Companies have fully tapped into spooky season. For instance, Burger King launched a “Monster Menu.” Starbucks brought out its infamous all-things-pumpkin line. And McDonald’s is already advertising its “Boo Buckets,” which are slated for an Oct. 21 release date.
Most of the seasonal items part of these launches are more so cutesy Halloween-themed—like bat-shaped chicken nuggets—rather than downright creepy and spooky.
But one ice cream shop in Portland, Oregon, hit the nail on the head on the latter front. And depending on your familiarity with the parlor, you’ll either be downright disturbed or simply apathetic when you hear about one of its Halloween flavors.
Millie Windham (@milliewindham) posted a TikTok about her recent experience at Salt & Straw, an ice cream shop known for its more out-there offerings and backed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Not Mincing Words
Windham filmed herself from her car. In her TikTok, she holds a cup of vibrant green matcha ice cream—but there’s something creepy crawling from within: bugs. Like, actual insects.
Windham was unaware Salt & Straw meant what they said when they advertised the ice cream. Online, a short description for the ice cream reads, “A swarm of edible candy-coated critters scattered throughout our sweet green matcha ice cream.”
Yes, they mean real critters. But Windham figured this was just another cutesy Halloween offering and that the “critters” were fake.
“Halloween flavors are getting out of hand. I thought the ice cream had candy bugs. These are real,” she shared in the text overlay. “A cup of lawn-flavored ice cream.”
“I did eat a bug before realizing. Wasn’t that bad but wasn’t what I was looking for,” Windham added.
Are Bugs In Ice Cream Normal? It Depends On Who You Ask
Her video amassed 2.8 million views and elicited very mixed reactions from two camps: those who are familiar with the brand and those who are not.
“They are VERY clear it’s real bugs in all the advertising dude!!” one viewer commented.
“You chose to go to salt and straw. A place that experiments with flavors and loves being out of the ordinary. Be so fr rn,” another said.
“Everyone mad in the comments like bugs in ice cream is normal,” another defended the customer.
“Are we really expected to think an icecream shop puts real bugs in their icecream???” a second asked.
Customer Elaborates On Salt & Straw Ice Cream Experience
Windham told BroBible she quickly realized what she was eating was a real cricket. She shared via Instagram direct message that the workers didn’t inform her about the bugs, as some commenters suggested they should have. “I was not told about the bugs. I assume the employees were just having an off day,” she said.
While Windham still enjoyed the treat, she found the bugs too off-putting to finish it.
“It tasted like walnuts so it wasn’t too bad. The ice cream was really good. The matcha flavor was very well done. I didn’t finish the ice cream because I was pretty surprised by the bugs and wasn’t in the mood to eat them,” she shared.
However, Windham said she would return to the establishment—but with the caveat of her closely inspecting the ingredients first before ordering.
“I have no problems with [Salt & Straw] and had no intention of criticizing their business,” she said. “I have only love for [Salt & Straw].”
@milliewindham I did eat a bug before realizing. Wasn’t that bad but wasn’t what I was looking for. #halloween #icecream #sweettreats #fypシ゚viral
The Conception Of Creepy Crawly Critters Ice Cream
In 2017, Salt & Straw released its Creepy Crawly Critters seasonal flavor after being inspired by the insect protein snack company, Don Bugito (crickets actually have a whole lot of protein). According to its website, Salt & Straw uses Don Bugito’s crickets and mealworms for the offering.
A longer description for the dessert on the site reads, “On the night when the veil between worlds thins, Halloween unleashes a swarm of edible critters to tickle your tongue—and your fancy—in the return of our sweet green matcha ice cream. Don Bugito’s munchy, crunchy chocolate crickets and toffee-brittle mealworms wriggle into every bite, a superfood delight you’ll keep coming back for more. Dare to indulge? (You do.)”
If insects aren’t really your thing but you want to remain open to being adventurous, keep a close eye on Salt & Straw’s seasonal flavors. In the past, the brand has released all kinds of innovative ice cream concoctions where it’s experimented with ingredients like pigs’ blood and cow bone marrow.
BroBible reached out to Salt & Straw via email.