Larry F.
Yelp
Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor is older than I am--and somehow still serving up the best ice cream in South Florida.
Tucked comfortably into the corner of a dilapidated strip center on Federal Highway in Dania Beach (about two miles south of the Fort Lauderdale airport), Jaxson's is impossible to miss at night. The storefront lights up like the Vegas Strip, and the outside feels like a full-on weekend carnival--complete with vintage charm and pure roadside Americana.
Walking in feels like stepping into a time machine.
Imagine a world where "The Andy Griffith Show" plays in the background and the spirit of Grease is alive and well. Think Danny Zuko flirting with Sandy over a root beer float. The entrance is packed with nostalgic candy--from candy dots and wax bottles to novelty toys and old-school knick-knacks--and that's before you even reach the dining area.
Once inside, you'll find a tight but efficiently run seating area that lets you dine back in time. The menu is as throwback as the décor--loaded with burgers, hot dogs, fries, and classic American comfort food. Honestly, it makes McDonald's old Super Size meals look like Shaq standing next to Opie Taylor.
But let's talk about the star of the show: the ice cream.
I ordered a 3-scoop banana split--chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry--topped with strawberries, fudge, nuts, and a mountain of whipped cream that made Mount Sinai look like a shrimp in comparison.
As I dug in, I felt like Moses journeying toward the Promised Land. The whipped cream alone could've fed a village. And then... I struck chocolate gold--a rich, velvety scoop drenched in thick, molten fudge that could rival a lava flow. The vanilla? It tasted like it was churned straight from Madagascar vanilla bean pods. And that strawberry ice cream--wow. Packed with real strawberry chunks, it felt like I was eating dessert in the middle of a Central Florida strawberry patch. Honestly, Jaxson's made me fall in love with strawberry ice cream all over again.
I only got through about a third of it--it's massive--but thankfully, they offer takeout containers, so I didn't have to abandon the rest of this masterpiece.
The food?
Also solid. No Michelin stars, but good ol' American diner-style eats done right. Prices have crept up (as they have everywhere), but portions are huge and easily shareable, so you're still getting a pretty sweet deal.
Service?
Slower than usual, but it was unexpectedly packed at 2 p.m.--and our server still handled it like a pro. Friendly, patient, and clearly hustling.
Only one small question mark:
The ice cream seemed to melt faster than I remembered. Not a big deal, but it made me wonder if they've slightly changed the recipe or ingredients.
Final Verdict:
Jaxson's is part dessert, part nostalgia trip, and all-around worth the visit. Whether you're on a date, wrangling kids, or just chasing down a sugar high, this place delivers charm, chaos, and creamy goodness in one unforgettable scoop