I love ice cream, and I'm loving this report from Jessie Voigts about a classic dairy bar in Sandusky, Ohio. This one goes on the (ice cream) bucket list for me!
You’ll encounter a huge problem when you visit Toft’s Dairy in Sandusky, Ohio. Toft’s is a well-known dairy in the region, supplying everyone with milk, ice cream, and other dairy products. If you head to Sandusky and ask anyone local for food recommendations, Toft’s will probably be the first thing out of their mouth.
Toft’s is over 100 years old and is a pillar in the community. Toft’s started as the Toft family dairy farm in (then) rural Sandusky. Today, Toft Dairy is the only locally owned and operated dairy on Lake Erie, and the oldest operating dairy in the state. It purchases hormone-free milk from 22 local family dairy farms.
And, Toft’s produces extremely delicious, premium ice cream.
When you drive up to Toft’s Dairy, you’ll see a covered picnic area with lots of tables. There is a windmill with a cow emblazoned on the site. And, a huge cow statue in front of the door. We used to "moo" when we arrived – I suggest doing that, to get in the mood for what you’re about to encounter.
And the aforementioned problem? In the small ice cream parlor, lined with school benches with desks, you will have to choose from 49 flavors. YES. How can you expect any human to do THIS?
Go for a small – which will nab you two different flavors – and you’ll get a HUGE cup of ice cream. Go for a large, and feed the family. But I bet you won’t be able to do that – everyone will have such different flavor choices (and not want to share). My favorite flavors always rotate. And I bet if I lived in Sandusky, I’d have tried all 49 by now.
You can find the ice cream flavors here: http://toftdairy.com/one_quality.htm
Read them and weep.
Toft’s Dairy
3717 Venice Road, Sandusky, OH 44870
Parlor Phone: (419) 625-5490
Hours for the Dipping Parlor are 8am – 9pm, 7 days a week
Bring your appetite! Toft’s Dairy also serves food, coffee, and has a cold section for milk, ice cream, and other goodies.
I'll be sure to check out Toft's Dairy next time I'm out by Sandusky, Jessie!
Meanwhile, check out my story about Canton Classic Eats to learn about another of Ohio's great classic ice cream parlors, Taggarts, home of the Bittner Sundae.
Jessie Voigts is the publisher of Wandering Educators, a travel resource for global educators. Love to learn about the world? Head to http://www.WanderingEducators.com
Photos and text © Jessie Voigts 2012 All rights reserved, used with permission
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