Salem Ice Cream Parlor — Restaurant in Salem

I love this hometown fave! My siblings and I have been going here since we were little and they still have my cousin's and brothers baby picture still up on the wall! I love that they have kept it up after all these years. My sis and I had a picture but I guess it blew off because it was near the door or it fell down, so we're sad about that but it's cool that they kept the other's up. Now it's mostly managed by high schoolers and some Roanoke College students so I miss them coming around and taking pics but the ice cream is still good. I wish they had a dress code though (maybe all wear Salem ice cream t-shirts or something?). The only reason I know they work at the shop and aren't a regular customer is because they are behind the counter. Also, I feel like they could be a little cleaner, now the girls that work behind the counter don't cover up their hair and don't wear gloves to take out the ice cream... Which kind of makes me feel like it's unsanitary. I don't really want hair in my food especially when they put their whole head in to get my ice cream out. 😂 Other than that, good ice cream and atmosphere! Only a one person bathroom as well... Which isn't great for those that have problems when eating...

So when I went, it was my first time going with my son and his friend. I already felt out of place. While waiting in line I had noticed a girl making a sandwich and she didn't have gloves on. I thought to myself maybe it's her sandwich because she was licking her fingers. Boy, was I wrong. It was for a customer because she wrapped it up and gave it to him. I was so shocked 😳 She didn't even wash her hands and had a nerve to come up to help scoope ice cream. Mind you she's still licking her fingers in front of people. Well while in line she picks up the ice cream scooper and asked me what would I like. I said, " before you touch anything of mine, you need to go wash your hands because I just seen you lick your fingers and and I don't know why people act like they don't see you!" She got upset and walked away and another lady came and asked me what did I want. I said, " Nothing now because the scooper is contaminated now!' I walked out. If you want to go then go, but this place is not sanitary enough for me to ever go back to! What is mind blogging to me is that she was going to keep licking them fingers until I said something! Just...

Awesome ice cream shop. Great choice of flavors of ice cream and the sandwiches are great as well in my opinion. An absolute staple of Salem, VA. Definitely recommend visiting.

I have one complaint, and it's a big one that you would normally give a place one star for. It's dirty. It doesn't look like the place has any good sweeping done, it actually looks like napkins that fall underneath the tables are swept into the wall to be forgotten about instead of being swept out to be scooped up and thrown away. I'm not sure if it's because the staff is lazy about cleaning, but the place just feels like it needs to be closed for a week and deeply cleaned from front to back.

The only reason why I give this place 5 stars is because I have been going here since I was a toddler, especially after I'd leave from the Mac and Bob's restaurant down the street. It's held up well besides the cleanliness of...