Del's Freez — Restaurant in Melbourne

The sign says 'THE ICE CREAM MAN SWEETEST MAN IN TOWN'.

Believe it! Since 1956!

I had a freaking fantastic weekend visiting my hometown. Went to a childhood friend's surprise 85th birthday party for her mom! Saw old friends and met some new ones there! Everywhere I went good karma seemed to follow me. Sooooooo, on my last night in town I decided to hit the old sweet spot, Del's!

I almost ran out of time however, as it was 10:45 pm when I rolled into the parking lot. They close at 11! Geez! WHAT am I doing yearning for a Del's this late at night? THAT is the power of memories. Memories of parking my motorcycle as an 18 year old, jumping off and buying my date something COOL! Memories of sitting in my sweet ride Pontiac, listening to some Melbourne-born Jim Morrison & The Doors on my Quadrophonic Pioneer 8-track stereo with Mind Blower speakers, snuggling with a cone and a cutie!

And here I am, quite a bit later in life, at Del's without my Fab One! She wasn't able to accompany me for this weekend trip down Memory Lane.

The window slid open and Miss Lisa cheerfully greeted me. I proudly ordered a medium chocolate cone, please! I watched intently as that creamy chocolate concoction coiled higher and higher on the cone. I chatted briefly with Lisa about growing up in Melbourne, rekindling fond recollections. She was cool, I was cool but my cone was tilting in the summertime swelter....leaning like the Tower of Pisa! She politely asked to show me how to correct the curve. I thanked her and took a seat.

Sitting there solo, by the river, visions of past and present brought me to a wonderful place. Nothing mattered and nothing had seemed to change, strangely enough. I was that 18 year old again, for a brief instant in time. Ready for a Moonlight Drive to Light My Fire as I Love Her Madly!

Tell them...

I have been going to Del's since 1972, when we used to go to a nearby movie theater (since closed) and walk to the Tastee Freeze after for a nightcap, so to speak. It's a slice of Americana, it has not changed, except a few nice tables and a paint job every decade. Simple vanilla soft serve is my favorite, better than any competition in this county, but my pregnant wife used to enjoy a chocolate peanut butter swirl with peanut topping.

Pointers: Cash only. This keeps the riff raff out. This isn't western Europe, where the government and central banks can starve us out in a week with a push of a button. Spend time people watching. If you are going to judge people and note that a heavy set person "doesn't look like they need to be eating ice cream", it's best to do so under your breath as this sort of comment is considered rude by those who have conditions that cause them to eat massive quantities of food. The cross culture clientele from kids to people in their 90's, all races, colors and creeds, always has something interesting for those who observe humanity scientifically. If it's raining, you're going to get wet in line. However, this is the best time to go as lines are short. Next time it rains, pack an umbrella and head to Del's. Be nice to the cashier. Tip in advance, and wink and call her "sweetie" and you'll likely see a little more ice cream than otherwise. The long lines move fast enough that it's not a huge burden. It's part of the experience. ...

Lisa Pope ought to be ashamed of herself. Why because of her disgusting and rude behavior to an 81 year old woman and customer. The staff forgot the hot fudge on a hot fudge sundae. When the women went to the window the staff said that they couldn’t take the ice cream to the back to put on the hot fudge. The employee got Lisa Pope (The owner) explained the situation and Lisa came to the window she was ridiculously rude to the woman she proceeded to dig 75 cents out of the employees tip jar slammed it down on the counter to the 81 year old woman and said here now they paid for it. She brings back a small cup with hardly any hot fudge in the cup. How shameful is that???? The woman took her cup of nonexistent hot fudge and went to her car got money out of her wallet and put it in the tip jar for the employees (more than 75 cents). I don’t care how long Del’s Freeze has been there this type of behavior to a customer is unconscionable. This 81 year old woman showed more class and restraint then clearly Lisa has. Lisa Pope what if someone treated your mother or grandmother the way you treated an 81 year old...