Local Businesses Find Temporary Replacements For Blue Bell Ice Cream

A nationwide recall was issued Monday after two samples of ice cream tested positive for Listeria. Now, the recall has left many local restaurants scrambling to find replacements.

The CDC said ten illnesses have been linked to Blue Bell products following the recall, which is why restaurants like Tucker's aren't taking any chances with their Blue Bell stock.

At Tucker's it's not all about the hot, fresh off the grill onion burgers.

“Milkshakes are a big part of our sales. A big part of why we are popular,” said Tucker's Area Manager Randy Newberry.

Until Monday night's recall, they were made with Blue Bell Ice Cream.

4/20/15 Related Story: Blue Bell Recalls All Products Due To Possible Listeria Contamination

“As soon as that happened we pulled all of our Blue Bell product and we stopped serving any ice cream,” said Newberry.

Now, Tucker's freezers are stocked temporarily with Bryers and Blue Bunny.

"We still have some of the blue bell product, but we got our staff to know not to use the blue bell product," he said.

For Newberry, nothing comes close to Blue Bell's creamy, rich taste.

Miranda Almen ordered her vanilla milkshake Wednesday not thinking about where the ice cream came from.

“I didn't. There are so many different brands of ice cream you don't really think about it when you go to stores and restaurants,” said Almen.

This is Blue Bell's second recall in less than a month. The company widened the investigation from the initial March recall. It found issues with half-gallon containers of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream produced March 17 and March 27.

The recall includes products made at the company's facility in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and its Brenham, Texas plant.

As disappointing as the recall is to loyal Blue Bell customers, their products will return to Tucker's and other stores once the listeria scare clears up.

Blue Bell will be reimbursing Tucker's for all of the product thrown out.