Let’s Go to Mr. Freeze!

“Let’s go to Mr. Freeze!”  I have been saying these words for as long as I can remember.  This has always been a difficult proposition for my parents to disagree with because they love the wonderful soft serve cones, shakes, and sundaes as much as I always have.

On a hot summer night, you can always count on a line stretching out each of the three doors here at Mr. Freeze.  In addition to being this town’s favorite ice cream hotspot, the experience also serves as a communal meeting place for the people of Perrysburg, Ohio.  How many other places do we stand and mingle amongst our neighbors as we do while waiting in line here at the local ice cream parlor?

Wafting in the air are smells of sweet and sticky ice cream and there is a feeling of excitement at the happy expectation of soon having one’s favorite summer treat.  The windows are covered with hand drawn, colorful renditions of the various concoctions served here.  The waiting people “ooh” and “ah” over the marshmallow, caramel, hot fudge, chocolate chip, s’more, and giant turtle sundaes that come parading back through the crowd.

Once at the window, you can watch the owner and a team of high school girls pumping ice cream into cones,  pouring slushies with their various flavors, mixing milkshakes, taking orders, and serving it all with rapid and cheerful efficiency.

During our recent trip to Mr. Freeze, Amanda ordered the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae, which consists of vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate fudge sandwiched between two giant, crispy chocolate chip cookies which is softened by the ice cream as it slowly melts and mingles with the thick, rich, hot fudge.

The Caramel Sundae was my choice.  This is a simple combination of creamy and frosty vanilla soft serve layered with hot caramel and topped with whipped cream.  The gooey caramel begins to thicken as it is cooled by the ice cream, becoming firm and candy-like as it sticks to the end of the spoon.

My family and I have been coming to Mr. Freeze since before I could see over the counter; my dad lifting me up to see into the amazing window where ice cream came out.  Now, coming here still gives me that same sense of excitement I felt when I first started saying: “Let’s go to Mr. Freeze!”