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It's Nutts

This family-run eatery is a favorite roadside stop for locals.

Nutts Ice Cream. (Staff photo)
Nutts Ice Cream. (Staff photo)Read more

The deal: Perched on the Jersey side of the Delaware River, 20 miles north of Philly, this family-run eatery is a favorite roadside stop for locals and those biking or walking along the nearby Delaware & Raritan Canal and Washington Crossing State Park. Customers can get everything from soup to nuts - and homemade ice cream!

Details: 1382 River Road (Route 29), Titusville, N.J. 609-737-0505. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cash or check only. itsnuttsrestaurant.com.

Decor: Strawberry-red inside and out, with pleasant indoor and outdoor eating areas, muted TV airing the newscast and kitschy touches, like an oversize spoon and fork on the wall.

The ice cream: This place is no-frills, so you won't find kale-with-koala-spit gelato or other eyebrow-raising flavors found at more gourmet spots. The homemade ice cream comes in mostly traditional varieties, like cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, butter pecan, pistachio, strawberry, coffee and vanilla.

What we had: The generous scoops of chocolate raspberry truffle and ultimate peanut-butter cup in waffle cones were worth the calories.

Beyond sweets: This place has a diner-like menu, with everything from steak sandwiches and cheese fries to crab cakes and seafood curry. We were underwhelmed by the chili, wings and burgers. Next time, we'll try the tomato pie or fried chicken, both touted on signs outside.

The wait: Prompt, friendly service at the walk-up window for ice cream; table service for dinner on a recent weeknight was glacially slow, even though it wasn't crowded.

Prices: Ice cream: $2.75-$3.95. Milkshakes: $4.75-$5.25. Sundaes: $3.95-$5.95.

A bid for the big time: The owners, who refer to the eatery as "a small-town joint with uptown flavor," are trying to get on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

A summertime journey across the Philadelphia region in search of great ice cream and other cool treats. Reported this week by Daily News reporter Dana DiFilippo.