This Florida Ice Cream Shop Is A Surprisingly Cozy Treat On A Chilly February Day
What if the most unforgettable winter night in Florida had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with dessert?
On a cool February evening, when the breeze feels just crisp enough to make you look for somewhere warm and bright, there is one place that seems to glow with its own energy. You walk in curious, and within seconds the sound of scoops clinking, families laughing, and glasses clattering tells you this is not just an ice cream stop.
It is an experience people return to again and again.
Ever wondered where locals go when they want something nostalgic, over the top, and guaranteed to put everyone in a good mood? Or why some dessert spots turn first time visitors into lifelong fans after a single order?
This is the kind of Florida classic where portions are huge, smiles come easy, and one visit is all it takes to understand why people keep coming back.
Exact Location And First Impressions
Find Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant just minutes from the beach in Dania Beach, where the colorful storefront and buzzing takeout counter make it clear you’ve arrived somewhere special. Step inside and the sensory shift is instant.
Warm lighting hits rows of memorabilia, license plates, and whimsical knickknacks that spark conversation while you wait. The air smells like fresh popcorn, vanilla, and hot fudge, and the clatter of tall fountain glasses sets an upbeat rhythm that makes even a breezy February day feel cheerful.
Host staff manage the flow with practiced calm, offering realistic wait times and tips for quicker seating. If a table is not ready, you can wander the candy shop and browse retro sweets.
The vibe is neighborly and easygoing, with families, couples, and solo scoop seekers settling in. As first impressions go, Jaxson’s feels like stepping into a living postcard where dessert is both destination and décor — you’ll find it at 128 S Federal Hwy, Dania Beach, FL 33004.
A Brief History And What Makes It Iconic
Jaxson’s traces its roots to the 1950s, and that legacy shows in every corner, from the soda-fountain counter to the carnival-bright displays. The restaurant leans into its heritage with pride, keeping the old-fashioned parlor spirit alive without feeling staged.
If exact ownership details or founding dates are not publicly posted on-site, the living history is told through tradition, generous scoops, and a service style that treats regulars and newcomers like neighbors.
Over the decades, Jaxson’s earned an iconic status across South Florida, drawing families after the beach and travelers from Fort Lauderdale hotels. The walls read like a timeline, lined with vintage license plates, Tiffany-style lamps, and colorful curios that invite a quick mini-tour between bites.
That décor does more than decorate, it sets the stage for the main attraction.
Publicity has followed, thanks to colossal sundaes and celebratory presentations. People talk about the kitchen sink sundae the way they recall a hometown parade.
In practice, the legacy is tasted in super creamy textures and natural-feeling flavors, with the menu evolving enough to welcome dairy-free options while staying true to the scoop shop heart.
Decor, Ambiance, and That Cozy Winter Glow
On a cool February day, the warmth at Jaxson’s comes as much from the light as the food. Lamps glow amber over booths while glassware gleams at the fountain, and bright signs add a cheerful hum to the room.
The candy shop next door doubles as a time machine, brimming with old-school sweets, novelty toys, and treats you forgot you loved.
Décor spills delightfully into every corner: license plates stitched together like a quilt of American roads, antique tools, advertising art, and the odd whimsical surprise perched high above. It is the kind of place where your table becomes a conversation.
Kids point, grandparents remember, and everyone in between smiles at the spectacle.
Acoustics are lively but not overwhelming, with the clink of spoons and happy table chatter. Fresh popcorn arrives quickly, a crunchy welcome that smells like a county fair.
Even when it is bustling, the staff’s friendly cadence and the playful visual noise create an inviting pocket of comfort, making cold air outside feel like an excuse to linger longer over something warm, sweet, and a little theatrical.
Menu Overview And Notable Dishes
Jaxson’s is far more than a scoop stop. The menu covers American comfort classics that suit families and mixed appetites, from big burgers and sandwiches to quesadillas, baskets of fries, and giant pretzels.
Then there is the fountain and ice cream lineup, with classic sundaes, banana splits, hand-dipped cones, sugar-free and dairy-free options, and seasonal specials that keep regulars curious.
Look for signatures that carry a playful sense of scale. The famous kitchen sink sundae arrives like a parade float for the table, while hot fudge banana splits win fans for creamy balance and sharable size.
Floats and house-made fountain drinks, including Jaxson cola and lemon-lime, channel vintage soda shop joy in tall, frosty glasses.
Portions run large, so planning to share is smart, especially if you want room for dessert after a savory plate. Customize scoops with natural-tasting flavors, not too sweet, with textures that melt slowly.
Whether you order a three-scoop showcase or a simple single with hot fudge, the experience feels indulgent and celebratory, with prices landing in the midrange considering the heft and the entertainment value built into every towering dish.
Signature Sweets: Kitchen Sink, Splits, And Hot Fudge
The signature kitchen sink sundae is a spectacle meant for a crowd, delivering a mountain of scoops crowned with whipped cream, sauces, and bright cherries. It is the kind of dessert that gets strangers smiling at your table, and it tastes as joyful as it looks.
Underneath the show, the ice cream is dense, creamy, and built for slow melting, so the last bite can be as satisfying as the first.
For something classic, the banana split lets you pick flavors, which means you can tilt sweet or fruity depending on the mood. Hot fudge fans will love how it pours thick and glossy, clinging to cold scoops for that dreamy warm-cold contrast.
Portion sizes are hefty, and even a two-scoop sundae often feels shareable after a meal.
Texture is a standout strength: real crunch from nuts when added, smooth whipped cream, and sauces that feel house-made rather than syrupy. Toppings are applied generously but with balance, so you can still taste each flavor.
