Best Ice Cream in Philadelphia? (Franklin, Oxford: 2013, to buy, elementary school)

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by Redddog

not to derail but Taconelli's is the TRUTH.

Stay out of there. We don't need yuppies slumming for pizza.

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by Redddog

It's ALWAYS packed over there. Even in the winter.

It's nuts.

Pro tip: they have a food truck down at Spruce Street Harbor that's never as crazy as the store.

But does the ice cream travel well?

I'll tell you one thing the owners of Franklin Fountain screwed up - Shane Confectionaries!

I used to be a regular until THEY bought it around 2011. The chocolate covered pretzels were the best, but they did away with them. The buttercreams were awesome, until they made them smaller and started selling them by the piece ($1.25).
The old ladies working there were gruff, yet friendly and sweet, until they replaced them with young people with no customer service skills. The prices were reasonable, until the new owners immediately and significantly jacked them up. Went twice under the new owners and never returned ... The atmosphere of old/real Philadelphia was gone.

Damn ... I miss that place. Can't believe it's been over a decade since I've been there.

I guess they're doing something right - with or without little ol' Hermie - and I don't begrudge anybody making an honest buck, but I don't need to be giving them mine.

Sorry about the off-topic, OP. I got triggered.

Is there a thread on "What Do You Miss in Philadelphia"?

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Hermit12

Stay out of there. We don't need yuppies slumming for pizza.

My first visit to Taconelli's, I walked from Somerset El station. This was about 20 years ago. Somerset Street was pretty scary for the first four blocks or so, then it got nice as you approached the restaurant.

The next two times, I was with someone who drove. But I thihk I could have taken the 89 bus instead of the El as well.

Taconelli's is indeed all that and a bag of chips. But I thought I heard that one of Papa Taconnelli's kids opened a place somewhere in South Jersey where you don't have to call ahead and reserve your crust.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Hermit12

But does the ice cream travel well?

I'll tell you one thing the owners of Franklin Fountain screwed up - Shane Confectionaries!

I used to be a regular until THEY bought it around 2011. The chocolate covered pretzels were the best, but they did away with them. The buttercreams were awesome, until they made them smaller and started selling them by the piece ($1.25).
The old ladies working there were gruff, yet friendly and sweet, until they replaced them with young people with no customer service skills. The prices were reasonable, until the new owners immediately and significantly jacked them up. Went twice under the new owners and never returned ... The atmosphere of old/real Philadelphia was gone.

Damn ... I miss that place. Can't believe it's been over a decade since I've been there.

I guess they're doing something right - with or without little ol' Hermie - and I don't begrudge anybody making an honest buck, but I don't need to be giving them mine.

Sorry about the off-topic, OP. I got triggered.

Is there a thread on "What Do You Miss in Philadelphia"?

There's an opportunity for you to start one, Hermie.

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

My first visit to Taconelli's, I walked from Somerset El station. This was about 20 years ago. Somerset Street was pretty scary for the first four blocks or so, then it got nice as you approached the restaurant.

The next two times, I was with someone who drove. But I thihk I could have taken the 89 bus instead of the El as well.

Taconelli's is indeed all that and a bag of chips. But I thought I heard that one of Papa Taconnelli's kids opened a place somewhere in South Jersey where you don't have to call ahead and reserve your crust.

That's correct - there's a Tacconelli's on Main Street in Maple Shade. Save your toll money, it's not nearly as good.

And that walk east on Somerset Street is still bad ... doesn't get better until you cross Aramingo.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Hermit12

Stay out of there. We don't need yuppies slumming for pizza.

lol.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Hermit12

That's correct - there's a Tacconelli's on Main Street in Maple Shade. Save your toll money, it's not nearly as good.

And that walk east on Somerset Street is still bad ... doesn't get better until you cross Aramingo.

I've had that Maple Shade Tac's several times. I have family that live right around the corner. It's not even in the same league.

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by Redddog

I've had that Maple Shade Tac's several times. I have family that live right around the corner. It's not even in the same league.

It's cute that we can get a salad, ravioli, etc there, but when the men want pizza - just give the men pizza!

[masonbauknight]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I used to [eat ice cream] before getting a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

Had to respond to this, because ice cream is one of the few sweets that doctors say diabetics can eat. The limit is one-half cup (no more) per day of high-fat, lower-carb ice creams like vanilla, chocolate, butter pecan, and similar. That does not include high-carb "mix-ins" types like rocky road, cookie dough, brownie, added sprinkles, low-fat ice milks, etc. It's just the simple, high-fat ice creams. Ask your doctor.

[Muinteoir]

Originally Posted by Hermit12

Stay out of there. We don't need yuppies slumming for pizza.

Did somebody say yuppies slumming for pizza!? Count me IN!!!

Maybe I'll sell my house in Manayunk and help accelerate the yuppification of Port Richmond while I'm at it.