Few treats spark as much joy as a scoop of handcrafted ice cream. At Betty Rae's, every cone and cup is made with creativity, quality, and a genuine love for the Kansas City community. From inventive seasonal flavors to beloved classics, the locally owned ice cream shop has built a loyal following by listening to customers and serving up memorable experiences one scoop at a time.
Named after the founder's grandmother, Betty Rae's has become one of Kansas City's favorite ice cream destinations, known for its handcrafted flavors, creative spirit, and deep connection to the community it calls home.
Innovation is part of the recipe, but inspiration often comes from the people standing on the other side of the counter.
"We develop new flavors through a combination of our talented culinary team and our wonderful customers," says owner Matt Shatto. "People are always sharing ideas and requests with us, and we love listening. Some of our best inspiration comes directly from our guests."
While the menu regularly features imaginative seasonal creations, several signature flavors have earned permanent fan status. Cookies & Cream remains a classic favorite, while Goat Cheese and Toasted Butter Pecan continue to surprise and delight customers looking for something a little different.
Quality starts with carefully chosen ingredients, and supporting local businesses is an important part of the Betty Rae's philosophy.
"Working with regional partners is very important to us," Shatto says. "We are fortunate to have so many outstanding local producers, and those partnerships help us create the quality our customers expect."
Kansas City's rich food culture also finds its way into the scoop cabinet. One of the shop's most talked-about seasonal offerings is its barbecue-inspired ice cream, a flavor that reflects the city's culinary identity while showcasing Betty Rae's playful approach to ice cream making.
The company's customers continue to shape nearly every aspect of the business, from flavor development to expansion plans.
"Everything starts and ends with our customers," says Shatto. "From where we open a new shop to the flavors we create, we listen carefully. They are the reason we're honored to be voted Best Ice Cream year after year."
As Betty Rae's has grown, maintaining quality has remained a priority. Every flavor is still handcrafted in house by an experienced kitchen team, while customer feedback continues to guide improvements.
Finding the right employees is equally important.
"We focus on the basics during the interview process," Shatto says with a smile. "We love smiles and we love people who love ice cream."
Fans can expect Betty Rae’s to have fun with events or seasonal creations. Recently, Betty Rae’s launched a flavor celebrating American’s 250th birthday and eight flavors in honor of the teams playing and staying in Kansas City for the World Cup, alongside its rotating monthly specials and lineup of 26 core flavors. Social media has become another way to keep customers connected.
Social media has become another way to keep customers connected.
"It allows us to share our flavors, specials, and events in a fun, visual way," Shatto says. "Our social media team is constantly creating new content so our customers always know what's happening."
The company's footprint has expanded steadily in recent years. Betty Rae's now operates 11 locations throughout the Kansas City area, including seven in Johnson County, along with two locations in Omaha. The company is also exploring franchise opportunities beyond the metro.
Despite that growth, Shatto says the company's roots remain firmly planted in Kansas City.
"We're a local ice cream shop focused on quality and taking care of our customers," he says. "Kansas City is home, not just another market to serve. It means so much to us to have the opportunity to serve what our customers call Kansas City's best ice cream."
For first-time visitors wondering where to begin, Shatto has an easy answer.
"Gooey Butter Cake," he says. "It's the perfect first scoop."
Whether you are returning for a longtime favorite or trying one of Betty Rae's latest creations, every visit is a reminder that great ice cream is about more than flavor. It is about community, creativity, and making every customer feel right at home.