When the weather dips a little, these hot-cold combinations hit with cozy satisfaction, like dessert engineered for sweater weather in the tropics.
Savory Staples And Portion Sizes
Before dessert, many guests dig into comfort food that sets an easygoing tone. Expect burgers with a proper sear, a mushroom-topped version earning compliments for juicy bite, and sides of hot, crinkle-cut or shoestring fries that disappear quickly.
Quesadillas and baskets cater to grazers, while a giant pretzel checks the box for a salty starter that pairs nicely with fountain drinks.
Sandwiches, including tuna when available, vary by portion perception, but most plates lean large, making the $$ price point feel fair. If takeout is your plan, confirm expectations at pickup, since dine-in presentations can look more generous.
Inside the dining room, portions often invite sharing, which softens the check and ensures space for sundaes.
Everything about the savory side seems designed to support the ice cream experience. Seasoning is straightforward, built to complement rather than compete with dessert.
Crowd-pleasing, family-friendly, and reliably filling, these staples make Jaxson’s a practical lunch-and-dessert or dinner-and-sundae destination, rather than a one-note scoop stop.
Service Style, Warmth, And Flow
Service at Jaxson’s matches the parlor spirit, upbeat and personable, with a touch of showmanship when the big sundaes roll out. Hosts manage a steady stream of families and scoop seekers, giving practical wait estimates and nudging guests toward the candy shop or takeout window when lines grow.
Servers keep energy high and check-ins frequent, especially when kids are deciding on flavors or toppings.
Fresh popcorn arriving at the table is a simple but generous gesture that sets a friendly tone. Refills on fountain sips happen quickly, and staff walk newcomers through portion sizes to avoid under or over ordering.
Bustle is part of the rhythm, and the team reads it well.
Even on busy nights, there is an unfussy competence to the service that helps the room feel organized rather than chaotic. Questions about sugar-free or dairy-free options draw confident answers, and special-occasion visits get cheerful attention.
The overall effect is welcoming and practical, a good fit for groups, birthday outings, and vacation treat stops.
Prices, Value, And How To Order Smart
With a $$ price tag, Jaxson’s sits squarely in the midrange, but portions are generous enough to spread across the table. For value, think shareable.
A burger or quesadilla split before a banana split means you get both savory and sweet without pushing the budget or appetite too far.
Floats and house sodas deliver plenty of nostalgia and size for the price, and two or three scoops often feel like a celebration. When ordering dessert after a full meal, ask your server about best-for-sharing options.
That quick conversation can translate into a better ratio of scoops to sauces to spoons.
Takeout is a useful backup on crowded nights, while the outdoor counter streamlines simple cone cravings. If you are watching spend, consider visiting during off-peak hours to minimize wait and enjoy longer linger time.
The real value, beyond portion math, is the built-in entertainment: vintage eye candy, the parade of sundaes, and the sense that you got a full outing rather than just dessert.
Hours, Best Times, And Beating The Rush
Jaxson’s typically opens at 11:30 AM and runs late, with hours posted as Friday and Saturday until 12 AM, and Sunday through Thursday until 11 PM. Schedules can change, so a quick check of the website or a call to +1 954-923-4445 is the most reliable move before you head out.
The takeout window moves briskly, a lifesaver for quick scoops when dine-in lines stretch long.
To minimize waits, aim for earlier afternoons on weekdays or late evenings after the prime dinner rush. If you arrive during peak times, put your name in and browse the candy shop to make the wait part of the fun.
Staff communicate estimates clearly, and lines often move faster than they appear.
Cooler weather makes the parlor feel cozier, so expect a good crowd on breezy February nights. The parking lot turns over steadily, but rideshares are convenient if you prefer an easy exit with sticky-fingered kids.
Either way, good timing turns a long line into a quick stroll toward a sundae moment.
Unique Features And Tips For Newcomers
Several signatures make Jaxson’s feel delightfully personal. The candy shop sets a playful prelude, and complimentary popcorn places a bit of fairground joy on the table.
House fountain drinks like Jaxson cola and lemon-lime bring vintage charm without relying on big-name labels, which feels refreshingly on theme.
Newcomers should plan to share and embrace customization. Pick ice cream flavors for your banana split, ask for extra cherries if that is your style, and let the staff steer you toward sizes that match your appetite.
If a birthday is in the mix, mention it. Presentation energy scales to the occasion, and the room loves a moment.
Consider an outside-counter cone if the dining room is slammed, then circle back for a full visit another day. Inside, take a minute to look up, because décor stories live above eye level.
Ultimately, the best tip is simple: relax into the nostalgia, let the parade of sundaes entertain you, and save space for hot fudge. Cozy weather only makes it sweeter.
Getting There, Contact, And Final Take
Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant sits at 128 S Federal Hwy, Dania Beach, FL 33004, near the heart of Broward County’s beachy sprawl. Plug the address into your maps, or use the coordinates 26.0494753, -80.1440898.
The website, jaxsonsicecream.com, posts menus and updates, and the phone line at +1 954-923-4445 helps confirm day-of details on hours and wait times.
From Fort Lauderdale, it is a quick drive south, and from Hollywood, you will slide in from the north along Federal Highway. Parking is onsite with steady turnover, and rideshares make for an easy in-and-out during peak dessert o’clock.
Once inside, the experience blends Americana memorabilia with big-hearted portions and a staff that keeps the energy bright.
In the end, the appeal lands somewhere between a celebration and a ritual. You come for towering sundaes and a time-capsule setting, but you stay for the warmth that lingers long after the last spoon scrape.
On a chilly February day, Jaxson’s is a cozy treat with serious staying power, the kind of place that turns a quick scoop stop into a tradition.