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Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt [Edit]
Neighborhood: Olde City
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I saw this place on "Man vs Food" and since I am a big tan of the show, I HAD to go there when I visited Philadelphia.
It was good, the sundaes were huge. My friends had their cones and seemed to enjoy it.
I am a big fan of pistacio ice cream, and their did dissapoint me a bit, I wasn't a big fan of the on they make. However their vanilla was great. This place actuallyaxe me feel as if I was back in the "good ole days" and place you have to go to when you go to philadelphia!
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I wasn't looking forward to going out for ice cream, you see, I'm not much of an ice cream fan... I mean don't get me wrong, I don't hate it or anything. It's just that I can only have it in small doses. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have never been, and will never be, that woman who sits on her couch with a broken heart and a pint of ice cream. I tried to convince my friends to share with me... no dice. I had to either skip dessert or settle for not finishing my order, then I found it: the Coke float.
When I was a little girl my grandmother always found a way to get me to eat things, (except for tomatoes) and her way to get me to eat ice cream was to make me a Coke Float (yes, I know, who has to make a kid eat ice cream? Whatever, it is what it is.) It had to be prepared a certain way, you see, we are Pepsi drinking people but you can't have a Coke Float with anything else but Coke Cola. The ice cream was also important, the cheap kind could never do, it couldn't be too sweet because it would be terrible with the syrup of the Coke. No, there's a perfect balance that I'm sure took the finest Chemists to discover.
Franklin Fountain found that perfect balance and I am forever grateful to them.
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Who doesn't love an old-school ice cream parlor? The Franklin Fountain takes it to the nth degree, though, with a wide range of classic offerings such as phosphates, rickeys, egg creams, "college ices" and unusual ice cream flavors such as teaberry and licorice (don't worry, there's still chocolate, mint chip and Hydrox cookie for those of simpler tastes, as well as everything in between).
The appearance of the place blends nostalgic appeal (soda jerks in bow ties and paper hats; stained glass windows and apothecary jars filled with colored waters; bust of Ben Franklin watching benevolently over all) with a bit of an edge (the Halloween display in October was a skeleton dressed as a soda jerk in the window).
My friend and I both went for ice cream sodas: the Cherry Bomb for her and the Ladies Choice for me. Mine ended up being a bit too sweet for me: peach ice cream, raspberry soda and whipped cream. Hers was the better choice: chocolate ice cream in cherry soda. Both came with paper straws, which, while probably a classic detail and a "green" choice too, had the problem of "melting" at the bottom half by the time you'd reached the end of the drink!
Definitely a spot that can feed your collective taste for nostalgia and sweet treats.
Hooray for ice cream! I love the frozen stuff, and this is one of my favorite places for it in Philly. Such a cute little place, and a great selection of flavors.
You know that milky fat that's not quite cream but has that really whole-hearty taste (like the milky taste you get from very expensive european butter)? That's what you get with the ice cream here. It's milky, fatty, and delicious. I really like their banana flavor but they didn't have it last few times I've been there. It is pretty expensive, however; and I don't really care about their decor and the fact that it looks like early 1900's ice cream parlor...or whatever it is they are going for. The way I see it...good food doesn't need a gimmick.
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I'm really happy we have something like this. Yes, it plays up the dubious aspect of history and, really, if you think about it doesn't make sense in that during the revolutionary times, I doubt they would have that much variety of ice cream let alone a way to really refrigerate it but, damn, is their ice cream good and they do the "we're old timey!" angle pretty well so way to go!
It's a nice little experience to go down there and get a highly decadent treat.
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Unbelievable selection of ice cream. I settled for mint chocolate chip, but there are almost 20 other favors to choose from.
It was hot, they had ice cream. What's not to like?
Lots of great flavors (except coffee, which is my go to and they were out), multitudes of goodies to top your creamy delight, sodas, egg creams, the works. It's all there plus great old candies, gums, and sodas you thought weren't being made anymore.
When you go expect to wait. They handle customers as efficiently as possible, but the volume of people trekking there on a weekend day is impressive. Lots of outdoor seating (we sat in the car with the blessed A/C), but you may have to bus a table.
