Tucked along Highway 17 in North Myrtle Beach sits a little ice cream stand that has been scooping happiness since 1952. Original Painter’s Homemade Ice Cream makes its treats from scratch, with flavors that change and a line that often forms out front.
For many families, a trip to the South Carolina coast just is not complete without a stop here. Let’s take a walk through what makes this old-school stand a beach favorite.
Where To Find This Coastal Sweet Spot
Right at 2408 Hwy 17 S #4344 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you will spot this small ice cream stand that has become a fixture of the local coastline. It sits along the busy highway that carries beachgoers up and down the Grand Strand, making it an easy stop on the way to or from the sand.
The spot is officially an ice cream shop, and it keeps things simple. There are no gimmicks here, just homemade scoops served from a modest window.
With coordinates near 33.8085645, -78.7132118, it is not hard to find, and plenty of folks make the drive on purpose. Some visitors mention traveling a good distance just to get a taste, which says a lot about the pull this little stand has.
Seven Decades Of Scooping History
Few businesses at the beach can claim the kind of staying power this one has. Serving since 1952, the stand has handed out cones through generation after generation of families visiting the shore.
One longtime regular shared that he has been eating ice cream here since he was eight years old, and he is now in his late sixties. That is the sort of loyalty a place earns only by getting it right, year after year.
Reviewers have celebrated milestone anniversaries with the shop, noting it recently marked more than seventy years in business. Through renovations and reopenings, the stand keeps returning to the standards its fans remember, and long-time visitors tend to notice when the ice cream tastes just as good as it always did.
Homemade Ice Cream That Keeps Fans Coming Back
The heart of the whole operation is the homemade ice cream, and it is by far what people talk about most. With more than eighty mentions of the homemade quality in reviews, it is clear this is the star of the show.
Regulars describe the texture as soft, smooth, and creamy, the kind of scoop that makes one helping feel like not quite enough. Several say one scoop is never enough and they always reach for a second.
Not every visit lands the same way. A handful of guests have felt the flavors were milder than they expected on certain days, describing them as underwhelming.
Still, the overwhelming sentiment leans toward praise, with many calling it some of the best ice cream they have ever tasted.
A Flavor List That Loves To Change
Half the fun here is seeing what is available when you walk up, because the flavors rotate and there are always plenty to choose from. Banana pudding is a standout that comes up again and again, with nearly thirty reviewers singling it out.
Beyond that crowd-pleaser, you will find cookie dough, black cherry, pistachio almond, chocolate, and butter pecan all earning their own fans. One visitor raved about a pistachio cake cone so smooth they forgot to snap a photo before it was gone.
Others swear by unusual favorites like maple nut, ordering the same scoop every single visit. Even the plain vanilla wins praise, with one parent calling it the most flavorful vanilla they had ever tried.
With this many options, there is something for the picky and the adventurous alike.
Sundaes, Splits, And Shakes Worth Ordering
Cones are just the beginning. If you want to go bigger, the stand turns out sundaes, banana splits, and milkshakes that regulars love to recommend.
One guest called the salted caramel hot fudge sundae a must-try and a great way to start your Painter’s journey. Another enjoyed a two-scoop peanut butter and hot fudge sundae for around eight dollars and said they would happily order it again.
The banana split has a bit of a following too, with fresh bananas and generous flavors earning fans over the years. A few folks felt the split could be arranged more traditionally, with bananas along the sides rather than tucked under the ice cream.
Butterfinger milkshakes round out the menu for anyone who likes to sip their dessert.
The Celebrity Wall And Its Famous Fans
Look up while you wait and you might spot something unexpected. The stand keeps a celebrity wall covered with photos of famous faces who have stopped by while in town.
One customer passed the time studying the wall while waiting on a banana split, marveling at how many well-known visitors have made the trip. It adds a little extra character to what is otherwise a no-frills stand.
The shop even earned a moment of national fame recently. A fan spotted Vanna White featured with a Painter’s banana split on an airing of Wheel of Fortune, and it inspired at least one road trip in search of the very same treat.
Little touches like these give the place a fun, story-filled personality.
Outdoor Seating And The Lines Out Front
Do not be surprised if you arrive to find a crowd, because a wait is part of the experience here. Long lines come up in reviews more than twenty times, and many regulars see them as a good sign rather than a problem.
As one visitor put it, you can always tell the great spots by the people waiting. They stopped by on a Sunday night, waited a bit, and decided it was well worth it.
There is some outdoor seating for those who want to linger with their cone instead of eating on the go. On a warm beach evening, grabbing a spot outside and watching the highway buzz by is a simple, pleasant way to enjoy your treat.
Hours, Prices, And Planning Your Visit
Planning is easy since the stand keeps the same schedule every day of the week. It opens at noon and stays open until 11 PM, seven days a week, making it a solid choice for a late-evening treat after dinner.
On price, expect beach-town rates that generally run in the six to twelve dollar range depending on your order. One couple paid fourteen dollars for two scoops and a milkshake and felt it was fair given how expensive the coast can be.
Others found real value, like the eight-dollar two-scoop sundae and generous portions. If you have questions before heading over, you can reach the stand at +1 843-272-6934.
Craving something creamy late in the evening is exactly when this place shines.
Is This Beach Tradition Worth The Stop
Weighing everything together, this stand holds a 4.2-star rating across more than 1,600 reviews, which reflects a place that most people genuinely enjoy. The friendly, fast service earns steady praise, with many guests calling the staff kind and quick.
Like any long-running spot, it is not flawless. A few visitors have run into brusque moments at the window or an off day with the flavors, and those experiences are worth keeping in mind.
Yet the loyalty on display is hard to ignore. Families return night after night on vacation, grandkids fall for the banana pudding, and lifelong fans keep coming back decades later.
If you find yourself in North Myrtle Beach with a sweet tooth, this seventy-plus-year tradition is an easy and delicious detour to make.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.