Great ice cream stop with nostalgic feels! If you looking to satisfy the sweet tooth in between errands, driving through the dreadful Route 210 rush hour, or just looking to put the world on pause for a minute....and treat yourself....this place is it! Hovermale's, located off the Route 210 Highway and Palmer road has been throwback staple and stop for decades. It is a small family owned ice cream shop that keeps things simple and oh!....did I say soooo good. Just pulling up to the place takes you back in time. They offer your standard cream cone and try tested in through favorites, such as ice cream sundaes floats, ice cream cake cups, and banana splits. The base flavors tend to be vanilla, chocolate, and/or swirled. What makes this place special is how they take your standard ice cream flavors and load them with lots of great toppings, such as pineapple, butterscotch, cherry, strawberry, hot fudge, marshmallow and my favorite.....caramel & pecans! They also serve sandwiches like hotdogs, chili-dogs and half smokes. My go to is the chocolate-vanilla swirl cone! You can always go with single flavors served on a cone or in a cup. But...I mean, who doesn't get down the swirl?!! lol. Not to mention, the portion sizes are huge and worth the price point. I tend to order a small or medium swirl ice cream cone and it comes out looking like I just ordered a pint of ice cream on a cone....see pics. But, who's complaining ....certainly not me! lol In all, you can't go wrong making it stop here. Hovermale's is one of those places that take you back into a moment of time when things were much simpler and laid back. It ones of those places as I mentioned before that's a great stop to make for yourself or family.....and put the world on pause for a minute while enjoying a cool treat....untethered, unwired, and unbothered. Just bliss! For those not local, this is a very small location with service via the window, standing room, and no bathrooms. Parking is limited and confined to a parking lot at their location where will find folks sitting in their cars, enjoying ice cream. There is no street or side road parking. Also, don't get scared off by the line (if there is one); it moves quickly! :-) I highly recommend a stop at this nostalgic treasure, in the Fort Washington, MD area. You will not be disappointed. read more

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Please excuse my half eaten ice cream cone!! I visited again and this time, tried the dipped chocolate ice cream and the marshmallow sundae! Their food still tastes good, still rich, and overall flavorful. However, the ice cream tasted less sweet than last time. Customer service is still good. Parking is still overall easy. Overall, I'd recommend! read more

Hovermale's Tastes Best - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

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Hey friends! Summer is here! I'm on the hunt for locally-owned tasty ice cream spots. I ordered a chilli dog and a vanilla shake. The chilli dog was decent, it lacked flavor. The milkshake was nothing to rave about very average. I was disappointed as I thought a place with so much history would've served delicacies. I've heard from other locals that unfortunately the quality has declined over the years. +CASH ONLY! +Plenty free parking. +No indoor or outdoor seating. +Customer service was okay. +Prices are very cheap. read more

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Quick and convenient ice cream stand. Lots of rules listed on the window. People come from all over for this ice cream. Soft serve is the same everywhere for me. The flavors didn't overwhelm me. I could come back, but I don't have to. read more

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Best ice cream in the DMV! They are super friendly and you can chill by your car and enjoy your ice cream. There is a little grass area the kiddos can run around. read more

Best kept secret in Ft. Washington, MD. This is a cash only store specializing in homemade ice cream. They offer vanilla and chocolate flavor but also have a variety of sundaes and banana split or floats. Quick service and always a line specially when it is hot only. This store is only open in the summer so go and get your ice cream!!! read more

Hovermale's Tastes Best - Medium mixed chocolate and vanilla ice cream. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

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My friend and I plan meet ups for ice cream based on this spot. The upside down banana sundae is awesome and filling. They pile on the toppings my favorite was the fresh strawberries, bananas and the fresh ice cream. Hopefully they will put out chairs for seating. Service was great, the sundae was a delicious treat. read more

The best ice cream in the dmv, a big part of my childhood! They have the richest creamiest ice cream ever read more

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There is a staple ice cream spot in Ft. Washington M.D. that I've passed by for YEARS!! I don't know why I never stopped. Well today...I changed that!! I'm super late, I know, but LET'S GO!! . Where I am: Hovermales (no social media presence, or website) . Location Reviewed: 9011 Livingston Rd., Ft. Washington M.D. . Menu Includes: Soft Serve Ice Cream, Shakes, Malts, Floats, Sundaes, Halfsmoke sausages, & hot dogs. *CASH ONLY* . Items Reviewed: Their Dipped Cone (soft serve vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate, one size $3.16). STAMP!! You can't deny this cone on a hot day!! Their Upside Down Banana Split (soft serve vanilla ice cream with strawberries, pineapples, bananas, cream, & chocolate drizzle $7.31). STAMP!! When you get your the bottom of this cup...everything is there!! Their Halfsmoke (with mustard, & onions $4.20). DELICIOUS. A nice snap on this sausage with classic toppings. Their Root Beer Float (soft serve vanilla ice cream floating in root beer $6.13). DELICIOUS. The soda was a tad bit flat, & the ice cream didn't melt after a 45 min ride home!! . Customer Service: Decent. I feel a ways when you are not greeted, and you have to speak first. . Online Navigation: Easy. . Parking: DECENT. But I've seen this spot PACKED!! . Music: YouTube-Backyard Band 4-12-01 . Recommendations: Stick with the cones!! . Accessibility: It is wheelchair friendly, & it's differently abled persons friendly. =STAMP =LIKE THAT =DELICIOUS =DECENT =PASS =NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

