4. Restaurants

Sugar Bowl

4005 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251
  • (480) 946-0051
  • Store is closed

Sugar Bowl Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Scottsdale for healthy meals suggestion.

Jamba Juice ( 15686 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd #E2 )

  • Amanda S.

    I love going to Sugar Bowl when I am in town! The ice cream is so good and decadent. I see other reviews saying that you can find what they have in other places but I have to disagree. They have such a diverse, creative, and tasty menu. I haven't seen anything that really compares. I just wish they would give the place a little remodel because it truly is a diamond in the rough. And service at the counter could be a bit more attentive. They haven't really had one dedicated server at the counter when we've gone. Regardless it's been a great place over the years to stop in at for a break in the middle of shopping or driving around.

    (3)

  • Jennifer D.

    I've been living locally the past 14 years and didn't try the Sugar Bowl until just last night. I love that you can sit at a table and be helped by a server just for dessert. The menu was full of classics and different concoctions of ice creams, sauces, and other sweets--the hardest part of our visit there was making a decision. I opted for the Buster Brownie (sub out the chocolate for caramel), my boyfriend enjoyed the Top Hat Sundae and OMG--yumbo. Overall this place has the right price, impressive dessert, and a super cute atmosphere. Great date night spot for Old town Scottsdale.

    (4)

  • Kazi H.

    I feel like a little kid when I go here. I get all warm and fuzzy! i've only had their desserts and I LOOOOOVE them!

    (5)

  • Julie P.

    Wonderful ice cream, good amount for the price. They've always been busy when we've been there.....have never seen any bugs. Service was good, we will be back the next time we're in Scottsdale!

    (4)

  • Jacqui B.

    Okay, you know what's cute? A group of wholesome-looking teens dressed in soda counter garb and serving all-American treats to overheated tourists and locals alike.....that's cute! This place has a bit of that "throw-back" feel with the soda fountain options that you just don't see very much anymore. I had the Gold Rush, which consisted of orange sherbet, vanilla ice cream, and Sprite all blended into a 50/50 bar-esque sippable yumminess. My son really enjoyed his chocolate shake but wished there was 3 times more of it (teens...can't live with 'em, can't ever fill 'em up!) The establishment was clean and quirky and, frankly, over-staffed for that time of day...but, hey! better than the alternative, which happens all too often in this tourist town! If you're so inclined, the PHX Big Entertainment Book has a BOGO coupon for any menu item at the Sugar Bowl :)

    (4)

  • Gil S.

    "Gosh-Awful-Gooey Banana Split: fresh banana split lengthwise, Turkish coffee ice cream blanketed with caramel sauce, red raspberry sorbet smothered in marshmallow sauce with delicious whip and a juicy maraschino cherry atop." Heaven!!

    (5)

  • Cube W.

    Good ice-cream poor service. That pretty much sums it up. The people serving up lack eye contact, engagement and are there to do their thing and get the hell out. Oh well. 2 bucks a cone. Whatever!

    (2)

  • Jackie W.

    We went to this place on Monday night. OMG. So nostalgic for me and my husband who grew up with Swensen's. It's the same idea with a limited food menu and a very extensive ice cream sundae/dessert/milkshakes/soda menu. The place looks like it was taken from the 50's with the cute pink decor and real soda fountain. We could do without the mini-arcade next door. Prizes are lame for the amount of tickets required (100 tickets for a small bouncy ball). It was great fun and our kids were asking to go back. The Sugar Bowl is located in Old Town Scottsdale, so it is in a really cute section of town.

    (4)

  • Meg W.

    The ice cream here is delicious, but the service is horrendous. There always seems to be 10+ people working here, yet they often seemed annoyed to have patrons. This place is adorable, and has deep roots in old Az. Come on, Sugar Bowl, step it up a little.

    (2)

  • Stephanie P.

    I find myself going to the Sugar Bowl whenever I have out of town company visiting.This place is so cute; a historical old fashioned ice cream parlor in the heart of old town Scottsdale. It's pink and filled with old school diner booths and tables, or you can sit at the counter. The menu has classic burgers, sandwiches and soups. Years ago I used to enjoy their BLTs with avocado, but since I no longer eat meat I do find it a challenge to find something I want on the menu. For this reason I usually go for the ice cream, which is rich and creamy. My husband felt ambitious ordering two scoops-rocky road and almond praline, and couldn't finish it. My sister powered through her two scoops of chocolate and chocolate chip. I ordered a small hot fudge sundae with chocolate mint chip, and the best part was the hot fudge at the bottom of the bowl. Yum. Our bill was just under $13. Our server was friendly and prompt with the order. This place is celebrating 50 years!!!

    (4)

  • N S.

    I worked at The Sugar Bowl when I was16 years old. I remember the pride that everyone took in the quality of their home made food and delicious ice creams. I visited recently after 40 plus years and was I astounded to find the same quality menu and service. Boy you must be so proud! I will return as often as I can. You are amazing!

    (5)

  • G T.

    This place has been here from the 60s and I would say very little has changed. It's an old school ice cream parlor. The seats are not very comfortable but that just adds to the authenticity of this charming place!

    (4)

  • Susan H.

    I look forward to going to the Sugar Bowl when I'm in Scottsdale. Old time ice cream parlors are a vanishing breed in the US. There are so few places left where you can get an ice cream soda. That's why I really like this place! There are so many ice cream treats that are not found elsewhere. Plus, as others have pointed out, it's nice to see a place that has withstood the test of time---especially in a high growth area. So many places come and go but the Sugar Bowl remains. Do pay it a visit if you like ice cream! The service is friendly and prompt. Just remember---when you are ready to pay, you don't pay the server, you go to the cash register and pay.

    (4)

  • Brendan T.

    For nostalgic purposes only. The ice cream and sundaes are weak and it is looking so grungy and run down these days. Get your sweets fix elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Jason B.

    This is a place that you must bring an out of town guest to, and if you really want to be creative with how to propose marriage this would be a good place to, heck it's good for any occasions other than break-ups and affair confessions. It's a throwback to the 50s soda parlor, it's so old school, and quite cute! Everything's pink, that it almost feels like Barbie is the owner of the store and she just wanted everyone to know pink is the color of the ultimate diva! Their's a soda bar and booths, and tables and chairs, and it's a great family friendly atmosphere. During the days it attracts families and in the evening, couples, teens, and kids at heart! I like their changing flavors of the month board where you can take out either a pint of quart of their hand packed ice cream! They offer shakes, floats, splits, and cones/bowls of ice cream! love it! And during the day there's also a food menu limited to sandwiches. One thing you'll notice when seated are the many frames of Family Circle comics. Bil Keane the comic strip writer is a big fan of Sugar Bowl and alot of his comics mention the place, so it's pretty cool a comic strip celebrates the awesomeness of this old town landmark. These are my favorites, the top hat sundae, the buster brownie, the Desireme (D-Sire-Me) Banana Split and the 23 skiddoo!! Love them all and if I have no plans to go out, I'm willing to trek out from my place in Chandler to Old Town to pick up some ice cream and some quarts to go! It's laid back and chill... hence I've come back ever since I first went here back in 2005. Oh and the proposal thing happened to a friend of mine, her husband proposed to her at one of the booths... I think it was the 23 skiddoo!!

    (4)

  • Suzanne S.

    OH I love this place! The charm of it is irresistable!! You have to get the little "finger sandwiches" and the sundae's are yummy! They have so many to choose from! Also..my very FAVORITE item on the menu is the banana nut bread with cream cheese in the center and then another piece of banana nut bread on top..mmmmmmmmmmm OMGosh , it is soooo yummmy!! the best....and its just so cute...and a great place to cool off and get out of the heat of the day!

    (4)

  • Judy L.

    Had their Almond pralines ice cream. It was good but disappointment I only had 3 roasted almond in my whole dish. The ice cream was also very melty. The brownie thing M had looked so good. I guess I need to come back and try another item. The service was great!!!

    (3)

  • Kathryn G.

    Full of 1950s kitsch--it's a throwback ice cream parlor. I loved the camelback soda--I ordered it with raspberry soda and chocolate ice cream and it was delicious (highly recommended!)

    (5)

  • Lyn M.

    After years of hearing friends rave about this infamous ice cream parlor, me and my boyfriend decided to go there for a date. Upon entering the restaurant, we both were met with a less than pleasant greeting. The restaurant had a very "stale" vibe... Nobody was smiling- customers and staff included. It was pretty busy which we had expected because it is a popular place, especially on a Saturday afternoon. After being seated, we noticed how dirty everything felt... Flies everywhere, sticky menus, sticky table, water glasses looked cloudy, etc. We were served quickly- my boyfriend ordered a vanilla sundae with cherry sauce and chocolate marshmallows sauce- his ice cream arrived as if it were soup. The few bites of solid ice cream were freezer burned. My sundae was fine, but nothing I couldn't have made at home. While we were waiting for our check, we joked about how the place felt haunted. I can't express how eery and unhappy the whole place seemed. Nobody seemed happy to be there. I went on Yelp while sitting there to read reviews because I was appalled at how horrible the place was. I wish I had checked BEFORE we had made the drive from the west valley. When we went to the cashier, the manager rung us up. He didn't look up once or say ONE word. Nothing. Basically, we will never go there again and will never recommend this place.

    (1)

  • Ryan J.

    If this place were to have opened up last week it would probably last 6 months. But it has generations of history and patronage on its side so it will remain a Scottsdale icon. The ice cream is decent but the real draw is the nostalgia and feeling of family.

    (4)

  • Matthew J.

    We were in town visiting for Spring Training and liked this place so much that we went twice in two nights. It's a cute place--the desserts are delicious but I don't know about any entrees. It's pretty crowded most of the time but that'll happen when you're serving yummy ice cream at a good price in an adorable little parlor. The staff is friendly, too. I'd go back again in a heartbeat. Two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Morgan D.

    Ah, Sunday morning... okay, Sunday afternoon. I wake up slightly hungover with a desperate need for water and realize that I am not alone. My best friend spent the night because she was in no shape to drive home and she is still passed out in my bed. I nudge her and say, "time to get up and I'm pretty sure we missed yoga." We always promise each other that we will make it to the gym for a yoga class on Sunday, but we never do. Fast forward to us squinting into the sun as we drive up Scottsdale Road looking for something to eat. I spot the Sugar Bowl and flashback to fond childhood memories of drinking chocolate malts in my dance uniform. I always went here after dance recitals and that may have been why I went through this really awkward chubby stage in 4th grade. Anyhow, my friend thought the Sugar Bowl sounded good too. We park our butts in a seat and order broccoli cheese soup, of course I got the aforementioned chocolate malt too. The soup was seriously good. It was creamy and satisfying. The chocolate malt was as good as I remembered. They don't exactly compliment each other though, so maybe next time I will go with the tea sandwiches.

    (4)

  • Gwen G.

    This place really should get 5 stars but it doesn't even deserve 1. Why? Well for starters unless you go there when it opens it pretty dirty with napkins and bits of food on the floor and on the seats. No excuse for this. Secondly, the bathrooms are ALWAYS disgusting. Honestly I don't know how it passes inspection with the bathrooms alone. It is a great location and the ice cream is pretty damn good. Nothing fancy. It's old school ice cream, and for that it's fantastic. The non-ice cream items (burgers, sandwiches, etc) should be avoided. Just get the ice cream. Finally, like others have said the owners (not so much the staff) are on the rude side. I have seen customers get yelled at because they asked for their table or chair to wiped down. Maybe over the years they have become jaded seeing the countless number of drunks coming in here and acting like they own the place. I can tell you that when he was yelling at the customer above she was very polite and it was in the mid-afternoon. I hope that someday this place gets bought by someone who loves customers and much as many people love this place out of nostalgia. For the past several years this place has lost its sparkle and I really would like to see it return to its former glory.

    (1)

  • Nicole L.

    After a long, stressful day, I was craving a hot fudge sundae after dinner with real ice cream (not dairy queen). I live down the street from the Sugar Bowl so that is where I headed. I need that little pick me up and smile that ice creams brings me. Apparently, I went to the wrong place. They were out of whipped cream....you can't have a hot fudge sundae without whipped cream!! I had to ask for nuts and then when I went to pay at the cashier cage the guy NEVER looked at me, said anything to me and NEVER even thanked me. What is going on???? Talk about ruining my evening! Maybe I went with my hopes to high, but is it too much to ask for a thank you?? I paid almost $7 for a sundae with no whip cream, no smile and a big bowl of irritation. THANKS!

    (1)

  • Thomas B.

    ...and I spent a couple of hours in our hotel bathroom that night!

    (2)

  • Frances L.

    Dear Sugar Bowl, I love your location and your friendly service. I also love your ice cream menu-- the different things I can get that are sugary and delicious sounding. I like they you're very characteristic of Old Town Scottsdale and that you run a tight old-fashioned ship. However, I just don't like your ice cream. It's just..."OK." You're just not as creamy as Mary Coyle and sometimes the compression in your crop has just too much air, giving me kind of a freezer burnt feel on my tongue. I still love you though. I hope that we can stay friends. All the best, Frances

    (3)

  • Tim S.

    The gigantic pink building. We stopped in this place for some ice cream one afternoon. Its old school and has stools at the counter. Like an old fashioned soda fountain. I got a walnut fudge sundae and my buddy got a banana split. My sundae was pretty good. Just the right amount of ice cream and toppings. Everyone we encountered was nice and friendly. A tad steep. $15 bucks for ice cream but it was good enough.

    (3)

  • Karen H.

    DH came to take me to lunch to celebrate a new job in a new city (oh....this burgh girl isn't too sure about this yet...). I had heard about the Sugar Bowl from some locals and it was only a block away - I thought why not? It is definitely retro.And pink. Very pink. Way too pink. The only thing missing is the hair nets. I don't think they have remodeled since opening 58 years ago and, according to DH, they haven't cleaned the men's room during that time either ;) We didn't do dessert and maybe we should have because lunch was not anything to write back home about. They advertised corn chowder as the soup of the day - and I was so ready for a good bowl of soup. It just wasn't happening. It was - and I am ready to bet the bank on this - a can of creamed-style corn with some diced boiled potatoes and a few sprinkles of bacon. That was it. Corn chowder? Not even close. No white sauce. No cream base. Nothing. A can of cream-style corn. Now, I am the first to admit - you can make a good quick chowder out of that can - but you need to do a little white sauce, a little butter, some seasonings. Just dumping it - no, that is not acceptable. And not even hot - At $4.50 a bowl, you got less than a cup of soup as measured in any other restaurant. It was in a shallow tiny bowl, almost monkey dish size. DH order the turkey sandwich. Meh. It was turkey and bread and lettuce and mayo. No tomato. Served with chips. Not worth the $8 price tag for sure. I ordered a side of their nut bread with cream cheese. It was okay. Not bad, not great, Ok. For $18+ for a sandwich, a Diet, a cup of soup, and nut bread, it was not worth it at all. All in all, not worth a lunch trip again - although the place was slowly filling up with locals (mostly older). Maybe I will try dessert there some time but as far as food goes....these boots will keep on walking....

    (2)

  • Tina S.

    Came here after I went to Olive and Ivy for my sons birthday. The ice cream is really good. The place is like an old time ice cream parlor. It is really pink too. I would suggest going here if you want some good ice cream and you are in the area.

    (4)

  • James C.

    This is an old school ice cream parlor and restaurant. I am not too crazy about the entire pink decor, but I go there to eat ice cream. They make ice cream concoctions that are legendary. From sundaes to banana splits, served in classic glassware. It's a great place to go back in time and enjoy a wonderful ice cream experience.

    (4)

  • Samantha O.

    I really wish the sugar bowl would re-vamp. I haven't been in a long time but the few times I have tried it I haven't been happy and have had no desire to go back. in fact when ppl suggest it i say "EW!". The sundaes are overpriced and the servers take so long to bring them out that your ice cream is melted by the time you get it. so it just turns into a warm, melty mess. it's so expensive for an unappetizing sundae. i say stick to dairy queen over this place and if you're feelin like an upgrade just go to sweet republic.

    (2)

  • Roxana W.

    I have been going to this place ever since I can remember but the last time I was there, we were sitting waiting to place our order and cockroaches came crawling out of the booth next you us. It's safe to say that we immediately walked out and will not be returning.

    (1)

  • P P.

    I came here on a hot day and was so happy I did. I enjoyed the brownie Sunday which was great for 2 reasons. One I love brownies and second when I asked the waitress for her recommendation this is what she offered. The restaurant also served food but the majority of customers including myself seemed to be enjoying ice cream and judging by the empty dishes including my own we all seemed to be thoroughly enjoying ourselves. The restaurant was clean and pink. The motif of the restaurant is pink and white or maybe it was originally red and white and with time it faded to pepto bismol pink. They could make a killing selling that stuff too because due to all of the over indulging people it is a necessity. Fortunately I don't live in Phoenix but when I find myself back I will make it a point to come to Sugar Bowl

    (4)

  • Jesse R.

    I took my niece here for a pretty bad experience. The play was dingy and the service was slow with overpriced sugary goodies. Too touristy and too gimmicky. Will not waste time here again.

    (2)

  • Jerrod K.

    Maybe it's a backlash to all the hype I've heard about this place, but I was seriously disappointed. Yes, Sugar Bowl has old-fashioned charm. Yes, it has history. Yes, it has many Family Circus prints on its walls. But the ice cream just isn't that good. It's not homemade; it's just Dryer's. When we went, we also got to try the caramel and the chocolate sauces. They were almost the same thing: overwhelmingly sweet, but lacking in real flavor. If you're in the mood for a nostalgic experience, Sugar Bowl might be for you. If you're looking for good ice cream ... keep looking.

    (2)

  • Irene S.

    We went here last night before dinner to grab a snack while we waited on our reservations at a restraurant nearby. The place is charming with its 1950s traditional ice cream parlor decor all done up in pink and white. In the back room there is a half way done kid's area with a couple of old games. Although the atmosphere is sweet on the surface and the staff was nice- the place lacks in cleanliness. The floors were dingy (they need a good strip, scrub and wax) and the restrooms were hideous and dirty! I'm with the previous reviewers in that the place needs a good cleaning. Our group ordered a few cones and while my rasberry sherbert was good- we'll likely be going elsewhere for a sugar fix next time.

    (2)

  • Mark G.

    superb sundaes and service. lilly took good care of us. my excellent wife likes the top hat sundae. my excellent wife's mom liked the root beer float. a very rare compliment. i like the hot fudge sundae with dutch chocolate and praline ice cream.

    (4)

  • Susan C.

    Came in for desert. Service was terrible. Ice-cream was good, but was it better than what i can get at a Diary Queen - I am not so sure. Nostalgic atmosphere for sure, but not a lot else going for it, sorry

    (3)

  • Nick H.

    We discovered this place as we were following the Old Town Scottsdale Walking Tour. This place has been around for over 50 years and it still preserves a cute retro vibe. They offer a decent sized menu of desserts and hot food, but with a name like Sugar Bowl it is obvious that this place specializes in sweets. Also, there are so many great dining options in Scottsdale; there is probably no reason to come here for lunch or dinner unless it is convenient for you or your family. Go to dinner or lunch in one of Scottsdale's fine restaurants, then make your way over to the Sugar Bowl for an awesome dessert. Everything on the dessert menu sounds delicious. The gentleman sitting next to us ordered this gigantic brownie sundae that looked amazing. We skipped the sundae's and ordered camelback sodas. My girlfriend got a super camelback soda with marshmallows, but in my opinion, it tasted just like my regular camelback soda. Regardless, both were delicious and really hit the spot after walking in the desert sun for most of the afternoon. I really loved the vibe of this place. Retro ambiance, friendly service, and some of the best sweets in the desert. Perfect.

    (5)

  • Nydia A.

    Good location & Love the pink, but the ice cream was just OK. Being that when I went, it was super crowded & had to wait a very long time to eat, It just wasn't worth it for me. If you are in the area & the place is not busy, its worth the trip because the place is still very charming & makes you feel like you stepped into a 50's malt shop. Not too many places like this around anymore.

    (3)

  • Gigi B.

    Last time I checked, customer service for family and community orientated businesses was supposed to be key. Unfortunately, the owners of the Sugar Bowl are not equipped to provide any friendliness-factor. It's okay that the Sugar Bowl doesn't do group events, but the way to communicate that information to your customers isn't "I'm really going to pass. No. I need to interrupt because the answer is no." There are so many ways to communicate a message, but rudeness is a way to lose business fast. History or no history, the Sugar Bowl has lost this customer for good.

    (1)

  • Jennifer O.

    So after eating a seriously mediocre meal at Roaring Fork for the BF's birthday, we decided to get dessert here. This place is crazy looking... all pink and old school. I wouldn't say it's nice.... it's kitschy. We ordered the tin roof (vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and peanuts). Well it came out.... but didn't have any whipped cream. Come to find out they are out of whipped cream.... well that sucks for an ice cream place. And again birthday fail. But the ice cream was good, especially in combo with the peanuts, but nothing super special. The vanilla did have little black dots in it, which I think is important to vanilla ice cream in my opinion. Well... the BF liked it, so that's what matters.

    (3)

  • Davoud Z.

    Creamy, delicious ice cream in a fun old-fashioned feeling place. The price was right too, with a large single-scoop cone costing about $2.

    (4)

  • Vijay R.

    If you think of an old fashioned ice cream parlor from the pre-Great Depression, Sugar Bowl would be the best place that replicates the image. It is not quite like the scene where you have people in roller skates and drive thrus, but Sugar Bowl's interior has all pink everywhere. You can have the option of sitting at a table or getting served on the bar to go. I have tried the ice cream and milkshakes, and both are excellent. I think I need to try a sundae someday because I do not see much speciality in eating a scoop of ice cream from the Sugar Bowl versus the grocery store.

    (3)

  • christy w.

    Boyfriend got a strawberry sundae and it just a couple of sliced berries & a tiny bit of strawberry topping. I ordered a root beer float & it was a disaster. It came w/the glass in a shallow saucer and was bubbling over (????). Ice cream was so hard that I couldn't push it down into the root beer to even melt it. It reacted like a volcano sending root beer swamping the saucer and then the table. I had to get up & ask for napkins or a rag then my server said "Wow that's crazy . Ummmm do you want some more root beer for it?". No just let the ice cream warm up a tad then add root beer not the other way around. There is a gelato place across the street with better service and their stuff is delicious. I know it's old school Scottsdale but it needs an overhaul. Stop coasting on tourists

    (2)

  • Jaime W.