Looking for something a little different? Head down there for a late breakfast (open at 11am on Sundays). For $10 they make the mother of all ice cream sandwiches, where they will put your favorite ice cream between two homemade waffles... what?
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Franklin Fountain is like my dream of what all ice cream parlors should look like. I grew up working in an 'old time' ice cream place dreaming of what it should look like and Franklin Fountain is just that, even the building its in is beautiful. The workers dress in authentic garb which includes bow ties and hats. This is a must go to place if you live in the city or if you're just visiting.
I've been visiting the franklin fountain a couple times a year since about 2004, the ice cream and sodas are delish. My only gripe is that it is a little pricey - but I can totally understand due to the location and quality of the place....But this is why it is a place I only visit on special occasions.... 12 dollars for a banana split (my favorite) is a little over the top but I must say theirs is one of the best I've ever had so I will continue to go and share one with my girlfriend every now and then.
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I have to concede immediately that I am a passionate fan of Franklin Fountain. I am somewhat fanatical about high-quality desserts, and this is the best ice cream place I have ever found. In response to Julie F: if you really think this unique, homemade ice cream is not worth more than Friendly's, please go to Friendly's so the lines will be shorter at my beloved FF!
The atmosphere is carefully cultivated to authentically reflect a 1920s soda fountain, complete with such waifish, anachronistic, mutton-chopped/hairnet-clad staff that you'd swear they stepped out of a time warp. The foot-pedal water fountain outside, retro candy, and antique cash register are undeniably charming.
All of that is beside the point, however. The star here is the ice cream itself, which is homemade by FF in small batches. You can taste the difference in the creaminess and flavor of the different varieties, which are clearly made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, yielding the best ice cream I know how to buy.
The menu deserves major points for creativity as well, with thoughtfully designed sundae concoctions and old-fashioned sodas and phosphates (although I admit to never having sampled the latter, given my enchantment with the former). They are also happy to let you customize, which recently inspired me to swap Rocky Road for a combo of Peanut Butter and Chocolate ice creams in the Stock Market Crunch sundae, to delightful effect. The homemade peanut butter sauce (I have a jar in my fridge - it will change your life), crunchy salt pretzel morsels, and fresh chantilly made this monster sundae one for the history books. Other favorites: The Franklin Mint, with marshmallow atop refreshing mint chip ice cream coated with hot fudge, and the classic Broken Hearts Sundae with vanilla ice cream, fresh-cut strawberries and vanilla biscuits.
I echo the comments on high prices, which seem somewhat excessive, although I always decide it is worth the cost. The service can be a bit lackadasical, but these people are dedicated to a quality product and meticulous, so I have accept it as part of the charm and pretend they just loaded up on Laudanum before stepping into the time machine on their way to work. My only quibble: I wish they would let you combine two flavors in a "size small," because I always want two tastes, but a "medium" is just too big for one girl (most of the time)!
Franklin Fountain is unique and wonderful, and not to be missed if you are serious about ice cream.
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I am usually only in the area for First Friday or if I'm seeing something at one of the Ritz. I wish that I had more excuses to do so. I love coming here. It pleases me on so many levels - kitsch value, childlike wonder, and damn good ice cream. The esthetic is something special, as are the late weekend hours!
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Franklin Fountain saved our day!!!!!
Long story but bare with me:
My sister who has never been to Philadelphia came to visit last weekend. On Saturday (of all freaking days!), she wanted to go to the Liberty Bell and Constitution Hall. Bad choice. Michelle Obama was in town and they shut everything down. We waited an hour in the blistering heat to catch a glimpse of our First Lady and we DID for 1.5 seconds (totally worth it) and we opted not to go to the Liberty Bell or Constitution Hall because when she left, approximately 3843992849284998938493 tourists filtered through the doors of both of those places.
Saddened but still sort of stoked off of seeing Mrs. O, we decided to go to the Betsy Ross house in order to miss the crowds. On the way to the Betsy Ross house we stopped in to Franklin Fountain.
