The Ice Cream Cone — Restaurant in Hilton Head Island

The ice cream, to put it simple, is ice cream. There's nothing special about it. It's definitely not worth the price. Considering the amount of customers, it's easy to see how they have such a good rating though. It's alright. The staff on the other hand, was lacking. Maybe get the staff put some clothes on and dress a bit more professionally. There was one really sweet girl, "The Bald Guy", who absolutely deserves a raise, I promise you don't pay her enough. There was one of them that was beyond obnoxious. I have never been there before and I wasn't even allowed thirty seconds to LOOK at the ice cream before she rudely rushed me through the line. Moved me out of the way but allowed the customer behind me to look and ask questions and take their time. On top of all that, the one flavor I chose happened to be discontinued but still boldly on the menu, so I was rushed again to select a new flavor on the fly. The owners need not worry about telling me never to come back, after my horrible experience and subsequent reading of the responses to reviews I know exactly what kind of people run this establishment. And yes, I have worked in food service and customer service for over 30 years, so I know exactly what I'm talking about. Find a different location if you can, if everything else is closed, make sure to take out a mortgage to afford their ungodly expensive mid value ice cream. Edit- 64/352 - Very well deserved one and two star reviews doesn't tell you anything at all. What that 352 tells you is that I have traveled extensively and that I make sure that the establishment knows exactly what they've done right AND wrong. I am specific and honest every single time. I took the time to read your response to other poor reviews and your language and timely reactions tell me all I need to know about you as a boss and an owner. Making excuses for not allowing the customers time to make decisions is sloppy. I could care less how expensive your menu board is, put a piece of tape over the flavors you no longer carry. Pretty simple. You're not sure what I'm upset about? That's belittling, I was very clear about what I was upset about. She's lucky I moved. If I wasn't tired, I would have made sure I spent as long as necessary to view every single flavor in your cooler and as the customer, I have every right. Making excuses about your portion vs cost as opposed to others on the island is tacky. I'd tell you to do better but obviously that's not going to make any impact on you Pete. Thank you for putting yourself out there for other to see exactly what their getting when they come to your establishment. Overpriced, basic ice cream that you mark up because you can. You know the tourists will pay it so you gouge them where they feel it. $40 for ice cream for a family of four is obscene....

My biggest concern with this place is that they haven’t made any attempt to control the line of folks in way that enforces properly distancing themselves. It’s common for businesses to mark 6 feet spaces along the sidewalk outside the property where people typically line up. This is even more the case when the inside is off limits or controlled to a small population and here there is no in house facilities access. It’s as if they completely disavowed themselves of putting any guidance that would control their customer base along the outside of their facilities. Why close off indoor access for safety concerns if you make no attempt to put safety markers outside?

We had someone come right up against us without a mask when we were in the back of the line and asking the guy to politely step back of course creates an awkward situation with a bit of hostility and passive aggressiveness on his part. Had there been a typical marker there would be less ambiguity to the conversation as to whether or not he was too close to us. Might have even prevented him from making the mistake in the first place rather than create a situation where he feels the need to become defensive.

Regarding awkward situations, we discovered when paying by card we were asked out loud how much we wanted to tip before even receiving “service”. Why is a tip expected here? Deliver my ice cream in a way that is above and beyond and I’ll happily write one in. Properly wear your mask so it’s fully covering your nose and mouth is a starter for me to even consider one and this was not the case with the kids doing Ice cream scooping. Calling me out in front of everyone for how much we are tipping before even receiving anything is beyond tacky. Fix your system so people can discretely write a tip in if they desire. And better yet, pay your employees a wage so they don’t need to rely on verbally begging for tips. Oh, and the kicker, in addition to be shaken down for a tip you will be charged an extra fee when using a card that’s called credit card adjustment.

So here, the experience of getting the ice cream sucked, and this place may not realize it, but walking away with that sour experience makes consuming the mediocre run of the mill ice cream even less enjoyable.

There are other places nearby also serving ice cream that have adapted better to these challenges times. I suggest visiting one those establishments that are taking a bit more ownership of the safety of the consumers, regardless if they’re physically inside the facilities or not. That extra effort done elsewhere makes me want to tip those others way more than I...

UPDATE: I changed my review to one star after this business responded with a personal attack. I am not impressed by it nor will I engage further in that manner. Regarding the owner’s response, the bathrooms are not in this business. They are outside, shared by multiple businesses, and not in a climate controlled space, so they will be hot and humid. Also, the restrooms are not at all maintained by this business. Regarding the price gouging, the extra fee for credit card payment is not disclosed on your menu where your $13.50 banana split is, which cost more than $15 after taxes and your fee. There is no “cash discount” if you charge the menu price for a cash payment. The gouge is when you charge more than the menu price, which is what you are doing for credit card payments. The small piece of paper that describes this is inaccurate and misleading. It is only about a third the size of a dollar bill, maybe the same height as a quarter or half-dollar, and taped in a completely different location nowhere near your menu. I was born and raised in the Carolinas and have regularly done business in South Carolina all my life from Westminster to Hardeeville to Little River and everywhere else in between. Adding this fee is not a standard business practice in South Carolina. As an area local, I have friends and family who visit me often. This was my first visit to this place, and it will be my last. —- INITIAL REVIEW: I would have never walked into this place had I seen the sign posted with this review. Not only did I not get the cash discount (I expected that), but I was gouged for using a credit card. Also, no bathroom. Plus, no water, unless you want bottled water. The ice cream is okay but...