EPHRATAH — Soft serve season is back in western Fulton County.
Granny’s Ice Cream Shanty opened on Thursday for the season at the Royal Mountain Campground. It will be open each week from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The business, including the campground, at 4948 state Highway 29 in Ephratah, was founded more than 30 years ago by the late Joan Dudley. For the last eight years, it has been in the hands of son Todd and his wife, Sarah Cleveland.
With clear skies expected, Cleveland expected crowds to come in droves progressively over the weekend. The rural Fulton County joint is known to attract an intergenerational following each year.
“A lot of the people that used to come here as kids bring their kids now,” Cleveland said.
For miles and miles, Granny’s stands out as the only outdoor seasonal ice cream operation on the county’s western side. For some in the area, the closest site is either Green Acres Drive-in or Parkside Drive-in — which are both outside of the Land of 44 Lakes.
Like a traditional drive-in, the menu features American-style grub, including hot dogs with a specialty meat sauce, sausage and peppers and macaroni salad. Cleveland prides the establishment on using Palatine-based Dygert Farm milk and mixes.
Beyond food, patrons can sit and listen to live tunes around a fire pit, as a number of musicians are slated to perform throughout the season.
“It’s a nice little spot not to just grab your ice cream and go,” Cleveland said. “They like to sit and relax. It’s just a peaceful place where they can hang with the family.”
Hungry for more? Here are some others:
Ice cream options in Fulton County
Dairy Frost
Where: 3708 state Highway 30, Mayfield
Times: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Udderly Delicious
Where: 340 North Comrie Ave, Johnstown
Times: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Summer's Best Ice Cream
Where: 24 Briggs St, Johnstown
Times: Noon to 8:30 p.m.
Village Scoop Ice Cream Shop
Where: 142 S. Main St, Northville
When: Opens in May
The Ice Cream Tree
Where: 799 state Highway 30, Northampton
Times: Thursday, 3 to 9 p.m; Friday 3 to 9:30 p.m; Saturday, 11 to 9:30 p.m; Sunday, 11 to 9 p.m.
Lickity Split
Where: 3871 state Highway 30, Mayfield
Times: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Happy Days
Where: 4470 state Highway 30, Perth
Times: Noon to 9:30 p.m, Tuesday through Sunday
Wemple & Edicks
Where: 453 state Highway 334, town of Johnstown
Times: Noon to 8 p.m, Tuesday through Sunday
Lazy Bear Ice Cream
Where: 1154 county Highway 110, Broadalbin
Times: Thursday and Friday, 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 3 to 8 p.m.