Zoe P.
Yelp
Big Olaf is a fond part of my childhood - summers in the Hamptons, swimming at the beach or a friend's pool, bbq dinners followed by an evening in Sag Harbor. There we would walk up and down the main street, window shopping, then grab an ice cream treat from Big Olaf before staring at the huge yachts that were docked at the wharf right next door.
Now, of course, with the ridiculous popularity of the Hamptons, the scene has changed a bit. Olaf's, while still serving amazingly wonderful ice cream in so many different flavors (as well as soft serve, frozen yogurt, AND frozen custard) and continuing to make their waffle cones freshly each night (the smell drifts out and down the block...it tempts everyone who passes), has soured in its appeal.
The quality of the ice cream, cones, and toppings is still the same and very abundant, but the LINE. Oh, the LINE! It does move, eventually, but the hoard of people outside gives me enough time to pause and ask if I really want to pay that much for a small cup of a flavor (but damn those servings are HUGE!) that I could buy at the supermarket for less and just as good quality. Also, with the summer crowds comes the sour server behind the counter; understandable, but not something I want to deal with as I order five different things for me and my family.
The time to go is either early in the season (before the summer renters come) or after the Hampton Classic (when most people have to return to their jobs). However, those times are also when you are less inclined to go out for ice cream. But on occasion it is nice to relive my childhood joy of a waffle cone.