Ice Cream Parlor Near Me in Forest Hills: Vintage Sundaes at Eddie's

For history buffs and dessert purists seeking an authentic vintage ice cream parlor near me, Eddie's Sweet Shop at 105-29 Metropolitan Ave in Forest Hills stands as a living museum of American soda fountain culture. Anchoring the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and 72nd Road in Queens, this storied landmark has served handcrafted ice cream, classic egg creams, and towering sundaes from the exact same marble counter for over a century, offering a rare portal into New York dining history.

What immediately separates Eddie's from modern contemporary creameries is its unwavering commitment to original antique fixtures and century-old preparation techniques. Nothing inside the parlor has been modernized for corporate efficiency. The towering mahogany back bar, stained-glass cabinetry, pressed-tin ceilings, antique Frigidaire coolers, and cast-iron swivel counter stools with worn wooden seats are the very same pieces installed during the roaring twenties, preserved through meticulous daily care.

The foundation of the menu is Eddie's scratch-made ice cream, which is churned in the basement production room using high-butterfat cream and natural flavorings. A simple dish of ice cream costs just $3.50 per scoop, representing one of the most remarkable dessert values anywhere in New York City. Classic flavors like rum raisin, butter pecan, maple walnut, and vanilla bean feature dense, old-school body with zero artificial stabilizers, delivering rich, velvety comfort in every bite.

The crowning glory of Eddie's Sweet Shop is its legendary sundae craftsmanship. A single scoop sundae with hot syrup costs $5.00, while sundaes featuring fruit or nut toppings are priced at $6.50. Each sundae is served in a heavy footed glass tulip dish, ladled with house-cooked hot fudge or bittersweet chocolate syrup, and crowned with a giant, pillowy mound of Eddie's famous hand-whipped heavy cream, which is whipped fresh throughout the day until it achieves the density of soft meringue.

Beverage enthusiasts should not leave without tasting an authentic New York soda fountain specialty. The counter crew mixes classic Brooklyn-style egg creams with chilled milk, seltzer from antique draft spigots, and Fox's U-bet chocolate syrup. You can also order a thick malted milk shake for $6.50, crafted by blending whole milk, your choice of ice cream scoop, and hearty spoonfuls of malt powder on vintage green Hamilton Beach milkshake spindles until frosty and thick.

Visiting Eddie's requires understanding its unique community rhythms to avoid lengthy wait times. On Friday and Saturday evenings between 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm, local families, high school students, and nostalgic couples pack the narrow room, with lines often trailing down the sidewalk outside. For a peaceful, unhurried visit where you can claim a swivel stool at the marble counter and chat with the sodajerk, arrive on weekday afternoons between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

The house rules at Eddie's Sweet Shop are strictly traditional and non-negotiable. Most crucially, Eddie's is strictly cash only, with no credit cards, debit cards, or mobile tap payments accepted at the vintage cash register. There is an ATM inside the shop if you forget, but carrying physical bills ensures an effortless transaction. You seat yourself at one of the cozy wooden booths or grab an open swivel stool at the counter, where counter staff will bring you a glass of ice water before taking your order.

The interior ambience feels untouched by the passage of modern decades. Sunbeams filter through the broad plate-glass display windows, illuminating amber glass jars filled with vintage candies, penny sweets, and handmade chocolates. The gentle hum of the antique refrigeration units and the hiss of carbonated seltzer taps create an auditory backdrop that transports visitors back to the era before packaged chain supermarkets existed.

The history of this historic shop began around 1925 when the space first opened as an ice cream and confectionery business operated by German confectioners. In 1968, Italian immigrant Giuseppe Citrano purchased the store and named it Eddie's Sweet Shop. What began as a short-term investment turned into a lifelong labor of love. Today, Giuseppe's son Vito Citrano and his family continue running the business with fierce dedication to preserving every antique recipe and vintage detail for future generations.

A visit to Eddie's pairs beautifully with an afternoon exploring historic Queens neighborhoods. Just north of Metropolitan Avenue lies Forest Hills Gardens, a planned garden suburb developed in 1909 featuring Tudor Revival mansions, cobblestone roadways, and manicured private parks. Movie enthusiasts can also explore the historic Forest Hills Stadium on Burns Street, which hosted the US Open tennis championships for over six decades and now serves as an intimate outdoor music amphitheater.

Keep several practical details in mind when organizing your trip to 105-29 Metropolitan Ave. The shop is closed on Mondays, welcoming guests Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 pm until 11:30 pm. The corner entrance has a single small step up from the Metropolitan Avenue sidewalk.

Free street parking is generally easier to find along residential side streets like 72nd Road and 71st Avenue compared to congested Manhattan neighborhoods, though you should observe posted parking signs during daytime hours. Because every sundae is assembled deliberately by hand using vintage ladles and real whipped cream, service during peak weekend evening hours proceeds at a steady, patient pace that rewards unhurried visitors.

Eddie's Sweet Shop is a must-visit for multi-generational families, vintage Americana collectors, and anyone who wants to experience genuine New York soda fountain history firsthand. Stepping into this Forest Hills landmark reminds us that true craftsmanship, handmade hot fudge, and welcoming neighborhood hospitality never go out of style.