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Over the last few years I've visited a few places in New England that make their own ice cream and got to wondering why I haven't stumbled across many of these here in NJ. Outside of the chains (DQ, Coldstone, Friendly's, etc) I've been to a bunch of places that serve ice cream out of those large containers they've bought from distributors, but I haven't seen (m)any that actually make their own. Does anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to return the favor to the in-laws when they visit this summer. I'd be especially interested in any places in Hunterdon, Morris, Warren, and Sussex. Thanks!
Cliff's in Ledgewood/Hackettstown, Taylor's Ice Cream Parlor in Chester are 2 I know about.
Essex County - Applegate in Montclair (although I went to the website and they've started to franchise so not sure what that means vis a vis "homemade").
Over the last few years I've visited a few places in New England that make their own ice cream and got to wondering why I haven't stumbled across many of these here in NJ. Outside of the chains (DQ, Coldstone, Friendly's, etc) I've been to a bunch of places that serve ice cream out of those large containers they've bought from distributors, but I haven't seen (m)any that actually make their own. Does anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to return the favor to the in-laws when they visit this summer. I'd be especially interested in any places in Hunterdon, Morris, Warren, and Sussex. Thanks!
I second the recommendation of Cliffs in Ledgewood. They are simply the best, been going there forever even though I live over 30 minutes away. (Taylors in Chester is closer, but I am not a fan at all) I also like Dover Dairy Maid on rte 46 across from the old HS, and the Denville Dairy on Broadway in Denville, both long time local favorites still making their own ice cream.
While in the Princeton area, check out The Bent Spoon.
380 Flavors, and Counting - New York Times (http://www.thebentspoon.net/images/nytimes%207-06.html - broken link)
I SECOND recommend Hoffman's Ice Cream (http://www.hoffmansicecream.net/site/ - broken link)! Do not let this simple incomplete website fool you. I went to the Spring Lake location, expecting nothing more or less from this place.
On my first time there, it wasn't too bad of a wait. I ordered a chocolate related ice cream. My mother ordered the award winning vanilla ice cream. I took a sample taste of this particular vanilla and I was blown away. I was impressed so much that I regreted ordering my ice cream flavor. There is no joke to this "award winning" vanilla. O__o This vanilla literally tasted like vanilla, and not the usual creamy vanilla.
My second time to the same location Hoffman's, the place seemed busier than I remembered. The available number to take from the machine was in the 100s, and the workers were still calling out numbers below 60 or so. Several minutes later, I couldn't wait any longer and left leaving the number strip on the table with the rest of the other numbers from the other patrons, who couldn't wait either.
If you're in Spring Lake for a shore trip, I would advise going to this place either really early or around a meal time. Not after dinner though. =.= Either that or go to the other two locations, which should hopefully be less crazy. The ice cream is very much worth a wait.
(Funny thing, I might be going back to Spring Lake tomorrow. Round 3 for ice cream attempt!)
The second homemade NJ only ice cream chain place I can sort of recommend, off the tip of my head, is Applegate Farm. If you're ever in the northern part of the state, the Montclair location is worth a stop because it's the original, which has nothing but a silo as a remnant. According to their website, though, it seems to be closed now (since they opened the Hoboken location)? Noooo... D:
And the third ice cream store that I can recommend, that's not a chain, is Skipper Dipper in LBI (Long Beach Island). That's if you're ever in that area. They have some homemade ice cream there. The reviews do not lie when they say they have long lines. You definitely need to be patient during the ice cream store's busiest time. The price is not that cheap, but it can be worth a wait when you're under hot weather.
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