Springer's Homemade Ice Cream — Restaurant in Stone Harbor

I have been an avid Springer's fan for 15+ years. Tonight, sadly, I had an experience there that has turned me off of Springer's for the foreseeable future. Parents of allergy kids - stay tuned.

Explanation - my 5 year old daughter has a peanut allergy. This said, we have been going to Springer's since her diagnosis with comfort (and with Epi pen in hand just in case.) I just ask when we visit, and when we visit any restaurant or place where she will be eating food prepared anywhere else besides my kitchen, that they use clean utensils that have not touched products that contain peanuts. In this case, this meant a "clean" ice cream scooper for her vanilla cup, so that I know the previous scooper wasn't used for PB&O, etc. Pretty simple.

I make this request knowing and fully accepting that there is always some degree of risk. As a parent of a child with allergies like this, there is always risk. No restaurant is 100% safe no matter what precautions they take. No eating experience is stress free. But as parents of kids with allergies, we try as best we can to make good (safe) choices, we keep the resources (Epi pen, etc.) we need close in case of emergency and we do our best to provide our children with allergies with a life as normal as possible...including an occasional scoop of ice cream when they are at the beach.

Tonight, the General Manager of Springers said that they could not serve my daughter's vanilla ice cream cup using a clean scooper. I pointed to a plastic spoon in a big bin and said "ok, how about a small serving using that spoon right there?"

'No, we can't use that either", she said. "We have a new rule that we do not make any (ANY) accommodations for kids with allergies."

I looked at her with shock. "You mean to say that if my child has an allergy, that you won't serve her?"

Her response - "We had a bad experience, and they have ruined it for everyone. The owners have made a universal decision to make no accommodations moving forward for people with allergies."

After much (unpleasant) discussion with her about this new rule, with my 5 year old crying inconsolably next to me, I said that I would like to write the owners a letter to explain my side of story and why I felt that they were making a poor business decision. I even had suggestions for a legal waiver they could have people sign to take full responsibility if they really were so concerned about legal action following an allergic reaction. The General Manager responded "I am sorry, the owners are my parents and they are in their 80's, so that is just not going to happen."

I can't contact the owners to discuss their business decision?

According to the New York Times, over 2 percent of American children are now allergic to peanuts, a figure that has more than quadrupled since 1997 for reasons that are not entirely clear. I do not have an allergy, nor does anyone in my family. It was a diagnosis for my daughter that shocked everyone, and although it rules my life, I certainly don't expect every facility or restaurant I visit to bend over backwards to accommodate it. It is my job as the parent to manage it, and as a mom of an allergy kid, I take full responsibility for my child's health and wellness.

That said - asking a place that serves food to my daughter to use a clean spoon? I think that is well within my realm as a paying customer. I am ashamed at Springer's close minded, obtuse business model considering what a common issue this is becoming for their...

This place is one of the oldest ice cream parlors in the country and has been featured on the Food Channel. The ice cream is all homemade - it is very rich and delicious. They have some toppings but no add-ins or anything like that - which is fine with me. Their ice cream is so good it doesn't need any of that - and they have many flavors to choose from. During high seasons the line can go down the block but don't be scared away - it moves very fast. They have a very small seating area toward the back of the store but I've rarely seen anyone sitting there so I don't even know if they use that area. Prices are not cheap but nothing is inexpensive in a beach town plus nowadays going out for ice cream isn't the inexpensive proposition it used to be. In any event it's worth every penny and the service is excellent. They're all college kids working the summer there to pay for school so be sure to drop a tip in the...

Having grown up in Cape May County, and worked in Stone Harbor for a few years a long time ago; it's no secret that Springer's Homemade Ice Cream is the best in town. See the line form down the street every summer night if you needed any more proof, and it's worth that wait. You could make a strong argument that Springer's is the best in the whole county or even all of NJ! They offer a great selection of homemade flavors and a variety of cones to choose from, so there's something for everybody. My go-to favorite is the Springer Chip or Peanut Butter Cup, but the most talked about has to be "The Blue One"; kids love it, parents hate it because of the blue mess on their kids faces!

If you're from here you don't need me to tell you, but if you're new in town or just visiting, a trip to...