Solid, solid ice cream located RIGHT ON the highway. After hitting up the beach on a Saturday afternoon, the sweltering, hot temps called for us to go grab some sweeeet ol' ice cream and, fortunately, Polar Bear was only a few minutes from the beach that we were coming from. We arrived at around 3:30 PM and there was barely a soul here, although there were customers puling off the highway every once in a while to make a purchase. Polar Bear is a strictly outdoor ice cream establishment, meaning they have a few benches to their side, but there is no indoor seating area for customers. The ice cream shop has pictures of ice cream and multiple menus plastered everywhere on their windows, so it's a bit overwhelming when you walk up to them, but they basically serve hard ice cream, soft serve, sundaes, shakes and Italian ices. If you're lost and not sure of what to order, feel free to ask them what their best selling flavors are (LIKE THE DEER IN HEADLIGHTS THAT WE WERE). They told us that their most popular ice creams were the hard Black Raspberry and Banana soft serve, so we ordered each on a small cone to themselves. Verdict??? Personally, I liked the Banana soft serve more. It DEFINITELY was banana, based on the taste, and it was very refreshing. Honestly, I'm not a huge banana ice cream fan, but this was really good. As for the Black Raspberry, it was solid, but I felt that it needed to be jussssst a tad sweeter because I didn't think I could taste it all that well. I will say that the serving sizes of the ice creams were huuuuuge, so it was nice to feel like we got our money's worth on the small cones. Also, if you've got kids with you (like us), you can ask for a free cone to split some of the ice cream onto multiple cones, which we do alll of the time everywhere. Definitely a nice little ice cream shop and I love that it's located right off the highway on State Route 36, so if you're traveling in the area, you don't have to go far because all you have to do is literally pull over and park. read more

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This spot is great and as a lot of classic options with new flavors. I had a waffle cone with coconut chocolate and caramel. SO GOOD. perfect when you're leaving the beach or before you get to the beach. It's a chill spot, the front of the space is in direct sun, however behind the building is where the shade is and you'll see people eating their ice cream in the back. Service was great, honestly we thought we were going to pay a lot more and ended up just giving extra tip. Highly recommend this spot. read more

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Your kids won't mind interrupting the drive to Sandy Hook with a detour-and you're happy to stop, as the 'are we there yet's?' are driving you nuts. Good quality, not expensive, ez on and off too. read more

Visited Polar Bear Ice Cream in Middletown. Ice cream was so good! I asked for Lemon Ice with Vanilla Soft serve in a cup. Loved it! We also ordered Strawberry Ice Cream. Creamy. Delightful! read more

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I'll preface this with two things: I believe it's hard for ice cream to be bad and I've been coming here since I was a kid. I prefer soft serve here and their homemade soft serves are always incredible. Pros: prices are reasonable, portions are LARGE, and the owner is a retired firefighter that is always incredibly friendly when present! I also always find the servers to be friendly as well. Cons: cash only (although I expect this from ice cream shops.) The location for this ice cream shop isn't ideal- it's right on the side of the highway / near a bus parking lot for lack of better terms. They also use welsh farms for their hard ice cream, so I typically stick to soft serve here. Overall, this is a great spot to bring the family and usually has a line (which to me is always a good sign of quality.) read more

Polar Bear Ice Cream - Medium swirl with hard chocolate shell and sprinkles - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Middletown, New Jersey

One of my favorite ice cream places in Jersey. Never fails always taste great no matter what I guess. Customer service is always super friendly and the location of the shop is super convenient when driving. Also, the prices are great ! So many different options of ice cream cream, Flav This place is cash only so be aware but definitely would recommend if you want some good ice cream, gelato and Sundays! read more

Polar Bear Ice Cream - Gelato with Swedish fish Italian ice, and vanilla ice cream! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Middletown, New Jersey

The BEST ice cream in the area!! There is always a steady line here and that's how you know it's a good spot. Prices are great & you can get a heaping of ice cream for $5 or less. My favorites are the Campfire Smores, Cookies & Cream & the sundaes. ***CASH ONLY*** read more

This place might not look like much when you drive by and is kind of set back off of the highway so easy to pass, it's in the same parking lot as a bunch of large yellow school buses for those trying to find it. When I say it's so tasty and the prices you cannot beat, i mean it ! Their small sundae and blizzard type of treats are the size of large at the chain ice cream places and for half the price. They layer their sundaes and don't just throw the toppings on top like most places making it an enjoyable bite. They have interesting flavors too...I suggest their s'mores hard ice cream and their soft serve banana ice cream as well. I ate it so fast I forgot to take a picture but I will be back and update with some photos as well :) read more

