You step through the doors. You hear The Big Bopper and Fats Domino playing back-to-back. You see big scoops of ice cream dripping from steel bowls sliding across a marble countertop. And no, this isn’t about some retro diner from the Eisenhower administration or that diner from 1955 in Back to the Future. This is the Brooklyn Farmacy Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Parlor; serving up classic frozen treats that you thought were frozen in time! Sorry, but I couldn’t resist!
You don’t need a time machine to visit this place. All you need is to do is head to the neighborhood of Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, NY. Or if you are a Manhattanite, a MetroCard and pair of shoes will suffice. Although the place says “farmacy” (misspelled on purpose) and features a neon red cross glowing in the window, you won’t find band-aids or ointment here. Instead, you’ll find a menu chock-full of eye-catching sundaes and shakes that rival even that of Ben and Jerry’s. But it doesn’t stop at ice cream. Like any soda fountain, they offer up numerous fizzy concoctions. They have the classic “purple cow” (grape soda with a scoop of vanilla ice cream) and creamsicle (vanilla ice cream with orange soda). And for the more discerning palette, try the hummingbird (hibiscus soda with vanilla ice cream) or the rocket shake (coffee ice cream mixed with a shot of espresso). With so many flavors and combinations, you might want to bring a lot of friends to help you down these delicious drinks!
Before dining on their desserts, I could not deny myself lunch. The place also features a neat, little menu that is available to diners from 10 am to 6 pm. Diner classics like grilled cheese, soup of the day, hot dogs, hot pastrami, and egg salad are just some of the selections that the Farmacy serves up with a side of kettle chips. Oh, and do order up one of their egg creams. Is there anything more satisfying than fizzy chocolate milk?! In my opinion, they are quite refreshing, but they aren’t as thick as other egg creams in which you’d find some syrup still at the bottom of the glass. But hey, an egg cream is an egg cream, right?! I had their grilled Cuban sandwich and chips. A pretty good sandwich, but their chipotle mayo dip made it even better! While it isn’t as meaty as most Cuban presses, it seems to be just the right serving for when you are saving your appetite for a lot of ice cream!
The big finale was when I order up the Cookie Monster sundae: a big scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream, drizzled in hot fudge, big chunks of chocolate chip cookies, also smothered in hot fudge, topped off with a gob of whipped cream and crowned with blue sprinkles! Is it delicious? Of course! Is it a sugar rush? Of course! The mint ice cream isn’t the familiar neon green scoop that is often confused with pistachio ice cream. Still, any mint ice cream that leaves behind a cool, freshness on your taste buds is a winner! I only wish I had brought with me some friends, or perhaps a second stomach so I could have sampled more of these amazing sundaes!
The next time you find yourself among the picturesque brownstones and stoops of Carroll Gardens, or if you find yourself on the F or G train with a sweet tooth craving, be sure to step inside a bit o nostalgia, served with whipped cream and a cherry on top!
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
513 Henry St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 522-6260
www.Brooklynfarmacyandsodafountain.com
Jared if I ever make it to NYC I’ll be hiring you as my gastronomical guide, I thoroughly enjoy your foodie stories the most!
Hope your not feeling too bad after our lack lustre performance against the Tigers
Glory Glory
Paul