Franklin Fountain is AWESOME. How I have never been completely escapes me. I now believe that I have no real friends because if I had real true friends, they would have taken me here. I had to discover this place on my own (no thanks to my "friends") but I'm glad that it eventually happened.
Not only does this place have the best banana ice cream I have EVER tasted, they also have phosphates (I haven't seen a phosphate since I lived near the Antietam Battlefield!), egg creams and real Ice Cream sodas! The people that work there are amazing, friendly, and answer really stupid questions from tourists with the greatest of ease.
Franklin Fountain has outdoor seating, too! I love it!
Oh, and in case you care about the rest of my story. My sister and I made it to the Betsy Ross house. Apparently, that was the next stop for Michelle Obama because she was there and we couldn't get in.
Franklin Fountain turned our sightseeing FAIL into an ice cream WIN so we were happy campers anyway.
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Stopped by here for the old-fashioned ice cream parlour and it did not disappoint, from both the yummy and funny standpoint.
The ice cream was creamy enough to remind you of why it's so magically delicious while the 1950's atmo transported you to a time when we didn't think or care about calories, carbs, or blubber. +10 points for the guy with the handlebar mustache.
Unfortunately, I'm giving FF two stars for overall experience even though the ice cream was fantastic. The service, not so much.
A friend of mine and I arrived here late in the evening after a previous event in search of something refreshing on an overwhelmingly hot/humid night. We weren't expecting downright rude service from cranky staff members. I'm sorry your place of employment doesn't seem to have A/C and that you're probably suffering for minimum wage, but it's not my fault.
I don't understand how a place that charges whopping fees for ice cream ONLY accepts cash. One could easily end up spending $50 or more for sundaes and the like for a family of 4. While I don't understand or like such a policy, I respect it. I don't respect, however, someone rudely pointing to a "We only take cash" sign with an exasperated expression as they sigh "No cards!"
I also found it startling that the reply to my friend's request for a glass of water was a curt "We don't give out cups." It took several seconds of blank stares on our part before we were told we could go outside to the fountain where we could find cups. Except there were no cups until we asked again and another surly employee brought some out to us. All you have for customers is an outdoor water fountain? I'm pretty sure even soda fountains of yore provided water for their customers.
After spending $16 on ice cream, you'd think we'd get some friendly service. I guess Old City hipsters feel they have better things to be doing than slinging milkshakes for tourists? Perhaps they'll reconsider their choice of employer in the future. I'll definitely go back and hope for a better experience.
The ice cream itself was great - I had the mint chocolate chip which is made with real peppermint and super creamy. I had my scoops in a homemade waffle cone which was delicious if a little thick for my liking.
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Wonderfully charming decor, homemade ice cream, gargantuan sundaes, simply-made delicious ice cream sodas., quick and attentive service. Need I say more?
Forget the Liberty Bell, our forefathers, pretzels, and cheesesteaks. Quintessential Philadelphia (from an absolute outsider, homegrown on a completely different coast) has been discovered. In fact, this may have been how Christopher Columbus felt when he discovered "America" for the first time. I happened across this place as I was biking through a dark alley in Old City (another story, another time) and suffice it to say, I logged it into my brain for another day. After eating dinner with my roommates, one of them suggested ice cream, and I immediately suggested Franklin Fountain. Boy was I a genius!
Franklin Fountain is small and homey and straight up old school. The place itself makes you feel like you stepped into the 1950s, where all you have to worry about is sock hops and A-bombs. The servers wear white blouses and bowties, and 50s hairnets. There are ice cream sundaes and other delicacies that I've never heard of, but am certainly excited to try the next time, of which I'm sure will be many. The menu prices may seem a little steep, but the ice cream is well worth it. Well worth every dime and every minute spent having my stomach churn because I'm lactose intolerant. (They do have soy ice cream but I refuse to let my lactase deficiency dictate what ice cream I will eat!) In any case, the sundaes seem monstrous, but delicious to the last bite. I had the Maple Walnut which was scrumdiddliumptious with whole pieces of walnuts inside and a full cream texture that doesn't leave you feeling oily in the mouth. It was the perfect blend of just sweet enough without making you feel you just gave yourself diabetes. My roommate had Pistachio which just might have been the best Pistachio I've ever had, and I've tried several a Pistachio at many an ice cream parlor. My other roommate got a vanilla milkshake. I can't say that I cared for the milkshake very much because it was of a thinner consistency than I'd prefer, and the vanilla seemed a little strong on the vanilla extract or whatever they put in. But Franklin Fountain seems to be pretty eco-conscious because they have paper to-go containers instead of the standard styrofoam cups and paper straws instead of plastic. (Which seems cool but suffers functionally because the straw gets soggy by the end of the milkshake.)