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Y'all only take cash? That's kinda wild--it's 2026, everything's digital. Definitely a turnoff. I got off 210 craving some soft serve and a sweet treat, just to find out I needed cash... probably won't be stopping by again. And they were rude! so much so Ive left a review on every platform read more

Truly, a local gem! Open seasonally from around Memorial Day to the end of summer, Hovermale's Tastes Best is a small soft-serve ice cream stand just off the highway in Fort Washington, Maryland. Cash-only, there's a small parking lot. Order from a takeout window and in return you get a generous portion of soft-serve ice cream in vanilla, chocolate or swirl. They also sell milkshakes, floats, etc. The soft-serve is very good and worth a drive! read more

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Stopped by Hovermale's for some soft serve as I was in the area and found it to be just okay. Cash only and they offer three sizes in a cone. I thought the small was a good size, so I can't even imagine what the large would look like! I found the swirl to be similar in flavor and couldn't tell the difference between the chocolate and vanilla. In additional to soft serve in a cone, you can get it as a sundae or shake. They also serve "sandwiches" (hot dogs, chili dogs, cheese dogs, half smokes, and BBQ), as well as soft drinks. Be sure not to come on a Monday or after 8pm as they'll be closed. read more

Hovermale's Tastes Best - Small swirl in a cone - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

I'm not excited about the fact that they aren't open year round because I'm a total ice cream aficionado!! I have tried almost every brand of ice cream, frozen custard, gelato, sorbet..... you name it, if it's a frozen creamy treat I've at least tried it. It's my one food that I don't care how many calories it is. I'll just have to work out and get rid of the excess weight. I get the largest cone size, or a sundae, or whatever has the most ice cream in it. Rich, smooth texture, creamy and absolutely delicious!! If you're new try a dipped cone first and then work your way up. You won't be disappointed. read more

A Ft. Wash staple!!! I grew up coming here, wishing that it would be open all year long, but unfortunately it is not. Staff are always kind, cash is king here and nothing else will be accepted. I have always and will always get a chocolate dipped cone, because duh, they're thee best. The ice cream is soft, sweet and the chocolate has a perfect crunch for me. I will always return, because it just can't be beat. read more

Let's go back to the 1970's when we were young children. The simpler times of life. This place is it, this small place (CASH ONLY) is a true Landmark and go back down memory lane. The food, especially the ice cream is Top Notch, upside down *Banana Split*! The dogs are good also. The ice cream is so good BUT, it ain't sweet. Nothing but, good old fashioned ice cream. The service is great and this is service with a smile. It's a small place so, if you drive to fast you will miss it. It's across from the Shell station. The people who come are even nice. No one acting crazy which is another positive thing. Fresh clean air to breathe. read more

Hovermale's Tastes Best - The place & ah medium size mixed ice cream cone! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

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The upside down banana split is my favorite! I go at least once a year on my birthday as a treat to myself.

I agree with the person that indicated the ice cream was just okay. There wasn't any unique about it and it seems like many people come here for that nostalgic feel from when they were growing up. The prices are reasonable but when I thought about it, $5 for a large cone, I could have just bought a tub of ice cream from the store. I thought they would have toppings for the cone but from what I gather they don't have sprinkles so that was a bit of a let down. I do think the parking lot and the lawn area are great for hanging out while you eat your treats. It seems like instead of toppings they are most famous or their dipped cones and banana splits. I just wanted to try the ice cream in its basic form. It kind of tasted like a whipped custard or something whipped. It tasted like that yellowish ice cream you get in the store that comes in 5 gallon tubs, only more air was whipped into it. This place does give off the old ice cream shoppe type feel and I was glad to have been able to try the ice cream but it didn't blow my mind though. read more

Hovermale's Tastes Best - Large vanilla cone - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

Hovermale's Tastes Best is insanely yummy! One of my cherished summer traditions. Love the chocolate malts! read more

Hovermale's Tastes Best - Hovermale's chocolate malt. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

Maybe it's unfair that I rate their food. Seems like this is a place to get ice cream based off what I saw while I was there. Welp they served it, so I'm rating it!! Lol I got the chili cheese half smoke based off a page I follow, with mustard and onions of course. The half smoke had a good snap to it but the chili cheese was extremely bland!! Maybe if you want a hot dog with just ketchup/mustard it may work for you. But I will go back to try their ice cream. Oh, and it's cash only!! read more

Hovermale's Tastes Best - Chili and cheese half smoke w/ mustard and onions - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

