The Ice Shanty, Port Clinton, Ohio

The Ice Shanty ice cream shop is located at 1737 East Perry Street in Port Clinton, Ohio, on the northern side of the Lake Erie peninsula. East Perry Street itself is located on State Route 163, which runs 46 miles (75 km) west to east between Perrysburg and Marblehead. This ice cream parlor is close to several restaurants and hotels.

This ice cream emporium opened in May 2022, in the old Jolly Roger’s Seafood House restaurant. Jolly Roger’s left that location and re-opened in May 2021, a few doors to the west, at 1715 East Perry Street. Jolly Roger’s was built from the ground up on an old Burger King location, while The Ice Shanty has been completely renovated.

The re-imagination of this dessert spot is evident in every nook and corner of both the interior and exterior. While all of the windows and the door and especially the big view window are still there, there is no mistaking this scoop shop for the perch place it used to be. The Ice Shanty has touches of pink everywhere.

Instead of Jolly Roger’s breading machine at the serving window, Ice Shanty visitors are greeted with a bright display of several Toft’s brand ice creams. There is also another display around the side. Toft Dairy has been around since 1900. There is a Toft-branded ice cream parlor 3.5 miles (5.5 km) to the east at 4016 East Harbor Road.

The west-facing window is, and always has been, a great spot for keeping things cold. A lot has changed at this location, and a lot has stayed the same too. This strategically-placed freezer and cooler combo has both beverages and mini-ice cream treats. On the second shelf of the freezer are Blue Bunny Load’d Sundaes and B&J Doggie Desserts.

Jolly Roger’s beverage dispenser-and-condiment station combo has been replaced by The Ice Shanty’s own beverage dispenser-and-condiment station combo. As a bonus, ice cream aficionados are encouraged in that “ice cream solves everything.” Customers can get a cup for the water fountain and get napkins, plus ketchup and mustard.

Two scoops of Toft’s brand raspberry chip ice cream were packed all the way down into the bottom of this sugar cone. This ice cream has good raspberry sweet tartness and large chocolate chips. The price was $6.50 plus tax as it was eaten on the premises. Milkshakes, sundaes, and cones, but not beverages, are food and are not taxable as take-away.

Brownie Bandit is another rich ice cream from Toft Dairy, as served by The Ice Shanty. The two-scoop cone is considered the parlor’s small size, and the added waffle cone is $1.25. This variety delivers on chocolate. The tax on two cones was $1, for a total of $15.25. The eat-in tax rate is 7 percent. Tips for staff are always appreciated.

Yes, the Ice Shanty is a much less crowded and more polished version of its old-time sailing ship predecessor, Jolly Roger’s. As this is an ice cream parlor that serves a few hot food items and not a semi-full service restaurant, the space is quite adequate. There’s not much of a view at the window, but a few beach gulls may fly by.

The Ice Shanty is almost a fast-food restaurant, with chili dogs and French fries, that serves dipped ice cream. Jolly Roger’s does not have dessert. This is the only place near Port Clinton’s hotels that is both open in the evening and has varied sweet treats. The wonderful soft-serve Scooter’s Dairy Bar at 425 Fremont Road is five miles west.

The hours of this establishment are posted on the parking lot side, which faces east. There is plenty of parking. Notice the curb cut for accessibility. Ice Shanty owners Weazy and Ed Hoty also own Jolly Roger’s. This year, as in past years, the Ice Shanty opened in late May and will close after Labor Day.

Just like before, the Ice Shanty has retained its outdoor eating area. The Shanty is open seven days a week between Fourth of July and the end of the season, which is Labor Day. Hours are from 1 pm till 10 pm Monday-Thursday, and Friday-Sunday hours are 1 pm till 11 pm. This would be an awesome place if checking in late at a hotel.

The bright pink at the Ice Shanty catches the eye even from a distance on the major thoroughfare that is Perry Street. This garden could use a little attention, but that is part of the charm. To the right are the Shores Condominiums and to the back is Clinton Inn & Suites. Quality Inn is to the left, out of frame.

While not directly on the shore, the Ice Shanty’s patio still smells like Lake Erie especially during mayfly season, which has just about passed as of June 30, 2024. The sidewalks here are well-used by fish-basket and ice-cream seekers staying down the street. Tomorrow brings another day, heading along West State Route 163 to new adventures.