Jaxon’s Ice Cream Parlor – Since 1956 – Dania Beach FL

Oh, the eating we do in the name of Retro Roadmap research! One place where I could not resist getting an ice cream sundae that was almost as big as my head was Jaxon's Ice Cream in Dania Beach, Florida.

I was a little surprised to see Jaxon's in a roadside shopping plaza on Route 1 South, since the photos I had seen had that Gay '90's vintage look. Founder Monroe Udell has been serving up ice cream - made on the premises - on this location since 1956 and the shopping strip has grown along with his business.

We had just had lunch a little earlier and were in no way hungry, but we had to go in. And of course we said yes to free popcorn. And when we saw the menu with all of the ice cream delights listed, well, we just knew we had to order something sweet - all in the name of research, you see. Yep that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

(they also serve food, hence the ketchup and mustard in this photo,

but if we ate here there's no way we would've had room for ice cream!)

While our ice cream creations were being concocted I had a chance to wander around and amaze at all of the stuff that Jaxon's has accumulated over the years. According to their website they have "one of the nation's largest collections of rural American memorabilia, including a world class automobile license plate collection." and I will take their word for it. Have a look at the style that Jaxon's calls "Early American Disaster":

Old signs, vintage radios, old photographs and phonographs, license plates, player pianos, ephemera of all sorts from floor to ceiling and then some. The wire heart backed chairs reminded me of the ice cream parlor chairs at Putnam Pantry in Danvers, MA and the turn of the century look of the menus and cheery outfits on the waitstaff brought back a vague memory of going to a place called Shakey's Pizza in Connecticut when I was less than 10 years old.

So interesting to think that this decor, which replaced the original 1950's decor in the 1960's, didn't remind me of the 1890's but was retro 1970's memories to me. Kinda like seeing art deco and it reminding me of the 80's. What goes around comes around I guess.

Retro Roadhusband is a fan of the the original The Prisoner series so I always notice penny farthing bikes and think of him.

Using the reasoning that we may never ever go here again, I opted to try two sundaes at the same time- hot fudge over coffee ice cream and butterscotch over vanilla, topped with whipped cream, chopped almonds and, why not? A sidecar of extra fudge and butterscotch that they throw in for good measure. Carpe Diem I always say!

Retro Roadhusband decided to be venture off into other areas of the menu and got a chocolate malted shake. Both of our treats were topped with real whipped cream AND a little American flag. God Bless America, the home of delicious places like this.

I was somewhat appalled at how much I ate, considering we had just eaten lunch. But I kept on eating, knowing full well that we were going to the Mai Kai for drinks and dinner in just a few hours. I guess that's what vacation is all about?

So do yourself a favor when you're in the area- wear your stretch pants and visit Jaxon's Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant. It's a blast from the past -whatever era you prefer!