Ellie’s Hot Dogs & Ice Cream

by Anne Jones 09.2023

It was a Thursday afternoon like any other.  Work ended at 4, errands had to be done, dinner was a distant mystery, and it was a steamy 97 degrees in the late afternoon. One of those days when a walk was out of the question, the car was as cold as I could get it, and outside seemed almost dangerous with heat.  I’d dropped my pup off at home to lie on the couch in the ac, and had set off down Arthur Ashe Boulevard towards Broad Street with Lowe’s in mind.

And there it was. On the right. Ellie’s. I’d seen the ad, and I knew the little building that sits right next to the old Kitchen 64, now the Brick House in its place. But there was Ellie’s, a milkshake and hot dog place with a big, lighted OPEN sign clear as day. Milkshakes! Not just ice cream but featuring milkshakes. Say no more.  If there was ever a call for a clandestine milkshake thrill it was that afternoon. I felt compelled. Lowes-schmoze. Plus, there was just a piece in the Atlantic about how ice cream is good for you. I didn't actually read it, but I knew it was there, and true.

So, I strolled up to the take-out window and ordered a fairly specific milkshake - "mild chocolate, extra thick." I know my milkshakes, and while I've never really had a bad one, there's a wide range of possibilities that can happen, from heavenly perfection to just acceptable. Why waste all those calories and expectations on just acceptable? I'm a big chocolate lover, but I don't want the flavor too strong in a milkshake; I like it somewhere between vanilla and chocolate, reminiscent of a swirl soft serve. And extra thick is an absolute must; I want it just barely passable through the straw. I don't want to look at anything resembling milk, and not too creamy-rich. I'd like a semi-creamy base with some peaky chunks of ice cream in there. As you might imagine, I'm used to happily settling for somewhere between perfection and mediocrity, because who in the heck could get it just right? Ellie's could! Ellie's did!  It was close to perfect - creamy (but not too), chunky, lusciously mild delectable chocolate flavor, smooth but slow-sailing through the straw. Ahhhh. Heaven. YUM, yum. I sat in my cold car, all alone, at peace with the afternoon.

I had to go back, this time with friends, for the rest of the Ellie's experience: the hot dog. I'm a pescatarian so I made sure they offered a veggie dog before I went. Of course they do - they know what I like. There is every combo of hot dog and toppings you can think of- chili, slaw, nacho, kraut, onions, relish, spicy or non-spicy mustard, even a steak & dog - thinly sliced steak, cheese and onions. There are also lots of lone toppings - the usual ones, plus crushed tortilla chips, bacon - pretty much whatever you could want. But all classic, simple old-school hot dog combos for under $6. 

What makes these hot dogs especially good? 

For one, the toppings were freshly prepared –my  cole slaw was shredded cabbage style, not the overly creamy chopped kind with that not-so-fresh taste. The dogs are grilled-to-order, as they should be, and they're good dogs, slightly plump and tasty. The veggie ones are a little shorter, I was informed as reassurance that mine was meatless. Another big bonus: the rolls are potato-bread and extra nice. These are hot dogs you'd make for yourself at home with top-notch ingredients, but what's the fun in that? If it's a hot dog you're craving, you won't find or make a better one than Ellie's. I should know: I've tried them three times in as many weeks.

Oh, the ice cream! It's the delicious venerable Hershey's brand with almost 20 flavors—everything everything from your standards to birthday cake to cappuccino crunch, with one no-dairy raspberry sorbet. My mint chip was perfect. Next trip I'll sample a sundae. One suggestion for the menu, from a friend I ran into on the patio as we shared our high praises for the place: this would be a perfect venue for a root beer float.

Speaking of the patio, it's shady and cool with plenty of fans, and a pleasant, not-too-noisy view of Arthur Ashe Boulevard out the end. The staff have been extra friendly and polite at every visit, and it's always felt hassle-free and easy.