RELOCATION ALERT
As of late March 2013, they have relocated to 36 Vaughan Rd, just south of St Clair & west side of the street (previous location just north of St Clair next to Albert's Real Jamaican & also on Vaughan). There are still the kitschy bright coloured milk jugs out front, so it's easy to find.
PARKING
Street parking (the only real option) can be very difficult since the area is so overcrowded. 1 hour free parking on a couple side streets, but metered parking is likely what you'll get. There is a Green P parking lot on Bathurst just south of St Clair on the east side of the street, but it's sort of a pain because you have to walk up to the lights then back down or jaywalk across 4 lanes of traffic (be safe!). We had to walk 5 blocks, during the off-season and found there was better street parking options by Wychwood Barns Park. The St Clair Street Car that lets off at Bathurst is probably your best option.
ACCESSIBILITY
It is wide enough for a wheelchair inside the store and chairs pull out. If there was a line up (almost always), you might have to really speak up to turn around --- but it's do-able. I believe there is one step up from the street (no ramp); the owners/operators are really friendly, though, and I'm sure would be very accommodating. Unsure if restrooms are public or accessible. The top of the ice cream case is lined with towers of cones, so it might be hard to make eye contact with the food prep staff. Probably hard to see the actual ice cream, but there are fun labels for the flavours that could be viewed from a wheel chair. It's easier to access the cash register from a wheelchair.
DECOR
Classic Dutch/Holland meets kitsch. The right wall is lined with antique, ornately framed paintings and Dutch blue/white China. The left side has massive wooden clog shoes and some retail items (Oreos, sprinkles, shirts/hats). There is a massive fibreglass ice cream cone out front and a fibreglass 1950's rollerskating car hop server that is in the entry way to greet you. Quirky and fun to bring out the kid in you. Fun for a first date since there is so much to take in just in decor alone, and it's great for kids (don't see many places that are great for both).
FOOD
They top pretty much all the frozen dessert options (shakes, cones, sundaes) with whipped cream, waffle cone triangle, and slivers of fresh fruit (berries, melon) as is usually done in Holland. They have a massive machine that pumps out real whipped cream from what resembles a soft serve machine.
I thought their waffle cones would tasted bitter because they looked so dark, but I LOVED them because they were super crispy and tasted like they didn't come from a box. You can get a bowl, sugar cone, waffle bowl, waffle cone (plain or chocolate dipped/rolled in candies or nuts). They still give you a spoon because their cones are so generously filled.
1 generous scoop is 2 Baskin Robbins scoops), but I don't feel sick or weighed down after eating a big serving from Dutch Dreams like I often do from most independent ice cream shoppes. It cost around $11.50 for a single waffle cone and a single sugar cone, but I felt like it was a very good value for the unique experience.
Flavours: They seem to not be fruit focused ice creams, maybe because there is fruit on top. There was a berry cheesecake, but mostly there were chocolate and nut variations (praline, gold medal ribbon, dark chocolate, pistachio almond, butter pecan). They have lots of neon coloured kid flavours -- probably 5-6. They have Grape Nut (crunchy wheat-barley cereal popular in the U.S.) in a white ice cream base, which is hard to find.
They have a variety of canned pop and beverages in the back.
STAFF
I feel like the owner should be wearing a Hawaiian shirt. He seems like a laid back, fun loving guy --- he has just as much character as the ice cream shoppe decor. It's obvious he REALLY loves his job and likes to hear customer's stories (his attitude is contagious & will put a smile on your face). I think his wife runs the cash register. Always nice to be served by people who love what they do.
VERDICT
This is one of the best Toronto food finds in a while. Something comforting about going to a business that has character from operating for so many decades within the same family. Try to go in the off-season when lines are shorter.