Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor

Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor has been serving sundaes from its pink-and-white storefront on Scottsdale Road since 1958, making it one of the longest-running family destinations in the Valley. It is a genuine time capsule -- the interior has changed remarkably little in over six decades, with original pink Naugahyde booths, a long marble soda fountain counter with spinning stools, glass display cases of penny candy, and a staff that still makes sundaes by hand with the same recipes the founders used.

The ice cream is the point, and it is excellent. Sugar Bowl scoops their own flavors and builds sundaes the old-fashioned way: ice cream into a glass dish, sauce ladled warm from a double boiler, whipped cream piped fresh, and a cherry on top. The Camelback sundae (hot fudge over vanilla) is the signature and the one to order if you have never been.

The banana splits are theatrical -- presented in a long boat dish with five scoops. The malts and shakes are mixed on vintage machines and served in the original metal mixing cup alongside your glass, giving you nearly double the liquid.

Beyond dessert, Sugar Bowl serves a full lunch menu of sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads in the $10-14 range. The food is simple American diner fare -- nothing revolutionary, but solid and kid-friendly. Many families come for lunch and dessert, making it a one-stop afternoon break.

The atmosphere is what elevates Sugar Bowl from a good ice cream shop to a memorable experience. The pink booths, checkered floor, soda fountain stools, and glass candy cases create a setting that kids find irresistibly charming. It feels special in a way that modern dessert spots cannot replicate.

Bil Keane, the late creator of the nationally syndicated 'Family Circus' comic strip, lived in Scottsdale and was a Sugar Bowl regular. Several of his comics feature the parlor, and framed original strips hang on the walls -- a delightful discovery for kids who recognize the comics.

Sugar Bowl sits on the main strip of Old Town Scottsdale, making it easy to combine with gallery walking, Scottsdale Civic Center Park (2-minute walk, with splash pad for kids), and the Western-themed shops and restaurants of the district. Free street parking is available on Scottsdale Road and side streets, though Old Town can be tight on weekend evenings.

This is one of those places that creates a tradition. Families who visit Scottsdale once come back to Sugar Bowl every trip. Local families have been coming weekly for generations. At $8-12 per sundae, it is an affordable indulgence that kids remember long after the vacation ends.