Keep Calm and Try Lickety Split

Whenever you hear the sound of an ice cream truck nearby, you can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia. As a millennial growing up in the nineties, I was taken back to a place where kids could be heard screaming through a game of freeze tag or Red Light, Green Light, 123, fire hydrants replaced the pool as everyone cooled off in the middle of the street, and sound systems could be heard booming through windows as parents BBQ’d on the curb. Then, there was Mister Softee, everyone’s favorite ice cream truck. The familiar sound of the ice cream truck slowly cruising down your block as kids ran to catch up and buy an ice cream cone with sprinkles on top.

After a long and dreadful winter we are now in the heart of the summer. Where temperatures are high, beaches are packed, and air conditioners are in overdrive. Times have changed, face to face interaction has become less popular and social media now consumes our day to day lives but some things never change. The instant reminder that ice cream seems to help you escape reality in just one scoop, even if just for a moment.

Here, we have Lickety Split Ice Cream, which has humbly resided at 295 City Island Avenue for the past thirty years. Having gone through a few managerial changes, it was revamped and brought back to life most recently in 2005. A neighborhood mom and pop shop, Lickety Split is everything your childhood once was from its vintage exterior to its sixties styled signs that lines the walls and let's not forget the flavors that most remind you of why you love ice cream in the first place.

Twenty flavors including Vanilla, Red Velvet, Pralines and Cream, Butter Pecan, Chocolate, Birthday Cake and so much more. Ten flavors of sorbet as well as soft served ice cream. But an ice cream parlour wouldn't be an ice cream parlour without Sundaes and Soda Floats, including your classic Banana Split Sundae to a Root Beer Float with whipped cream. Let's not forget: the famous ice cream with a pie or brownie pairs.

Upon visiting, Dondre and I sampled a few flavors. I opted for pralines and cream on top of a brownie Sundae while Dondre went for the classic two scoop in a cup, a scoop of Birthday Cake and a scoop of Red Velvet. The afternoon was sunny with a slight breeze - we found a shaded area in the park that's nestled directly next to the shop and enjoyed our ice cream as we chatted. Both realizing, "this park is perfect for the ice cream shop."

After indulging in my much needed guilty pleasure, we went back inside to take in more of the scenery and chat with the owner Louise. Louise and her husband originally from Yonkers and Parkchester, respectively. They decided to relocate to City Island because they were looking for a suburban neighborhood in the Bronx. She stated, "My husband needed a place that was a bit less congested and we settled on City Island, it was perfect for us."

They knew of Lickety Split because it's been around for years. Once they relocated to the island, they bought the shop from its previous owners. They saw an opportunity and jumped at it because they wanted to keep the neighborhood parlour alive. "It's like your neighborhood ice cream shop, has a real old school vibe," says Louise and she's right.

“We wanted to maintain its original aesthetics, everyone comes here, everyone loves ice cream. It’s perfect for families, moms can enjoy the day while kids play in the park.”

Lickety Split, although a few added minutes to your commute, is definitely worth a trip this summer, even if it's just a trip down memory lane it'll be well worth the ride.

Coda's Corner - 4.0 out 5 for decor, customer service, and location but would love to have homemade ice cream be reconsidered.