    I've been to Old Town a thousand times but only went here recently expecting a gem. Ordered a hot fudge sundae with almonds. Never going back. This place has a lot of charm but who serves raw nuts on a sundae?! Toast your almonds people. Totally not worth it, slow service and sloooooooooow cashier (you have to pay at a separate station). I

    (1)

  • Melissa H.

    I like this place purely for nostalgic reasons. It is super pink and super sweet and super cheesy. You come here a lot on first dates (when the date doesn't involve tons of alcohol in old town scottsdale that is, and when you are longing for a simpler time). The ice cream is good. Not super high butter fat, coat your mouth and tongue, eww this is a stick of butter ice cream, but I will say I wish things were a little less sweet. Everything will make you diabetic. I've never had the savory items here, I've had only the sundaes and the desserts. You can admire all the Family Circus memorabilia hanging around and then long for a time when you are presented a bill and you don't get sticker shock. It's not super cheap I'll warn you. But I've been coming here for so many years I'd be heartbroken if it was gone. Then Scottsdale will truly be dead to me.

    (3)

  • Debbie S.

    I've lived in AZ for 26 years and never been here before. Wasn't outstanding but ok. Got the bittersweet chocolate sundae with one scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Didn't taste bittersweet. Better places to go than this place. Like Sweet Republic.

    (3)

  • Kirstin E.

    I am completely floored by all the reviews that are less then 5 stars! Seriously people, its ice cream, don't be so serious! I have been coming to the Sugar Bowl for yearssssss, I cant get enough of this place! Its always packed on the weekends, but the wait is hardly ever grueling. They do serve food here, think sandwiches your rad grandma would make you on a Sunday afternoon. Not mind blowing, but certainty yummy and hit the spot! I have only ever had the Top Hat here, I sub the vanilla ice cream for the coffee ice cream. This sundae is my crack! Its the fluffiest puff pastry, they cut off the top, cram a bunch of fabulous ice cream inside, put the little top back on and then smother it in the thickest, gooiest most heavenly hot fudge, ask for extra napkins (I always end up with a ring of hot fudge around my mouth like a 6 year old)!!! Yes the place has old ass wallpaper, its called history people its been around since 1958! Unlike the ever changing landscape and buildings of AZ this one has stayed true to itself. Forget the disco lights and loud music of MoJo, give me the big cushy pink booths and chipped tile floors of the glorious Sugar Bowl!!!

    (5)

  • Tierra W.

    YUMMMM! I loved the old school ice cream parlor look. It makes you feel like you are in the heart of old town and have disappeared for a second. The hardest part... choosing a item on the menu. The staff was really great too and there is reservations for groups.

    (5)

  • Matt D.

    Worth the experience but average ice cream, ambiance and service.

    (3)

  • Nicole G.

    The ice cream is good, although they use mini marshmellows rather than marshmellow swirl in their rocky road, not my thing.The atmosphere is kitchy; very pink.

    (3)

  • Melanie R.

    Very family-friendly; one area of the restaurant is kid-oriented. Service was fast and friendly and the prices reasonable. Delicious ice cream.

    (4)

  • Melissa B.

    Came in with my dad during one sweltering August night, lured in by the cute 50's ambience and by the nostalgia of going to the Sugar Bowl as a kid. The people who worked there were simply rude, barely acknowledging our presence. When we ordered I saw that he scooped out of a container that said Dreyer's. If a sundae could be bland, this was. I know a lot of places used mass-produced ice cream, but I would go to Sweet Republic in a heartbeat over this place.

    (1)

  • Lindsey D.

    Sugar Bowl makes for a great hot afternoon treat. Between the ice cream and arcade, you can't ask for a better day and there's no age limit to enjoy it! Yes, there is an arcade and it has ski ball, the basketball game, air hockey and some other games. You can get tokens and win tickets for a prize. It's perfect if you have children and are looking for something to do and it's even fun if you are an adult and want to relive your childhood one day.

    (4)

  • Nica R.

    Just getting home from celebrating my son's 5th b-day, a night I will never forget!! Recomended to go to this Sugar Bowl that it would be a true B-Day treat I would not expect coming home to share what a HORRIBLE experience my whole family and I went through. Something I thought would be so simple, guess not for this Sugar Bowl. Starting with a 33 min wait to be greated by a server that had the excuse of she thought we were taken care of by someone else is not exceptable. Can't u see there's no drinks on our table? Then, the food comes out and every dish is made incorrectly. Server says, she's new and wasn't sure what there food looks like. Well didn't you study the menu & have to take a test on it before getting a section? Then, after our food was remade I gotta say FYI in my opinion, you can get a way tastier patty melt at the waffle house.. The server mentioned the Manager would be over shortly with apologies & most likely fix the bill.. I am not looking for a free bee but a Manager visit would of been nice. DIDN'T HAPPEN, yet I watched him hesitate over n over to walk our tables way, yet instead of doing so I guess he just was hoping the problems occurring would just disappear as he continued to eat food right by the kitchen door. And the problems,THEY DIDN'T GO AWAY instead, got much worse. Now it's time for a Birthday Ice Cream Treat. Well, seems like the whole table gets there ice cream 1st as I watch my son's melt away and have to explain to my 5yr old way he doesn't have his. My son, the look of sadness in his eye's tore this Mother up. The server says they are fixing it up nice..as I LMFAO, b/c I can see they are just adding more whip to cover up the melty mess and sticking a candle in it.. By the time they came out to sing Happy Birthday, I was Singing in tears!! My son should not have had to watch everyone else eat ice cream and then wait longer for his while they tried to fix there mistakes. As a person whom has been in FnB for over 15 yrs, including Managment & General Managment after serving in high volume establishments, would NEVER recommend this place to go.Exspecially for a celebration. And to the Server whom never came to apoligize to us before leaving, if you can't own your mistakes and show some sympathy on behalf of the place your working at, then I highly suggest to get out of this career now, it's not ment to be. Suger Bowl, thank you for making a night to never forget. I will never forget to tell people what your place is like..

    (1)

  • Emily U.

    If you paint a building Pepto Bismal pink and print the words "Sugar Bowl" in large letters on the side of it, I'll probably wind up there. I heart an old fashioned ice cream parlor and so it was my destiny to try this place while in Scottsdale. The Sugar Bowl has sit-down service with diner food, but we just grabbed sweet treats from the counter to go. It's very ... pink ... on the inside as well. I'm no girly-girl, but I could get down with this in some contexts--even this context--but the modern updates to the décor made it come off a bit too much like a little girl's bedroom for my taste. Still, they do maintain some of the classic soda fountain features and they serve ice cream so it's definitely not a torturous place to be. I sampled the root beer float and Turkish coffee milkshake. Both were good, but not exceptional; the quality of the root beer and ice cream was average. If your sweet compartment is especially large, though, their sundaes and other fancy ice cream concoctions did sound enticing.

    (3)

  • Amber P.

    I wanted to like this place, I really did. I vaguely remember going here with my mother often when I was young to get ice cream and dinner and apparently I remember it being much much better. We showed up on this hot winter day wanting some ice cream and some burgers. We had a cranky two year old who had not eaten and had not yet had her nap. Upon first walking in we realized it was busy as there were plenty of butts in the seats and not enough people running around taking care of them. Understaffed? Surely not. (sarcasm, if you couldn't tell) We gave them our name and a larger party came in behind us. They were sat before we were and still we stood, tapping our foot with our child growing more and more unwieldly. Finally we were taken into the play room area, yes there is a small arcade off to the side where children can obtain tickets to buy little bobbles. Our two year old was instantly interested. Upon being sat and handed some water both daddy and daughter were running around with a fresh dollar to find some fun. I made sure to find out what he wanted before he left so we could order quickly. Quickly did not come. Daddy and daughter returned before the server showed up. Finally, she did show and I ordered our food and some ice cream for the baby. Food took about as long as I figured it would with a busy kitchen and many patrons. I was not very impressed. The food was alright and definitely not worth the price. The ice cream was also not impressive as I have had much better at G-Spot or even Cold Stone yet it was comparable in price to these two places. As I said, I wanted to like this place. I was feeling nostialgic and only wanted to experience a restaurant that I used to visit with my mother with my child and her daddy and now I can say that I have and will probably never return. In Conclusion, unless you have a good reason to check this place out, don't bother. It's not even worth the nostalgia.

    (1)

  • Marty F.

    Pretty good place for ice cream. We hit this place up after we ate a delicious meal at Grimaldi's (review coming soon). I split a banana split with my girlfriends daughter and we pretty much plowed through it. It was yum. There's not much to this place, but it has a cool 50s diner feel to it and there is a game room. It was pretty damn cold, so bring a jacket. Good times!

    (4)

  • Lori M.

    Ok, apparently I am one of the few people who doesn't find Family Circus creepy. But even if it did, it wouldn't stop me from coming here. The portions here are big enough to share, especially if you stop by for an after dinner treat. And they have so many things to choose from and everything is so good. The atmosphere is bright and this place is usually loud and crowded. It's definitely worth a stop and it's in a great location in Old Town. Perfect way to end the night after taking a stroll at the Scottsdale Art Walk on a Thursday night.

    (4)

  • J. P.

    Good ice cream, decent burger...games, cartoons on the wall made specifically for this place, right on the corner in Old Town...great place for families and kids.

    (4)

  • Ann W.

    Overpriced vittles and undertrained staff. A) They were out of carbonized water, so the only options left were the $5 malts or water. With no apologies. B) The daily special (a small slab -1/6 of the 8" pie- of quiche and a fair size helping of fruit) was $9. C) The wait staff was barely courteous. We waited almost 10 minutes to place our order while I observed them counting tips, hovered around the cashier. They put our water, food, utensils on our table without so much as a "pardon me". They checked in once before asking if I was ready for my ticket. And the table next to me had their menus open and laid out while their server put their water ::on:: their menus. Not.Cool. D) I wasn't hip with the almost family-style seating. We were uncomfortably close to our stranger-neighbors. So much so that I could too easily hear their conversations. Oy! E) The manager? older gentleman wandering around had a stained shirt on. What? Wear an apron dude. If you're in Scottsdale for a visit - find a place where your $25 will get you more than a half-full tummy.

    (1)

  • Greg G.

    Excellent and one of a kind.

    (4)

  • Frank S.

    The food is good, but not great. They have awesome ice cream, shakes, floats, etc!!! My children really enjoyed!

    (4)

  • Danielle T.

    This place is too cute. All the pink, the Family Circus comics, and the throwback to the old school soda parlors makes the atmosphere and ambiance of this place. I've been going here for a while. I remember my pre-21 nights when I would venture out with friends for a late night treat. The place, on the weekends, would be open till midnight. I love their ice cream, I will get my mint chocolate chip ice cream to go. I also really love their Top Hat and Tin Roof Sundaes.

    (4)

  • Qui C.

    What a cute little place! Baby pink on the outside AND inside! Such a perfect place for little girls birthday party or date night. It has a retro feel because it's mainly an ice cream parlor but there's a server and waitress to your table. You have the option of also ordering it at the counter and taking it to-go. We ordered the banana split and it was great for sharing. The ice cream was creamy and full of flavor. There's an arcade side to the parlor. That was interesting and fun :-)

    (4)

  • BB B.

    Delicious desserts! I've never eaten anything but the ice cream desserts but it's a nice treat on a hot Summer day. The vintage decor is really fun and interesting to view while you wait also. The wait staff has always been friendly and the place always seems pretty busy. My boyfriend has been going here since it has opened and we will continue to do so. The pricing isn't too bad either.

    (5)

  • George A.

    The Sugar Bowl is a traditional ice cream parlor. There's no frozen mixing station, no exotic additives, no movie merchandise tie-ins, no deep fried butter. In service since at least the 1960s, this venerable restaurant chiefly serves ice cream. I know they serve other food, but I'm not interested in anything but dessert when I come here. I've been an occasional customer for years. I come in late at night, and I order ice cream and coffee. With a minimum of fuss, I get ice cream and coffee. If they are out of the flavor I'm after, there are several others that make up the lack. The place is reasonably clean (busy, but not messy), and the service is good. Give it a try. You'll probably like it.

    (4)

  • Sandy C.

    You yelpers hit it right on the nose. 1. The decor and building need need needs to be redone, I know it's nice to look old school and all, but there IS a difference between old school and ghetto. Stickiness is a big gross factor. 2. The waft of different smells: teenagers, sandwiches, malts & ice cream mixed into a cloud- YUCK. 3. Prices are decent. 4. It will take a while to order or to pay (especially on a weekend night). Be patient with the employees even though they do take a while to make eye contact/help you... I'm guessing they don't get paid much for scooping ice cream.

    (3)

  • Jeremy R.

    The ice cream is good, but it's way overpriced. The decor is something out of the 50s. It's a cool place to visit once, but you'd be better off going to cold stone.

    (3)

  • Tim W.

    Been here a couple of times. The ice cream is ordinary.. whipped cream from a can. Wouldn't give it a second thought if it wasn't located in the heart of Old Town. But you know, when you your hours say your open to 10:00 PM you should be open until 10:00 PM.

    (1)

  • Nina W.

    Super yummy ice cream! Have been 2 nights in a row, could come every night! Decently priced, cute and clean. Fun for the entire family! (:

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    Guess what's good! A 52 year old ice cream parlor and luncheon, that's what! We were looking for someplace else but head cold's got me down and I was tired of walking so we scooted in. I was a little annoyed at the hostest when she gave me a screwy look when I asked her what kind of highchairs they had (I have a little baby- if it's the old wooden ones, they won't do- he's too little- but they have the good, plastic ones so I'm mad at her that I didn't push the issue. Bygones.) Anyhoot- patty melt- good. I got mine with bacon. And the top hat? This sundae don't play. Coffee ice cream was respectable. And what a nice little tea pot you came in, black tea! Hooray for you, Sugar Bowl!

    (4)

  • Nathan S.

    So imagine the following scenario: You are browsing the sunday paper and hurray! You come across the funnies, you save Family Circus for last because it is a classic and surely will not disapoint. You get through everything else and at long last come to the Family Circus and after finishing, you remember that in fact; you have never read a funny Family Circus. In fact the only ones you find slightly enjoyable are the ones where little Billy is running around all hopped up on drugs and there is a dotted line left in his trail and you don't really get them either. I am sure you are wondering where I am going with this. Sugar Bowl posts Family Circus comics all around the establishment and it is fitting as they are similar, in that you really think that you are going to enjoy both but both are huge let-downs. I would really like to give this place one 1 1/2 stars but you know how it goes; I am a positive guy so I will round up. The thing is, sugar bowl is just the kind of place that a Yelper WANTS to like. It has been around for 50 years, locally owned and operated, it breaks the Scottsdale douche mold/stereotype and it is old school. It just doesn't manage to be charming and here is why. First and foremost; the service sucked. When I went in, there were as many teenage kids working as people in the place and though I received a water super promply; giving me false high-hopes; I was then forced to wave down kids walking around avoiding eye contact like we had woken up together after a too-drunk night; in order to get water refills and order a burger. Secondly the food was meh. Really meh. Yeah I know it is an icecream joint but an old ice cream shop like this should have some tasty old-school burgers. You know who has better burgers? Dairy Queen. I swear to YHWH. Even the ice cream was very, very run of the mill. Even the decor, while I enjoy the old soda shop sort of thing needs a little help. There are creepy old people houses and there are charming ones; figure out the difference really. I am going to go beyond my jurasdiction here and give some suggestions hoping someone takes them to heart. I mean I don't know much; I am just a consumer but as a jumping point... I hate to say this but Sugar bowl needs to let the theme run a bit with the Scottsdale atmosphere. Scottsdale wants to be LA and Sugar Bowl should also but they should do it better! Scottsdale needs a hip late-night diner! Think about it! Get some great food stuffs, make your own toppings stay open late and charge a little more. And for the love of god take down the comics and paint the damn place or something! It could be a swingin joint where rock-stars, porn-stars and sport-stars meet up with the after club crowd. Look at how far people go to make it to Five and Diner and they aren't truly that great. Out-do them! Sugar Bowl could do it. They really have the potential but as is I would have to be pretty desperate to hit this place up again.

    (2)

  • KristinMark M.

    Need more flavors and our malts came to us pretty much melted. The service was good. Old fashion pink atmosphere . Some arcade games with tokens/ tickets.

    (3)

  • Frances K.

    Used to live in the tri-city area and going to the Sugar Bowl was a mandatory stop for my Saturday outings with my mom. Since moving away, I have only been back to Arizona sporadically. This time, I made a special trip to Sugar Bowl with the kids. The decor was the same (except the addition of a game room off to the side) and the menu was the same. The simple menu of sandwiches provided a range of choice - the tuna melt served with chips was tasty. The ice cream treats were good. The kids had root beer floats and I had a top hat sundae (a big profiterole with lots of hot fudge on top). The ice cream is not ultra rich - just regular stuff. Service was friendly and fast. All in, I would say that the experience probably rated a 3 star but the 4th star is because it did not disappoint my memories.

    (4)

  • Dirk M.

    My ranking is totally based on ice cream. I mean, it is ice cream in the middle of the freakin desert. How can you not give five stars!!!! Cute little stop after visiting all the ridiculously high priced stores in old Scottsdale.

    (5)

  • Susan T.

    Very antique old fashioned ice cream parlor in the Old Town of Scottsdale. The interior decor is mostly of the color pink. A sit-down environment where you don't get to select or do taste test like typical coldstone/baskin. Flavors weren't too extensive. Maybe 12 at most. However they do special flavors like pumpkin for october now. Was recommended their "top hat sundae". This sundae is simply large cream puff pastry with a scoop of ice cream in between and a spoonful drizzle of chocolate fudge syrup. I subbed the vanilla ice cream to strawberry but was still a disappointment. Was nothing amazing and definitely wasn't blown away. Puff pastry was stale and tasted like it has been in the fridge for some time. Ice cream tasted like ones you can get at the markets and fudge was nothing authentic. A nice place for that vintage ambience on a late night stroll out in Old town but definitely can't trigger my cravings. Plentiful free parking. $5 for a sundae

    (3)

  • Emma W.

    Nothing really to complain about. Personally, I think this is a better place to go just for a sundae after dinner. The food here is somewhat plain. The ice cream however, is amazing. My favorite sundaes were the top hat sundae (vanilla ice cream inside a giant cream puff, with chocolate on top), and the dusty road sundae (chocolate ice cream with malt). Most sundaes you can order in half sizes, which is a little bit smaller and a little bit cheaper. The atmosphere is fun, it's all pink including the outside. It definitely feels like your in a diner or something. There is also a bar thingy with stools that you can sit at rather than a table. Don't forget to check out the game room! I don't think I went there once without playing air hockey with someone. The service is great, the first time we went, they brought us water twice within the first two minutes! I also remember this one girl was my waitress almost every time I went after that and she was so funny! The prices are pretty fair in my opinion, the sundaes are really big and hard for a normal person to finish. not for me, however. On a side note, if you do decide to get the top hat sundae, keep in mind that cutting apart a cold cream puff with a spoon is not the easiest thing in the world. If you accidentally fling a piece of ice cream covered cream puff across the restaurant like I did, try to do it when nobody is walking by.

    (4)

  • Brooke B.

    I love that walking through the doors of the Sugar Bowl is like taking a step back in time but what I don't love is that it looks like it hasn't been cleaned or had any restoration work done since the day it opened. Lets be honest though, I didn't come here for the decor, I came for the ice cream. I was very excited when I saw the sundae covered in chocolate, cherries and marshmallow creme. I love marshmallow creme and chocolate, always a recipe for success when these two ingredients are combined. Well, no luck. They were out of marshmallow creme. I got a brownie sundae instead, only ate half and decided that it was only ok. I probably won't go back to this place. There are too many good dessert options out there. Though if my friends insisted, I would more than likely oblige.

    (3)

  • Bethany P.

    We saw this place from the car when we drove through "oldtown" Scottsdale and we knew we had to stop. It's an adorable little 50s style cafe. We skipped dinner and had only dessert. The huge sundaes were exactly what we were hoping for. Sweet, sugary and drenched in hot fudge and other toppings. This is an old-fashioned family spot. Kids and adults will love it.

    (5)

  • Mindee P.

    I agree with Kristen E. when it comes to reviewing the ice cream. It's ICE CREAM! And this place is ridiculously cute and nostalgic and a PERFECT date place. I always sit at the counter, I feel like a kid or something. As far as price, unless you're buying a pint at Bashas' you're spending this kind of money anywhere you go. SOOOOOOOOO CUTE! love it. I cannot speak for their food and this is not the primary reason to enter the doors at a place called SUGAR bowl :)

    (5)

  • Chheng L.

    It was 11pm on Friday and I was craving for a creamy frozen treat instead of my usual craving for tangy tart froyo. Since Sweet Republic was closed, I decided to try Sugar Bowl. I went for a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was just okay. The flavor was fine but there was lots of little round ice particles I kept feeling in my mouth. Probably could've went to the local grocery market and picked up a tub of Blue Bell and got the same, if not better.

    (2)

  • Ceci G.

    Sugar coma! that's how I am after having sweat treats in this pinky place. I was craving for sweets and we had the fortune to stop here. WARNING, make sure you have somebody to share any treat...specially if you get saturated with sugary stuff after 2 spoons. I had a Blarney dream, where the mint got lost in the butter pecan ice cream. And their Top hat sundae...I wouldn't be able to eat half of it! Be ware of what you wish for...here it may come true :).

    (4)

  • Jeremy S.

