2. Eddie’s Sweet Shop
The oldest ice cream parlor in New York City, Eddie’s Sweet Shop opened in Forest Hills, Queens in 1925 and has been serving its iconic ice cream for nearly a century from its location at 105-29 Metropolitan Ave and 72nd Road. The current owner Vito Citrano inherited the shop from his father Giuseppe, who purchased it in 1968. The restaurant maintains its vintage appearance, with an original wooden and marble interior and an 80-year-old store refrigerator.
Since taking over the store, the Citrano family has added eight new flavors to the menu, including butter pecan, maple walnut, cherry vanilla, vanilla fudge, banana, and mint chip. The 18 flavors are made using original recipes and the ice creams are hand-whipped with vintage equipment The syrups and whipped cream toppings are also made by hand. Other classic treats include egg creams, banana splits, milkshakes, and ice cream soda. The shop’s classic Coca-Cola signs and vintage interior, including a pressed tin ceiling, tiled floors, wood-topped swivel stools, and marble counter, create a time capsule of a bygone age.