Polar Bear Ice Cream - This is the size of their sundaes...gigantic and so tasty! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Middletown, New Jersey

Not the best, but not the worst ice cream. Cash only. The service is a bit curt. That Jersey Shore vibe is missing. Not too many places to sit down. Selection is fairly minimal. Bus fumes ruin the experience. Drive further down. You will find better options. read more

Had a craving for ice cream on my way back from the beach today, so I stopped here. Wow, it was delicious. I tried the s'mores flavor, which has chocolate chips and (I think) bits of brownie. I got a "small" cup that was more like a large for only $4.00. And the guy working there was very nice too. I think there are two polar bear places on rt 36. I went to the southbound one--not sure if I'm reviewing the right one. :) read more

I love their pineapple soft ice cream. I discovered it last year when returning from the beach at Sandy Hook and I am hooked. Great staff. Keep in mind that it is CADH ONLY, but there is an ATM on the premises. read more

One of the best ice cream spots in Middletown!!! They have never disappointed me!!!! Not to mention they are very friendly.

fabulous straightforward ice cream place where you can park and get a generous amount of italian ices or ice cream to cool you off on hot summer days! read more

Thank goodness I don't live very close to this ice cream parlor because I would be there every day. Six of us took a tour and decided to try the ice cream when we were done four of them had the black raspberry ice cream with black with chocolate chunks and I fudge over the top, it was delicious. I've tried the lemon bar with caramel. It was so good I've gone back twice. The owner and staff are extremely friendly. They explain everything and everything was wonderful. read more

We have been coming here forever. Went to stop by on Fathers Day but we were too late. They were closed ... or so we thought. The owner was gracious enough to open back up and did not disappoint. Great guy, great place, great ice cream. read more

Polar Bear Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Middletown, New Jersey

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I loved the lemon bar flavor! I can't wait to come back here again and try other flavors. Be sure to bring cash because they don't accept cards read more

I passed this ice cream shop many times, but I never thought of stopping by to try it because it looks really run down on the outside. Last Friday, I decided to try it since it always looks busy so that's a good sign. When I walked up close I saw on the windows that they are selling Welsh Farms hard ice cream so I was disappointed. Since you can now by a pint of Welsh Farms ice cream at the Dollar Store. At least sell premium ice cream such as Gifford's. When it was my turn I asked the girl at the counter if they made any homemade ice cream. She told me all the hard ice cream was made by Welsh Farms, and the chocolate and vanilla soft serve was made by them as well. She then told me that they do make 4 rotating flavors of soft serve homemade. I asked for a sample of the banana homemade soft serve, and it was delicious!!! Their homemade soft serve is definitely worth coming here for! I then asked the girl for a large cup of banana soft serve topped with peanut butter with Reese's cups. Unfortunately, she topped mine with Reese's Pieces which I don't like on top of my ice cream. I then said to her I didn't ask for Reese's Pieces. I said Reese's cups topping. She then said to me oh I'll give you a couple on the side. I thought that was ridiculous, and she should of made me a new one as I don't like Reese's Pieces topping on my ice cream. Anyways, I ended up paying for it because the girl was really rude, and I didn't want to argue. I took out the Reese's Pieces out with my hand in my car as many as I could. I then ate the delicious homemade banana soft serve. Then I got to the peanut butter which I asked for, and it tasted awful! It didn't even taste like peanut butter! It was some type of liquid brown stuff and flat out gross! On top of that it made my stomach upset later on. The only reason I ate it was because the banana soft serve was so good that I wanted to pass the so called peanut butter and enjoy the banana soft serve. I highly recommend coming here for their 4 rotating homemade soft serve flavors, but I don't see the point in coming for the Welsh Farms hard ice cream they sell. Also definitely skip the so called peanut butter topping! read more

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This was my first time coming here in person . I ordered a black and white milk shake, soft serve and two chipwiches . Sorry I don't have a pic of that because my kids decided to scatter after they got their items. The chipwiches were actually pretty decent my hubby and daughter enjoyed it . My older daughter got a soft serve twist she was made she didn't get a bigger size. My milk shake was pretty good not too thick and not to thin. Prices are somewhat pricey for what I got $16 . This place gets really busy later at night especially in the warmer months. Make sure you have cash !! read more

I have been coming here since you were the other place (I am that old) even have siblings who worked here when it was the cub. But one thing hasn't changed, the ice cream is still great! I still stop in when I can as I live out of state and my kids love to order the great sundaes on the menu when we do. Milkshakes seem to be a favorite of mine...I recommend the Chocolate Chip Mint! Might I suggest taking Credit Cards now? read more

Good soft serve, better than DQ and Carvel. Cones are the same ones you get from Mr. Softie.