They also have a completely old school cash register (by the way, it's a cash only joint), which upon being rung up, will show you a saying from what I assume to be Poor Richard's Almanac (given the Benjamin Franklin namesake). Sorry for the liberal use of parentheses! Anyway, all in all, amazing experience, and I can't wait to go back with anyone who will listen to me.
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Just had my second cone from this place and it is quality ice cream, though you pay for it - a little less than $5 bucks a cone. So far I've had butter pecan, which was amazing, it was filled with the great big pecans; and I just had rum raison which was decent but I was kind of wishing i just stuck with the butter pecan. My dad had pistachio a few weeks ago and preferred Ben & Jerry's pistachio.
The main beef I have with this place or at least their clientele are all the drippy half-filled chinese food like cartons that I've been finding on the stoop I like to sit and read on in front of my apartment. Come on people - disgusting!
Cute little ice cream shoppe. I had the rootbeer float but the root beer wasn't what I was used to. It was a little too old fashioned for me. But their vanilla ice cream was amazing!! J's peanut butter ice cream was good as well.
Come here for a little cute atmosphere and go back in time with an ice cream, float or sundae :D
I really loved this place when I was visiting Philly. They have the old soda fountain look down to a "T". Complete with candy cigarettes and old timey products.
I followed up the amazing ice cream cone with an exceptional double shot of espresso.
This place is both fun and rewarding.
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If you're willing to tolerate throngs of annoying tourists, you should check this place out. It's a great "local flavor" place to bring out of town guests, and (if it's not too crowded) it can be a cute place to take a date for dessert. The old-timey ice cream shop may seem a little kitschy, but one look at the mustaches that the guys working there rock and you know this place is for real.
The ice cream isn't in the same league as Capogiro, but it's still very good. The coconut has lots of pieces of shaved coconut, and the Mexican chocolate has some great spice to it. The sundaes are delicious and big enough for three people to share, which mitigates the high price. They use some ingredients like malt powder that you won't find most other places, their whipped cream is fresh, and the hot fudge is kickass and homemade (you can buy a jar to take home, too).
The service here is always friendly and helpful. The long lines and never-ending questions don't seem to faze them at all.
Two good things to know: they only take cash, and this same space used to be an erotic cake shop.
This place deserves every ounce of recognition it can get. It's hidden on market near penns landing, but that doesn't stop the line from out the door.
My boyfriend and I got the incredible mint sundae which name I cannot remember. But I don't think I'll forget the sundae anytime soon, it was so refreshing and completely fresh. The presentation of making it was wonderful, I didn't mind waiting the extra few minutes for it. The nostalgic candy on the counter was perfect, I had to get a red licorice pipe. The tables outside are nice since it gets crowded inside with the line and all the customers.
This is a perfect place for someone to take their blind date, parents, friends who visit and kids. I'll definitely be back- just make sure to bring cash if you go.
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Excellent place for ice cream!!!
After seeing a movie at the Ritz nearby, we headed out for a stroll. Then we stumbled upon this gem of a place.
What better way to cap a date night than with some delicious ice cream from a super cute place?? I was totally overwhelmed by all my options, so we took the simple route and each got a small ice cream in a "dish." The dish looks like a mini Chinese food takeout container (but I checked, it's solid on the bottom, so no leakage factor to worry about), and is on the big side for a small - no complaints there.
I went with something chocolatey - rocky road I think, and we also got a mint chocolate chip. Both were extremely flavorful. I love the consistency of the ice cream - nice and creamy, and like I said, tasty!