    Sweet Spot.......NO it's not! C'mon, it's pink. It's got ice cream inside. It's retro. Everything here screams "this place is Tubular, Hip, Rad, Cool, Tight, Phat" So whats the deal? First off, I was under the impression they had homemade ice cream. They don't. It's Dreyers. With canned whipped toppings, canned cherries, canned sauces.....nothing here is unique! Aha, besides the decor! I blew through 1500 calories + for garbage. I was very dissapointed. So let me get on to the dish I had. I ate half of "The Top Hat". Described as a creampuff stuffed with rich vanilla ice cream and covered with hot chocolate. Sounds good doesn't it? The cream puff shell which should be light and fluffy with a "slight" pull was extremely tough, flavorless, dry and I am assuming old! How can they even call it a cream puff when the best part (the cream) is non existent? So my dry ball was filled with Dreyers ice cream. Not good. We actually ate lunch first. They have an "American" menu. Egg Salad, BLT, Burgers, Tuna, Grilled Cheese etc.... . The problem is nothing was good. I ordered a patty melt. The burger was tasteless and very, very small. Id say about the size patty you would find on a Mcdonalds Kids Cheeseburger. The Kicker....No fries. No Fries? What the Fuck? Chips?Stick these chips in some ice cream and get creative. Daughter had a BLT, two strips, yes, two strips of bacon on wonder bread. Coleslaw was the WORST I HAVE EVER HAD! This place just sucks. Huge upset for a place I was really looking forward to. I try to review the food as much as possible but I have to say this about the service. SSLLOOWW! We had a group of 8 and our waitress could only bring out 2 drinks at a time. 4 damn trips to just get our drinks. They charge for refills too! I guess that is how they keep that nostalgic feel because restaurants have not been charging refills since the days of the flood!

    (1)

  • Janpeg S.

    I visited the Sugar Bowl this weekend and really wanted to love it. I was so excited to sample their delicious treats. However, before I could even raise the spoon to my mouth I discovered not one, not two but three roaches roaming around the restaurant. Gross!!! I will not be returning!

    (1)

  • Christine A.

    While meandering through Scottsdale after discovering all too late that one needs a reservation to go to the Botanical Gardens, a few in my party were desperate for something to tide them over. As we passed gallery after gallery, they spotted a Starbucks. We ambled in that direction, at which point I spotted the pink, kitschy ice cream parlor across the street. Deciding it looked a bit out of place for stylish Scottsdale and seeing as the day needed some improvement, I headed over there with my boyfriend while everyone else continued on to their corporate Frappuccinos. He and I sit down, order a Dusty Road and a 23 Skiddoo respectively, and waited about 20 minutes for the order. In the meantime, the rest of the party showed up, drinks in hand, intent on maligning us for getting ice cream, but most sinful of all to them, that we were still waiting for it. Our orders come and jaws drop in envy. The 23 Skiddoo was all right. Could have done with some fudge or something. It didn't quite click for me as anything really special. With the Sugar Bowl it's really all about the atmosphere. You just don't see it anywhere else in Scottsdale.

    (3)

  • Julie M.

    This place has been recommended to me by family and friends so many times. As an Arizona native, I'm ashamed that I hadn't been here sooner. It took a friend coming into town to get me to go and I'm so glad I did. The fact that they have Family Circus cartoons everywhere really made me smile. I wasn't aware that Bil Keane had so many cartoons centered around the Sugar Bowl. I absolutely love that old time pink and white decor too. It's as if time has stood still and with so much being renovated in the area, it's great to be reminded of a time in Arizona that's long gone. I got a rootbear float which was fantastic. The ice cream was plenty and the way it melted in the float made it super thick and luscious. They have an old school ski-ball machine that's bright pink and reminicent of sometime between 1980-1989. :) I found out their orange sherbet has dairy in it but the raspberry sorbet does not, just in case there's anyone out there with the sad misfortune of not being able to eat dairy at an ice cream parlor.

    (4)

  • Fred J.

    When we walked in, it smelled like Swiss Cheese was on the griddle. It stayed that way the entire time... A few loud birthday celebrations going on. Cool. Its an ice cream shop. Our server did not care about what was going on in the joint. Tried to get some birthday candles in our ice cream, didn't happen. Wasn't our birthday anyhow. Ice Cream was good, not amazing, not awful. Do note, if you're coming here expecting sugar bowls on the tables, you will be sorely shocked to find they only have sugar packets...

    (3)

  • Lisa E.

    We ended the evening here with a scoop of raspberry sorbet, delish! Prices are cheap. Quality is huge and fun atmosphere. Great fun for all!

    (4)

  • Russell S.

    I enjoy the charm of the old style ice cream parlor in Old Town Scottsdale.. I've tried a couple of different items on the ice cream menu and I haven't been disappointed. Can't go wrong with any sundae or other ice cream creation on the menu. Next time I'm going back, I'm shooting for a shake or ice cream soda. There is also regular food served here (salads, burgers, sandwiches), but I've yet to try that. The service has been a bit slow getting your treat, water and check from my experience. .

    (4)

  • Rachel H.

    I did not try the ice cream. But I give this place three solid stars for vintage charm. I can see how people might think it's overrated, but I would really love to do a vintage theme photo shoot in here sometime. Truly old-school furniture, but not in too much of a kitschy way.

    (3)

  • Scott P.

    We stopped here for a snack because my wife had read about it in a magazine and remember it from the Family Circus comic. We sat at the counter. Service was a little slow to take our order. Once ordered, the ice cream came fairly quickly. We each got sundaes. They were ok, it was ice cream, nothing special and they only gave me half a cherry on my sundae.

    (3)

  • Dave L.

    Growing up in Long Island, NY (and making frequent trips to Brooklyn & Manhattan) I have to honestly say that as far as Old Time Ice Cream Parlors go.... this leaves a lot to be desired. However, that's not to say that this isn't a gem to be enjoyed. Old Town Scottsdale on a Sunday afternoon (as I experienced it on vacation last week) is quiet and hot. There wasn't too much to do and the kids were getting restless. That being said, it was only 1pm and it was lunch time. The bright pink building can be seen from quite the distance and certainly stands out on the main road (Scottsdale Rd) in Old Town Scottsdale. Besides, any place that's been around for 50+ years has merit with me. One piece of advice I'd offer is keep it simple. A burger is an ok order, but stay away from the Reuben. Should be simple, but somehow...outside of NY... I rarely get one that's worthy of the name. And this was no exception. BIG GRIPE: No Fries??? They serve potato chips with all their sandwiches, no fries. Don't get me wrong I like their "Kettle Chips" (which aren't made there, but instead probably poured from oversized bags in the back). But a true old time parlor should have french fries. Ok, end of gripe. Now to the ice cream. I won't comment on how they make it or give a review of all their flavors 'cause frankly I didn't have much. I had a coffee shake which was quite good actually. My mother-in-law got the '23 Skiddoo" that I was eyeing and she was quite happy with it... It was dutch chocolate ice cream & turkish coffee ice cream, with coffee syrup, sliced almonds, whipped cream & a cherry. It looked great and got a thumbs up from mom. My wife ordered a mint chocolate chip sundae (her favorite flavor) and enjoyed it. The kids... well, the kids are easy to please. Just stick any ice cream in front of them with some cherries on top and they're happy. Overall it was a good stop and had fantastic, friendly service. The attached arcade left alot to be desired, but it seamed to me to be a cheap add on to a well established parlor.

    (2)

  • Becca C.

    Super cute place for a date. :)

    (4)

  • Taylor R.

    If you're into old fashioned diners, the Sugar Bowl is right up your alley. It's a great place to bring the whole family and not spend too much. Service is usually pretty good, but either way their sundaes are delicious. I recommend the Dusty Road Sundae. I'll admit the decor is a little outdated but I like that it doesn't change. If you're in the area you should definitely stop by. There's a little arcade for the kids as well.

    (4)

  • Josh B.

    Creeeeepy. Very pink. Slow service. Brimming with weird old people. Ice cream was good, though.

    (3)

  • Dawn W.

    I give Sugar Bowl a thumbs up for its ambiance. It is a fun place to take my daughter. It is always a special treat to go to and eat nothing but ice cream. But, the first time we went into Sugar Bowl we sat at the bar and ordered sundaes. When the "bartender" was scooping the ice cream we noticed it was store bought and we were disappointed. The prices are fairly reasonable, but considering that they don't make their own ice cream, I would consider it pricey for store bought. They have an arcade style room in the back with games. The kids enjoy that. It is a fun place to go on a Saturday afternoon. Especially when it is hot outside and the kids are tired of going to the movies.

    (3)

  • Dwayne O.

    Classic Old Style Ice Cream Parlor that has been around since I can remember. This is a must to take your family or out if town guest and just sit and enjoy some great ice cream treats. Not to many of these ice cream parlors left in Phoenix Scottsdale area any more. They have great ice cream, shakes, floats and sundaes. Gotta take your family here and enjoy while you can.

    (5)

  • Daniel Z.

    Sugar Bowl is a good ol' fashioned ice cream parlor, kind of like something you'd see in a Norman Rockwell Painting, but updated slightly to fit the time. The ice cream attendant was super friendly, knowledgable, and was in general good humor (pun intended). Sadly, that's where the amazingness ends. The ice cream was no different from a Dreyer's, and while they were generous with the scoops and toppings, it wasn't super creamy, special, or game changing in any way. Now overall, did I enjoy myself? Absolutely! The Desireme Banana Split featured a scoop of vanilla, and a scoop of strawberry ice cream; melted marshmallow and fudge were delightfully drizzled atop the vanilla, while a strawberry sauce smothered the already strawberry ice cream. Both scoops came with ample dollops of whip cream and cherries on top, and everything was housed in between two banana halves cut at their sagittal plane. Overall it was pretty delicious, but nothing transcendent, and I'm not sure this place deserved to be on the best ice cream shops in Arizona (according to PBS).

    (3)

  • Pratishruti M.

    If you are craving a fancy bowl of Sugar/dessert after a hearty meal welcome to Ice-cream heaven.You just can't miss this building on old town Scottsdale it's Pink Yes PINK, sit at the counter right away or wait to be seated at a table.I'd recommend the counter because they run a tight ship especially after dinner. We have always tried the ice-cream sundaes so i wouldn't know much about the food.The other tables were also pretty much filled with colorful sundaes and floats,they have an arcade parlor and a gift shop too. We had the Gosh-Awful-Gooey-banana-Split it totally lived up to its name with the banana's,coffee ice-cream,caramel sauce,strawberry sorbet,marshmallow sauce,whipped cream and cherry. & Caramel Marshmallow Sundae with Nuts.I loved every bit of it and this place is a must go for all ice-cream lovers.

    (4)

  • John G.

    Love the Sugar Bowl - not many old-fashioned ice cream parlors left! Hadn't been in a while - just as good as always. (and boy, were they busy tonight!) My great nephews got a scoop of ice cream each (vanilla with sprinkles for one, and chocolate for the other), and my niece and nephew split a build-your-own banana split. I got the Rocky Road, but substituted almonds for walnuts - worked really nicely. Good ice cream, and a fun arcade in the back. Give it a try!

    (5)

  • Violet P.

    A must stop when visiting Scottsdale. Cute old diner pink decor and a game room in the back for the kiddos. Hard to make a decision on which frozen deliciousness to get. We both chose sundaes and were very pleased. Be prepared though, they're big!! We probably could've gotten by sharing one. Quick service.

    (4)

  • Holly H.

    Holy cuteness!!! Sugar Bowl has so much charm that I actually tasted it in my ice cream! It's an old school ice cream parlor with plenty of personality and divine desserts. They also serve cafe style food, though we didn't actually eat any meals here. My husband and I recently stayed at a hotel that was dangerously close, so we walked over for some sweets twice during our stay in Scottsdale. We pulled up a seat at the bar during our first visit and opted for a small table in the dining area on our second visit. Service was excellent both times. We each tried something different during our two stops. My husband and I both went with a simple two scoop in a cup our first time in. He chose chocolate chip and cookies & cream while I went with Dutch chocolate and raspberry. Each flavor was rich, creamy, and delicious. Our second trip was on our last night in town. Since I knew we wouldn't be returning again, I went all out and got their famous top hat sundae. OMG! This baby is a cream puff filled with vanilla ice cream (I opted for chocolate instead) and drenched with hot fudge. It was unbelievably good! My husband ordered a chocolate malt, which he enjoyed while eyeing up my sundae the entire time. :) If you're in the area, stop in and cool off from that desert heat with some ice cream from Sugar Bowl. You won't be disappointed!

    (4)

  • Yvonne G.

    ODE to SUGAR BOWL How do I love thee, let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth my ice-cream sundae can reach when feeling that it is almost out of sight, I love thee to the level of everyday's most quiet need as visions of your delicious ice-cream dance in my head, I love thee freely as I indulge as often as I can without hesitation, I love thee with smiles and tears for all my missed opportunities to eat your ice-cream at my very favorite place on earth.

    (5)

  • Brendalynne F.

    My aunt took me here after she showed me around Old Town Scottsdale (I was visiting from NJ). Pros: -Great location in Scottsdale. -Loved the cute pink interior; makes the place look like one of those classic, old-fashioned ice cream shops. -They have a small arcade in the back for the young and young at heart! Cute addition. Cons: -Menu is overpriced. -Ice cream isn't all that great. Very average tasting. They need to add more appealing specialty ice cream combinations/sundaes to their menu.

    (3)

  • Stephanie M.

    My husband and I realized after being together for almost 10 years we've never gotten a banana split! What better time than to splurge while at the sugar bowl. Stepping in is a blast from the past-50s motif, pink walls, diner booths. We sat at the counter and ordered a diy sundae. Way too much sugar for one sitting but worth the $8 to get our fill. There are a lot of ice cream choices in the area but this is a Scottsdale classic that will be around for generations to enjoy.

    (5)

  • O'Zandra F.

    If you're in need of a sugar rush, than stop here! Love this old fashion ice cream parlor. Several ice cream flavors to choose from. Staff are all young, high school/college people, but they are fun and polite. There is a separate game room for the children.

    (4)

  • Leslie M.

    I'm not one to be too picky on ice cream. You ask me "ice cream?".. I answer, "hell yea, where?!" I was invited to a social event here. First off, I walk in greeted by a host and ask her to point out the company hosting the social event. She has no idea where, who, what and disappears to ask someone. Finally, she thinks she knows and walks us to the right side where the arcade is at! Tada - there they are, all 10 of them! I mean, the ice cream parlor is NOT that big! How does she not know where our party is at? Ugh.. Anyway.. I order a sundae with hot fudge, mint chocolate ice cream and coffee ice cream. I told my waitress I want a little bit of fudge, but when I get my sundae, it's drenched with fudge from the bottom and top, whip cream and a cherry! You can't even see the ice cream without searching for it! Some of you may think, "yea, whip cream, fudge, what the hell is she talking about?! That sounds good!" I say, "That's a little too much!" It's like the guy that is trying too hard to get the girl. Dude, don't take the girl to Ruth Chris Steakhouse and wear a suit on your first date - take her to Postinos with a nice shirt and jeans. All I need is two scoops of ice cream, a little fudge and a smudge of whip cream - that's it! The parlor is truly old school - the bathroom needed to be cleaned and the games are outdated, but cute for the kiddos!

    (3)

  • Wendy S.

    I love the charming interior! The menu cover has some comic strips by Bil Keane. I got the Buster Brownie sundae and my husband got the Dark Chocolate Malt. We were both in sugary heaven the whole time we were in Sugar Bowl. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in town!

    (5)

  • Tricia F.

    On our way cross country we decided to stop and get one of our favorites ~ a 23 Skidoo. We have been stopping into the Sugar Bowl for YEARS on our travels to the Scottsdale area. We were sooooo disappointed. It is not the same. The restaurant itself was dirty, paper on the floor, customers standing around without anyone greeting them. A 23 Skidoo is (was) one of my all time favorite ice cream treats. The wonderful chocolate coffee syrup was nothing like it was. in fact, it was like coffee had simply been poured in the middle with one scoop of ice cream on the bottom and one scoop above the coffee (see my picture of the 23 skidoo). The glass was sticky from where ice cream hands had handled it. When I asked about why the difference, our waitress responded with, "we have knew people we're training and everyone makes it different." I ask our waitress to bring me some chocolate syrup ~ it never came. She said she asked another wait staff to bring it over. Umm, if you are a waitress waiting on a customer you respond directly and then follow up with our customers. Perhaps more customer service training is needed. I also ordered the tea sandwiches which is a combination of 3 triangle tea sandwiches; egg salad, tuna salad and corn beef salad. The bread was dry as if the sandwich had been made up and left out until someone else ordered the same sandwiches. This restaurant is in a prime location in Old Scottsdale ~ it is incredibly sad to watch this '50 style diner show they do not care about their customers/restaurant like it use to.

    (2)

  • Andrew B.

    The manger with glasses very rude and and unfriendly The food was terrible the turkey had no taste and dry The roast beef for my kids was of no taste not edible And my son could not drink milk shake in the area to watch our twin girls even though their are seats to eat and drink Ask for a refund and he said no you-deal with the waitress Who was by the way sweet Since he took over the place has gone downhill It was a nice place but my friends and family won't be returning ever again.

    (1)

  • Cortney A.

    Pour Some SUGAR On Me... Highly recommended Sugar Bowl for an old fashion ice cream parlor experience. I had the opportunity to stop by and indulge in a "Buster Brownie" (extra marshmallow of course) for an inexpensive $5.95. I'll definitely be back during my next visit to Scottsdale!!!

    (5)

  • Alec K.

    That is some good ice cream. 5 stars all the way. Portions are great, just wish they had a bigger bowl so they could fit all my scoops in one. So, the mint chocolate chip is fantastic, and the hot fudge is incredible. The caramel is a very running consistency which was very odd, the taste was okay though. Stick to hot fudge. Will be going back for more. Bigger bowls please.

    (5)

  • Katiana B.

    A real, classic fountain! We ordered a pinnacle peak sundae and sat at the counter... Excellent service and so many classic sundaes to choose from. Since 1958 Sugar Bowl has not changed their image so everything is authentic from the pink floor to the pink bar stools. A must while in Old Town Scottsdale!

    (5)

  • Colleen L.

    This place brings back sweet childhood memories for me. Bil Keane was a fan and his Family Circus cartoons adorn the walls. I love the pink decor & my kids love the attached arcade (a new addition since I was a youngster.) I particularly love the Blarney Dream Sundae, subbing out mint chocolate chip for butter pecan. So delicious! Go here for ice cream, not for food.

    (4)

  • Stacey A.

    My daughter had a event in OldTown Scottsdale. I had went pass this place a few before weekends before, but had not had the opportunity to go inside. WOW! ( Once again I had a BOGO coupon.) This place is so cute! Absolutely Adorable!! It is pink and white. Just like on old fashioned ice cream shop. The creator of the comic strip Family Circus, Bil Keane used to go there and made several comic strips about the place.They have them hanging around the place and on the menu. Food was GREAT. I had a Reuben sandwich, they serve it with mustard unless you ask for dressing, and it was YUMMY! My daughter had a Meatloaf sandwich, she LOVED it! We shared the Do-it-yourself banana split. We had a nice girls lunch. :)

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    This place is an institution in Old Town Scottsdale! We stopped in to get some ice cream to go and it was great...high quality, reasonable prices and friendly staff. The wait was a little long, but it was definitely worth it!

    (4)

  • Jessica P.

    Food: The ice cream was good but the brownie, I have to say that was the best part of the whole sundae. I was pleasantly surprised too that the burger was flavorful and perfectly cooked. To be honest I was anticipating a crummy burger considering they are known for their ice cream. Location: I feel that the location of the Sugar Bowl is the main draw. The Sugar Bowl is located in downtown Scottsdale which thrives on tourist. This is one of the oldest buildings in old town and is super cute, perfect for dates! Service: The service was friendly and I was delighted that the server was enthusiastic and pleased to be at work.

    (4)

  • Jeffrey S.

    Pink, pink, pink! Old-timey, old-timey, old-timey! Ice cream, ice cream, ice cream! I'm not sure you really need any more information than that, but I'll endeavor to perhaps fill in a few details. So, this is indeed an adorable little ice cream parlor in Old Town Scottsdale. It's old school, and not retro. Sure, they're still printing up the elaborate napkins and working that old font pretty hard, but it's not some new place that opened up with a polished, old-time feel. No, it's an old place that's keeping the feeling alive. That said, it probably could use some polishing. They have main parlor that's about as adorable as you could hope, but I did feel like the whole thing could have used a good scrubbing. There's also a back room for the kiddos with token-fed games like skee-ball and air hockey. They're not the newest, nor in the best condition, but the kids do love them. And they spit out tickets that you can trade in for trinkets. The food is basic. I split a burger and they were so kind to actually split the burger and give us a generous portion of potato chips and two pickles. In fact, the staff was so very very sweet the entire time. Not "slick and polished" but "sweet and really trying." The burger? Well, also pretty basic. But don't come here for the food, I think. It's more about the ice cream. We tried a few kinds, and it's also old school. Nothing organic, or locally sourced, or herb-infused. Nosireee, this is old school, hand-scooped, basic flavors with chocolate and caramel on top. There are lots of options, or you can build your own concoction. It's simple, basic, felt kind of expensive (but somebody's gotta pay that lease and print those napkins) and I can't complain. Come by with the kids, or pop in for a treat. It's not novel, but these days something this genuinely old school is a novelty.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    Really? $5.95 for a one scoop sundae? Yes! Me: Excuse me, this should have whipped cream and a cherry. Them: Sorry, our whipped cream machine is broken. Would you like a cherry? Me (thought): 1. Tell me up front. 2. Send someone to the store to buy Rediwhip! $5.95? Really? Are we in Los Angeles at these prices?

    (2)

  • Neha M.

    It was super hot outside after waking in old town for so long that we needed a frozen dessert to cool us down! This spot has plenty of frozen treats to choose from. I ended up trying the brownie sundae which was absolutely delicious. I just wish the brownie was warmed up. I was also a bit hungry so I had the hot dog which was probably one of the best hot dogs I've ever had! Haha. Overall great spot and great customer service.

    (4)

  • Vanessa R.

    After a fiasco at dinner, we walked over to the Sugar Bowl for some dessert since sugar makes everything better. Love the old school look and feel to this ice cream parlor - you feel as if this place was frozen in time. Get it? :) Choose from a large selection of ice cream scoops, build your own sundae or get a shake, soda or float - tons to choose from! The mint chocolate ice cream is great - large chunks of bittersweet chocolate. Next time I'd love to try the sorbets. They also serve soups and sandwiches for those wanting something savory before enjoying dessert. What is neat about this place is that there is a small game room in the back with air hockey, basketball hoop game, skeeball, etc. One gripe: We had fun playing a ton of games with our young cousin and thought it would be fun to redeem our tickets for one of the "prizes" in the cases. No staff was in the game room, and there is a note clearly stating to go out front for service. We tracked someone down and after waiting for 20 minutes or so, no one ever came back to help us. It was not busy at the ice cream shop, so not sure what the delay was. Overall a tasty, fun experience when in Old Town!

