Get served: Dari Delite

Unpretentious ice cream shack serves cold and tasty treats

By Patrick Mayock, Special to Metromix

There are many signs of summer in Ohio City. Flower gardens are blooming. Patrons crowd the street-side patios of popular restaurants and Dari Delite sheds the plywood shutters that board its windows from October through March.

If that last sign is unfamiliar, then you’re clearly missing out.

Dari Delite (excuse the spelling) is an unassuming, walk-up ice cream joint that serves some of the best soft serve in town. You might not expect as much from the way the place looks; The shabby operation has definitely seen better days. And it doesn’t help that it’s constantly up for sale. The faded "For Sale by Owner" sign has adorned the front window for more a year, however, this little parlor still draws a constant stream of local residents who line up like giddy school children at an ice cream truck.

Those loyal followers aren’t occupied with paltry details like appearance and ownership. As long as they get their fill of Dari’s cold, creamy concoctions, then any day is truly a delite … err, delight.