After a morning at the beach, this was the perfect treat for the kids and us would totally recommend

RT 36 winds it way along the Bayshore bring the masses to the North Jersey Shore. I have travelled this road many times especially when I live in Atlantic Highlands. I have passed Polar Bear Ice Cream stand multiple times and always wanted give it a try. There is something interesting about an old Ice Cream stand that is situated in the unpaved parking lot of a school bus company. After all of these years I have finally given it a chance. Polar Bear Ice Cream stand brings back memories of vacations with my parents. This is definitely not chain and I suspect that the owner is the person who has waited on me the two times I have been there. Lots of selections and the windows are covered with hand written signs suggesting sundaes or ice cream flavors. I have ordered the homemade soft serve banana ice cream in a waffle cone the both times I have been there. Definitely worth the try. There are benches along both sides of the building but this is pure and simple a highway stand. read more

We all love this local landmark. Open late the prices are great when you want a treat its worth the wait.

I'm leaving this review because I'm dying for a ice cream right now and you guys are closed. I have lived in this area forever and polar bear is always packed to the gills with happy customers. There ice cream is the best compared to others around here. There is no comparison. I love everything from their milk shakes to sundaes. Can't wait for them to re-open soon. The staff They always have the best personalities and are patient when making your choice. Thanks polar for years of ice cream :) read more

I've been coming here since I was a kid. Best ice cream. Love going there on summer nights. The staff is always very pleasant too!

This place is of a dying breed of ice cream joints. The portions are HUGE.... the prices are fantastic, and the quality is excellent. My family can't wait for the season to start each year... lucky for us, their season starts in spring! The lines are long after 8pm... but definitely worth it. The staff is great too, always friendly. Be sure to have cash. No credit or debit accepted! And leave a nice tip, they deserve it! read more

Love this place, have been coming here since I was a little kid and it is still how I remember it. Friendly service, great products and affordable as well -- whats not to love about that? Will return time and time again. read more

Wow!!!! We just stopped by and it was awesome! My hubby ordered the "Fluffer Nutter" sundae and it was out of this world delicious. I ordered the Creamsicle which was very refreshing and tasty...but I'll be back soon for that Fluffer Nutter and to try the banana soft serve everyone raves about. The service was very welcoming and friendly. read more

Love this local landmark. That's what makes the Jersey Shore a special place. I have ordered the homemade soft serve banana ice cream quite a few times, it's their specialty. Definitely worth the try. But you have to come on the weekends for it. Everything is fresh. Which is rare these days. Friendly service, great products and you pay for what you get. Will return time and time again. read more

It's February and I seriously can't wait for this place to open. I will go out of my way to get cash if I don't have it on me for some polar!!! read more

Ice cream melted right away in 1 minute.No time to eat the ice cream.Melted all over my hand.Absolutely ridiculous.Used to be amazing but now it's horrible.Not going there again. read more

Without any doubt the greatest ice cream parlor of all time, cash only sucks but it's entirely worth it to feast upon their godlike ice cream. The peanut butter delight is a game changer and highly recommended. read more

I've been going to Polar Bear since I was a child and now have a family of my own. Prices are very cheap but quality is still very good. Serving sizes are plentiful and they have many options. Staff is generally friendly. The biggest drawbacks are the poor location and they don't accept credit cards (I am notorious for not carrying cash around). read more

Well I have been coming here for years, unfortunately I moved away and haven't been here for a while. So I take my wife and 3 year old daughter here tonight. BOY HAS IT GONE DOWNHILL!! I ordered 2 chocolate milkshakes that were more milk than anything. My 3 year old said it wasn't good and didn't drink it. I ordered a large soft serve cup and it was the size of most places small and the ice cream was only filled to the rim. What a waste of money and the half hour drive. I just wish I could give negative stars!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!! read more

Have been going to get ice cream here for 45 years. It is and icon along the highway and has remained mostly unchanged. It inspires a great deal of nostalgia in me which is why I am so sad to write this review. I ordered an ice cream soda as I have for over 20 years. Sadly there was virtually no ice cream in it what amounted to 4 spoons. I would avoid ordering any floats or shakes. I won't be going back. read more