Dairy Bars of Prince Edward Island
Posted on 15. Jun, 2009 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Personal, Prince Edward Island
I like simple things.
Like eating ice cream at dairy bars.
What is a dairy bar? It’s an ice cream stand.
You walk up to the counter, order your ice-cream based goody, plunk down your cash, and walk away with an ooey-gooey hard-ice cream cone, soft-serve sundae, blizzard, shake, float, frosty, smoothie, or deep-fried Mars bar.
Dairy bars mean Summer. Dairy bars mean weekend. I love dairy bars and everything they represent.
Dairy bars are reason #971 why Prince Edward Island is the place for me.
Frosty Treat, Kensington, PEI
Here I am poised at the precipice of my very first dairy bar experience.
I was a little overwhelmed with all the delicious choices… The deep-fried Mars bar called to me, but I opted for standard dairy bar fare: an ice cream sundae.
Like the thought of that dairy bar? Think it’s one of a kind?
Well, a few blocks further and across the street, there’s…
Johnny’s Dairy Bar, Kensington, PEI
I was stuffed from my ice cream sunday, so I didn’t order any ice cream at Johnny’s Dairy Bar. Because one delicious dairy bar treat on the weekend is understandable. But two dairy bar treats in one day is a bit much, wouldn’t you say?
I did walk up to the counter and order a smile, though. The cute dairy bar girl was happy to oblige.
Cute dairy bar girls make me feel old. I’m a 27 year old woman now, but I still feel like a dairy bar girl. (OK, maybe I never worked in a dairy bar per se, but I did scoop ice cream at a mini-golf one summer, and it still feels like yesterday.)
I guess when I was a cute ice cream scooper like this one, I thought that people grew up and became adults. I thought that adults were somehow different. I thought that I’d grow up, stop being myself, and somehow become one of them–an adult. But it doesn’t work that way.
I still feel like that dairy bar girl. I look at her and I see me! But the cute dairy bar girl looks at me and sees a 27-year-old woman who for some reason wants to take her picture, and could you hurry up already, lady?
Don’t get me wrong, she was cute and polite and everything a dairy bar girl should be. But to her, I was an adult.
Somehow, some time, I became one of them–the adults. But I’m still a seventeen-year old dairy bar girl at heart. Come to think of it, I’m still that eight-year-old free-spirited child that I used to be, I’m still that twelve-year old tom-boy that I used to be, and I’m still that 21-year old giggler that I used to be.
All this talk about growing up is making me depressed. Depressed enough to crave a treat at my local dairy bar, the one and only…
Gillis’ Drive In Restaurant, Montague, PEI
I know, I’m only 27. I’m still a spring chicken no matter how you look at it when it comes to age. But the principle remains: time keeps marching on and there’s nothing we can do about it.
To give old mother time a run for her money, I try to live life to the fullest as best as I can.
And I try to stop for deep fried Mars bars along the way. (But, you know, just in the Summer. And on the weekends.)
sassymonkey
Jun 15th, 2009
I can’t begin to tell you what I’d do for a cheeseburger platter from Gillis’ right now. Seriously, when I drive home we stop at Gillis’ before we stop at my mother’s place (though to be fair we usually get it to go). I wouldn’t say no to a vanilla shake either. Or hot fudge sundae. Sigh.
christy
Jun 15th, 2009
my mom always says stuff like “i know i’m 50 but i still feel like i’m in high school”. isn’t it so crazy that your body keeps getting older but your mind has trouble realizing you’ve grown up? i still feel like a high schooler too (guess bc i was never a dairy bar girl). PS the term “diary bar” is so canadian i cant believe it. i have never even heard that term. LOL.
and as far as local “icecream places”….my fav is the dalton dairyette. been going there since i was born. i wish i could find how old that thing is but its been around forEVERRR. if it ever closes i will want to die. i always get a peanut butter sundae and sit / watch the amish kids next door selling their produce.
mom Marjorie
Jun 15th, 2009
I loved the flow of your story! Satarted out simple enough about a craving for sweets, and then became very philosophical about the inner child in all of us, and came to a neat conclusion; just in the summer and just on the weekends!
As for mel today, less than 2 hours ago, I was picking up mail at our local drugstore, and before I’d got to the check-out I’d eaten 3/4 of my large organic dark Chocolate Bar (100 grams) and could hardly wait to get out of the store to start drinking the first of my two(!) one liter containers of Dairyland Chocolate Milk!! … Just on weekends you say!! uh, oh, – today is Monday!!
Steven Fisher
Jun 16th, 2009
My wife and I spent a week on Vancouver Island on Qualicum Beach. Close enough to Coombs to do ice cream at their “Old Country Market” twice.
Oh, how I wish I lived in Coombs.
Natalie
Jun 16th, 2009
You’re a smart young thing! And I find it hard to believe I am old enough to be your mother, although I would have had to have been a bit of a naughty high-school senior. if I were your mom! My MIL, who is pushing 80, told me she still feels 17 inside. I completely understand that… it’s like your body ages, but your mind is more timeless. For me, not having kids has made it easier for me to forget that I’m middle-aged, maybe because I don’t have a growing child to gauge my age against. That and lately I seem to have been hanging around with a lot of people who are 20 years older than me!
Anyway, you have a good attitude and lots of time, so keep enjoying those dairy bars. I am very jealous… all we have here is a Dairy Queen, which will do in a pinch but isn’t quite the same as one of those character-filled independent places!