    (4)

  • Joan G.

    A must stop on our visit to Old Scottsdale yesterday! The service was impeccable and the ice cream sundaes we had were delicious! They readily offered us glasses of water as it was hot outside. I was very impressed with the young staff as they were friendly, helpful and went out of there way to serve an uncle with five small children wanting an ice cream cone!! Loved the pink decor! We were very happy that we sought the Sugar Bowl out to make our trip memorable!!

    (5)

  • Shirley R.

    Scottsdale being a "newer" city compared to "back east", it's hard to find authentic classic places. The Sugar Bowl takes you right back to the good times - simply, classic ice cream. Loved the peanut butter and chocolate ice cream with hot fudge. The place shows a little wear and tear, and there's not a lot of handicap parking close by - which rates the 4 stars not 5.

    (4)

  • Jackie P.

    Fun little 60's diner full of diabetes inducing deliciousness. I got the shake- good! My friends got the brownie, coffee ice cream with nuts, and a malt. Fun family Friendly environment.

    (4)

  • Jamie L.

    Quality ice cream in a very cute shop! Got a double scoop coffee ice cream cone to go and it was very delicious, perfect treat for a hot summers day!

    (4)

  • Mike L.

    walked over here after dinner down the street. We ordered some ice cream only, service wasn't the best and the overall feel wasn't the greatest. could use come character. Most ice cream is just ice cream and that's what this is. wouldn't rush back

    (3)

  • Subbu R.

    Old fashioned ice cream parlor that has some of the best sundaes. We had the banana split sundae and PB&J sandwich. The ambience is wonderful and we would totally visit it again.

    (4)

  • Enrique F.

    I like this place, more for the decor and location, than for the actual ice cream. It's been there since the 50's, and Family Circus has something to do with it, cause the comic is all over the place. Everything is pink and hasn't ever been remodeled as far as I can tell, so it's kind of like being in Main Street at Disney World.The ice cream is your typical ice cream. I had the orange sherbet and it was good. Cooled me down, but not mind blowing or anything. They have food but I didn't order any. 3 stars for Ice Cream, 4 stars for cute.

    (4)

  • Alanna S.

    Yelpers gave this a 3.5 star rating and I would agree. Not bad, sorta cute old timey feel. But the ice cream itself isn't noteworthy. It's not bad and I can see why tourists may stop by, but it's not something I would recommend or a place I would visit more than once. The decor is the most charming part. The ice cream leaves a lot of room for improvement. Specifically, I had a scoop of vanilla with a berry syrup. The syrup was runny, sugary in a way that seemed store bought, and didn't contain actual berry pieces. The ice cream was served on the melty side and didn't bring much flavor. On top of that, it was almost $5 - not worth it. Kids and tourists may not know better, but now you do!

    (3)

  • Alana B.

    If you're looking for a sweet, maybe one with some chocolate or even a big sundae - this is your place. Nice old-fashioned ice cream shop located in old town. This place still has the retro pink vibe and decoration going on inside. My friend and I came here when we were looking to splurge with the buster brownie sundae. BOY is It sweet but worth it! Sugar Bowl also serves food, which I was unaware of but probably wouldn't order. Service is friendly.

    (3)

  • Renee M.

    Ok so I've been to this place a handful of times and the icecream sundaes are always great!! BUT!....I've never felt like it was ever really clean!! The place "looks" dirty because the restrooms are old and the back room really does look like an after thought. This trip, while the ice cream was delicious THE WOMANS ROOM IN THE BACK WAS HORRENDOUS!! I don't mean just a bit dirty I mean someone exploited severely, which is very DANGEROUS for anyone let a lone little kids. I told 3 different people over the hour we were there that they need to lock it and clean it up and NO ONE DID ANYTHING!! Finally I got the manager and told him and this is something HE should've handled but he didn't even go back there he just passed it on the a teenager in his working staff. This was NOT right. This place has slipped so far down, regardless if the ice cream is gods or not this one time great institution has sadly lost its self pride and just laying on it previous glory days. This is sad. They need a FACELIFT AND MANAGEMENT THAT CARES ENOUGH TO SEEK OUT How the place is looking and its reputation. My daughter actually took a picture that I think the Health depart should see, then go and really give that place the once over. The only reason I'm NOT posting the picture is because I'm mortified and way too embarrassed for the place!! There is a major lack of pride, sorry to say it will be a very long time if ever we return.

    (1)

  • Ali B.

    Probably the cutest ice cream shop in Scottsdale! Definitely a nice place to stop for some tasty ice cream when walking through old town. I had been here a few times in the past, but decided to make a return visit on Thursday. It was packed! Probably from the art walk, but there was a line out the door. The decor is cute, love the old fashioned feel to it. Arcade is cool too, I like that they have that! Would be an awesome place to go with kids. We were not sure who to order our ice cream from because it was so busy, but we were taken care of pretty quickly. I ordered one scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream in a cone and I certainly enjoyed it! The scoop size was very generous. My one complaint was that the size of the cone wasn't really big enough for the scoop. Just a couple licks and the scoop fell off the cone and somehow I caught it with my hand. Put it back on and continued to enjoy it. Will certainly stop here again on my trips to old town!

    (4)

  • Lisa G.

    Sandwich and chips were so tasty! So many yummy choices for ice cream too!! Our ice cream was fantastic, this place is great for kids or ice cream lovers !

    (5)

  • Shokouh H.

    I didn't think I had a sweet tooth until I went to Sugar Bowl. I have sadly only been there once but the cravings keep me up most nights now. There is no turning back. No wonder this place is so popular. There is was a waiting time on a Saturday night as everyone seemed to have sleeped walked into Sugar Bowl for for delicious sweets. The fudge covered icecream donut is my new favorite desert. I think I may be in love.

    (5)

  • Jasmine C.

    service was very fast. i got the vanilla shake in the fudge lined jar. my boyfriend got the banana split forgot what they called it but it was the closest to a classic banana split that they had. my shake was just okay and his banana split was alright, the banana was firm but ripe and the vanilla ice cream was pretty good. the chicolate ice cream was not though. 4 stars for great and prompt service as well as thw decor....pink everywhere! but as far as ice cream and shake, ive had better than the sugar bowl. may have to give it another go in the futureto taste something different to change my tune.

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    We stopped at the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale and had a great time. My brownie sundae was fantastic. I loved the old decor. Definitely worth the stop!

    (5)

  • Courtney K.

    Stopped by here after lunch. Such a cute place! Luckily it wasn't busy, so we got our sundaes really quickly. I got one with cookies and cream ice cream and it was amazing of course. Really friendly service also.

    (4)

  • Irina H.

    This place is such a Scottsdale institution! When I think of Old Town, I think of wagon wheel benches, Western hat/boot/jewlery shops and the Sugar Bowl! The ice cream is quite delicious and will win new fans among any who taste it! I love the sundaes, the shakes, the banana splits - everything is absolutely scrumptious!! Oh, and get hot fudge...trust me!! I have yet to try anything besides the dessert (their ice cream is the good stuff- you'll need lots of room!). This place is a little piece of history - over 50 years and going strong - but they're not getting by on reputation alone. The service is pleasant, the place is adorable (think pink and classic, a touch shabby), and every single out-of-town guest and in-town friend I've brought here has loved it! TIP: If you brought a kid (or you are a kid), check out the little arcade in the back to work off a little ice cream energry - ski ball, basketball, etc :-)

    (5)

  • Mark W.

    Great historic place that looks like it has never changed since it opened. In a good way. Good was good and well priced. Service was quick. If you are in old town you should try this place. Local or tourist should check it out.

    (5)

  • Rick D.

    Server with buzz haircut as rude. Place was dirty. Not the nostalgic fun place they pretend to be.

    (2)

  • Sue A.

    My cousin recommended going here. Read the reviews and decided to try it. Very clean and staff continued to clean when we were there. The coffee milkshake is a classic. WOW!!! The small hot fudge sundae was more than enough. The fudge is not too thick and not too thin which means it is JUST RIGHT. We had a friendly waitress who was very attentive. Cute napkins too!

    (4)

  • Queen Happy Face X.

    Okay... so little back story: When my daughter was a bit younger (3-5 years), she would come here and have an emotional break down..... everytime. Maybe it was the sugar, maybe it was too much pink paint for her senses, or maybe it was bad timing. Now that she is older, now 10 years old, we have no issues wtth the place. Great prices, great food and classic service that is hard to find at more trendy locations. Cons: The check out system Needs a little updating.... not a lot... just fresh paint and new furniture

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Two thumbs up! Cute, family friendly atmosphere. Perfect place to enjoy some tasty ice cream on a hot day.

    (4)

  • Andrew G.

    The Sugar Bowl is an institution that has been around for centuries. The ice cream is delicious, the sundaes are incredible, and the milkshakes are great too. I really enjoy the interior too with all the "Family Circus" cartoons around the restaurant. This place is a must go!

    (5)

  • Kyle A.

    Great, as advertised. Genuinely old school and definitely worth visiting. Dusty Road sundae is great (dusted with a generous heap of malt!) Only had dessert, so can't comment on the food.

    (4)

  • Marissa E.

    I have only had the ice cream, but it was sooooo good! They have a lot of options, and the servers were all very friendly. It's a cute little diner, I highly suggest it. Even for just ice cream.

    (5)

  • Barron H.

    This place is amazing. Old fashioned ice cream parlor and the ice cream is super good. Really busy but any wait is worth it.

    (5)

  • Alan B.

    Ha! Talk about insanely indulgent options! 1st time here was with friends recently and we had a blast. I love how many options there were for the ice cream "stock" choices and "build your own". And my "one" scoop sundae was of course way too much. Which meant I enjoyed every spoonful! Really crowded when we went on a weeknight, but well worth it!

    (5)

  • Carol R M.

    Oh my, how could you top the ice cream at this place. My hubby got a three scoop banana split, which he raved about. Believe me, he knows banana splits, has them every chance he gets. And I had my Sugar Bowl favorite, the Top Hat sundae!!! A delicious cream puff with vanilla ice cream in the middle and topped with loads of delicious hot fudge and whipped cream. Wonderful!!!!!

    (5)

  • Cherita A.

    The staff need to do some training courses on customer service!!! Neat atmosphere and over all good Ice cream. *We ordered a mint choc chip CONE - Got a mint choc chip scoop. *Ordered a choc chip scoop - got a MINT choc chip scoop. *Ordered a choc chip shake - got a MINT choc chip shake! *Ordered a root beer float to share with four people - got ONE spoon, NO STRAWS! Asked for straws - got a fist full!!! We didn't complain about the mint shake since we are adults and it was good. We did have them correct the scoop to a cone tho for a child. Then they charged us for the extra scoop! They changed it but not till after I told her she could have the extra scoop-since it was uneaten...I knew they could not take it back per health code. They did fix it. HOWEVER, This place could be over the top but the service just is not good for the price!! I beg you all...PLEASE FIX THE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! You will be out of business...there are too many great places to go...the value of a dollar is so important and I'm just not gonna WASTE it on a place that has POOR SERVICE! Step it up!!!!!!

    (2)

  • Liana L.

    Definitely a must go for the experience. It's a old time ice cream parlor and is always packed during spring training. My favorite thing here is the choose your own sundae. Ice cream is fresh and creamy. You can also get a scoop to go.

    (4)

  • Edward A.

    It's very interesting on the inside with all of the pink. Ice cream was good and cheap

    (4)

  • Christie M.

    This place is super cute and extremely pink. I've only gone here twice but I really love this ice cream parlor. The ice cream here is fairly priced and extremely tasty. That being said I have never tried the food. I really don't plan on it either. I come here for the ice cream and the 1950's I've cream parlor vibe. That being said I've never had a problem with the service. If your in old town you should check it out.

    (5)

  • Lauren S.

    I'm one of those people who is nostalgic for a time I never existed in. When I think about my mom's teenage years of poodle skirts and soda jerks and sock hop, I look down at my smartphone and wonder if I would trade it for that sometimes. So when my family took me to the Sugar Bowl on a recent visit to Arizona, I got my taste of nostalgia, however fleeting. This little ice cream parlor has been a staple of Scottsdale for several decades, and you can tell from walking in here that this place has been well-loved and cared for since it's opening. All the ice cream is made by the parlor so everything is fresh, delicious, and (like the 50's) wholesome. Each us ordered a different sundae and made rotational swaps around the table so everyone could enjoy something different. Waist be damned, I love this place and will insist on a return trip the next time I come to visit.

    (5)

  • Diana B.

    It wasn't really bad, but it wasn't great, either. Two different people recommended this popular Old Town eatery, but we're not sure why. It was packed and seemed to only have one server, who managed to keep her dignity, but we felt bad for her. We were sat in the arcade room, despite having no kids, and I wish we had asked to wait for a table in the main room. The food was fine, very basic American diner food, although the special, beef strogonoff, was quite good. The "elegante" salad was just a big bowl of iceberg lettuce with a few pieces of turkey, a few strips of bacon, a few cherry tomatoes and olives. It was fresh, but mostly lettuce. The ice cream seemed very popular, but we only got one shake at our table. Probably a great place if you have younger kids, and need some respite from heat or sight-seeing/shopping.

    (2)

  • Claudia P.

    Blast from the past, journey back in time for an old fashioned fountain and luncheonette. Reasonable prices added to the nostalgia. Limeade with real lime! A small hot fudge sundae that was the perfect size. A Scoop of sherbet. We just went in for a mid-day refreshment. Otherwise I might have ordered the jello with potato chips and finger sandwiches. A real menu item at the Sugar Bowl, Scottsdale, no kidding.

    (4)

  • Natalie G.

    This place must have been packed back when Scottsdale High was open just down the way. Actually, it can still get pretty busy now. It's definitely got its appeal: huge scoops of ice cream in classic glass dishware, long spoons to accompany your tall milkshake, banana splits with all the fixings. But the décor is straight from my beloved Grandma Mae's house- pink, pink, fake flowers, pink, pink, crocheted doilies, pink, and then some more pink. It burns my eyeballs. There IS a way to keep the integrity of a well-known location while updating its style, just saying. I still occasionally come here for a milkshake (thick, because otherwise it's like a heavy glass of melted ice cream. There's honestly no point to them giving you a spoon with their regular milkshakes) and they're pretty good. Sugar Bowl is the only place I've found that does chocolate chip milkshakes, so they're alright in my book. Plus, they have a really great selection of all sorts of desserts! Something for the whole family. Husband gets a sundae or maybe a hot dog and we'll sit over at the corner booth next to the window and watch all the out-of-towners walking around with their little maps arguing over which Gilbert Ortega they'd rather go to until they give up and come in to split a Buster Brownie. Good choice, guys.

    (3)

  • Jay W.

    My fiancé and I stopped in for a sundae to top off our date night. We walked in about 30 minutes before closing. The staff was incredibly rude and made us feel very unwelcome, forcing us to sit at the bar (not at a table like we wanted) and at least 3 people came by advising us they are closing soon. I certainly apologize for walking into your establishment during normal business hours to get a few scoops of ice cream... what were we thinking...

    (1)

  • Melissa K.

    Definitely go for the ice cream. The food is okay, but the ice cream sundaes were delicious! The chocolate marshmallow cream was so yummy! There is a wide variety of ice creams and toppings. The environment was really cute and the family game room was fun for the kids.

    (4)

  • Stephanie H.

    This place could be great, maybe even a top 10 "must stop for kids" in a what to do while in Old Town, or even Phoenix/Scottsdale . However, they have a way to go before they even make the top 50 list. There is a really bad smell as soon as you walk inside the door. The restrooms and general areas are not clean. The food is average at best. I had the chili with cheese and onion. They gave me a "slice" of cheddar, it was strange, and the chili was 90%beans, no flavor. It's such a shame. The decor, if clean would be on spot. The theme is so cute, down to the menu. They need to shut down for a weekend, hire a professional chef to revamp the menu and clean the place from top to bottom. So close, but yet so far!!!!!

    (2)

  • Monica O.

    I think I spotted that big pink building a few years ago, and I kept saying someday I will go check it out! Well the someday showed up! You can guess I was tickled pink for sure! The Sugar Bowl was exactly how I had imagined it to be, from the tables, chairs, booths, counter/bar, an old fashioned ice cream parlor! But even better, it's all in this delicious pink! Feel in love with place at 1st site! I ordered the Buster Brownie Sunday with cookie dough ice cream, marshmallow cream, chocolate sauce and a cherry; this was the perfect sweet dish! Only complaint I could have is the brownie was too small for me, and not as moist as I would have liked, but I like my brownies chewy, and I guess my cherry feel off before it got to the table because I didn't see it anywhere, but really these issues did not stop me from devouring my sunday and almost licking my bowl clean. Haha I really enjoyed my visit to the Sugar Bowl, love the place and I will be back for sure! Im sure my grandson would like to go with me to get some ice cream.

    (4)

  • Derek K.

    A Scottsdale institution. Hit this place after an after-dinner stroll for some ice-cream. Can't comment on the food. It works as an old-fashioned ice-cream shop.

    (4)

  • Adrienne K.

    Sooooooo pinkin' cute! Yes, pinkin'. What a blast from the past! Feels like you're right in the heart of the 1950's! Such a kick to enjoy a cute lil diner for a milkshake and basket of fries!

    (5)

  • Master Frankie O.

    Although there really are no words for how good this place is, I'm going to try! Placed in Old Scottsdale in the Old West town area, the Sugar Bowl pictures itself as an old time ice cream parlor. And with the generous portion sizes, delicious ice cream, and beyond reasonable pricing, I'm picking up what they are putting down! I had a double scoop of mint chip that was omg good. My friends each tried the raspberry and orange sorbet and were making super inappropriate sounds for public consumption: it was that good. I would go out of my way any time I am in the Phoenix area to get more of that Sugar Bowl!

    (5)

  • Angela K.

    I ordered the egg salad on sourdough. The bread was stale and the egg salad did not taste good, way too much sweet relish and mustard. The kettle chips were the only decent thing on the plate. The service was also not good. No silverware or napkins were brought out. One of my dining companions was brought the wrong plate of food twice and another had to ask for the side she ordered.

    (1)

  • Sabrina W.

    Wish it was what I remembered from when I was younger. It's DEFINITELY NOT the same place that it used to be. I walked in with my family, told the girl, that was just looking at us, that there were 3 and a highchair. That girl looked at us and said, "so 4." Yes, there's a total of 4. We start to follow her because she starts walking, but not sure if she wanted us to do so, she never said. We walk up to 2 tables and a booth, and one of the bus boys was cleaning one the tables, so I assumed we were going to the one he was just cleaning because the other 2 wouldn't fit a highchair. The girl walks right pass us and doesn't say one word, but she did place the menus on the table at the booth. So I look at my husband and he said I guess we are to sit there. So we sit down and since there was no room for a highchair, I ask the bus boy, who just finished cleaning the other table, if we could get a booster seat for our daughter (which we don't like to put her in because she is not big enough to sit in a booster seat yet) and he said ok and yelled in Spanish to the girl that, I guess, brought us to our table. Once he yells across the restaurant, I look over at her and she rolled her eyes and made a face. She then noticed that I was looking at her and put a fake smile on her face towards me. So as if I wasn't already annoyed, now I am really frustrated! The girl walks over, drops off our waters and walks away. I'm watching her walk away because I'm not sure if she understood that it was us that wanted the booster, but I figured that she was just getting our waters first, so I'm telling my irritated/frustrated self to be patient. Our waitress walks up, greets herself (she was the friendliest person in the restaurant) and I ask if they had a kids menu and she says no, I'm sorry we don't. Okay, no worries, we'll figure something out. The girl finally comes back with the booster seat, which was completely dirty, and doesn't say one word and walks off. (Ok, ok, stay calm) But I can't! I look at my husband and ask if we can just go somewhere else because I am just done with the horrible customer service. He completely agreed and said that he didn't want to say anything because he knew I really wanted to come here. I used to love coming here with my parents and siblings when I was younger and now I am just sad that I definitely will not be coming back to this Old Town Scottsdale staple.

    (1)

  • Norma S.

    We stopped here with three adults and two birthdays girls - aged 10 and 12. One shared a fruit plate with her dad; one ordered tea sandwiches. I had a tuna melt and grandma had a hamburger. Food was just average; sandwiches served with potato chips. But the root beer float for dad and cheesecake and mint chocolate chip ice cream for the birthday girls was amazing. The waitress kindly put candles on the cheesecake and brought a lighter to our table. The girls were thrilled. We sat in the game room in the back. A bit noisy and a bit worn, but the kids seemed to love it. Our waitress was nice but staff seemed harried and sparse. The whole place needs a really good deep cleaning. The women's bathroom is YUCK! Likely due to foot traffic, the floors are dirty, dirty, dirty. UGH! We go here every time I'm in Scottsdale, but I just try not to look at the floors. haha

    (3)

  • Erin Y.

    Love this place! It's super retro and a great place to hang out. Between three people, we shared the top hat and dusty road sundaes. Both were delicious! Can't wait to come back.

    (4)

  • Mr. B.

    My favorite (sentimental) ice cream spot in all of Arizona! $4.95 for two big scoops of ice cream, chocolate sauce, malt crumbs, whipped cream, and a cherry? The Dusty Road Sundae is terrrrrific. The average sundae is $6.50, but that's a steal compared to other places. They have about 10 traditional-ish ice cream flavors, the prices are reasonable, the storefront is classic, the interior is huge with comfy booths, and there is a small-ish arcade in the back. Only a 10-minute walk from Scottsdale Stadium into Old Town Scottsdale. If you're reviewing this place based on the food, you're missing the entire point of the Sugar Bowl. It's a 1950s ice cream parlor, not a modern ice cream store with fancy new flavors.

    (5)

  • Kate D.

    Funny thing. When you peruse all of Yelps "non recommended" reviews for this place - most of them are pretty bad, and all say the same thing. Lousy service (check) In attentive /rude/uncaring staff (check again) Dirty menus and establishment (ewwww) Sub par ice cream and food (yup) A sense of disarray and no organization (saw it) I think the only thing this establishment has going for it it's kitchy pink decor, history in Old Town and the long ago reviews of "the way things used to be"...apparently you can only ride that for so long. This place is just awful now. Too bad. Bill Keene would be disappointed.... Even the owner himself was unfriendly. Shame.

