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| - When I'm driving by on my way from Brecksville to Macedonia, I always check the two flavors of the day to see what they have 'on tap.' If it's one of those weird combination flavors like raspberry-chocolate-hazelnut fudge swirl (I know-I made that up) I forget it and go to the hardware store. These combos are all right but I don't stop unless I see "Higbee's Malted" which is a recipe they got from the Higbee's department stores that went out of business years ago.
In the 60s if you went to a department store, they had snack shops that sold pretzels and hot dogs and something on par with a Wendy's frosty in a cool glass called a 'malt.' People would take a break from shopping and have a snack.
I have been told that an entire generation of Clevelanders were raised on bribes from snack shops at Higbee's. The mom told them if they shut up, she'd get them a malt. The kid shuts up. Mom pays up at the end of the day.
So, flash forward to today and the people who run Rosati's frozen custard bought the recipe and twice a week, they run it through their machines and it is great. Life had to be better in the sixties because they sold this stuff next to the lingerie department.
If you see, 'HIGBEE'S MALTED" on th sign, stop for it. It is simple, cold, delicious and worth the hassle of the tiny parking lot.
When you walk up to the window, you see what we call the 'glacier of goodness' flowing behind the workers. It is two parallel chutes of frozen custard sliding down from somewhere. They scoop some for you out of this little custard frozen river. Not as impressive as it sounds, but it's a cool way to do business. Cones or cups are great. Don't get anything on it since the toppings are window-dressing.
I have tried a few of their flavors and have never been disappointed but the classics seem the best. Invariably the kid who gets lemon wishes she had gotten chocolate and they all wish they had gotten some of the Higbee's like that old timer in the "USA" t-shirt in the vintage car next to your hyundai.
He remembers. He knows.
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