Plus, this place has cuteness to the max. It's old fashioned, with retro candy bar wrappers, and cute little postcards, a little bar to sit at, shakes and stuff like that, etc. I can't wait to have out of town visitors around to take them here!! (I'll just hope everyone gets a small, because although it was definitely worth it, it's not cheap!!)
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Fun. Cute. Tasty.
What else can you ask for?
This is THE BEST butter pecan ice cream I have ever had in my whole life (and I've had rock salt old fashioned Georgia butter pecan ice cream). This place takes the cake.
Also- the lemonade is made of real lemons, so beware, it's very sour, but also very refreshing in the summer!
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Wonderful.
I can't say anything about the ice cream that hasn't been said by other reviewers. But I will say this about the atmosphere: we scoured the place with our eyes looking for some sign that we were still in the year 2009 and not 1909, and we couldn't find any.
"I guess you don't have a credit card machine?" asked one of the other customers.
"I'm sorry, I- I don't know what that is," replied the person behind the counter, looking convincingly confused.
For years after I read Jack Finney's "Time and Again" I was bitterly envious of the characters. But now I can go to Franklin Fountain.
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Originally I was suppose to go see "Cheri" with my boyfriend but we were late so we decided to hit up Franklin Fountain. My thought when we found the place was "OH SO IT WAS HERE ALL ALONG?" because I'm so used to just going up the bridge and never below/beside it.
Inside it's very small I felt like I had to stand stiff against the walls even though there was just us 2 and 2 others. So anyways, we got the cherry bomb because that was the first thing I wanted to try and my boyfriend just wanted to share. It looked really good and when we went to go sit outside, the little boy and his father asked the lady "what was that they just got?" Oh and my boyfriend kept commenting on how old-fashioned the place looked and how the workers did, I found it amusing because he was just so loving it! And so was I.
It was a nice sunny day and eating/drinking the cherry bomb together was really nice. When we left, the table behind us had something that looked awesome and I'm pretty sure it was Mt. Vesuvius.. and so I decided, when one of our friends gets back from Vietnam we're going to have a get-together at Franklin Fountain :)
Also, it's not all that cheap :(
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Ice Cream...?
I don't care.
Ironic Mustaches?
Yes. I'll pay for that.
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We got the Ginger and coconut flavors. They are so creamy and very rich and full of flavors. The decor is old school and people who work there dress up like they were from the early 30s.
I would definitely come back here next time I go to Philly.
It's really nice when you can visit an ice cream place on a hot summer night, and it's not a chain store.
I've tried the ginger ice cream and the coconut ice cream. Both were really delicious. They offer quite a list of choices and the serving portions are pretty big.
They are situated on a corner, with a few tables outside where you can sit and enjoy your ice cream. When you step in, it's as if you're stepping into the past. The building has a tin roof, the servers look like teeny boppers from a 50's movie and they also offer a few types of candy, gum & drinks that are reminiscent of that era.
It's hit or miss how long the line will be, but it's totally worth the wait to get really good ice cream.
Summer birthdays are awesome. The weather is (generally) favorable, you're not in school or if you're working you have a reduced schedule, and because everyone's schedules are so disparate you get to have many, many celebrations!
Franklin Fountain was one of my birthday celebrations this year. I had always wanted to go try them out ever since I first started visiting my bf in his hometown of Philly, but we had never gotten the opportunity (and convincing him to have sweets with me can be...difficult, to say the least). But one evening when I was feeling low, he turned randomly to me and said, "Why don't we go to Franklin Fountain tonight?" As soon as those words were out of his mouth I was putting shoes on and grabbing my purse.