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Amazing and delicious ice cream! Their malts are also amazingly rich and personally too big to finish for one person. This establishment is cash only, but extremely delicious, fast, and well worth it! Their hot dogs are perfect on a summer night and their ice cream is perfectly chill and airy. I'd compare the texture to a marshmallow the way it is whipped and almost fluffy. This place stands out to me for not being too sweet and highlights the fun of ice cream. The service was fast and I'll definitely return again. I wish they would have a social media page or a flyer outside the store to announce when they close for the season. read more

This place really took me back. I remember coming here as a young lad with my parents. This place has not changed much. It is an old school, nostalgic ice cream shop. They have a huge parking lot and in addition to their cones and sundaes, they have hot dogs, half smokes and barbecue sandwiches. I ordered a half smoke and an upside down banana split sundae. I have two issues with the place. First, they do not have anywhere to sit and eat your sandwich or treats. Not even a picnic table outside. Second, the place is cash only. I like the shop keeping up its nostalgia, but they can at least take credit/debit. Few people carry cash anymore. It was not a huge deal though, I just had to go to the ATM in the gas station across the street. It did not take long for them to have my food ready after I got back from the ATM. I would say less than 5 minutes. The half smoke was decent. It was kind of small, but decent. The sundae was pretty good. It has lots of banana and other toppings mixed in. IT was packaged to travel, but I found it odd that it was in a Solo Cup. Anyway, I enjoyed this walk down memory lane. It had been about 25 years since I had been here. They have some good treats at very reasonable prices. I recommend paying this place a visit. read more

If You like soft ice cream on a cone good sundaes and banana splits then this Maryland institution is right up Your alley! Plenty of parking good service and good ice cream. They only take cash though! Open11-8 read more

[Coronavirus review] This place was new to me, but it's been around a long time. Like 1950's long. You can look up pictures, and the building doesn't seem to have changed much. It's an outdoor takeout window, so operations haven't changed much during the pandemic, except for the social distancing tape to manage the lines. They are still cash only; with prices that look like bizarre numbers but with tax work out to a more even figure. As befits its retro vibe, the menu is quite straighforward, with vanilla and chocolate soft serve, a couple of shakes and sundaes, and some fast food. I got an "upside down banana split", which was a few pieces of banana, some preserved strawberries and pineapple, with ice cream and whipped cream on top. This place's name is unsubtle, but if I had to pick a plain vanilla soft serve that tasted the best, I'm not sure I'd pick against them. It was rich. For those wanting to avoid dairy or looking for more flavors or creative options, this isn't the place. But if you like what they're offering and still carry cash money, stop on by. read more

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The best ice cream in the area! I've tried other creameries and they do not compare to Hovermale's!

Me and my families favorite ice cream place of all time. Soft serve is so good and creamy!

Great ice cream sundaes!! I have been coming here 40 years and they are still the best I've had.

My family and I have been coming here for the past 10 years and they never miss! Ice cream is always delicious as well as their food! Perfect place to bring the kiddos n grab yummy ice cream on a hot summer day!! read more

When I drove by this place, I wanted to try this place really bad. My friend wanted to get an ice cream from Van Leeuwen but I instead to go here. TBH the vanilla soft serve was just ok but you cannot let these types of business go. This is a landmark of this neighborhood. So protect it by buying the soft serve in the summer time. Cheers, Maryland! read more

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This ice cream store is so good you can get a hotdog and a mixer ice cream cone nice for kids and parent bonding time

I stopped by for a swirl cone. It was tasty, reasonably priced, and service was quick and friendly. I will definitely return. read more

Hovermale's Tastes Best - Swirl ice cream cone. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Fort Washington, Maryland

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Great ice cream and half smokes. Quick and convenient service. This place will remind you of something from your childhood.

Although this place looks old and outdated, don't judge it by its looks. Probably the best ice cream I've ever had. Something about it just sticks out. It's not artificial, not too sweet, just...perfect. Not too much vanilla bean flavor too. My go to ice creams would be the chocolate vanilla swirl, or vanilla ice cream with chocolate covered. You just gotta try it yourself! read more

Absolutely the best soft serve in the DMV. Very reasonably priced. A great value, if you haven't tried Hovermale's you really should.

Great ice cream place! Recommend if you are soft serve lover ! Inside down banana split must try !

The service is great, the workers are polite and the atmosphere is nice, the ice cream is delicious, I highly recommend if you're in the area to give them a try. Take cash as of now they do not take credit cards. Enjoy! read more

The best ice cream in fort Washington! That's all this review needs lol. The ice cream is fresh! They move really fast with the orders. The outside area is always kept clean. Please, check them out if you're looking for some fresh and delicious ice cream! read more

They get 2 stars for customer service. The ice cream was not cold. I was so confused. It didn't melt.

The best ice cream in the world. Hovermales is a tiny little hut with the best soft serve ice cream, quick service, and fair prices. They only accept cash!!! read more

Hovermale's is a staple in Fort Washington, MD. The custard style ice cream is delightful and does not disappoint.

Hovermale's has the best ice cream! It is hard to not stop to get a cone when driving that way off 210.