If you’re looking for homemade ice cream in Galloway Township, Lindy Hop’s is much more than your average ice cream shop. From the moment you walk through the doors, it’s clear this isn’t just a place to grab dessert. It’s an experience built on nostalgia, kindness, and a passion for making people smile.
Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. Classic hits play through the adorable car tailgate-designed speakers while chrome ice cream cases, vintage décor, and colorful memorabilia create a retro atmosphere that feels straight out of “Grease.” Every detail adds to the charm, making Lindy Hop’s one of Galloway’s most iconic hidden gems.
Owner Linda L’Erario has been sharing her love of homemade ice cream since 1991. More than three decades later, she continues making every batch from scratch, using the same passion that inspired her from the beginning.
“My main goal when I started this 35 years ago was to put a smile on everybody’s face, no matter what situation they’re in,” Linda said. “I deal from the heart, and that’s what I put in my ice cream.”
That heart shines through in every scoop.
The shop offers what feels like an endless selection of flavors, along with dairy-free options, water ice, banana splits, ice cream cakes, ice cream pies, and even ice cream pizzas. Whether you prefer classic favorites or adventurous combinations, there’s something for everyone.
As soon as you walk in, it’s almost impossible not to smile. Cheerful hand-painted decorations welcome guests, while the long chrome display cases are filled with 36 colorful flavors that make choosing just one nearly impossible.
My mom and I ordered the dairy-free Strawberry Banana ice cream, and we were genuinely impressed. It was smooth, creamy, bursting with fresh fruity flavor, and proof that dairy-free doesn’t mean sacrificing taste.
My husband gravitated toward some of the more adventurous flavors, including Horchata, Cookie Dough, and Mounds. Each one had its own distinct personality, but the Horchata quickly became our favorite. Creamy and perfectly balanced, it captured the familiar cinnamon sweetness of the beloved drink without being overpowering. It honestly tasted like sipping horchata in frozen form.
Linda was especially excited to share that her signature Horchata flavor is currently being patented and entered into competitions alongside another one of her patented creations, Tahitian Butter Sand.
“You’ve got to try this!” she said.
She wasn’t exaggerating.
Tahitian Butter Sand is unlike anything we’ve tasted before. Rich caramel and buttery toffee swirl through silky homemade ice cream, while pieces of handcrafted butter candy add the perfect texture. Linda even shared one of her secrets: Not only is every batch of ice cream made from scratch, but the candy mixed into Tahitian Butter Sand is handmade in-house as well. Even more impressive, it stays soft instead of freezing into hard chunks, even at temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero.
It’s this level of creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that makes Lindy Hop’s stand out among South Jersey ice cream shops.
Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting the Jersey Shore, Lindy Hop’s is well worth the stop. It’s the kind of place where every scoop is made with care, every customer is welcomed like family, and every visit leaves you smiling.
We’re wishing Linda and her team the very best in their upcoming competitions. No matter what the judges decide, they’ve already earned a blue ribbon in our book.
Lindy Hop’s is open daily from noon to 10 p.m. throughout the summer. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for new flavors, seasonal specials, and updates.
Holly Martin has been immersed in the media world since 2012, building a dynamic and versatile career that spans nearly every corner of the industry.
