The Ice Cream Machine Co — Restaurant in Cumberland

I've always thought of The Ice Cream Machine to be a bit overhyped - there are plenty of folks that say it is the very best there is, but I had felt that they were average. After my most recent visit, I can happily put them into my "above average" category.

I decided on a chocolate and pistachio sundae in a waffle cone. What arrived was a fair amount of ice cream and toppings of hot fudge, nuts, and whipped cream topped with a cherry.

Perhaps it was the perfect late Spring day, or maybe the stars aligned just right, but the ice cream tasted better than I remembered. Perhaps I had just tried poor flavours before?

But yes, it is a very busy place when things get hopping, so I'd suggest picking and choosing when you decide to go - there is a lot of seating and a fair amount of parking, but if you go in the midst of their busiest hours, your enjoyment may vary.

One of the things I like the most is that they do take credit cards. There are quite a few ice cream places that don't, and for the lack of convenience, I don't go to them. Also, the prices aren't ludicrous, and there is a beautiful park across the street where you can walk off some of the calories.

Now, the big question is - is it the best ice cream place I've been to within the area?

It is quite close, but I'd give them second place. However, I'd have no qualms about going to Ice Cream Machine instead because their hours are much better, and they are open much longer than my number one.

Great job, Ice Cream Machine! If you keep up the good work, you may very well nab my...

The portions are a good size. The flavors are good. The service from those taking/fulfilling orders is good.

I think there are things that should be looked at to improve, though. The lines, when long, go into the parking lot and right into/in-between people's parking spaces. When we were last there we were between cars when one of the cars left and another pulled in. An attempt was made to mitigate the safety by calling for people to enter the store (where they have 1 register - the rest are windows outside) but this did not decrease the lines by much and blocking off those spaces would be the safer option (enough people already park across the street that losing a couple more parking spaces to make things safer wouldn't make much of an impact on business).

The other thing I would suggest would be a queue line. It's currently set up that each window has it's own line and the lines of course move at different paces. A single line leading to the next available window might work better, especially if the previous...

This place is the real deal! The locations sits off busy Diamond Hill Road and doesnt have the parking lot to contain the crowds that visit this place so you will have to park across the street near the recreation fields. It doesnt look like much and is a smaller stand but has like 5 windows. Small attached candy store as well with fresh fudge, you may pass by this if you don't pay attention it is so small.

The flavors and sundaes that litter this menu are awesome and creative and some of the best I have seen from any place around, so many choices and new ones every week according to the menu, tons of toppings and even creative shakes and drinks. No wonder people drive for miles to come here. The ice cream served here is creamy and tastes great, had a smores sundae and it was huge and every bite was excellent. Prices are decent and staff is pretty fast. This place earns its reputation as one of the best ice cream...