    (1)

  • Manuel M.

    Best place for families to relax with some delicious ice cream and small arcade. Love time old town vibe.

    (5)

  • Emma S.

    We had the gosh awful gooey banana split, and pinnacle peak hot fudge sundae. Both were superb! I love this place!

    (5)

  • Cee N.

    Fast, friendly service of ice cream. Lots of variety and fun ice cream shop atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Megan W.

    Garishly pink, old school ice cream parlor with adjacent arcade in the heart of old town Scottsdale. I adore thee, Sugar Bowl, even if ice cream and I do not get along particularly well. Pass on the food (there are numerous better places for dinner nearby), but definitely stop here for a sundae or a scoop. (And, maybe some arcade games...Ahem.) The last time I was there, the place was full of hipsters, families, prom dates getting ice cream, older couples, pretty much everyone. It's pretty great.

    (5)

  • Taylor S.

    Terrible service. Just terrible. Just wanted some ice cream and took forever to be seated. No organized line to order at the counter and the hostess was rude. We ended up just leaving with out even ordering. Wasted 20 min. Never going back. Ice cream is not worth that hassle.

    (1)

  • Andy B.

    Great old school place for ice cream. Has great atmosphere and prices are good as well. Good place to take family or friends

    (5)

  • Lizzy R.

    I've decided to update my review based on the owner responding to my review. I don't take back what I said about it being just okay and sort of the main draw being the cute vintage diner feel but it's clear that this business cares about customer feedback and that says a lot to me...it says they need another star! :)

    (4)

  • Carrie B.

    The shop was so hot! We were sweating. Our ice cream arrived half-melted. Kinda pricy for melted ice cream. Table service was slow and spotty This was our first time here, and I'm not sure we'll be back. I thought that this place would be fun for our date night. Not really.

    (2)

  • Robert H.

    When Old Town Scottsdale heats up, folks head to the ice cream shop. Don't be fooled by the line out the door, there is plenty of seating at the back of the restaurant, where they have a basketball amusement that is noisy and annoying. Ol' Bil Keane of Family Circus fame favors this place, which probably hasn't seen many updates since it opened in 1958. Plenty of Family Circus art on the walls and menu. Maybe the only update has been that basketball game, which I guess was an impulse buy. Other reviewers have noticed an odor, and I experienced it too. I think that comes from a room full of sweaty people in an aged building. Or maybe it's just the germy, sticky basketballs in that game.

    (3)

  • Christine P.

    Service was quick (which boyfriend loves) and we got our ice creams, it was on point. I love how pink and girly this place is :) We came here after dinner, to continue our date night. We had one scoop of peppermint and one scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream.. heaven in my mouth you just can't go wrong with chocolate chip. Yummmm my favorite. The peppermint was too sweet for me. So I had my boyfriend kill it. Haha. I love this place.

    (5)

  • Eileen S.

    What a disappointment! Lunch service was so slow and no apologies from anyone. We ordered and waited almost two hours for sandwiches. No cooking involved. My tuna fish sandwich tasted bland and dry. I asked for mayonnaise and they brought me a tablespoonful that was yellowed with age. Two of us left our food on the plate. To add insult to injury they added 18% gratuity on our bill and charged us for everything.

    (1)

  • Robert D.

    Nice prices and a clear niche. Just go here and get a nice big icecream. But to be picky I have had better ice cream hence only a 3

    (3)

  • Jordon H.

    Cool atmosphere, mediocre ice cream. I got the buster sundae thinking the brownie would be warm and fresh, wasn't. The ice cream itself was ok. Tasted like something you could easily get at a grocery store. I also got a patty melt. It was good. 4/5 stars just on that particular item. Try other spots before you try Sugar Bowl.

    (3)

  • Mark S.

    This is just an awesome old school ice cream type parlor which my grandparents used to take my brother and I to after spring training games. They do have a full menu, so you can actually get some food there too. In the back area there is kind of a Peter Piper set up with games and things for the kids. That is really what this place is for...something different for the kids. I can honestly telling you that your kids will remember you taking them here when they get older and thank you for it. I know because like I said, I remember going here when I was a kid. Only issue is that everything is over priced, but it is downtown Scottsdale.

    (4)

  • Mary S.

    The place has history but the ice cream and the service is nothing special. I give it three for the history. Their ice cream is very below average compared to Churn, Melt, and other local places but I will say they have the best Patty Melts around. Yummy! The place is kind of run down and dirty these days as other Yelpers have mentioned.

    (3)

  • Nicole S.

    This is the first Yelp Review I've ever really agonized over. The Sugar Bowl is an Old Town Scottsdale class. Bright pink exterior, and old fashioned Letters in the window. The interior has the same kitchie charm. Family Circus Comics all over, cute old fashioned bricabrac in the store, and on the walls. But the food, the food is... well awful. I ordered the "assorted finger sandwiches" - and the bread was stale, and in addition to tuna salad, and egg salad, there is some kind of... ham salad. When I asked about what was in the finger sandwiches, telling me a ham sandwich, might have been more acuratly described as a "ham salad sandwich" - I took a bite, and left the rest alone. The ice cream is good, nothing special. The sundaes are fun, again nothing special. But there is something that makes me bring my out of town guest here, when a trip to Cold Stone might be tastier. I hope someone comes in, improves the menu, but keeps the charm.

    (3)

  • Anne W.

    ICE CREAM CENTRAL! I had no idea but they have diner-type food here as well. It has such a nostalgic 50's diner feel to it and you can't help but smile when you are there. It has a variety of ice cream flavors. I love that this is the place in the comic - Family Circus. It is definitely a well-known place in Scottsdale.

    (5)

  • Kendra R.

    Cutest ice cream shop ever! Everything on thier menu is phenomenal. The service was gteat and the staff is super bubbly. Will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Paula L.

    I think this place is a must if you're in Old Town Scottsdale. A great way to end the day after shopping at Fashion Square! The prices are very reasonable. I've never gotten an actual meal here, only dessert! I can't say that the ice cream and toppings are necessarily amazing quality, but there are super fun combinations on the menu that make up for the "meh" quality of the ice cream. The decor is also adorable! I recommend the Baseball Winner. That was a delicious combination of flavors. If you're really into hot fudge, go for the Top Hat. It's a classic! If you like this place, I would also recommend MacAlpines Soda Fountain or Berties. I think they are better quality but have the similar old diner decor like Sugar Bowl.

    (4)

  • Menzer B.

    Iconic place has lost its color !! Went with our daughter ... The place was dirty, the machines didnt work and the manager Ben showed no interest in fixing anything... No smiles from Ben we had to wait 15 min to turn in tokens ....what a shame !!! The ice cream was ok ... But certainly not great !!!

    (1)

  • Travel G.

    If you are headed out to the Superbowl, check out the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale. The whole building is pink so you can't miss it! They have soups, salads and sandwiches but best known for their Sundaes!!!! Best ice cream around. Only downfall is that it's always so crowded and often hard to get a seat.

    (5)

  • Madeline M.

    I always come here when I visit Scottsdale. They have the best grilled cheese in the world. The ice cream and service are both good too.

    (5)

  • Anthony W.

    My uncle owned a restaurant nearby since the 70's and I remember Sugar Bowl being here for the longest time. I'm glad that it has withstood the test of time and I consider it a historical landmark now. It looks like an old ice cream and soda store from the 50's and 60's. I've always liked the ice cream here and try to make it a stop every time I come to Scottsdale. Visited June 2012

    (4)

  • Jessie G.

    I loved the sugar bowl! You can go in and order an old school root beer float, ice cream, or even a chocolate soda! Yum it's a must stop to cool off and check out the old 50's decor!

    (5)

  • George A.

    I was gonna say this 4-star review of the Sugar Bowl is kind of for nostalgia's sake, but quite honestly I still think it's a good spot (at least for ice cream...I haven't had the "regular" food in forever, but if I remember correctly it's not that good). I mean, yeah the decor is old...and I don't mean "charming" (there's rips in the upholstery, chips in the tables, etc...). I know most "old-timey" ice cream shops make there own ice cream, and the Sugar Bowl doesn't (they serve Dreyer's), but I really don't care. When it comes to "regular" sundaes, shakes, ice cream sodas, etc, the Sugar Bowl probably isn't all that much better than any other restaurant/ice cream shop that makes this kind of stuff, but where I'm willing to bump them up a bit is on there "specialty" sundaes. There's about 10 of these, and they're all yummy. A few that I can remember trying over the years include the top hat sundae, the creamed walnut fudge sundae (this one is my personal fave) and the buster brownie. Again, these are made w/Dreyer's & I'm sure other run-of-the-mill ingredients, but I don't care. They are delicious! that staff here always seems to be friendly (I mean...this place caters to kids, so you HAVE to be friendly or at least fake it). I also don't know what it is, but it always seems like there's always young people working here. I mean, like, REALLY young! At the end of the day though, I still like Sugar Bowl and when I come back to visit AZ I enjoy coming here with my nephew.

    (4)

  • Brittany T.

    Our waiter was great and attentive. We ordered ice cream, milk shakes, and an amazing sundae. Everything was tasty! BlackBerry milkshake is a must try! Super cute place to take the kids for a nice, cold, yummy treat! Would recommend to anyone wanting an ice cream treat in Old Town!

    (5)

  • Ben C.

    Fun place to get some ice cream. I'd go back for a couple scoops of Cookies N Cream. Old school style atmosphere is very cool, although some TLC is needed to make it a little more comfy. Yo Yo

    (4)

  • Sheila D.

    Stopped by for dessert based on reviews. Cute little place. We ordered a small hot fudge sundae and a small pineapple sundae. Both were very good and service was very quick.

    (3)

  • Kristy N.

    I know this is an iconic restaurant in Scottsdale and was hoping for much more. There are only a few flavors of ice cream. While the Top Hat sundae and the malt were good, the ice cream cone was just so-so. The ice cream does not taste home made - I'm guessing Blue Bell??? The decor is tired - I remember this restaurant looking exactly the same way 25 years ago! The service was poor and our waitress barely spoke above a whisper.

    (2)

  • L T.

    Was a fun place to try. Felt like what I imagine it'd be like to step into a 50's malt shop. The pink decor was fun and carried through to the napkins. The servings were huge and the ice cream good. I didn't care for the brownie in my sundae, but the hot fudge made up for it. My friend had the top hat and I tried q bite and liked it better. Felt like a tourist destination but was fun all the same. Would be fun for a date or girls night out.

    (4)

  • Gabi M.

    Looking for an old school ice cream parlor experience with a ton of Old Town history? This is your place! With simple menu offerings from ice cream and sundaes, special creations, milkshakes and malts, you're sure to get your sugar fix on... and if you're in the mood for something savory, they offer a limited selection of salads, sandwiches, and burgers too. I can't speak to the food offerings though. On a recent visit for a friend's birthday, I went with a scoop of their ice cream flavor of the day (it happened to be pumpkin) and a slice of their homemade banana nut bread. Both were sweet and edible and servings are pretty generous too. I must admit however, that neither blew me away. We sat in the arcade area and service was attentive enough, but I can't say I'll be rushing back. There is something to be said for the old school feel of this place, but I'm a sucker for all of the many frozen yogurt and even soft serve ice cream places out there now-a-day... My advice? Go to Sugar Bowl every now and again for the overall experience and don't think about your diet when you're there. Enjoy!

    (3)

  • Matt O.

    Everything was fine until we saw a cockroach roaming around the shelves behind the counter where we were sitting. When we finished we were sitting there for awhile before one of the staff finally brought us our check. I wanted to get change for a tip, but there was nobody at the cashier and none of the workers bothered to acknowledge us. During this time (and it was NOT busy) several workers were just standing around talking. When one of them walked by with his face buried in his phone, I'd had enough. Left a .50 cent tip that was frankly too much for the lousy service, but we'd have been there another 20 minutes just to get our change. The cool, old-fashioned ice cream parlor we were hoping for was in actuality a dirty dump with bush league service. Derp.

    (1)

  • Jason K.

    Hot Fudge Sundae was great. Service was good and a cool little place to satisfy any sweet tooth.

    (4)

  • R L.

    While the ice cream was good it didn't make up for how filthy the restaurant was. There were places that looked like they hadn't ever been cleaned. The pie tasted just like costco apple pie. When we asked if they bakwd their own pies rhe ssid it was from their wholesaler. Id guess costco and its clean there! I don't understand how this became a phoenix classic

    (2)

  • Amy R.

    The desserts here are to die for. Everytime I go, I always get the cream puff ice cream dessert and never regret it. The food is definitely not my favorite and the service has been pretty slow the past few times I have come, even when it's not packed full of people, which is why it's not 5 stars. It's definitely a unique dining experience so for that reason alone, I would advise anyone who hasn't visited SugarBowl, to check it out!

    (4)

  • Jose R.

    This place is me and my girlfriends go to spot for sundaes of Sunday! It has amazing atmosphere, good food and relatively cheap. They have something to satisfy everyone's needs. I recommend the butter pecan top hat--a super flaky delicious pasty filled with the icecream of your choice topped with decedent hot fudge. I drool just thinking about.

    (4)

  • Julie B.

    Really cool and historical place. We had 5 different ice cream treats and everyone was happy. They only get 4 stars because the floor was a mess and the bathrooms were gross. It's an old old place and really really busy all the time. Just don't look down or use the facilities!

    (4)

  • Kathryn O.

    Really cute place for dessert. Excellent ice cream! I wish they had more pies or other dessert on the menu. Definitely worth trying out if you're visiting Scottsdale!

    (3)

  • R R.

    A step back in time to a more innocent era reminiscent of ice cream parlors, soda jerks, luncheonettes, ice cream parlor emporiums. This legendary Scottsdale landmark serves a variety of things to eat but its fame rests in its atmosphere, a candy colored vision, its ice cream sodas with a little extra pitcher of seltzer to add when you're getting low on soda, its friendly service and the experience of going there, which is unique. Adults feel like kids and kids feel like they stepped into a magical world. A must visit when in Scottsdale.

    (5)

  • Sam K.

    I walked in here after enjoying a cold beer and a cheeseburger, and had almost zero expectations. I was well-attended by the friendly staff, who walked me through the menu, and I found myself ordering what they call a Camelback soda. Basically you can choose any scoop of ice cream, club soda, and any syrup of your choosing to customize it to perfection. I highly recommend ordering that on a hot day.

    (5)

  • Marie R.

    San Francisco newspaper recommended Sugar Bowl. The workers were rude, the selection of ice cream was minimal and the ice cream quality itself was more water than cream. Worst ice cream I've had in a long time .

    (2)

  • Janet S.

    Nice place. This restaurant is so cute and the service was excellent. I had a reuben sandwich which was outstanding. I would go back again. Everyone at my table had ice cream desert of some kind and they loved it. I am not an ice cream person so I passed on desert. The deserts looked so delicious too. This was right on the corner and easy to find. The parking is a little crowded but then this is Old Town Scottsdale. Everyone at my table had something different to eat and it all looked so good. There is a big menu to choose from too.

    (5)

  • Preston S.

    I have to say I was a little let down after all of the hype for this place. I was excited. Local ice cream parlor that has been here for a long time must be really good. I did like the old school look of the place. Even the small arcade they had on the other side of the restaurant even though three of the games were out of order still cool. Now I will say I didn't try any of their food but it is an ice cream parlor so you would think the ice cream would be heavenly. A friend of mine and I went to a movie down the street and were driving home after wards when we spotted it down the street. We had both wanted to try it some day. So I decided today was some day and we pulled in. We had to hunt for a parking space, no big deal, until one popped up right in front of us. We walked inside and waited a minute to be seated. The waitress was very nice and sat us in a booth in the corner right in front of a very nice mural on the wall. She handed us the menu and I realized I had no idea what they had or what I wanted. So I started to scour the menu that is when I realized they had more than ice cream. That was a nice surprise since silly me assumed they only had ice cream but ice cream was what I came for and what they are know for. I finally picked out the Buster Brownie. Brownie with ice cream and marshmallow topping sounded delicious. My friend picked the same thing. We called the waitress over because we were finally ready to order. We placed our order and then were informed we could pick out ice cream flavor if we wanted. Oooo added bonus. I got chocolate and my friend cookies n cream. It didn't take too long to come out and looked mouthwateringly good. Then the let down. It was good but not spectacular. Not special. The brownie was a fudge brownie which is good but is a little on the hard side. I was expecting a cake brownie all warm and gooey with the ice cream. The marshmallow topping didn't add too much either. I was let down. I guess I like the corporate place better. I was really hoping the local place would blow them away but sadly no. Also as much as people gripe about the prices at the corporate ice cream store these where about the same. I might go back if I am in the neighborhood again but won't be making any special trips. I will stick to the corporate ice cream store which I'm sure some will call me crazy for saying.

    (3)

  • Clarice C.

    this place just looks super cute. has that old town feel but not really worth going to unless you are grabbing some desert to go. came here for lunch a few months ago..not impressed with the food. with so many places to go around old town, i would say skip the food. nothing special. the service is also very ehhh it's more of a to-go dessert place if you are craving a sundae! they have a decent selection of ice cream but it's very rich and a pint of ben and jerrys or haagen daaz will probably satisfy your craving (for cheaper too)

    (2)

  • Justin B.

    Although I doubt this would be able to compete with some of the sweet shops I have hit in other major cities, I felt like for Scottsdale, this would be as good as it gets (I've only been here for five days, but still!). The atmosphere, like the sign out front, is old school; the dessert selection was perfect for any warm weather day; the prices were fair, if not a little high given the size of things like the shakes; if you sit at the counter, you'll have ice cream in your hands in three minutes. The folks behind the counter were really hustling when I visited this weekend, so I get the sense that these people take dessert as seriously as I do. The Old Dutch Milkshake was thick; I wish it was larger, but my wife probably does not!! A nice chaser for many of the meals you'll have along Scottsdale Road.

    (4)

  • Lisa E.

    In the best interest of everyone, due to my minor lactose intolerance, I don't do ice cream often. But, Sugar Bowl is worth it!! No, it is not the fancy shmancy ice cream infused with liqueur, or homemade, hand-churned with all natural ingredients from the desert...It is just good, old, run-of-the-mill, GOOD ice-cream. Ice-cream is kind of like pizza, the bad stuff is still pretty good, and this is definitely better than most. What sets Sugar Bowl apart is the old fashion style sundaes with whip cream and cherries (the philosophy of if it isn't broken why fix it definitely applies here), along with the traditional, charming, atmosphere of an old-school ice-cream parlor. I would tell you my favorite desserts, but you might as well look at the menu because I would have typed the majority of it. I have only had dessert here and not tried the food, but I don't really think the 'food' is what you come here for. Sugar Bowl takes me back to being a kid and making my own sundaes at home...it HAD to be in the 'fancy' ice-cream dish, with a cute spoon to eat it with, and LOTS of chocolate! And that is what makes it worth the hour long belly ache afterward ;)

    (4)

  • Lindsay W.

    The waitress at the Salty Señorita recommended this places to us because it was right down the street. It seemed fun until I overpaid for an okay hot fudge sundae. It was delicious but not worth the money. Next time, I'll make myself one at home.

    (2)

  • Becky M.

    My experience was very mixed. The food was really good. The ice cream is creamy but the prices are ridiculous. There is no children's menu so we ordered my daughter 2 hot dogs. I asked for no bun and no chips and she said i will have to charge you and I said that is fine. I got the bill and they charged me $11.00 for 2 hot dogs. Are you kidding me? I said something at the cashier and no response. Won't be going back!

    (2)

  • Kristin D.

    Walking in The Sugar Bowl recently there was a noticeable smell of dirty-rag-on-plastic, pink plastic that is. The waiter was pleasant. The food did not take long at all to arrive. We both ordered the tuna salad and the presentation was nothing to write about really. The lettuce was fresh and cold and so we're the tomatoes. The tuna salad was mediocre. The situation of the restroom: The Sugar Bowl was established in 1958. I think the wallpaper goes back to that period and is downright dirty. The rug in the restaurant and "playroom" is in the same state. Old, dirty and it looks smelly. This place must have had its glory time, but that has long gone now. It needs an update in all aspects. Don't think I will go back. There are many more options in that area to spend my time and money.

    (2)

  • Des D.

    Came in with my kids on Saturday lunch, wasn't too busy. This is a classic ice cream parlor with counter and table service. We focused on the ice-creams, so cannot comment on the rest of the menu. Each kid had a banana split, ice cream is good quality with a wide mix of topping. Kids loved it, and could not finish what they had. Place is clean and service was very attentive I will be back with the kids and would recommend to others!

    (4)

  • Beth F.

    We drove past at least five other ice cream places to get here with an out of town friend to have sundaes. When we received our sundaes they were sans whipped cream. When we asked about it they said "oh, sorry we are out of whipped cream." WTF sugar bowl?! Poor form.

    (2)

  • Sarah G.

    This hot pink ice cream parlor is a savior in the 90* weather. After hiking Camel back mountain it was time for stroll in Downtown Scottsdale which lead us to downtown. This was a great place to stop for a quick scoop of the butter pecan ice cream. The place was packed and seemed great for lunch - especially if you were in the mood for some homestyle 50's comfort food. Service was quick and the ice cream was a great treat.

    (4)

  • Alvin M.

    Great shakes! What a cool lookin' place.

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    My parents and my sister and I went to the Art Stoll last Thursday and after we had had enough of that, we needed some desert and the closest place we found was the Sugar Bowl. We had found the place while on our way to dinner a few days before. Anyways, the deserts we had were amazing. I really liked the brownie ice cream, despite the fact that they had ran out of whip cream. While there weren't a lot of dishes that didn't have some sort of nuts on it, I and my family were certainly were satisfied with the choices that we made. Wished we could have ordered some fries afterwards though. Definitely will go again when in town.

    (5)

  • Alicia F.

    What's not to like about ice cream (unless you have a lactose allergy, of course!). The inside is adorable and it offers a ton of ice cream options, so there's something for everyone. Great staff here as well...our server was fabulous! To the reviewers complaining about cleanliness...I have a bit of OCD--especially at restaurants. Was the bathroom the cleanest/nicest I've ever used? No--I would say more "old" than "dirty", but at least it worked and had soap (ever been to a restaurant where there's no soap in the bathroom...how gross.). I didn't notice any crumbs on the floor or on seat cushions...In my opinion though, I'd rather have crumbs on the floor than have someone sweeping or vacuuming next to me while I'm trying to eat.