And you’ve already done more at 27 than many people do in their entire lives. Keep up that spirit of adventure.
Rain
Jun 16th, 2009
Hi LJ! Yey for the dairy bars! They still exist in some parts of Montreal, but are slowly fading away, it’s nice to know that I’ll be able to regularly get a deep fried Mars bar, lol!
Freda
Jun 16th, 2009
We had a Dairy Bar in Fairfield, Iowa. It was THE place to go not just as a youngster but the whole family.
The specialty for them was what they called a Dilly Bar which was ice cream on a stick, circular, dipped in your choice of chocolate, strawberry, cherry or banana hard shell coating. YUMMY!!!!!
Still wearing jackets, do I need to bring a jacket when I come?? Looks like maybe I should.
warren
Jun 16th, 2009
I think there must be something fundamentally wrong with eating ice cream in such heavy clothing…though a dairy bar is so hard to pass up…enjoy!
Andrea >> Become a Consultant
Jun 16th, 2009
Yes, well, I was a bit stunned a few years ago when I realized you probably thought I was an adult too. :)
Gary Gray
Jun 17th, 2009
Hi L-J
You found a great secret of PEI. The dairy bars. We love our dairy bars and not necessarily on weekends. Two Island traditional end of day activities here on the Island are. (especially a hot summer day) 1) take a drive and stop at the dairy bar for a cone of soft ice cream on the way back home. (the Richmond dairy bar is famous) 2) Drive to the beach and take a long walk in the cool “off the water” evening breeze while watching the sun set over the water. (West Point is my favorite sunset beach with Brudenell island a close second)
There is an Island invention that is served at some dairy bars and that is “fries with the works”. (something for you to research) It began at Pat’s Takeout near O’Leary some years ago, being invented by Pat Pineau, the owner at the time.
It was featured on the CBC program “On The Road Again” as was the D-28 in Bloomfield another famous takeout, as dairy bars were known way back when.
Oops, now who is showing their age. Yep, the 60’s when the Roll-a-Way was the “in” dance hall in Charlottetown (with a rotating mirror ball and the Blue Crystals band) and the only fast food in town was an A & W. Of course there were always beach parties and “the drive in” meant the outdoor movie theater. lol
Thanks for the memories!
Julie K.
Jun 17th, 2009
Will be arriving on the Island this Sunday!!!!! Can’t wait and will definitely be visiting dairy bars! Gillis’ Diner will get a visit definitely :)
jypsy
Jun 17th, 2009
Please allow me to plug Buzzie’s in Cornwall — This place has heart!! and the food and ice cream is very good. Can’t say enough about Bob Carmichael….. above & beyond…
Barry
Jun 17th, 2009
Brehauts chocolate milkshakes in Murray Harbour. So thick you almost need a fork and knife….worth the drive!
Vicki
Jun 19th, 2009
Yup, need to put that on our to do list for PEI. Can’t wait!! What’s the update on the tractor? Will call this weekend.
Danielle
Jun 19th, 2009
Thanks for the post…..it made me laugh. I too scooped ice cream for a few summers….and I know exactly what you’re saying. I still feel like that young girl inside too, but I’m 37. Sometimes when I look in the mirror, I think who’s that looking back at me? I’m supposed to still be a kid but I have 3 of my own. But what we do get to enjoy as adults is that we can get the ice cream when we want to instead of begging and pleading with our parents for a few bucks when the ice cream truck comes around, or we pass an ice cream stand along the way. So there is something to be said for adulthood. And like the old but good saying goes………you’re only as old as you feel. Keep feeling young and fit in a Dairy Bar on the weekdays too………why not?
Laura-Jane
Jun 19th, 2009
Danielle, you got me! Yes, there sure are some perks to being an adult, exactly like you said… Your post made me nod my head.
Barry, we’ll have to get to Brehauts. I’ve driven by it once, but I think it was closed. I didn’t know they had ice cream. That changes things. :)
Laura-Jane
Jun 19th, 2009
Freda – Yes, jacket! And bug spray!
Freda
Jun 19th, 2009
yes, my son did mention bug spray.
Thanks!!
Vicki
Jun 22nd, 2009
Hi LJ I am counting the days now until I get to see you guys!!!!!! I am so excited to think that I will finally get to see you both & PEI!!!!!! Can’t wait!
Devon
Jun 22nd, 2009
Hi Laura-Jane, I work on behalf of Tourism PEI and really enjoy following your blog. We’ve just launched a new site for travellers to the Island who I think would really benefit from your stories and images about the Island. If you’re interested in sharing some of them, please check out http://www.shareyourpei.com. Have a great day!
Laura-Jane
Jun 27th, 2009
Barry, we went to Brehaut’s on your recommendation! What a cute spot. I did have a chocolate milkshake, and Cameron had a waffle cone. The milkshake was thick and delicious. It didn’t disappoint! Plus, the gals that served us were SO nice, welcoming, and friendly. I love that place! It’s not a dairy bar (it’s more of an ice-cream-parlour-come-diner-restaurant), but it warrants a visit. Thanks for the recommendation, Barry.
brenna
Jul 4th, 2009
hey! great post. i worked at the mini-golf scooping ice cream too! Did u work in the games room as well?
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Jan 2nd, 2010
I worked in the cafe for a Summer. Not in the big shoe though. :)