Somewhere between the final whistle and bedtime, whole teams in uniform show up at our counters, cleats still on, medals sometimes included. It's one of our favorite sights of the season.
Win or lose, everybody scoops
The best part of the post-game tradition is that it doesn't care about the score. A championship earns a sundae; a tough loss earns one too. Somewhere around the second bite of Cookie Dough, the game gets easier to talk about.
Why it works for parents and coaches
- It's fast. A team's worth of cones and cups moves through the line quicker than any sit-down stop.
- Everyone finds something. Two dozen homemade flavors, Italian ice, and dairy-free Dole soft serve mean no player is left out.
- It's the memory that sticks. Ask any grown-up what they remember about their own season: it's usually the ice cream, not the standings.
Make it your team's spot
With shops in Tinton Falls and Oakhurst, there's a Ryan's a short drive from fields all over Monmouth County. Bringing the whole roster? A quick heads-up call helps us staff the counter for the rush.
The Tinton Falls shop on Shrewsbury Ave is an easy stop after games around Eatontown, Shrewsbury, and Red Bank, while Oakhurst on Route 35 covers the fields toward Ocean Township and Asbury Park. Both shops are open daily until 10pm, so even a late whistle leaves time for cones.
For coaches keeping the line moving, novelty treats are the secret weapon: a round of Flying Saucers or Chippers from the freezer case gets the whole roster served even faster than scoops, no flavor deliberations required.
End-of-season idea: An ice cream cake with the team's name on it turns a season wrap-up party into a proper celebration: just allow 48 hours' notice.