    (5)

  • Lindsay J.

    OMG!!! I have been going here for years! I remember I would go here everytime I went and got my braces tightened because my mom always thought I deserved a special treat! The reason that I am giving it 4 stars is because the food just does not compare to the ice cream treats!! I love the malts...I love the rootbear sodas...the brownie and marshmellow sundae...the banana split with hot fudge and caramel. All the treats are fabulous! It is perfect for families and kids! I am looking forward to the day that I bring my son here! It is right in the heart of old town scottsdale and it is so cute...it has not changed in the 17 years that I have gone here! I love it and I will always be a fan! Everyone should try this place at least once!

    (4)

  • Ehsan E.

    we had burger and roast beef sandwiches. the burger was average and the roast beef was simply terrible. the best thing in the dish we could find was the potato chips. the curiosity cost us $20, ouch!

    (1)

  • Jonathan M.

    Very cute place, all decked in pink. It's a great place to stop by for a treat. We walked by the first time and was intrigued by the pink as well as arcade games inside. We decided to come back to eat after our lunch to see what's it all about. Seems to be a popular place for tourists and locals alike. We ordered the Desire Me Banana Split- vanilla and strawberry ice cream banana split, with hot fudge and whip cream. It was divine. The strawberry ice cream was my favorite, made with big chunks of ice cream. Total was $6, not bad for 2 people to share. Loved the arcade game, good for adults and children alike ;)

    (4)

  • Alex H.

    Too cute! This is the perfect place to end any day. There is a huge selection of treats from the traditional ice cream sundae to the most sinful concoctions you dare to have. The ice cream was good but the true experience was the atmosphere which was phenomenal. We had the sweetest waitress ever. It is a place where you can sit back and enjoy your ice cream. There is no rushing or pressure to turn over the table. The prices are super reasonable. Support the local shop! Give them a try the next time you have the urge to spend $7 at Cold Stone.

    (4)

  • Barbara B.

    Nothing special. Awkward line set up if you just want an ice cream cone. Would be nice if they had line markers so everyone didn't block the door. Also would be cool if you could just pay at the counter instead of then having to wait for the cashier. Anyway, just a place to stop in downtown Scottsdale which is kind of on the lame side anyway. IMO.

    (2)

  • Pity D.

    I want to make love to a cream puff sundae. Maybe even marry one. They're that good. Other than totally awesome desserts, this pace is a dump. The g-damn flickering fluorescent lights give me a headache. Go there for dessert, inhale it before the flickering lights give you a seizure then run before you get sucked into a shit-hole linoleum time-warp.

    (4)

  • C L.

    This place is strictly a dessert place. While they serve food, I would skip the food and go right to the dessert. At least that is what I do, being that I have only eaten dessert at this place. I have been here 3 times, all of which have been very good. My only complaint is that the sundae's are a little pricey and the decor is pretty dated. But it is an authentic retro, ice cream parlor. The sundaes are always made up to perfection. They have many unique flavors and I have enjoyed each one. Next time you are in need for a sugar fix, give this place a try!

    (4)

  • Carol L.

    Last night (5/11) my Husband, Son and I stopped in for dessert. We asked if we could please sit at one of the round tables. We were immediately told no they are for "5 or more". The waitress sat us at a tiny booth with one chair that was jammed into the next table.The person sitting in that chair would not even be able to lift their arm without hitting the next person. My husband went up to see the Mgr to see if we could sit at the round table. He said no, they are for "4" or more. My husband told him we would order for four if we could just be comfortable. He said no and he let us walk out the door. Well goodbye Sugar Bowl. We are year round residents that have been coming to the Sugar Bowl for many years. There are several very good ice cream parlors in town that we don't have to be treated this way. Visit Sweet Republic...you'll be comfortable and the ice cream is fabulous.

    (1)

  • Patty N.

    We were visiting again, so of course that means at least 2 trips to Sugar Bowl! The food, service and ice cream were good as always, but WOW, the prices sure have gone up. I know that the economy sucks, but for what we got, the prices just don't seem to justify it. We had different waitresses both times. The fist was efficient but not very warm. We had Sandra on our second visit - and YES, she remembered us again! Could not believe it. She is very friendly and can really keep up when they get swamped. We will be back, but maybe only once per visit instead of 2 (or 3 or 4) times. Just can't afford those prices for what you get.

    (3)

  • Sabrina S.

    Three stars for food, with one extra twinkly pink star for cute ambiance. When you enter it is all pink, sweet old-fashioned ice cream parlor with nostalgic ice-cream themed pictures sprinkled throughout. There is an peculiar, old, but appealing smell--no bother to me, I like smelling history. We had scoops of Turkish Coffee, classic vanilla and strawberry ice cream. Yes, it's Dryer's brand and not the premium homemade so common to the Midwest but still creamy and good. The sundaes looked like delectable old-fashioned fun. Families (or anyone looking for a cute old-fashioned kick) will dig this place. They serve classic sandwiches too. Counter service will serve you quickly if you're in a hurry.

    (4)

  • Soo Jin M.

    I was surprised at the prices - you can get a sundae for 5 bucks! Nowadays it seems like a milkshake costs you that much.. The items seem VERY sweet however, I guess they don't call it sugar bowl for nothing. I think I will ask them to go easy on the fudge and get nuts or something to balance out the flavor. I will definitely go back.

    (3)

  • Robert A.

    I went to Sugar Bowl on September 11th. 2001. No national tragedy was going to come between me and a chocolate milkshake. A young girl enjoyed her birthday party while her parents stared out the window. It was a bizarre experience worth sharing. More to the point, the milkshake was good. Tonight, my hot fudge sundae was good. It's a very basic ice cream dish. Hard to screw up, even harder to differentiate. Our waitress let us know she has worked at Sugar Bowl for 40 years. It seemed sweet, but now I wonder how she has supported herself so long this way. The walls are a shade of faded pink. Kind of silly, but who cares? It's ice cream.

    (4)

  • Lindsay M.

    Sugar Bowl is a fun, whimsical ice cream shop in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. It's cheap, yummy and makes you feel like a kid again. I have never had regular food there but if it is a sweet treat you're looking for, this is your place!

    (4)

  • Rafael R.

    In a word: Kitsch. This 50's palace of pink serves up a number of ice cream dishes, including favorites such as banana splits and brownie sundaes as well as build your own creations. The ice cream itself was underwhelming, I was expecting a homemade recipe, but was a little surprised when I saw tubs of Dreyers being brought into the front dining room. Given it's location in Old Town Scottsdale, a venerable dumping ground of knick knacks galore, Sugar Bowl was exactly what I expected in terms of decor and atmosphere, kitsch, kitsch and more kitsch. Where is Gelateria Parmalat when you need it?

    (2)

  • Akiko I.

    Tried this place b/c we heard that it is somewhat historical. Definitely not fancy, decently priced ice cream parlor. Nothing special. *Decor = had it's own charm. nothing fancy. *Service = it took a while for the waitress to come but it's all good. They were having fun mingling with their high school friends at the counter :) *Ice cream = it's good. I mean it's definitely not Ghirardelli but it's descent. Would I go there again. Well, just for Sugar Bowl - NO. If I'm out of Blue Bell ice cream at home and for some reason I'm in Scottsdale, SURE.

    (3)

  • Decy M.

    This is a great place to hang out!! We always bring our out of town friends to check this place out. The place is very homey and cute. Lots of pink. It reminds me of high school hang outs in the old movies. The ice cream is excellent , yummy and lots of choices and affordable. I can say it is a destination place for tourists.. they have to visit this place if they come to Scottsdale...

    (5)

  • Mike F.

    Solid. Nothing special, but exactly what you'd expect for an old schoolish diner/ice cream parlor. Would I drive 45 minutes here again? No. Would I go here if in the area? Yes.

    (3)

  • Maida L.

    pros: over-the-top ice cream concoctions huge servings arcade/play area with skee ball and air hockey in the heart of old town scottsdale plenty of seating friendly employees open late cons: dirty tables, floors, and i don't even want to talk about the bathroom.

    (4)

  • Martin P.

    My son and I have been here a few times while in Arizona for Spring Training. Killer ice cream treats. Huge portions, so plan on splitting or go hungry. Also have a fun game room that little kids would like a lot.

    (5)

  • Jeremy Lou W.

    This place is super cute! It was our stop after we had our lunch at a nearby sandwich place. They had a good selection of ice cream desserts and the staff was very friendly. I thought the ice cream was made in house but I think I was wrong. I'm pretty sure it was Dreyer's ice cream. My favorite part of this place is the arcade! My boyfriend bought $5.00 worth of tokens and we played to our little hearts desire. He barely beat my on the air hockey but I took him on the Wack a Shark (a lot like Wack a Mole). They had two basket ball games and a couple of ski balls too. There were no broken games, none that took our tokens anyway, and it was a perfect way to burn off that huge sundae we inhaled!

    (3)

  • jennifer m.

    Come here for the Top Hat sundae, which is a big ice cream filled cream puff, or the Dusty Road, a chocolate and malt sundae. Come for the cute mural on the wall or the old Family Circle cartoons. And the location is perfect if you're taking visitors around to look at Old Scottsdale. Don't come for the dirty walls, the booths that are falling apart or the dust-covered knick-knacks. Every time we go we end up having the same conversation- "This place is always packed, they're making money. Why don't they clean the place up?"

    (3)

  • Jennifer G.

    This place is great if you are looking for something sweet and are in Scottsdale. I had the tin roof sundae and it was out of this world. I love sweet and salty together. Sugar Bowl is also open late so its a great place to go if you are hungry or drunk or have the muchies and need something good to eat. The service, however, is a little slow and I would never dream of going during normal hours (I have been late at night) with the amount of kids that are probably there!

    (4)

  • Sara C.

    Disappointing and not very good.

    (2)

  • Scott A.

    My wife and I went here yesterday for the second time in less than a week. Both times we split the Do-It-Yourself Banana Split, which was delicious. I have to tell you, this is a great ice cream parlor. It has a great comfortable feel to it. Kind of like you're going back in time to an old fashioned ice cream parlor from the fifties, but the best part was the ice cream. I'm not sure if they make their own ice cream but this stuff was delicious. For a great dessert place I highly recommend the Sugar Bowl.

    (5)

  • John M.

    Not bad it was a little hot inside.

    (4)

  • John K.

    What a unique place. Haven't been to an ice cream parlor since Farells as a kid. Nothing like sitting down at a table and searching the menu for the best ice cream treat. I ordered a banana split and it was awesome. Kids got the brownie sundae which i snagged a few bites from. Great place to take the kids, or just go as an adult and relive some childhood memories.

    (3)

  • Alicia B.

    Sugar high? Sugar coma? Sugar fix? Get all 3 at The Sugar Bowl. I give Props to the concept, so add a star. I think it's over-hyped, so delete a star. In the end, this place cancels itself out. (Hence the 3 stars for "netural.") I'll explain. The concept of an hometown ice cream parlor is applaud-able. The execution is great - everything is branded and consistent. The menu brags of wide variety, although if you don't know how to read the toppings, mixing and concoctions section, you may find yourself with a headache that's not from the sugar. So, it's best to go with somebody who's been before. I've only been twice. Each time I needed help reading the menu. Maybe that's my problem, though. See for yourself. So, once you select a fine sugary treat, you're ready to enjoy it. Yet, be forewarned. Don't order anything that's not in a bowl, for you'll get jipped on the portions. If you order a malt, it comes in a cool retro glass, but you'll be finished before you had a chance to unwrap your straw. Just like if you order the cheesecake, which is served on a plate. It's a tiny slice of cheesecake goodness, so don't get your hopes up. (Who really needs all that sugar anyway?) TIP O FTHE DAY: Order whatever comes in a bowl. (Hence the name, The Sugar Bowl.) The portions are more than generous. I had one of the local favorites - apparently the one all baseball players and fans enjoy. It was just okay. I don't remember what it was called, but it's the vanilla ice cream served with a puff pastry. I asked for fresh strawberries on top. Yum. I was expecting the pastry to be warm, allowing the ice cream to melt and me to slip into Sugar Bliss. Instead, I needed a steak knife to slice off my bites. The pastry was frozen, like the ice cream. I was left wanting. (Not to mention I was the last one to finish, due to having to carve off each bite.) This is a great spot to bring visitors, especially if they're younger than 10. You can't go wrong with patrons not old enough to tell the difference between a Sugar High and a Sugar Let Down.

    (3)

  • Staci B.

    Yum City! I went here with a group of friends after having a few drinks and it was delicious. My fiance and I split the "Baseball winner" which had strawberry ice cream, mint chocolate chip ice cream topped with hot fudge and melted marshmallow sauce. I thought for sure I would get the diabetes. Even though they have Family Circus cartoons, I recommend this place for people with and without kids. If you are in old town and are looking for a sweet treat this is your place.

    (4)

  • Melissa F.

    Great old fashioned ice cream parlor! They have a ton of toppings to create your own or special unique creations. It's a fun place and we had good service. Ice cream was great too. It will definitely be a stop of mine next year during spring training.

    (4)

  • Dan B.

    I get a kick out of everyone raving about the OMGFABULOUS ice cream at the Sugar Bowl. Hey, maybe it's great but when I worked there in the not too distant past, there's one thing I remember about the ice cream in those big freezer buckets: It's DREYERS. (That's Edy's, for you East Coast transplants) So if you don't feel like dealing with the crowds or the indifferent wait staff, trundle off to your neighborhood Basha's and pick up a pint of the same stuff they're scooping at the Sugar Bowl. But maybe you don't feel like dealing with the crowds and the staff, but you also don't want to have a couple of gallons of ice cream in the freezer to replicate that perfect banana split. So go already. You could do with getting out of the house now and then. The waits aren't that long and indifference is a long way from surly. Also, just to clear up some confusion from a few reviews down: The Scottsdale location has been the flagship store for decades; the outlet on Central & Camelback was a product of the early 90s. Update 03/23/2008: Just wanted to update with a quick story about how I got fired from the Central & Camelback location. In 1991 (not sure how much it's changed, if at all), the neighborhood had a huge contingent of people with more money than manners, and they loved the Sugar Bowl. So if you happen to have a moderately wealthy female relative in your family with a tale of getting whacked up side the head with an ice cream scoop at the old downtown Phoenix Sugar Bowl, trust me on this one: she had it coming, and I hope she's since learned how to behave in public.

    (3)

  • Stevey P.

    This is the best place to go for an authentic 1950s ice cream parlour experience. Try the Camelback soda or a super soda to feel really Leave It To Beaver-ish. Sit at the stools at the bar for an extra authentic feel. Pay for your tab at the cashier booth for a real blast from the past. Don't expect to order anything healthy at Sugar Bowl, or attempt to stick to your diet. It's ALL BAD for you, and I LOVE it. I got my ice cream soda with EXTRA HOT FUDGE lining, and I loved it. Who else LOVED it, you ask?? 24 HOUR FITNESS, baby!! I'm hauling my calorie-laden ass over there every day for the next week. It's all good. It's worth it. Who the eff cares if the ice cream could be fresher? The food here is probably average, but the experience and ambiance bump it up an extra star. P.S. This is very reminiscent of Farrells for the SoCal peeps out there.

    (4)

  • Gene B.

    For being a quaint, old fashioned, mom and pop ice cream parlor, I give The Sugar Bowl about 3 stars. In this age of Baskin Robbins and Cold Stone, it's nice to see a real ice cream parlor with two full menu pages dedicated to delicious ice cream creations. Thats about the best I can say about the place tho. The general decor is old and run down, the attentiveness of the wait staff is mediocre at best, and the place just has a generally dirty feel to it. It is fairly clean in actuality, but has that musty pine-sol and windex smell throughout that makes it completely unappetizing. They advertise their "Family Circus" history all over the place, but that is hardly enough to sustain a restaurant like this. My real frustration however, is the "Game Room", which at first glace appears to be their miniaturized immitation of Chuck E. Cheese, only it falls way short. The change machine that is supposed to dispense 4 tokens for $1, regularly gives only 3 tokens per dollar. Games that only cost 1 token at CEC cost as much as 4 tokens here, but quite regularly you will put a token in and not get credit for it, so they wind up costing even more. The "Candy Claw" game that *used* to be "Play til you win" is now two tokens for one try, whether you win or not, and the claw doesn't even close until it's halfway back up to the top of the machine!! Oh, and if you feel the need to complain to someone, you'll have to walk back into the restaurant to find someone, because there is never anyone in the game room to help you. When someone finally does come in to help you, they'll put on their well-rehearsed perplexed look and say "Hmm, it's never done that before"... except my 4 year old and I experience these exact same problems every time we go in. Tonight however, was the final straw. I'm tired of being ripped off by these people. The ice cream is great, the food is mediocre for what they charge, the water tastes like filtered sewer water, and the staff looks like they wished they worked at Wal Mart. The game room is a waste of time, energy and money. The owners obviously know about these problems and have no intention of fixing them, as there is no way to contact them on the Sugar Bowl website. They've lost my business for no other reason than they simply don't give a damn about their customers. Maybe if things change drastically for the better, I'll consider going back, but not until then.

    (1)

  • Jamie R.

    Good ice cream but great environment! Very cute.

    (4)

  • Pete C.

    I got the Top Hat Sundae. It is basically a big cremepuff with ice cream in the middle and it was drenched in chocolate syrup. pretty good. i liked it.

    (4)

  • Angelica D.

    this is a cute lil ice cream parlor. i'm so used to my baskin robbins/cold stone/yogurtland but i liked that this was different. i shared a Top Hat Sundae... which was basicially vanilla ice cream sandwiched between cream puff pastries and drizzled with chocolate syrup. it was alright. but i was too full from eating BBQ to even enjoy it. i did play in the little game room but the games need much updating... i mean like that "jump rope game" where the lights go round and round; time crisis. The waitress that served us seemed a little off but i guess it was already late.

    (3)

  • Art R.

    If you are looking for an old fashioned ice cream parlor this is the spot. The food is also old school diner type food, the meatloaf is pretty good, but it is meatloaf after all, not a porterhouse steak. The desserts are rich and the ice cream is decent, wish they would have more flavors though. The servers are mostly young High School age kids who sometime spend too much time talking with their friends. It is what it is.

    (4)

  • Sharon H.

    This place is just cute good old fashioned fun! The ice cream is nothing to scream about but its a nice change of pace to the Dairy Queens, Cold Stones, and Baskin Robbins. Definitely a fun little place to take people visiting in town! I wouldn't necessarily drive out of my way to get there, especially because finding parking in old town can be a bit of a nightmare. But the prices are good, there is a bunch of video games in the back for the kids to play but the bathrooms are not so great! Avoid those is possible. But enjoy the cute Family Circus cartoons.

    (4)

  • Christina R.

    Why isn't the Sugar Bowl open later? Why can I never grasp exactly when it's open...and often find myself driving by, looking for a Sundae...only to see the shop's windows dark? I really enjoy the bubblegum pink theme of the entire place. It's really adorable. The ice cream creations are delicious (it's just hard to choose which one to get!) Last time I went there were a lot (a lot) of junior high-young high school aged kids there...they were pretty loud and monopolizing of the wait staff. However, I guess I remember thinking how great it was to drive out to the Sugar Bowl when I was that age...and it's one of the few places in Old Town that isn't a bar (and thus not carding after 7pm).

    (3)

  • Kate N.

    Finally got to try this place. I loved the decor, definitely felt like I was in the1950's....I also liked reading the history of the establishment and that the owners are the original owners from when it first opened in 1958! Unfortunately for me I am allergic to cream....a very horrid affliction.....I can eat the fake whipped in a can cream for some reason with no problems...but give me real tasty cream and it just does not work out.....unfortunately for me but fortunately for most everyone else they serve the REAL deal....so I had to just watch as others devoured this tasty treat....I was able to order a very delicious brownie though that was to die for! It is possibly even tastier if you are able to keep the "nestled under a mountain of whip cream" as the menu reads. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the "Gosh-Awful-Gooey Banana Split".....and said he even remembers eating here years ago with his parents! An added bonus is the Family Circus Cartoon connection....go check it out!

    (4)

  • Francis E.

    Have been going to the sugar bowl for close to 20 years and I LOVE THIS PLACE! Once in a while you might even see somebody famous having some ice cream there... I am a huge fan.. always and forever sugar bowl... don't change a thing!

    (5)

  • Kelly W.

    Sugar Bowl Sundays was a tradition my best friend and I implemented after we both went through bad break ups last year. We spent Sundays at the retro downtown Scottsdale ice cream parlor where we drowned our sorrows in hot fudge sundaes or chocolate malts for a month. It was a good way to forget our sadness, have fun and lose ourselves in this weekly tradition where we would catch up on the week's events. Plus, it was better than doing a a few Jaeger Bombs and ultimately crying and/or making out with a random stranger later. While we don't need the therapy of Sugar Bowl Sundays any longer, it's still fun to pop in from time to time and splurge. I think everyone should treat themselves to a Sugar Bowl Sunday every now and then. Details: 4005 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale (480) 946-0051.

    (4)

  • Johnson M.

    This place is a sugary dairy lover's dream. Unfortunately, if you DON'T eat dairy and want a treat, you have few options, and only 1 in the ice cream department. Only their Raspberry sorbet is dairy free. They do a Raspberry / Sprite shake that's pretty good, but at $4.95, it's not that great. I would MUCH rather stroll down Scottsdale Rd. to Green for one of their famous Soynami's... If I ate dairy, this place would be a 5-star spot easy..... I could see myself literally overdosing on sweet here. Old school vibe, old school treats.

    (3)

  • Min T.

    I was one of these foolish tourist that actually thought she could walk around in 110+ heat and humidity. Hahahahah! I had been meandering around downtown Scottsdale idly looking at the Southwestern stuff made in Taiwan when I stumbled upon this ice cream parlor. Perfect! I need a break and came in by myself. The host said I was welcome at the bar or wherever. I looked around and the place was filled with cute old people enjoying the daily lunch and ice cream smeared kids. Heh. I had a scoop of mint chip and iced tea. I've have had better ice cream but because this place was so nicely air-conditioned, the service was great (the guy constantly refilled my glass of water) and I had nostalgic longings for Farrell's (the ice cream parlor in LA I went to as a kid), I loved the place.

