Take a Sundae Drive to Longacre’s Dairy, Barto PA

2021 update: I have been alerted by a Retro Roadmapper that Longacres is expanding and this plan jeopardizes the "authentic vintage charm" of the ice cream stand that we love so much. I'm sure the treats are every bit as tasty, but just a heads up when you go there now that it won't look like the photos below.

Original 2009 Post:

I  want to thank pal and creator of the Retro Roadpurse Connie Peet for the tip on Longacre's Dairy and their old fashioned  ice cream dairy bar on Route 100 in Barto PA! What a great destination (open year 'round) for ice cream and treats.

Stilll owned and operated by the Longacre family, the original dairy was built in 1942 and within that same decade they began to make their delicious ice cream.  The dairy bar is an extension of the dairy building itself, and has a small counter and some booths and tables as well as a retail area. On one of our last sunny warm fall days that implored me to "go out and play!" it was the promise of ice cream that pointed me in the direciton of Longacre's.

As I grasped on the wacky shaped handle and pulled the door open I could see that I was not the only one with ice cream on my mind , as the place was packed with families and old folks out for a Sunday (sundae?) drive. I got in the line that wrapped into the little retail area where their home made ice cream is sold, as well as Pennsylvania Dutch type cookies, bread and ....

Bestill my heart, they sell milk in glass milk bottles! Now when is the last time you saw milk available in glass bottles? Swoon!

I made my way up to the front of the line and got my standard coffee ice cream with chocolate jimmies. The flavor was delicate but the ice cream itself was cold and creamy and hit the spot. The ice cream is made on site, with milk from the dairy- you can't get more fresh than that! They have a pretty large selection of flavors, which is impressive for such a small place.

I love the Flavors typeface, glass block and counter stools

I failed pretty miserably trying to snap photos and eat a melting ice cream cone at the same time, so I'll leave you with this one above. Here's a link to some better shots than mine, straight from the Longacre's Dairy Website. There you will see the small eating area with a few booths and tables, for not only does Longacre's serve ice cream but breakfast and sandwiches too! I'm glad they do that, since it gives me many more reasons to head up thataway.

Hooray for the fact that they're open year 'round, it's good to have a cheery destination when the weather is turning cold and the days are getting short.