It’s Swell at Schell’s! Ice Cream, Burgers & Mini Golf, Temple PA

We learned about Schell's when perusing the paper placemat advertisements at The Ranch House. There, sandwiched between ads for adult daycare and tax prep services, the line drawing of the 1950's looking Schell's sign was all I needed to motivate us up the street about 10 minutes to check out the place. Seeing the giant vintage sign glowing in the dark was a total Retro Roadmap score!

Updated 12/8/2011 - check out this cool nighttime shot we were sent by Photographer Kevin Shire:

- just gorgeous, ain't it? Thanks for the share, Kevin!

Had we not just stuffed ourselves at The Ranch we would've partaken of something at Schells'. No matter- it was definitely worthy of a re-visit. So when a sunny warmish Sunday came along and I didn't feel like buckling down to write right away, I suggested this roadside compound to Retro Roadhusband as a lunch diversion. Only goony thing that happened was that I forgot my camera, so these photos are from my phone.

(pay no attention to the prices on the wooden menu, they're strictly vintage!)

Serving Berk's County PA for over 57 years, Schell's is known for their hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches (a la sloppy Joe) ranch burgers and fried cheese cubes, as well as their Dairy Swirl ice cream shop and mini golf. While I thought it would be amusing to see the Lion's mints on the hotdog roller while we were waiting, Retro Roadhusband and I decided on some Ranchburgers, cheese cubes (of course!) and fries.

Learn from our mistake please and get into the shortest line you find or look for a seasoned veteran behind the counter taking orders, they seem to know a thing or two about getting an order taken quickly and efficiently. Our time jockeying for position in line however gave us time to absorb the atmosphere- a 1960's 70's looking brown cowboyish theme, and also notice how the place was constantly filling up with folks and families out to enjoy the sun.

Schell's has indoor seating as well as picnic tables around their 27 hole miniature golf course, so we thought we'd go outside and watch some putting as we ate our food. No lie, right there near the end of the course we saw a Richie Cunningham look-alike and someone that could give Roy Orbison a run for his money!

Our food was plentiful and tasty- though I will admit the ranch sauce on the ranch burger was off-puttingly sweet  and I'd probably opt for a regular cheeseburger next time. Also, fried fan that I am, I love the idea of fried cheese cubes but I have to admit that the fries, thin cut like a certain McFastFood place, were almost better than the cubes. One of my fave local  fun food fans  Holly Eats gives Schell's 4 grease stains, so I have an excuse to try some other things next time we're perusing their menu.

As we sat watching the golfers golf and the diners dine, I declared that Schell's combo of food, fun and ice cream would make it a perfect place for a first date. While I did realize that my imagination was seeing junior high school kids from the 50's and 60's going out on a double date, I personally would be charmed if anyone suggested this place for a swell evening out. Gosh knows what "kids these days" would think :-)

Since we ate sooo much during lunch and had no room to try out their ice cream selection - which I've read includes hard ice cream, soft ice cream, water ice and sherbet, it's a sure bet (HAR!) that RRH and I will be heading up there sometime soon - on a hot date to get a cool treat!