    (4)

  • Andrew V.

    I'm disappointed to find out the ice cream isn't home-made. It was good though. We were excited to find this out-of-place ice cream joint in the middle of Old Town. The decor is fun for an ice cream shop, and I was thrilled to sit at the counter and order a treat. I wish the place didn't smell so bad. It's really off-putting... spilled, spoiled milk must be everywhere. But overall, its a good value for the money (you won't spend more than $5-6) and a cute place to stop in for a cool-off.

    (3)

  • Wendy K.

    This is a Scottsdale Icon. Old Fashioned ice-cream parlor, set in old town Scottsdale. It's always busy here. Not your fancy place, and not a commercial establishment. If you like local restaurants that have family appeal, you'll love the Sugar Bowl.

    (5)

  • Maria S.

    We just had the ice cream and it was great - recommended for a treat. I think there are about 10 flavors on the menu and lots of toppings.

    (4)

  • Jonathan L.

    Located in Oldtown Scottsdale amid the most art galleries/stores i've seen in a concentrated area, Sugar Bowl was a refreshing visit to relieve the 110 heat. With the decor of an old-fashioned diner and family circus artwork prominently displayed throughout, this establishment provides a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that is very family-oriented (there's an adjoining arcade area with games for the kids). As for the ice cream itself, I was happily satisfied with my selection: that lovely ice cream sundae with the puff pastry covered in hot fudge. There was a specific name for it, but at this time I cannot recall it. The puff pastry was a little stale or hard, perhaps because it was previously frozen....so in that respect a fresh cream puff would have sealed the deal. The hot fudge added the right amount of sweetness to the creation. Also, I was expecting the joint to make their own ice cream, but was rather unimpressed when our server mentioned they use Dreyer's ice cream. If they had made their own ice cream, the place would have earned 5 stars easily. Regardless, my sundae was great, especially on that hot day, and I would recommend this place to anyone looking for an ice cream treat. As for our service, our server (who was memorable because she was probably one of a handful of asians that I spotted in arizona...being asian myself, my family and i feel like we had doubled the asian population in AZ) was absolutely wonderful and even validated my selection of ice cream with a "niice" that made me feel like i had selected the winning lottery ticket from the variety of choices on the menu. Plus, having a great smile always helps.

    (4)

  • Jackie S.

    Cute ice cream parlor with Family Circus paraphernalia on the walls and tables. The ice cream sundaes are HUGE!! The ice cream scoop is the size of a softball. Our waitress made a mistake on our order and gave us a FREE sundae! How awesome!

    (4)

  • Troy S.

    Nice little shop to stop and and have a bit of ice cream. Great place to bring family and friends when they are in town.

    (4)

  • Mr K.

    I'm a huge fan of old school ice cream parlors, and so naturally I went in to try this Family Circus institution called Sugar Bowl (along with apparently all the members of AARP), and I got the following: * Really bad (extremely indifferent) service from some surly kid while seated at the counter. * Mint chip ice cream with a Windex undertone. I know ice cream isn't good for you, but being downright toxic brings it to a whole new level. All in all, pretty disappointing. Won't be back anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Lisa C.

    this place is so pink! and cute. we shared the spectacular banana bowl but subbed turkish coffee ice cream for vanilla. YUM. the ice creams were all pretty good (turkish coffee was by far my favorite) and the toppings were pretty standard. i loved the addition of the spanish peanuts. and considering how big the sundae was, it was super cheap!

    (3)

  • Sara B.

    OK, so what if it's an authentic 1950s ice cream parlor? The stuff they're scooping up is boring major brand-name label ice cream full of air, and the toppings are nothing special? And the wallpaper is dirty and faded? And the carnival-esque decor is kinda creepy, unfortunately like some of the elderly clientele who sit here staring sadly off into space as their ice cream sodas melt away? You can almost imagine the opening scenes of a tear-jerker Lifetime movie set here. That's not good.

    (1)

  • Joe K.

    Roach issue? I use to like it, but now I may never go back. My girlfriend introduced me to Sugar Bowl less than a year ago and since then I have been back maybe eight times. Sugar Bowl became a place where whenever i was hanging out with someone in Old Town Scottsdale we would stop and get some ice cream; even with a bunch of guys. I think the ice cream is different, good, and well priced. (I've never had their meals) The place was always packed on weekends but overall worth the short wait. A few months ago a couple of friends and I stopped in around 7-8pm on a Saturday to get some ice cream to end the night and unwind. We were seated in a both to the far right end of the shop. While we were eating I noticed a bug on the wall but didn't want to mention it to my friends as to not ruin the ice cream for them. Well a couple minutes later the a small cock roach starting crawling towards my friend neck and my other friend spotted it. It was gross to see but we didn't mind until the roach kept coming closer and closer to my friend. He had to kill it with a napkin... Then another roach popped up so we decided to move to another table. After looking around we began to see that the inside of this place isnt maintained very well, the walls look dirty and everything has a kind of dust on it. I don't know if I'll be going back there again. I like the ice cream but if the front has a roach issue I cant imagine what the kitchen looks like. I feel bad for saying this since it seems like a Scottsdale staple. I still gave it 3-stars because the ice cream is good.

    (3)

  • Jordan M.

    We tried this place because a few people said it exuded nostalgia and was very good. It did exude nostalgia if you grew up going to depressing, run down, badly lit diners. The interior of this place was quite depressing and sometimes when Im happy and I think of this place I get a little depressed. Im giving it two stars because the ice cream sundae was pretty good and the service was quick and nice. Overall I give it a "Mmm ice cream is worth the depression, I guess!"

    (2)

  • Al W.

    The food is good but let's be serious, you come for the dessert. Try the Top Hat.

    (3)

  • Misty T.

    Went here one night with a group of friends. This place is pink, crowded, and really not that impressive. I ordered some sorbet and it was bland - that in itself is an accomplishment - bland sorbet. The 50's style booth seats were very uncomfortable (maybe to discourage staying long?) and the tables were the wrong height for eating. I had to strain to get above face level of my food (and i'm a normal sized woman) It was also very very (very) loud in here. I'll avoid going here again. The quality of the product was just too poor - I'd rather hit up a Whole Foods and get some good sorbet without the discomfort and echoing nosie.

    (1)

  • Grace E.

    I have enjoyed many a cool and sugary treat here on disturbingly hot days while visiting downtown Scottsdale. Old fashioned building, cute vintage interior, it's got the whole "ice cream parlor" look down. I sit at the bar and enjoy their luscious milkshakes, sorbet, and banana splits. Very much love this place, and I can back it up with the Thumbs Up I receive from the people I bring here with me.

    (4)

  • Logie Z.

    This is one of those places that has not changed since I moved here over a decade and a half ago. There is nothing like it anywhere in the valley. Please, Sugar Bowl, do not modernize your place! The sugar pink and chrome 50's decor sets you apart from all the other places. It is like stepping back in time...well before my time, but I imagine that this is how it would be. My friends and I used to come here way before we all had out own families. Now, we meet up here and bring the whole gang! My all time favorite is the Top Hat. They take a warm cream puff and fill it with your choice of ice cream (vanilla for me) and drizzle gooey hot fudge that spills over the sundae glass! My DH fave is vanilla ice cream with the same hot fudge and topped with spanish peanuts that they call Tin Roof. My son knows what he wants so he instructs the server to scoop cookies and cream add the banana and top it with the same hot fudge with cherry on top. He is bouncing off the walls! Thank goodnes for the arcade game section!!! We've never had any of their lunch or dinner menu, so this review is purely for the dessert!

    (5)

  • Jake C.

    Perfect for sundaes and ice cream shakes of the most traditional varieties, but that's about it. I remember being crushed when the flagship location at Central and Camelback closed down and/or moved. I have since visited the new location as an adult (technically speaking) and was a little disappointed. The sandwiches and soups are mediocre at best and the desserts are good but in that Joni Loves Chachi sort of way "One shake with . . . two straws [gaze longingly]." For me, there is occasion to patronize a place like this but not all that often. It seems like with such a specific appeal they have whittled themselves into a corner without offering much else.

    (3)

  • Allison D.

    The decor is fun, but the ice cream was just what you could order anywhere else, and the place was filthy. Yes, the place was busy, but they were only making a half-hearted attempt to clean between customers. It was hard to enjoy my ice cream because I was grossed out by the nasty floor under our table. I was also shocked that nuts were an extra charge on the sundaes.

    (1)

  • Monique G.

    The Sugarbowl was not as great as I thought it would be. I had the turkey salad sandwich which was ok. My friends had the turkey sandwich and cheeseburger. Both said they were pretty good. Then came the desserts. The carmel and chocolate sundaes were ok but nothing spectacular. The buster brownie was a bust. The brownie was not warmed up and was hard. I like the nostalgia of the place but I will not be back.

    (2)

  • Chris J.

    Well, I hate to do this, but feel I must. I have lived in Scottsdale 25 years now, and have been to the Sugar Bowl many times. I love the nostalgia of an ol' fashioned ice cream parlor; it reminds me of my childhood and eating hot fudge sundaes at the dairy parlor in Wisconsin. I love the Bil Keane Family Circus caricatures hanging on the walls. BUT... my visit to the Sugar Bowl on Tuesday, May 26th, with WI relatives, may be my last. First of all, the prices on just about every food item are outrageous, considering this is not a fancy place by any means. $10.95 for a lunch size chef salad? $8 for a small egg salad sandwich on wonderbread? Oh, the sandwich does come with stale potato chips, too. Second of all, the service was lousy. Our waitress, who had "1968" displayed under her name on her name tag, certainly did not display the wealth of superior customer service one would expect from someone with 41 years of waitressing experience... just the contrary. No warm welcome to the Sugar Bowl, no friendly smile, just a stern "what do you want?" to take our orders. After waiting 20 minutes for our food, she came back to our table and announced "Sorry, but the printer in the kitchen ran out of paper, so I need to retake your order". Okay, after repeating our orders, thinking that maybe our lunch would be "on the house" (or, at least, getting some sort of compensation), she just walked away without a word. My lunch companions thought this was so odd (again, where's the awesome customer service one would expect from an establishment that should pride itself as being the highlight of the West's most western town???). So, when she came back to our table to deliver a shake that my niece ordered, I piped up and asked "So, do we get free ice cream sundaes for having to wait so long?". To our surprise, she said "No.". After seeing our surprised looks, she suddenly changed her mind and said "Well, you can get that shake free.". Okay, so we got something free out of the deal, but we all were extremely disappointed and bewildered. Why? Because we had to ask. Doesn't a waitress with 41 years experience have any clout with the management to be empowered to offer compensation to a customer in order to promote great customer service (and ensure that the customer comes back as a repeat customer)? The Sugar Bowl used to be a fun, inviting place to have an inexpensive lunch and enjoy a sweet dessert. Now, it seems to be going downhill... fast. I noticed that other, recent reviews have noted the same thing, and not many "stars".

    (2)

  • Mike G.

    creamed walnut fudge sundae... thats all i gotta say about that!

    (4)

  • Brandon L.

    The atmosphere is at the Sugar Bowl is fun. This place has become a family tradition with my wife and I. We love coming here for dessert and occasionally dinner. The food is real cheap and just a typical diner food with good sandwiches and soups. They have great Italian sodas and shakes and tons of huge banana splits and sundaes. I would recommend the Sugar Bowl to anyone. Parking can be a pain if you go on the weekend nights but worth it.

    (4)

  • Ken L.

    The place isn't that bad. It's kitschy because of the pinkish interior, and the ice cream is good. My only problem is that it's too crowded...thanks to Bil Keane.

    (4)

  • Ann Marie K.

    Craving something sweet, but tired of the usual small ice cream shops? Then I would recommend The Sugar Bowl in Down Town Scottsdale. Step back in time into a pink ice cream parlor with a soda fountain and a huge menu full of ice cream treats. The Sugar Bowl offers pretty much anything that you can do with ice cream, including fantastic sparkling ice capades! In case you are wondering what a sparkling ice capade is, it's sherbert blended with sprite and the end result tastes like a push pop shake! The sugar bowl is almost always full of people, usually a blend of tourists and locals, but I have never had to wait to long to get a table. Also on the weekends they usually have a balloon artist walking around making whatever you please. I would recommend the balloon hats. So whether you are walking around the art galleries in Old Town Scottsdale or hitting up the nightlife for a fun detour try The Sugar Bowl!

    (4)

  • Rochelle R.

    Very throwback atmosphere; vintage ice cream parlor. Nice place to cool off; especially when it is 115 degrees outside!

    (4)

  • PC W.

    Good stuff. I had the banana split with creamy vanilla ice cream covered with chocolate marshmallow sauce and crushed almonds. The inside was more 1950's than I was imagining...way too much pink.

    (3)

  • Kristin C.

    My Grandma used to take me here as a kid when she wanted to do something more "special" than Swensen's or Farrell's (anyone else remember them?). In my childhood memories all that I vividly remembered was pink, more pink and they served huge things of ice cream. When deciding where to take a very special 10 year old girl for her birthday with her "grown-up friends", I figured that was a great place. 3 adults, only I had been there before and that was as a kid, and a kid. We got there early, asked what they could do for birthdays and they will put a candle in their desert and bring it over. I LOVED that they would do a little something without obnoxious clapping or loud singing. Atmosphere: Childhood memories were correct. It's pink. Not quite as pink as I remembered, but the 10yr old loved the pink booths and walls. Perfect. Has some tight areas for seating if they were packed, but we didn't have any trouble hearing each other. And yea - this place was popular w/ the over 60 crowd. Then again - this place has been in business for 48 years so I'll just think of them as "the regulars". Menu: Their menu folds out to be 4 long pages. Only the first one is "food" the rest is "sweets". Mmmm... Our table tried their soup, Chicken sandwich, Bacon Burger and Patty melt. While several folks were disappointed that they didn't serve fries, the potato salad was pretty good. We all agreed that the food was quite good for the price and while not as large portions as you might get other places - it left just enough room for ice cream. Perfect planning. My friend was very impressed with the chicken sandwich. She said it was one of the most moist and juicy pieces of chicken she'd had in a long time. And while none of us got them - they have a pretty large (and retro) section of Light and low calorie food. Tea sandwiches, cottage cheese with fruit, their "famous" nut bread w/ butter or cream cheese and pineapple, and so many other fun selections that I'm SURE my Grandma ate when we used to go there long ago. It's pretty hard to screw up ice cream - let's be honest. We all decided to go with one of their specials vs. trying to put together something ourselves. Our table got their Buster brownie (Warm brownie on cloud of Marshmallow cream topped w/ vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.), the Sugar Bowl Banana split (Scoop of chocolate, scoop of strawberry, banana and I think strawberry and caramel syrups w/ whip cream), and the 26 Skidoo (Layered in a narrow glass from bottom up - chocolate sauce, coffee ice cream, coffee syrup w almonds, chocolate ice cream, whipped cream). The 10 year old dug into hers with the usual 10 year old fervor, but even more so once she'd had a bite. Mom said next time they will NOT be sharing! The table agreed that their chocolate ice cream was amazing all by itself. A great dutch chocolate flavor vs. trying to be fudgy sweet. Hardly a word was said by the banana split girl. She was quite focused on the plate in front of her. When we looked at her she would just nod and make an "Mmmm Hmmm" which we understood as "Yes, this really is that good and no I'm not going to stop to tell you about it" Service: They remembered, an hour and a half later, to bring out the candle in the desert without having to be reminded. They put up with the 10 year old's questions and having to repeat the answers several times - all with a smile. They happily took the substitutions we requested. And while we were took up a table for almost 3 hours (She eats slow) they never once made us feel rushed. End result? We all had a great time. We've decided that we will definitely find fun reasons to go back - with or without the kid as an excuse. We all found tons of things we'd love to try - or maybe even eat again. My suggestion - take a child because ice cream is always better though a their eyes or even better - take your Grandma, because at any age there is absolutely nothing better than ice cream with Grandma.

    (4)

  • Georgia R.

    Now that it's getting hot again, it's time to start thinking of ways to cool off. Sugar Bowl is definitely an option. Sugar Bowl is a cute, pink ice cream parlor that serves up great ice cream, sundaes, shakes and everything in between. They also serve lunch, but I recommend eating somewhere else and coming here only for dessert. Their food is okay, they have the basic sandwiches, salads and soups, but it's their ice cream that is really good. And you can always check out the nearby galleries and shops after to help burn off some of those calories you consumed while you were here.

    (4)

  • A C.

    Ice Cream Parlour. This is one awesome place to get your old fashion Ice Cream. The place has been around since the 1940's. Has one long service counter. Decorations from years past. Comic Strips with the Sugar Bowl on the strips. Has everything; Cones, Sundaes, Fountain Drinks, Shakes, Malts and a bit of food too. Must have the flavor of the month. March is Peanut Butter Cup.... mmmm mmmm good. Enjoy a Scoop or two today !

    (5)

  • Kim R.

    Everytime I go to Scottsdale This Icecream spot is a must..Old fashioned Ice cream spot a cool place to duck in from the heat and you also get to check outthe family circus comic strips By artist Bill Keane Cute...

    (5)

  • David B.

    "This is a great place for ice cream and a general fantastic place for lunch. They have some pretty good sandwiches and salads if you are in the mood for lunch. But the sandwiches are kind of small. The place also has a bunch of the "Family Circus" cartoons on the wall and write in the Sugar Bowl into the cartoons. It's interesting. They have sundaes, cones, banana splits, and their own original concoctions. It's a great place for some dessert or for a whole meal. There was a lot of pink though and I just wasn't feeling that."

    (4)

  • Lillian H.

    Love the ice, love the prices even more. Ambience - well get ready to be transported to Save by the bell years.

    (4)

  • Cheryl B.

    Sarah was our server, sweet as the dessert on their menu & took good care of all 5 of us! Sugar bowl reminds me of the old fashioned ice cream parlors I've only seen on black and white tv. They have burgers & sandwiches, not just dessert as I had imagined driving by all these years.Of course this girl had dessert, the Desireme Banana Split, yes still living in sweats and pajama jeans or Thanksgiving pants as our server coined them! Worth it, right down to the last drop of marshmellow sauce!!! There unfortunately was an issue with my Patty melt, I'm not one to complain but the thing was still mooing, they were swift to correct the issue(at no charge)and exchanged it for a quieter, more cooked version! We all enjoyed dessert, dinner & even games in their arcade, it was a fabulous family night out!

    (4)

  • Jordan H.

    Had your typical scoop of ice cream on a cone - it was delicious! They are very generous with their scoops and have friendly service!

    (4)

  • Matthew C.

    Gotta try the Soda's. I had a great black raspberry soda with Dutch chocolate ice cream. Really an OMG Experience!

    (4)

  • Jacqueline M.

    I usually love this place. It's been a great little spot of good dessert after a meal up in old town. But after doing much research and reading the other reviews, I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. The fact that multiple people have said they have encountered cockroaches at this establishment, no way Jose for me.

    (2)

  • Ramya M.

    I used their restrooms for the first time last week, and, my love affair with Sugar Bowl ended long before I finished what clearly was my last bowl of their banana split. NOTHING can make me go back to an establishment that unabashedly displays their lack of concern for hygiene.

    (2)

  • Gene T.

    The place has an old time feel with the historic references to the Family Circus comic strip. We brought in-laws here from out of state. They enjoyed the ambiance and the novelty sundaes. You could tell this, as well as the rest of old town Scottsdale is a tourist trap. It was easy to tell the locals from the tourists as a dust storm blew in. The place practically cleared out with cameras clicking and videos rolling to capture this common local event. At some point they filtered back in to finish their half melted ice cream treats. I have to say as a local I will only return with out of towners who appreciate the novelty of the place. It is just your average ice cream shop.

    (3)

  • Sara E.

    If you have out of town guests visiting, they might enjoy stopping by the Sugar Bowl for a dessert after eating in Old Town. This place is your classic old school ice cream shop. The sundaes were large enough to split. Get the brownie buster... A rich, warm brownie topped with creamy vanilla and hot fudge...only $5.50!

    (3)

  • Mary M.

    This place was such a throwback, I loved it! The interior atmosphere was adorable, I felt like a little kid! Cute mural paintings too...I'm from Rhode Island where we take ice cream very seriously all year (despite temperatures a third of Scottsdale's) and this was good stuff. Wish they had more flavors though; the menu is expansive but in terms of actual ice cream and sauce flavor choices I was underwhelmed. That said, the hot fudge was amazing and a must!! Get the larger size sundae (I think it's called paradise? Apt, that.) because reasons. Finally: leave the cash tip at the table and then you pay at a counter on your way out, kind of like Denny's (I think. Is that a Denny's thing?) We only knew to do this from watching the couple at the next table over and our waitress not coming back with a bill- kinda confusing.

    (4)

  • Julia W.

    I came here after driving by and seeing the cute decor outside. It was after dinner & I wasn't super hungry but had thought it was a quick ice cream spot. Boy, was I wrong! We were seated and I loved all the pink decor. It definitely felt like a 50's ice cream parlor. They had plenty of menu items & I decided to go with a brownie ala mode with a scoop with chocolate chip. A little disappointed as they were out of Cookies & Cream and Chocolate Chip Mint (two of my faves). Not sure if they had a sudden rush of orders on those flavors or just didn't have enough in stock. Friendly staff and everyone seemed like a local who came there often.

    (4)

  • Lauren L.

    Our server was really friendly and made small talk with our group, and the ice cream was definitely a plus since its extremely hot outside (even at night). Not much to say from a tourist except that it's a really cute place to go. I would recommend going here, and I'm not even the type of person that likes to leave the house.

    (4)

  • Chelsie E.

    This is one of my favorite places to visit. I first visited with my grandma when I was a little kid. The staff is always friendly and fast. I've never eaten food here, but the ice cream menu is expansive and delicious. They even have an arcade for kiddos.

    (5)

  • Enid P.

    Terrible service. Mediocre food. We literally spent 2.5 hours here just trying to have lunch. It became a case of weighing how much time we had already invested vs. 'should we just get up and leave.' We should have left. By the time we were done, most of the nearby shops had closed. I don't know what took so long, as the sandwiches were on par with something a 5-year-old could have slapped together -- white bread, mayo, luncheon meat, iceberg lettuce. Our waitress failed to bring salad dressing after two requests, so I went up front to get it myself. A bus girl said she would bring it. When she failed to, I went up front yet again and this time waited for her to bring it out of the kitchen. This experience has taught me to always check the yelp review first, not an hour into a bewilderingly bad experience.

