with fluffy ice cream - chocolate on one side, vanilla on the other. Hoodsies have been made by Massachusetts-based dairy company Hood since 1947 and are best enjoyed with the wooden spatula spoon that comes with them.

It's-It

Mainly found on the West Coast (and in at least one San-Francisco-themed bar in Brooklyn, New York), the It's-It has a devoted fan base.

The mysteriously-named treat is an ice cream sandwich made from two chewy oatmeal cookies all dipped in chocolate. They got their start in 1928 when they were first served at San Francisco's Playland theme park. After Playland closed in the 1970's, It's-Its hit the retail market and have been popular ever since.

Teaberry Ice Cream

It looks like Pepto-Bismol and tastes like wintergreen. Teaberry is a flavor particular to Pennsylvania and is served up by local creameries as well as commercial ice cream companies including Hershey's and Turkey Hill.

The teaberry, also known as the checkerberry, boxberry, or American wintergreen, is a small red fruit found throughout the Eastern U.S.

Awful Awful

Despite its name, this ice cream drink is a hit with Rhode Islanders. Sold by Newport Creamery, the "Awful Awful" is a blend of flavored syrup, milk and a proprietary frozen-ice-milk concoction. Similar, but distinct, from the other New England ice cream drink, the Frappe (really just an extra-thick milkshake), the "Awful Awful" is available in a range of flavors including chocolate, vanilla, coffee, mint chocolate and strawberry.

Wattamelon Roll

Who doesn't love their ice cream in the shape of fruit? Sold by East Coast ice cream chain Friendly's, the "Wattamelon Roll" is only available in the summer months. Made from watermelon and lemon sherbet with chocolate chip "seeds," a slice of this is way more fun than a plain cone.

Shave Ice

Hawaiian style shave ice is distinguished by its light, snowy texture. Different from the snow cone, which is made of crushed ice, the dessert is doused with a hefty amount of flavored syrup and served up in a paper cone. Shave ice is often served with a scoop of ice cream or sweet bean paste at the bottom.

In this photo, President Barack Obama enjoys shave ice at Island Snow in Kailua, Hawaii, Jan. 3, 2011 .

Frozen Custard

With a smoother, creamier texture, due to higher butterfat content, egg yolks and less air than regular ice cream, frozen custard is a beloved treat in many regions of the United States. One outlet of particular note is Ted Drewes, a small chain of custard shops, now based in St. Louis, that first opened in 1928.

The two landmark shops draw long lines in the summer and are an especially popular stop after St. Louis Cardinals games.

Balboa Bar

A slab of ice cream coated in chocolate, smothered in toppings and stuck on a stick, the Balboa bar is a sweet tooth's dream. They come from Balboa Island in Newport Beach, Calif., a location which is also the original home of the frozen banana, according to local legend. Balboa bars are sold at a variety of locations on the island and are thought to have originated at either Dad's Donuts or Sugar 'N Spice.

Carvel

While Carvel is now a national name, this chain of ice cream shops got its start in New York more than 75 years ago. Carvel is most well known for creating the ice cream cake, including their iconic character cakes, "Fudgie the Whale," seen here, and "Cookie Puss."