Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl is a Zanesville tradition. With its great exterior sign, chrome stools and long counter, I was a sucker for the place before even opening the menu. As my friend Jerry said “it’s not vintage- it’s just old!”
Old indeed. The restaurant began life as a partnership between two cousins in 1948. Those cousins were Jack Hemmer and Tom Mirgon but for some reason the restaurant was just called Jack Hemmer Ice Cream.
That first restaurant specialized in ice cream with counter seating for seven and an additional four tables. They quickly outgrew that spot and moved into their current location in 1950. Tom eventually bought out his cousin and renamed the restaurant Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl.
Tom retired years ago, selling the business to former manager Bill Sullivan. As far as I can tell, he has maintained a high level of service and quality.
In fact, my two scoops ice cream were heaping and the service couldn’t have been better.
The menu includes far more than ice cream and I was impressed to see there was even a veggie burger. I went for ice cream though so that’s what I got along with a pound of fresh roasted nuts to bring home. They also have a case filled with their own decadent looking chocolate candies.
Want to drool over the menu or just learn more about this Zanesville landmark? Click here to visit their website.
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