Some family traditions get passed down through photo albums, and some get passed down through a booth and a menu. In Canton, Ohio, one of the most dependable traditions has been running since 1926, back when Calvin Coolidge was in the White House.
Grandparents who ordered coneys here as kids now bring their grandkids, and the menu still carries a dessert that dates to the 1930s. Former locals who moved out of state often make this their very first stop when they come home.
The ice cream is made on site, the whipped cream too, and the portions are famously big. Keep reading to learn where this century-old parlor sits, what keeps families coming back, which treats earn the most attention, and how to plan a visit without missing a thing.
A Century-Old Corner on Fulton Road
Every town has a spot where the past still keeps regular hours. In Canton, that spot is Taggarts Ice Cream, found at 1401 Fulton Rd NW, Canton, OH 44703, in northeast Ohio, United States.
The parlor opened in 1926, which means 2026 marks its 100th year in business. Few places anywhere can say they have served the same community for a full century.
Officially, it is an ice cream shop. In practice, it is also a lunch and dinner stop with sandwiches, soups, burgers, and those well-loved coneys.
Locals call it a Canton institution, and the label fits. The building has a modest look from the street, and some first-timers describe it as a hole in the wall.
That humble front is part of the charm. Inside, the business runs as a classic parlor with seating, servers, and a separate side for carryout orders.
The parlor holds a 4.6-star standing across nearly 2,000 opinions online, which is a solid sign of how much the community values it. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident, and the story behind it starts with how families have used this place over the decades.
Where Grandparents Bring the Grandkids
Plenty of adults in Canton remember coming here when they were small. Now they come back with children of their own.
That cycle is the heart of the parlor’s story. Some returning guests walk in for the first time since childhood and find it largely unchanged.
Former Ohio residents who have moved away often treat it as their first stop on a trip home. For them, the appeal is simple: it is always exactly how they remember it.
Couples pass the habit along too. One partner introduces the other, and before long they are planning their next order before finishing the current one.
Kids have their own favorites on the menu, including the playful Unicorn Sundae. Some even order it without the horn, which might be the most kid-logic order ever written down.
Out-of-town guests often arrive on a tip from a friend or a vacation rental host. That word-of-mouth chain has kept the booths full for generations without much fanfare.
A place does not last 100 years on dessert alone, though. The food side of the menu plays a bigger role than many first-timers expect.
Coneys and the Grill Behind the Scoops
Ice cream may be the headliner, but the coneys have a loyal fan club of their own. Regulars list them right alongside the soups and burgers as reasons to visit.
The hot dogs get special praise for the way the bun is grilled. Some fans drive more than an hour just for one, and the price sits around four dollars.
That is a road trip with a very reasonable payoff.
Beyond the coneys, the grill turns out burgers, including a Mushroom Swiss version, plus patty melts, steak sandwiches, and tuna melts. The olive nut sandwich is a quirky local favorite worth knowing about.
Soups get plenty of love, with the French onion often named among the best around. Mozzarella sticks and large fried pickles also show up on many tables.
Portions tend to run big. Some diners eat only half their meal just to leave room for dessert, which is a strategy worth borrowing.
Food experiences can vary, and a few guests have found certain items, like a BLT or a larger burger, less memorable than the rest. Most still agree the grill makes a fine opening act for the main event.
The Bittner, a Dessert From the 1930s
Some desserts are trendy. The Bittner is historic.
This signature treat dates back to the 1930s, and it remains one of the most talked-about items on the menu. Pecans come up again and again in conversations about the parlor, and they are closely tied to its reputation.
Fans describe the Bittner as old-fashioned in the best sense. It carries a nostalgic quality that big chain shops simply cannot copy.
Football fans heading to a game at the nearby Hall of Fame stadium have been known to stop in first. A coney, some fried pickles, and a Bittner make a fine pregame lineup.
For first-time guests, the Bittner is often the recommended order. It connects a modern visit directly to the parlor’s early decades.
Plenty of families have a member who orders it every single time. Nobody seems to mind repeating history when history comes with pecans.
Of course, one signature dessert is only the beginning. The sundae menu is where the real decision-making struggle begins.
A Sundae Menu Built for Indecision
Sundaes are the most mentioned topic at this parlor, and the menu gives people plenty to discuss. Choosing just one can take longer than eating it.
