Since first announcing my quest to taste and rate every flavor in the Ben and Jerry's catalogue one particular variety has consistently garnered the most interest: Chunky Monkey. Something about the banana ice cream, fudge chunk and walnut sensation has managed to amass the strongest and loudest contingency of "the converted." And each time I get confronted with a request to rate the flavor I inevitably mutter the same words, "Banana ice cream?" But alas, the Day of the Monkey has arrived!

Lo and behold, the obsessed were right: Chunky Monkey is indeed a surprise winner. No doubt if you like banana splits then you will thoroghly relish the monkey.

First out of the gate, the banana ice cream is a mild tasting banana, smooth, creamy and nothing like those nasty banana flavored Laffy Taffy you might be expecting. It is an ice cream base that is good enough to stand alone, a testament to those daring enough to make it in the first place.

Second, the walnuts remind of childhood, at least mine. I recall as a kid getting a little cup of soft vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. Meanwhile, my Dad would have a heaping boatful of vanilla ice cream with chopped bananas and yes, you guessed it, walnuts. No doubt walnuts are key for banana split enthusiasts and nostalgists the world over, and B&J's hold up nicely.

Finally we come to the old B&J standby, the fudge chunks. These scrumptiuos chunks tie the whole concoction together. Just when you start to think, "why am I eating banana ice cream" you'll pop a hidden fudge chunk in your mouth and be transported to a world of puppy dogs and, yes, ICE CREAM. Delicious.

Overall Chunky Monkey is a justified cult favorite and one of the most interesting flavors in the B&J lineup.

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