The popular food review service Yelp has recently named its Top 100 ice cream shops in the nation for 2023 -- and downtown Pleasanton's Meadowlark Dairy secured a spot in the list's top 10.

Ranking No. 8 out of 100 and the only Tri-Valley shop on the list, Meadowlark is known across the country as a nostalgic and quality ice cream shop. Noting Meadowlark's affordable prices and vegan options, reviews on the Yelp site have deemed the store a local family favorite.

"Order a cone or cup on the fast and very efficient drive-thru or walk-up line, which is shaded by colorful umbrellas hanging from string lights," said the Yelp list. "They'll have you at first lick."

Selling ice cream, specialized merchandise and a variety of other frozen desserts, Meadowlark has had its roots in Pleasanton for over 100 years.

Founded by Walter Briggs Sr. in 1919, Meadowlark was known to be the first certified dairy in California. Briggs operated Meadowlark Dairy farm on 153 acres of land, now present-day Alviso Adobe Community Park.

Briggs successfully ran the business for decades before it was acquired by the Takens family who still run the shop in downtown Pleasanton today. Following World War II, Jannes and Janna Takens immigrated to the United States from Holland and located themselves in Berkeley.

Once the two had settled in Pleasanton, they worked on the then-Meadowlark Dairy farm for several years. The Takens signed a 10-year lease for the farm and eventually bought it following Briggs' death.

After buying the property, the Takens moved their dairy cows to Tracy in 1968 and set up a milk processing plant at 57 W. Neal St., the present day location of the ice cream shop. Since the Neal Street location opened in July 1969, it has operated as a drive-thru.

During the 1980s, Jannes and Janna's son Bruce Takens took over the business along with his wife Patti. According to Meadowlark, Bruce and Patti introduced the classic ice cream cones still served today.

Now, the operation is run by their son, Jesse Takens and his wife Kelsey.

According to Yelp, the Top 100 list was curated based on the number of reviews and their rating level. As of July 2023, Meadowlark has a 4.5-star rating and over 2,000 reviews on its Yelp page, with the majority of reviews being 5-star ratings.

Fans of the shop on Yelp highlighted the flavor selection and quality of Meadowlark's ice cream.

The daily menu written in chalk displays five to six 'frosty' flavors for customers to choose from. Some flavors are available to be swirled or stacked to create other unique combinations.

The ice cream shop also features two flavors of slushies, classic root beer and Meadowlark Berry. Shoppers can indulge in a signature "diablo" which is a scoop of ice cream added to a slushie.

The top spot on the list was claimed by Coneflower Creamery in Omaha, Neb. The shop, which identifies as a "restaurant that only sells ice cream" also made Yelp's 2022 edition of the same list.