The Turtle Sundae has a strong following. So does the Buckeye Sundae, a nod to Ohio’s favorite peanut butter and chocolate candy.
The Chocolate Covered Cherry Sundae is another family pick. Hot fudge sundaes, including a brownie version, keep the classics covered.
Banana splits appear on many tables, and there is even a tropical banana split. The Snickers sundae and options topped with peanut butter sauce and Reese’s Pieces round out the candy-lover section.
Fruit fans can look for the apple dumpling, which earns its own share of attention.
Opinions are not unanimous. A few guests feel certain sundaes go heavy on the toppings, and sauce amounts can differ from one order to the next.
Still, most people leave happy and already planning a different sundae for next time. Behind every one of these creations sits something even more basic, and it deserves its own spotlight.
Homemade Scoops and Whipped Cream
Here is the secret that is not really a secret: the ice cream is made on site. The whipped cream is too.
That homemade approach is a big reason the parlor has outlasted countless competitors. Scoops are large, and even a single serving can feel like a commitment.
Vanilla has a surprising reputation here. Some families visit just for it, even people who normally skip vanilla entirely.
Butter pecan is another standout flavor, tying back to the parlor’s love of pecans. Salted caramel and other choices fill out the lineup.
Not everything is ice cream, either. Homemade blueberry sorbet has won fans, and milkshakes come in flavors like butterscotch and a seasonal gingerbread.
Waffle cones are available for anyone who prefers to eat on the move. Macadamia nut options also make an appearance.
A single scoop of plain vanilla may sound simple. At a place that has been perfecting it for a century, simple turns out to be a pretty bold move.
Booths, Scribbles, and Old-School Charm
Many guests describe the interior as a trip back in time. The setting feels like a neighborhood family spot with a diner-style layout.
Wooden booths are a signature feature. Over the years, guests have left notes scribbled into them, a habit the staff probably does not encourage but one that adds personality.
Longtime fans remember dark wood and a piano from earlier days. The look has shifted a bit over time, yet the old-fashioned character remains.
Seating works several ways. Diners can sit inside, sit outside, or head to the separate carryout side.
Table service is the norm inside, and guests usually seat themselves. Servers are often praised as patient and friendly, even with plenty of menu questions.
The space can get noisy, especially when busy. Conversations may require a little leaning in, so quieter hours suit anyone hoping to chat.
Near the front, a small collection of t-shirts is for sale. It is an easy souvenir for anyone who wants to wear their loyalty around town.
Hours, Costs, and Smart Timing
Good news for planners: the schedule is refreshingly consistent. The parlor is open seven days a week from 11 AM to 10 PM.
That window covers lunch, dinner, and a late dessert run. Sundays and Mondays keep the same hours as every other day.
Prices are widely considered reasonable. A hot dog runs about four dollars, and even big appetites tend to leave without stretching the budget too far.
Sundae sizes vary, so ordering a smaller size and sharing is a smart move for lighter appetites. Portions lean generous across the board.
Busy times can mean a short wait for a clean booth. Food orders may take around 15 minutes when the dining room is full.
Game days near the Hall of Fame bring extra traffic, so arriving early helps. Weekday afternoons are a calmer bet for anyone hoping for an easy conversation.
For questions about the menu or specials, the official website at taggartsicecream.com is a handy starting point. A little planning goes a long way toward a stress-free sundae.
A Hundred Years and Still Scooping
Plenty of businesses chase the next big thing. This one has spent a century proving that a good scoop and a solid coney never really go out of style.
The parlor is not flawless. Kitchen orders can occasionally miss the mark, and the dining room can get loud.
Even critics tend to agree on one point, though. The ice cream is the reason to go.
What makes the place special is how it ties people together. Families share a booth across generations, and visitors from out of town quickly understand why locals guard it so proudly.
The menu offers enough range for picky kids, hungry football fans, and dedicated sundae experts. The 1930s Bittner sits right next to the Unicorn Sundae, and somehow it all works.
For anyone passing through Canton, a stop on Fulton Road is easy to recommend. Order a coney, save room for dessert, and become part of a story that started in 1926.
The next chapter is already being written, one booth at a time.
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