J.P. Licks
Categories:
Bakeries, Restaurants, Ice Cream Parlors
Details:
$, Family-Friendly Dining, Late Night Dining, Local Favorite
Message from J.P. Licks
Since 1981, we've been making our customers happy with our homemade ice cream and nonfat frozen yogurt. Even our bittersweet hot fudge and butterscotch are made from our unique scratch recipes. We also roast our own coffee at our original Jamaica Plain location (what we call the "Mother Ship;" it's where we make all our ice cream, too). In all our shops, we provide friendly service and a unique environment. We have multiple locations throughout the Boston area. Our newest shops are in Davis Square, Somerville and on Mass Ave in Arlington. Visit our other locations in Jamaica Plain, Back Bay Boston, Brookline, Newton Centre and West Roxbury and experience for yourself why we are the best in Boston. We look forward to seeing you. -- Vince Petryk, Founder
Editorial by Citysearch
At this popular meet-up spot, families and young professionals stand in long lines, regardless of the season, for their favorite flavors. The cow-spotted seating area can get packed, so many choose to sit on outdoor benches and watch their cones drip away. Patrons choose from a wide assortment of creamy ice creams, nonfat frozen yogurts (hard and soft) and sorbets. Besides the obligatory flavors, there's usually something along the lines of cucumber or ginger for the more adventurous. Large sundaes and banana splits are finished off with homemade hot fudge and marshmallow. Prices are high across the board, but generously portioned. The home-roasted coffee is exceptional and--surprise--comes in numerous blends.Photo by Christine Liu
Key Points
- Ice Cream and Nonfat Yogurt
- Fast and Friendly Service
- Many "Best of Boston" Awards
The Inside Scoop
- Know Before You Go - All the products on site are certified kosher, which comes to the relief of the area's large Hasidic population.
- The Extras - A customer favorite is the Cherry Garciaparra ice cream, a direct imitation of the Ben & Jerry's classic flavor named after the Red Sox star shortstop.
- Save Time - For those hoping to enjoy their ice cream in a calmer setting, hand-packed pints are available to go
Insider Pages Reviews for J.P. Licks
This place has it all! I love the hard yogurt, my friends love the sundaes and my husband loves the coffee. Whatever you get, you can be sure it is great!
They always have new flavors, so make sure to visit often.
Posted 10/29/08 | Report Abuse
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JP Licks has some of the best ice cream. It is very creamy and a good value. The shop is always very clean and the help is always friendly. I have never had a bad dessert there.
Posted 11/16/07 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Really Gross.
by smmckay
Insects were everywhere, later I noticed even in the toppings. The fudge wasn't warm and had a taste that was gritty and very unpleasant... This was my first time going to JP Licks and my last, I wouldn't even return with a free sundae coupon. The store was very dirty and not busy, still the staff was impatient and unfriendly. I worked at a Friendly's before and during college, and the quality of their ice cream and cleanliness surpasses JP Licks. I had a banana split, a treat I am willing to spend $8 for only every few years, and it was really just disgusting. I took about 5 bites and walked out. Every time I walk past JP Licks or see someone eating their ice cream, I shiver in disgust.
Pros: none
Cons: everything
Posted 12/06/06
Highly overrated grotty ice cream joint - avoid always
by sailorboy05
What the hell is the fuss over JP Licks? Average ice cream, hideous (and I mean nausea-inducing ghastly black and red) decor and the 3 locations I have tried (because friends want to go) all have dreadful staff (surly with attitude at Brigham Circle, over-the-hill crusty/grungy types in Coolidge Corner and frankly unsanitary in Jamaica Plain). Additionally the customers can be really annoying- too-old parents with their out of control brats and horrid Birkenstocks in JP and smug, thick-rimmed eyeglass wearing wannabe pseudointellectuals and urban hipsters in Brookline. Add to that the contingent of fat frat boys and their trashy sorority chick girl friends in flip flops and sweat pants. If the staff and clientele aren't enough to put you off the ice cream try the smell of congealing dairy on the floors, mysterious sticky patches that you can only feel and not see and irritating flyers for things like "organic weave-your-own yoghurt chakra balancing tap-dancing guru therapy group". And having survived all that, you then pay a hefty whack for mediocre ice cream with silly names.
Pros: They don't seem to be opening any more locations
Cons: Staff, clientele, ice cream
Posted 08/23/06
So good!
by cl_foodie
The ice cream here is so good - very rich and smooth. They've got the best varieties and they also have low-fat kinds as well. If you like peanut butter, definitely get the peanut butter ice cream or the yogurt- both are fabulous!
Posted 03/17/05
Awesome
by aggi
The ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet is just incredible! And the flavors... they have your regular flavors like vanilla and chocolate, but where else can you get cucumber, peach, sangria sorbet, and cinnamon latte frozen yogurt? The ice cream is creamy. The frozen yogurt tastes incredible, who would know that it was low in fat?
Plus, the JP location has scones, muffin tops, croissants, and bagels that would finish any breakfast/brunch.
Plus, all the locations they have make it an easy place to go wherever you are in greater Boston!
Pros: Great locations!, Incredible service, Wide assortment
Posted 07/16/03