The Last Jahn’s Ice Cream Parlor in New York

Jahn’s is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor chain that was born in New York. The huge Kitchen Sink Sundae was their signature dessert.

Jahn’s had two locations in South Florida: 249 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables and 17262 Collins Avenue in North Miami Beach.

Jahn's ad from the Miami Herald 12-18-66
Ad from the Miami Herald 12-18-66

I’m not sure exactly as to the dates of operation in South Florida, but the first location opened in the Bronx, in 1897. By the 1950’s Jahn’s Ice Cream Parlor had spread to other parts of New York, New Jersey, and the two South Florida locations.

1960s-era Jahn’s Menu, part of my Burger Beast Museum collection

I stumbled across the last Jahn’s restaurant (81-04 37th Ave, Jackson Heights) when I was in New York. With its wood grain panels and dodgeball-sized lights lining the wall, Jahn’s sets the mood for an old-school ice cream shop.

Jahn’s Lamp Shade, part of my Burger Beast Museum collection
Jahn's Ice Cream Parlor in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York
Jahn’s Ice Cream Parlor in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

We arrived near 10 PM during a rainstorm, and while everyone in my party decided to have some dessert, I opted for a burger, duh. Their BBQ Burger has an American cheese slice melted on the bottom and top bun; well, at least mine did.

Some BBQ sauce, bacon, tomatoes, and a couple of onion rings completed the sandwich. This is your standard diner burger. It will satisfy your late-night burger cravings; at least, it did for me.

Jahn's Ice Cream Parlor Cheeseburger Platter
Jahn’s cheeseburger that I ate

As a late-night plus, they have an extensive dessert menu to look through and indulge in.

Jahn's Ice Cream Parlor Menu
Jahn’s Ice Cream Parlor Menu
Jahn's Ice Cream Parlor Sundae
Marcela‘s Sundae

Jahn’s
81-04 37th Ave #1
Queens, NY
(718) 651-0700

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043967030454

Monday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

familia sacana,,

14 thoughts on “The Last Jahn’s Ice Cream Parlor in New York”

  1. Well, I hope they’re still open come June 2028. I plan on cashing in on my “anytime” FREE, dated & signed, banana split gift certificate. Which will be fifty years old then. Graduated from Erasmus Hall H.S. on Flatbush Ave back then; Or, maybe I should auction it off? Hmmmmm.

    Reply
  2. Please consider reopening one in North Miami Beach. I used to take vacations with my family at Christmas back in the 60s and 70s. I am sad the Wolfie’s, The Rascal House, and Pumper nicks have all closed down to be replaced by high rise condominiums that no one can afford to live in.

    Reply
  3. In 1966, I was 16 and my friend Irene Stockman took me to Jahn’s, 0n Church and Flatbush, for a sweet sixteen birthday surprise. We had the kitchen sink. It was wonderful and so was my friend. So sorry we lost contact. I’ll remember that day and my friend till I die.

    Reply
    • I lived in Jackson heights, queen in 1961-63 and went to the local high school..Newtown high. every day after school we went to Jahn’s and my fondest memories were spent there . such sweet memories. thank you

      Reply
  4. I remember Jahn’s on Church Avenue off of Flatbush Ave, back in the 70’s. The kitchen sink was amazing, matter of fact, all of their ice cream desserts were amazing. I miss the good ole days. I saw a post from Mommy Poppins, advertising Jahn’s and the kitchen sink was $62.95. I wonder what it was back in the 70’s.

    Reply
  5. i was born in brooklyn in 1957… moved to west islip on long island in 1964…. west i slip had a jahn’s ice cream parlor… growing up i remember my family going to jahn’s…. best of timez in brooklyn and west islip!!!… i will never forget ‘the kitchen sink!!!…

    Reply
  6. Growing up in the 60’s we would periodically hit Jahn’s in the outer boroughs… in the late 60’s we would periodically go to a massive stand-alone Jahn’s in New Jersey. In the mid 70’s while attending and living at Fordham University in the Bronx we would go to Jahn’s on Kingsbridge Road right off of Fordham Road, and after moving to Queens we would go to Jahn’s in Richmond Hill right off of Jamaica Ave. One evening when my wife and I were heading to Jahn’s we ran into my brother and invited him to join us – and afterwards when we were leaving Jahn’s I saw a Help Wanted sign and jokingly told my brother he could work there. He joined Jahn’s working in the kitchen and after the cook left he became the cook there! I now see that the term Kitchen Sink has been adopted by many private ice cream parlours – and by Disney for use in Disney parks.

    Reply
  7. I lived near 23rd Ave. & 86th St. in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn in the 50’s & 60’s & part of the 70’s. Jahn’s was our favorite lunch/dessert/late night hangout. It was a great place for a snack after a movie or bowling at Louisiana Lanes. Our favorites were the shrimp salad or chicken salad piled inside a big club roll, with a side of crispy fries & a coke. If still hungry, we would share a sundae. If we were 8 or more we would share the “kitchen sink”. Their banana splits could feed 4. Their toppings were fresh & delicious. The decor took us back in time. It really was a unique place.
    Wish they would open another one like that; it would be worth the drive back to Brooklyn.

    Reply
  8. I used to go to the Bensonhurst one all the time for veal cutlet parmigiana. I loved the way it was heavily breaded and deep fried.

    Reply
  9. Beast,
    I frequented Jahn's as a kid. For me, this place was ice cream heaven! It was the first time I ever heard of the kitchen sink–lol.
    Actually, I don't remember any of the regular food (but then again, this was over thirty years ago.)
    A

    Reply

Leave a Comment