With the cachet of being the oldest continuously operating ice cream maker in the country, this parlor has been a perennial favorite since its founding in Cincinnati in 1870. Graeter's Ice Cream claims to follow original family recipes and make only two gallons at a time, no mean feat considering there are at least a dozen stores in mid-Ohio, each of which offers some 25 flavors. Whatever the creative process, it works: On clement nights, the outside patio is thick with families and couples, and cars vie for space in the parking lot. The interior retains an old-fashioned flavor, with curlicued chairs and small tables, pictures of various offerings, and a wall detailing the company's history and that of the site's predecessor, Wentz Pharmacy. The inevitable wait during rush hour is a tasty torture, since it allows time to pick from a cornucopia of sundaes, low-fat sorbets, and luscious ice cream concoctions laden with chocolate chips, fancy whipped cream, nuts and jimmies.

Categories: Ice Cream Parlors

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