Franklin Fountain is all the way across town from where we live, so by the time we got there (yes, we walked - I'm a New Yorker!), we were both ready to sit and EAT. We had already decided to share a sundae, and since he was such a good sport I let him choose which one (and he was paying anyway - yay birthday!). We sat down at one of the small tables in the cramped back area with our humongous Vesuvius sundae: vanilla ice cream, fudgy brownie pieces, hot fudge, whipped cream, and malt powder. YUM. We both took a bite and couldn't stop moaning with pleasure. The ice cream is rich and creamy, a pure vanilla flavor, and those brownies were gobs of chewy, chocolately, fudgy goodness fit to please. Somehow, we managed to consume the monstrous, mountainous sundae while other patrons filtered in and out - and then put all to shame by ordering a small cup of their infamous peanut butter ice cream! So freaking good, I can see why other Yelpers have been singing its praises. Although to be honest, it isn't actually peanut butter ice cream, more like sweet cream with a thick swirl of salty, homemade peanut butter. Too good for words.
This is a wonderful place to get quality ice cream with friends and family. The place itself is incredibly cute and charming; I love how the staff wears old-time uniforms, and the whole theme of the place is an old fashioned ice cream parlor, complete with old school candy lined up on the counter! Be prepared though, the prices are slightly high, especially for some of those sundaes and splits! But they're worth it, not only in terms of quality but also QUANTITY because they are not stingy when it comes to portions. BELIEVE ME. That food baby I had turned into twins about halfway home. And it was AWESOME!
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We all know that ice cream is delicious. It's probably harder to find bad ice cream than it is to find good ice cream. But why just settle for delicious? Obviously, reader, you're on Yelp because you want something above and beyond. Look no further! Franklin Fountain is exceptional in just about everything it does. Here, you can find phenomenal ice cream with amazing toppings, great service, and tasty drinks all in a convenient location and for a reasonable enough price.
Whether you want a scoop in a cone or a three flavor sundae doused in syrup and toppings, Franklin Fountain will have it and it will be delicious. I can't resist the Mt. Vesuvius sundae most of the time. As you can probably tell by the name this thing is like a diabetic's worst nightmare, so I suggest splitting it with a friend. Unless you're like Clint Eastwood, Mr. T, or Chuck Norris and can handle anything life throws at you. It's wonderful, as are all their sundaes. Try washing it down with one of their sodas. You can choose from many flavors both ordinary (cherry, lemon, grape) to exciting (rose, lavender).
Everything else about the place is just as good. The atmosphere is cute, the service is helpful and friendly, and while the line can get very long there is almost always seating available. Franklin Fountain is good enough to get me to eat ice cream in late December, so I think it's good enough to get anybody to at least check it out, forget about any diet, and try some truly tasty treats.
I rarely am a dissenting voice so I kind of relish the opportunity. Sorry, but nearly 5 bucks for a small ice cream cone? No wacky flavors, no marble slab with crazy toppings, no nudity, nothing. Oh, yes I get it you're charming and old-timey - and look - my server is even dressed old-timey! I just came here for the ice cream to be honest, which was good, but it didn't impress me that much more than Friendly's to shell out that kind of cash for ice cream. I'll gladly pay that much for Capogiro because it's unique and fresh but I'm passing on F.F.
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I first met this place through a friend who lived in an adorable apartment upstairs. It wasn't love at first sight, but when I realized that ice cream pickings in the Philly/Main Line area were slim, this place became a guilty pleasure.
So much so that I considered taking over my friend's lease when she left the area, just so I could walk downstairs in my pajamas to get ginger ice cream with the homemade hot fudge. Drooool.
There's also a huge selections of milkshakes (some with whole slices of pie in them), sundaes, and sodas, as they profess to be an "authentic" ye olde tyme shoppe with soda jerks (who are all really friendly and keep the line moving in as gentle a way as possible, particularly on hot summer nights).
Of course, I totally came here in the winter, too (I sometimes eat ice cream for breakfast...shh), and there are cozy tables in the back if you want to sit for awhile with a friend or a book. Oh, and if you need to potty, there are quaint little restrooms (if that's possible) as well.
Tip: Watch the cash register when you're rung up--it pops up a little flag with a Benjamin Franklin maxim on it in honor of the Fountain's patron Founding Father.
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Ask me to eat ice cream for lunch (or breakfast. or dinner.) and I won't bat an eye. I've fortunately found a partner who feels the same way. This is how we ended up at Franklin Fountain just shy of noon on a Monday morning.