    (1)

  • Steven N.

    Great water. Food was something I would have made in college for myself. After 30m+ of waiting I considered ghosting...should have.

    (1)

  • Adam B.

    This is just classic Old Town... The quality of ice cream and toppings you get are great. The prices are just about right too. The service could be better. But overall, I've always loved my experiences at the Sugar Bowl.

    (4)

  • Amanda B.

    Oh, Sugar Bowl. I die in a sundae of cuteness. I am looking beyond your worn pink leather seats and peeling wallpaper to see the Zoe Deschanel-like adorableness beneath. Could you use a day at the spa? Yes. What lady doesn't from time to time? I sure hope you get one soon. My friends and I had walked around Old Town for a couple of hours and it was time for a birthday treat (yes, it was my friend's birthday!). Since I was hot from walking, I stuck with what first caught my eye: the Golden Nugget. This concoction is orange sherbet, vanilla ice cream and Sprite all whipped up. YES. It was refreshing and just enough sweet. One friend got a root beer float and the birthday girl had a brownie sundae both of which were declared delicious. The menu seemingly has not changed since the place opened in 1959 (ham salad?) but the food ordered by our neighbors smelled good and was reminiscent of your typical diner fare. Sugar Bowl, you need a little fixing up. I'm not saying you need to change, because gosh, you're cute. But just, you know, a little updating. A little nip and tuck, that's all. Keep it fresh. The young cynical youth will appreciate you a bit more.

    (4)

  • Rachel R.

    The event seems as if passed in another lifetime, yet simultaneously, I recall it as if it were only but a moment ago. Clear as ever, it haunts my reverie and dashes my tourist-y vintage soda shop dreams to smithereens... nothing more than ancient affections, now turned to dust. What could possibly tarnish my fond childhood recollections of the Sugar Bowl? Him. He sat there, idle, fondling a morsel of something. Suddenly, he was off... advancing towards the counter at lightning speed, straight towards my prized possession. He approached it without hesitation, and before I knew it, a cockroach had crawled up my sundae. 'Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.... save for when you unknowingly loved something infested with cockroaches. Then, it becomes debatable.

    (2)

  • Joe O.

    The Buster Brownie, a brownie with a scoop of ice cream on top, was out of this world. The atmosphere is fun and inviting fusing pink into nearly every aspect of the place. A great place to bring a date.

    (4)

  • Janet M.

    I grew up in Phoenix and my daddy took me to the Sugar Bowl for ice cream every few months or so, for years starting about age 5 when we first moved there and lived in a motel down the street for a while until we found a house. I loved pink as a girl and this place had that, in spades. I liked hot fudge sundaes. Dad used to say it wasn't as good at Mary Coyle's ( I don't know how to spell that) which closed for a while in the 70's I think,and then came back "wrong" ( like Buffy) , but it was a good runner up. I didn't care, it was ice cream, and it was good. Ice cream in Arizona is ESPECIALLY good. It's freaking hot there all the time, which makes you appreciate cold yumminess even more. Maybe it's a little outdated, but it's still sweet.

    (3)

  • Tina T.

    We love the ice cream here, but can only split something between myself, my husband and my daughter - it's too rich and big. We had an entertainment coupon for "buy a menu item, get a menu item free" so this time my daughter and I decided to split a grilled cheese and a sundae. In the past I've tried their food and haven't found anything I like other than their banana bread but this time was different. We ordered the swiss cheese version of the sandwich and their Desireme Banana Split (bananas, vanilla ic with choc sauce, strawberry ic with strawberries, whip and a cherry). They brought out 2 plates of 1/2 sandwich, chips and a pickle - thoughtful touch. The sandwich was crisp and golden, melty cheese stringing from each yummy bite (but then again it's just bread and cheese grilled). The split was scrumptious, creamy, rich and perfect to share. My daughter had the all-too familiar "sugar-drunk" glaze to her eyes and said "Thanks mom, that was delicious!" The bill was only $7 something, so we left a nice tip. The wait staff was really friendly. The interior looked upgraded a bit on this visit. The place was filled with older couples sipping old tyme soda floats or malts and holding hands - very nostalgic and romantic (OK, there were 2 but that seems like a lot). FUN!

    (3)

  • Travis B.

    dairy does not agree with my belly, but sometimes i just have to "man-up" and "go for it" because "it is what it is". Cece G said it best....it is highly recommended to bring a friend and order 1 thing (unless it's just a scoop). otherwise, you will be jabbing yourself multiple times with an emergency diabetes pen. the ice cream servings are huge, and i couldn't finish my 2 scoops of almond praline and rocky road. although both were equally decadent and rich and oh so tasty. my wife had the mint chip with hot fudge and i'm not a big fan of mint ice cream, however, upon tasting hers, it was very, very tasty. my sis-in-law bested me and finished her 2 scoops, but now she is laid out on the couch in stretchy pants. a great place in old town...it epitomizes the vision of yesteryear when i'm sure scottsdale was a bit more romantic and innocent. i hope it stays around for many more "50 year" anniversaries.

    (5)

  • Amy P.

    Awesome desserts! Never tried the food! Why waste the room? Life's short, eat dessert first!

    (5)

  • Valentina R.

    This is my favorite ice cream place in the country. I live in Illinois and when I go visit Arizona, it's a must do. I loved it as a kid and I love it now! I recomend the strawberry ice cream shakes!

    (5)

  • Mary L.

    The charm and decor of an old time ice cream parlor with the horrible service of the present day. The silverwear was dirty and my ice cream was used with a dirty scooper, while else would cookies and cream have hints of praline flavor? Nevertheless, ice cream is ice cream and who doesn't love that?

    (3)

  • Mya T.

    A classic Scottsdale staple. Nothing has changed in decades and I love it that way.

    (4)

  • Reb K.

    The sugar bowl is a must see place.so adorable with the pink.my only critisism is that i think the arcade room cheapens the place.i know its for the kids but honestly e kids would come anyway for the icecream and the vibe why throw in a really cheap chuck e cheese arcade? Otherwise its an old school gem.

    (4)

  • Gigi L.

    Sugar bowl ice cream is yummy but what ice cream isn't? let's just say if one day I was craving ice cream, I wouldn't think of coming here specifically for theiiir tubs. Very average stuff.. similar to Breyers/ Dryers. What I diiid like was the price, their abundant seating area and location (=

    (3)

  • Mira S.

    Cute 50s-style shop, a little rundown, with friendly service and a convenient location. Ice cream was so-so, not super flavorful, not a delicious small-batch place like sweet rose in LA or humphry slocombe in SF. Attached to a little arcade area on one side.

    (3)

  • Carrie B.

    Desperate need of some TLC. Went here on a Tuesday afternoon. My mom had an egg salad sandwich and it was completely bland. I had a Reuben with I have no clue what was on top a salad? Coleslaw? Lettuce with mustard? There was minimal sauerkraut and Swiss cheese on the bottom and no 1000 island dressing. To say the least it was the saddest most pitiful Reuben I've had. My son had some oily bread with half melted cheese on it. Oh and the chips we all had.....I wonder if they are the ones from 1958...again we all almost chipped a tooth. Of course all the desserts were yummy. This is could be so cute as it once was however it needs one hell of a remodel. Especially the bathrooms and children's play center. It has such a great location in Scottsdale and lots of memories for families it's a shame to see that it's gone down hill. To the older gentlemen standing in the corner with his arms crossed with the white hair & glasses. Please stop being creepy standing there staring at everyone.....if you're a manager then manage or help our your staff. I will not be back. Please give the sugar bowl the love and attention it needs and deserves!!

    (1)

  • Daniel L.

    It's an ice cream parlor from the 50's which hasn't changed at all. Take that at face value, both in terms of the vibe of the place as well as the visible wear & tear on it. Family who live out there have confirmed that nothing much has changed through the years. I got a chocolate malt. It was absolutely a malt. Nothing special or noteworthy about it, but it wasn't bad at all. I wasn't asking for a revelation.

    (3)

  • pamela b.

    I just visited this place with my family yesterday. I can say that I actually regret going there based on reviews. I'm surprised that the star level is still so high. When we walked in, I immediately smelled "wet dirty mop". The decor idea is cute with all the pink, but I bet that placed hasn't been cleaned "literally" in about a few years. It's my fault that we just went ahead and ate there anyway. The floors were nasty and the furniture was real dirty. I have to include that the women's restroom was pretty disgusting too. The "arcade" was pretty lame and old. My kids still liked it though so I guess that's good. We ordered burgers and hotdogs. It was pretty bland. I felt obligated to try the sundaes since it was the Sugarbowl. The icecream was good, but nothing special. I was still surprised that they were packed. I'm still disappointed that our family dinner outing was wasted in that place. Never going back...gross....the servers were nice though and the fancy napkins they gave were cute. Don't say you weren't warned though.

    (1)

  • Sam A.

    I had a milk shake from here - delicious They get knocked down a peg because we sat at the counter for awhile and had no idea who was helping us - but they also were all working really hard back there!

    (4)

  • Elle M.

    I came here just for the touristy attraction of it all and a friend recommended it because their kids had good memories of it. We did it, and had a shake/scoop of sherbet and such and were done. It was just a 'been there done that' type of thing. It was tasty and good, nothing to write home about but something that the kids will remember. I did like the old 'Family Circus' cartoons on their menu, THAT brought back a lot of memores, RIP Bill Keane!

    (3)

  • Shovel S.

    The facility is pink as hell, I mean.. pink. Everything is pink. It will blow your frickin mind. Also they use a staggering number of adjectives in the menu. The treats are of course the star of the show and they shine - and if you get anything that says "swimming" in marshmallow creme, rest assured they deliver on that promise. So.. um.. I'm just gonna' say this: I like Mary Coyle's better. But Sugar Bowl is good too.

    (4)

  • Miss M.

    I wish I could say this place is still great, but it's far from what it used to be. I was raised here in the Valley, and have been to SB many times as a kid, and many as an adults. On my last 2 visits, I noticed just how far they've gone in not keeping this place up (especially on my last one). Their desserts are of course what they;re known for, but you;d think a basic sandwich wouldn;t be too hard to make either. But I've offically given up on their meals, as they regulalry use stale bread and what seems to be old ingredients. Stale bread was served to us on both of the last 2 visits (my young daughter pointed it out, and I agreed that it was far from what you'd expect). The bread wasn't toasted, so there's no excuse. My turkey was so dry (I laer ready a Health Dept. online inspection report stating that they admit to storing lefover meats for up to 3 days). 3 days isn;t terrible, but when you chareg nearly $10 for a sandwich, I wnat fresh meat and bread! But the real problem was teh... BUGS! Yes, tiny roaches or similar bugs (they almost looked like bed bugs) scurried out of the booth, from the crack between the back and seat portion of the booth. We saw one run out jut after we ordered our meals. We moved to another table (this time with chairs, and no booth!)... and guess what, we saw another one, this time slightly larger, scamper across the floor. GROSS!!! If they can't control the pests in the dining area, I'mscared to imagine what could be in the back/in the kitchen. That was my last visit to Sugar Bowl for my family.

    (2)

  • Michael H.

    Walking into the Sugar Bowl is like stepping back in time to my Grandparent's kitchen. I have never eaten anything here besides desserts, but, sweet sassy molassy, they make great ice cream sundaes! Satisfy your sweet tooth here.

    (5)

  • Tyler B.

    Amazing! Top 2 Sundaes- 1. Buster Brownie and 2. Dusty Road Sundae. You won't want anything else! :)

    (5)

  • Stephanie F.

    This place is adorable!! It's an old fashioned little ice cream parlor and they also have some food like sandwiches. The ice cream is excellent and it is the perfect place to stop in for a break and some ice cream while wandering around Old Town Scottsdale.

    (4)

  • Rebecca R.

    Yum yum yum. Why sit at a bar in Old Town Scottsdale when you could be sitting at the Sugar Bowl counter on a Saturday night? What? I'm a nerd? Yes, yes I am. But everything on the Sugar Bowl menu is amazingly delicious and tastes so fresh! One scoop of their ice cream is a HUGE amount, so when I want an "extra fancy" ice cream dish I grab a friend or two to split it with. I had the Desireme Banana Split last night and it was great, but very large. The whole place is covered in old fashioned pink stripe ice cream, pink booths, pink paintings, etc. The only downside is the bathroom, which is not pink, just dirty. Also, they don't give you napkins unless you ask and there aren't any on the tables, which seems kind of silly, for an ice cream joint.

    (5)

  • Jasmine H.

    I actually really do like this place. The ice-cream is oh-so-good, the workers...eh, could be a little friendlier. But hey, it gets pretty busy there so I can understand being a little weary after a long shift. The place was also a little dirty when I went in. Lot of kids and families, for sure a family environment with a nice arcade to boot. Keep your kids busy and your sweet tooth happy! Job well done, Sugar Bowl!

    (3)

  • Kelly E.

    When I was a little kid, a trip to Sugar Bowl was a huge treat! I revisited recently, and as an adult I have to admit I was a little heartbroken. The ice cream is still delicious, but the store is dumpier than I remember. Where I remembered a whimsical pink decor, everything just seems a little dirty now and less romantic. I have no complaints about the food, but overall it just did not seem worth the drive to Old Town, the parking hassles, and the price. Probably won't go back.

    (3)

  • Chris C.

    An old-fashioned Ice Cream place in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale? Sign me up. I'll be back. Lots and lots of pink on the inside, a long counter where you can sidle up and order if you don't want to wait and plenty of tables and booths if you don't mind waiting a couple minutes. Service: Service was a little slow given that we were only ordering ice cream sundaes and not hot food, but this was a very minor problem. Food: We came just for dessert and ordered a Top Hat Sundae (creampuff filled with ice cream and topped with hot fudge) and a Tin Roof Sudae (ice cream, hot fudge, and salted Spanish peanuts). Both were very good. The salty peanuts were a great addition to the sweetness in the ice cream. As for the Top Hat Sundae, the creampuff was good. Perhaps not right out of the oven, but still good.

    (4)

  • John Q.

    This is a charming classic American diner. We went to get ice cream and sat at the bar. The soda jerks worked furiously and enthusiastically to serve customers. Unfortunately, other members of the staff were none too interested in their jobs, including the ones who stood around chatting and ignored me at the register as I waited to pay. it's nothing fancy, but a decent place to stop for a classic feel and traditional scoop of ice cream. Based on the staff attitude outside of those at the bar, I suspect the table dining experience would not be as pleasant.

    (3)

  • Allyson C.

    The Sugar Bowl is more appealing on the outside along with history of the parlor than it truly is. With its vibrant, inner-child eliciting curb appeal, you have this strange desire to know what's going on inside and to satisfy your sweet tooth. My fiance and I have been here twice, and both times were just ok. It's pretty cool to know that the Sugar Bowl has been around in SCO for over 50 years, as this is a pretty young city, but the vibe hasn't changed much since the 50s and it could use a little updating. Don't get me wrong, I love a good charm/notalgia to a restaurant, but something about the SB has a weird, almost grimy vibe. They do serve 'real food' outside of sweets, but I've only had their ice cream combos. They are pretty generous in their portions, but you have to be careful as to what you order. The first time we went, I got some crazy sundae, and I was total regretsy. My fiance got a malt, and I wished I had ordered one. Our second visit, I ordered a vanilla malt, and my fiance ordered the Top Hat Sundae. He wished he has ordered the malt, ha. We did see other sundaes that looked way better than the two we tried, but it's hard to try a third sundae when the first two were just ok. And how do you screw up a sundae? By serving an old cream puff (the Top Hat), that is so dry you don't want to finish the fudgy ice cream. There isn't anything majorly wrong with the Sugar Bowl, but there isn't much of a wow factor either. Cool place to stop if you're walking around Old Town and need a break for something sweet. It's a once a year type place for me at best.

    (3)

  • Dian L.

    The Sugar Bowl is a Scottsdale tradition, a sort of ice cream parlor/dessert diner which, according to the Family Circus cartoons framed on the wall and the delicate pink chairs and plush pink round booths, is a place for daddy to take his little girl. The pink framed arcade in the back room has air hockey, skee-ball, and everything nice. I may be more Amelia Bedelia/Mary Poppins in age than Jane and Michael Banks, but I still go crazy for ice cream, as well as beautifully illustrated 60s influenced napkins and late 50s influenced parlors. The young dude that waited on my table was courteous and didn't respond to my super hard to read blandishment attempts (plus Scottsdale is stocked with titillating women to the average heterosexual man) or mind that I was the only one getting something. I tried the Mocha Chocolate shake which was rich, flavorful, and seemingly made with care or at least higher quality ice cream than the milk shake I'm used to. It was a worthy experience in Scottsdale, but it was not "fancy schmancy."

    (3)

  • Mindi C.

    I was very excited to try this place out so we went there for a special treat for my son's birthday. The food (burgers) was gross! Very gross. VERY gross! The server ignored my son (didn't even ask his drink order) and couldn't have cared less that it was his birthday! The staff looked a little tired and very bored. We didn't wait around to try and get ice cream. We weren't feeling good after lunch! The place is cute with all the pink but it could use a good deep cleaning. I love Family Circus cartoons. I was very disappointed.

    (1)

  • Diane B.

    I'm giving the Sugar Bowl four stars with a bit of reservation, but it's worth a visit if you're in the area (I've been twice). First of all, it's an old fashioned ice cream parlor, which is hard to find. The menu is reminiscent of ice cream parlors "back in the day." The grilled cheese sandwich is good...basic and good...served with potato chips and a pickle. Nothing fancy there, but good. The menu includes a variety of sandwiches and salads for "real food." The point of coming here, however, is for ice cream. A small sundae is sufficient given the richness of the ice cream and toppings, and it really hits the spot. They have a rather limited selection of ice cream flavors, but a pretty good selection of toppings. They also have a wide variety of pre-designed sundaes, but I know I wouldn't be able to finish them. The ice cream is really good as are the toppings, so definitely worth a visit!

    (4)

  • Sarah K.

    We came here to eat ice cream for my dads birthday since it's the only parlor in the area, the grandkids loved the arcade and the huge portions. Since the main attraction is the ice cream naturally its pricier... The pink chairs and booths are cute and add nicely to the ambiance without taking over to make guys uncomfortable lol!

    (4)

  • Hilary B.

    We ordered two milkshakes and it took over 20 minutes. Service was not good. First and only time coming here

    (1)

  • Grant S.

    OK, this is a tough one for me...It is exactly how imagined it the first time I walked inside appearance wise. All was well until I started looking at the lunch menu and just kind of found it weird. I think it just really bugged me that they didn't have French Fries and the Burger I got was mediocre. I would give this place a 5 star rating for sure if all they served was dessert, but that's just not the case. Desserts are awesome, every single one of them!!! Overall, not that impressed at all but you have to appreciate that "old fashioned diner" feel!

    (3)

  • Cameron K.

    Neat diner - really one of a kind in Phoenix I've been to the Sugar Bowl a few times. It's a fun place for the family, good burgers, GREAT ice cream, a good place for lunch or to take your kids.

    (4)

  • Andre E.

    I was in search of yet another ice cream locale for my weekly Friday night sweet fix when i discovered this establishment as i was driving through Old Town Scottsdale. Now i had heard this was an old school ice cream parlor with a nice family atmosphere and great service. All these things i found to be true....but the ice cream was another matter all together. I thought they made their own...but i was sadly mistaken. Now while the ice cream was not bad because i had a very delicious banana split sundae...i just want fresh made ice cream. Despite all of that it was a very decent place and i would recommend it to those who aren't picky about there ice cream...i just am. Eat, Drink and be Merry my Friends!!!!

    (3)

  • Heather C.

    Masterfully created artisan ice creams made in small batches from only the freshest, local ingredients...you won't find that at Sugar Bowl. If that's what you're looking for, head to Sweet Republic. Those gals are the masters of ice cream. But sometimes I want a simple sundae...or a Spectacular Banana Bowl in my case (chocolate ice cream with marshmallow topping, vanilla with strawberry, and cookies & cream with chocolate syrup) made with perfectly good ice cream, and all that for only $7.50. That's when you'll find me in my own neighborhood at Sugar Bowl. Stopping in last weekend, their power was out, but since it wasn't too warm outside, we stayed anyway. And guess what? The lack of an air conditioner running in the background and no fluorescent lighting was kind of appropriate for this little old school ice cream parlor. It reminded me of a time when ice cream was just ice cream. No vegetables or pork products involved. No liqueurs (unless your dad was drinking a beer while you ate your sundae). No over analyzing the texture, sweetness, creaminess. Just ice cream. Of course there's not a scoop for a dime to be found either, but a scoop for $1.95 is on the menu. I also found it entertaining while my husband ran across the street to the ATM, that someone finally found the credit card imprinter, and depressing that the cashier did not know what it was or how to use it. Times have changed.

    (4)

  • Brett R.

    The place is dirty, the staff is unfriendly, and the food is pretty poor. I had the hot dog and my wife had a grilled cheese. Nothing special especially for $12. We didn't have ice cream so that may be good by the place itself is nothing special

    (2)

  • Annie c.

    Cute old fashioned ice cream parlor. seemed to have a lot of regulars. we were just there to get a banana split which was very good enjoyed the family circus cartoons

    (3)

  • Jessica H.

    I'm so glad I saved room for dessert while walking around Old Town. Sugar Bowl looked like an old soda shoppe. There were clips of Family Circus in their menus and autographed copies on the walls and at the cashier station. I didn't try the food, I came in strickly for some sugary goodness. I went with the desire me banana split, and let me tell you- It will not dissapoint. Strawberry and vanilla ice creams, sliced banana and strawberries, whipped cream and a cherry. Yum!! There's also an arcade attached to the restaurant, it looked like it had tables as well, so it'd be great for visiting with kids.

    (4)

  • Carrie E.

    Love this place !!! Always fun ! Great place to take kids !! I will be back !!! :))

    (5)

  • Keith B.

    Nice Atmosphere, Normal Sundaes The Sugar Bowl is a Scottsdale institution. The ice cream sundaes were good, but nothing spectacular. What makes the place special is the style of it, evoking your typical 1950's ice cream parlor. Service could be a lot more efficient and it would be nice if they didn't run out of important staples. But nice overall.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

  • Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No

Sugar Bowl

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