Holsten’s thrives the old-fashioned way.
Holsten’s Ice Cream Parlor serves more than your average sundae. Upon entering, (expect a line–the place is the hottest spot around) you’ll be greeted with a welcoming rush of old-fashioned feelings and a mouth watering, sweet-tooth-teasing aroma. The joint opened up back in 1939 (they just celebrated 75 years of business!) and was originally named Strubbe’s Ice Cream Parlor before becoming the great Holsten’s Bloomfield and Montclair residents as well as the rest of the country know and love today.
The famous landmark is filled with history from the past; the walls are decorated with some of Hollywood’s and New Jersey’s greatest icons, a candy counter is kept fully stocked with homemade chocolates and candies, including butter crunch, non parells, licorice, and my personal favorite, fudge! Making the old-timey vibes even more magical is an old-fashioned ice cream bar complete with red, retro bar stools–the counter always displaying a freshly homemade cake.
In more recent days, Holsten’s has become a staple in the T.V. history. Holsten’s made a huge on-camera debut on June 10, 2007, during the final episode of HBO’s iconic gangster series, “The Sopranos.” That final episode is especially thrilling because the closing scene was set in Holsten’s, at one particular booth, leaving the world mindlessly puzzled with one particular cliff hanger–a cut to black at climax (you’d have to be a fan of the show to fully understand the final showing). Today, they offer Sopranos merchandise, T-shirts, hats, and more.
Holsten’s is a grand ice cream parlor, in addition to being a mafia spectacle. Located in Bloomfield, N.J. right on Broad St., the always-busy venue offers a menu of wide variety, listing delicious ice creams, creative sundaes and more tempting desserts. Even further, they provide customers with a great selection of classic American comfort food from burgers and dogs to onion rings and cheese fries. Holsten’s also selects a special flavor-of-the-month, obviously unique to the yummy yet simple vanilla or chocolate. Their milkshakes are a delight as well and is blended to the perfect consistency. All ice cream dishes and drinks arrive in classic, glass, dinnerware–just imagine the glasses the diner served in the also iconic movie Grease–and are usually overflowing with large scoops of ice cream or generous amounts of hot fudge and whipped cream.
Holsten’s Ice Cream Parlor is fit for any gathering and provides conversation for family and friends. The famous eatery is open 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Mon-Sat and noon-10 p.m. on Sunday. When you do go (because you will, if you’ve not already had the pleasure), be sure to arrive with time to spare, as the locals and out-of-town visitors are just dying to take a booth at and a bite of the homemade delight.
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