Unfortunately for me I could not convince my partner to split a sundae with me and the friendly girl behind the counter forewarned, "it's enough for two people... unless you like to eat a lot." While I am a glutton by nature I meekly opted for a chocolate malt instead and thanked my lucky stars I heeded her advice. That's right, I was almost bested by a chocolate malt. I had even ordered a "regular" (as opposed to a large). The tall glass, replete with paper (!) straw came with a second metal cup with the remainder of my malt that I am proud to say I managed to finish...and then did not need to eat for another six hours. Lest you think I'm simply not up to an ice cream challenge, my partner in ice cream imbibing also barely finished his shake and has been known to best entire pizzas, fried chickens, and regularly consumes giant bowls of ice cream (we have a minimum of 4 half gallons in our freezer at any given time).
Had Franklin Fountain been my first stop on this trip to Philadelphia I might have managed to make a dent in their menu - I dearly regret not getting to try a phosphate, thirst aide, soda, or, yes, even a sundae.
I am smitten with Franklin Fountain - from the paper straws to the uniforms, the metal ice cream buckets to the old-fashioned cash register (though, thankfully, they take credit!), but most of all the treats!
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at franklin fountain you pay for the experience, and it's worth it. the ice cream is home made, and excellent, with a surprising variety of flavors. the list is a mix of standards and unique flavors like ginger or green tea.
sundaes are massive and perfect for sharing. the phosphates and sodas and incredible tasty sweet treats. even the little store section is a fun throwback.
the only catch is the line that forms on summer nights. it moves, but wait times can be fairly long. at night the tables are also susceptible to beggars looking for handouts, and throwing around insults when you refuse.
franklin fountain is definitely up there with a cheesteak from pat's or genos: you must go. at least once.
While I have only been to the Franklin Fountain a handful of times, there is something so decadent about this place that I can't help but give it 4 stars.
Their Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is to die for. The chocolate comes in huge chunks and it tastes like it was homemade (it was, and I'm not sure that was the best description, but hopefully you understand!). Also, the hot fudge is AMAZING. It doesn't taste cheap or canned like the stuff from DQ does, but rather its thick and sweet and perfect!
Anyways, I'm doing a poor job of describing just how wonderful this place is, but definitely try it for yourself and you'll see how hard it is to explain! Also, the fact that the people who work there dress in costumes of the time, definitely adds to the fun nature of the place!
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Tried the green tea ice cream--maybe that was my mistake? In any case, it was bland. Also, touristy.
For future ice cream needs, I'll just go to More Than Just Ice Cream.
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There are very few things i like better in this world more than ice cream. Franklin Fountain is the best ice cream in the city! It just taste better than anywhere else. Homemade ice cream! YUM! I can't stop thinking about the bowl i had yesterday of coconut and mint chocolate chip, delicious! Its the perfect guilty pleasure. They have some many flavors and alot of old time ways to eat it. I love this place so much down to its funny water fountain outside and its waiters with mustaches. I'm in love with this place. Don't miss this gem!
The ice cream is fabulous .... but pricey. I think my waffle and ice cream was about $10 and they do not take credit cards.
One of my absolute favorite places in Philly, without a doubt a trip worth taking. With all the historic sites of Philly I swore this place had been around at least 100 years and had maintained its ways and decor but to my surprise its only been around for a few years now. They have all the charm of a soda fountain/ice cream shop from the 30s. They make the most remarkable artisan hard ice cream flavors here and give great portions for the money. This place has been featured in a number of high end food publications and is worth a trip to Philly. By the way they didn't have credit cards back then and neither does this place so bring cash. It's not cheap but I promise it's worth it.
Neighborhood: Washington Square West
Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Neighborhood: Olde City
Category: Desserts
Neighborhood: Olde City
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Market East
Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
I'm really not kidding when I say that I really…
Here's where I went. Here's where I ate. Here's…
Spots around Old City to check out, and possibly…
Restaurants I would take my friends to if they…
Restaurants that make me less homesick for…
Discovering my love for the city of brotherly…
One of the most common questions I get asked:…
Dessert may not be part of a balanced diet. But…
