I have lived in Ocean Beach since 1966. There have been so many changes to the community in those years. So many that if I were mention them many of our current residents would have no idea what I was talking about. But one thing has remained constant since 1997 – Lighthouse Ice Cream & Yogurt. I can’t tell you how many times I have been here and how many different items I have tried, but I can tell you that I have always come back for more.
Irene and I decided it was time to revisit Lighthouse. Of all my friends and acquaintances, I think that Irene enjoys ice cream more than any other friend I have. When we walked in we both spotted our favorite ice cream and it turned out we like the same one, Dulce de Leche. We were going to have trouble!
First, we looked at the “Today’s Flavors.” It is a list 28 flavors long. Then were not sure what some of them were: Beachcomer, Birthday Cake, Death by Chocolate, It’s a Goody, etc. You get the picture. And the 31 toppings, if you include the “sauces” and the sprinkles. But of course that isn’t all. Their Hot Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich made them famous. They’ve since added a Hot Pancake Ice Cream Sandwich. They have non-dairy items, soft serves, shakes and malts, root beer floats, and sundaes. It goes on, and on, and on. There is even a Doggie Ice in two flavors for your dog (vanilla and peanut butter).
For people that are on special diets the non-dairy or sugar free offerings are extensive. The yogurt is a vanilla non-fat (hard pack) and the soft serve is vanilla ice cream or pineapple whip. It is served with chocolate, caramel, green apple, cool lemon, tropical orange, blue coconut, purples grade or red raspberry toppings.
What’s that you say? You don’t want any of the above? Well, how about a piece of Julian pie, or a brownie Junior, or a banana split or a flurry or… There was no way that we could do justice to all their offerings in one day. We have decided to try it several times a month and today we chose our favorites and will have something different the next time.
Irene ordered a sundae with caramel daze ice cream – vanilla ice cream with chocolate bits and caramel running through it. I teased her because when she was asked if she wanted a cherry on top she said “no.” I asked her if she was on a diet? (The nice thing is that you can have your sundae anyway you want it made.) She had butterscotch topping and almonds on top.
I had a sundae with “Dulce de Leche ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, almonds and a cherry. It was so good. And here is another surprising thing – the price was so very reasonable. Our sundaes gave us each change from $5. Do you know of any other ice cream place around that gives you back change like that? That in itself is enough incentive to keep going back for more.
Believe me – our next widow function is July 27 – and you will find the entire group there then. I’m driving! Lighthouse Ice Cream & Yogurt
5059 Newport Ave.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily lighthouseicecreamob.com
619-222-8600