Stepping back in time at Jaxson’s

By Marlee Card •

What began as a small, old-fashioned ice cream parlor has grown into a South Florida landmark known for its Kitchen Sink sundaes, memorabilia-lined walls and commitment to tradition.

Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant in Dania Beach has been around for almost 70 years. Monroe Udell first opened Jaxson’s in 1956 when he was 28 years old.

“He just did what he loved, and he loved the customers, he loved ice cream and food,” Linda Udell Zakheim, current owner and Udell’s daughter, said.

Zakheim’s father had a vision: simple, high-quality ingredients, generous portions and a place where families could celebrate life’s moments.

“For him, it was all about the customer. It wasn’t about the money, it was all about the customer,” Zakheim said.

Families return again and again to enjoy the atmosphere, oversized portions and ice cream which cannot be replicated, Zakheim said.

“What makes our ice cream different is that anyone can make ice cream. They just can’t make our ice cream,” she said. “My dad invented the proprietary formula we still use. We make all our flavors from a vanilla and chocolate base, adding the finest cherries, chocolate chips, and fresh fruit to make it the best we can.”

Jaxson’s is also known for its iconic, trademarked Kitchen Sink sundae, a family sized treat meant to be shared.

“You need at least four people for the Kitchen Sink, which makes it a great option for a group,” Zakheim said. “We make it per person, so it works for four, five, six or seven people. After seven, we go to two sinks.”

For Wanda Martinez, Weston local, Jaxson’s is part of her family’s story, too. She has been making the trip with her kids for almost 15 years.

“When my kids are around, it’s like ‘Let’s go to Jaxson’s’” Martinez said, “It just became a family tradition, just from us enjoying the ice cream of course and taking the drive down to Fort Lauderdale, more making it a tradition.”

The parlor’s timeless decor reflects its vintage charm, with donated license plates, antique banks along the walls and even a candy shop at the entryway. In a city known for antique and vintage shopping, Jaxson’s offers a nostalgic experience that feels straight out of the 1950s.

“I would say it brings you back to the time of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor from the ‘50s,” Zakheim said.

During busy nights there is extra staff to help keep lines moving, Zakheim said. On the weekends, a guitarist plays live music while hosts and managers guide visitors. Many don’t realize the parlor has more than 200 seats.

“There’s no place that you could actually remember that’s exactly how you remembered it when you were a child,” Zakheim said. “Jaxson’s hasn’t changed at all. It’s exactly how we made it.”

Jaxon’s is located at 128 S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach, FL 33004. It is open Sundays through Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m.-midnight. For more information, call 954-923-4445.