A family recipe has to be pretty special to survive more than a hundred years. It helps when the recipe is ice cream.
This Alabama soda fountain has been serving orange pineapple scoops since 1918, drawing people who want to taste the signature flavor for themselves.
The shop is small, with green stools, big windows, and walls covered in photographs that give the counter a sense of history without making the visit feel formal.
The tradition is simple enough to keep repeating. Bring the children.
Order the famous flavor. Tell them the shop has been here for generations.
Then wait a few years and see whether they bring their own children back. For a dessert, that is a pretty impressive way to leave a legacy.
A Texas Dairyman Fell in Love With Florence
Back in 1917, a dairyman named Paul Trowbridge was just passing through Florence on his way to a dairy convention in North Carolina. He never expected a quick stop to change his whole life.
The town charmed him so much that he packed up his family in Texas and moved to northwest Alabama.
By 1918, Trowbridge Creamery was open for business. That date makes it the oldest business still running in its original spot in Florence.
It also holds the title of the oldest ice cream shop in the entire state. Not bad for a detour.
The story did not stop with Paul. During World War II, his wife Martha ran the shop and added hot dogs and chili to the menu in the 1940s.
Those additions stuck around, and they are still customer favorites today. Imagine creating a menu item that people keep ordering eighty years later.
Today the third and fourth generations of the family keep things going. Many visitors even get a chance to chat with family members behind the counter, which makes the history feel close and real.
It is the kind of place where the past is not tucked away in a museum.
Before ordering, take a moment to look around and picture the shop in its early days. The same address, the same family, and the same love for ice cream have carried it through more than a century of change.
That Famous Orange Pineapple Scoop
One bite tells the whole story. The orange pineapple ice cream at Trowbridge’s is bright, creamy, and dotted with little bits of fruit that make every spoonful a tiny surprise.
It tastes like sunshine got folded into a dairy dessert.
Paul Trowbridge himself created this recipe, and it has become a true Southern classic. Fans have shared that the flavor reminds them of childhood trips to old ice cream parlors.
Others simply call it the best thing on the menu, and few people argue.
The flavor has also earned big national attention. Travel and Leisure magazine listed it among its 50 Reasons to Love the U.S.A.
Now. It also landed a spot in the book 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die.
That is serious praise for a humble scoop.
These days, a creamery in Nashville makes the ice cream using the original Trowbridge family recipe. The change helps the shop keep up with demand while staying true to the taste Paul created.
Popular flavors can still sell out, though, so arriving earlier in the day is a smart move.
Here is a helpful tip. Order a single scoop first and let it melt slowly on the tongue.
The citrus comes forward first, then the pineapple settles in sweetly. Many visitors end up ordering a second cup to go, and honestly, nobody should feel bad about that.
Green Stools, Big Windows, Zero Fuss
Sunlight pours through the big front windows at 316 North Court Street in Florence, landing on a row of stools padded in green vinyl. There are only eight of them at the counter.
Grab one if possible, because it comes with a front-row view of milkshakes being made.
The rest of the room keeps things simple and cozy. Booths line the space, and 1950s-style formica tables sit ready for families and friends.
Nothing here tries to be fancy, and that is exactly the charm.
Many guests say the shop feels like a trip back to the fifties. The building looks plain from the outside, almost easy to miss.
Inside, though, it buzzes with chatter, clinking spoons, and the hum of the freezer.
Spending time in a place like this slows a day down in the best way. Phones tend to stay in pockets while people watch scoops being piled high.
Kids spin a little on the stools. Adults pretend not to, but some definitely do.
A small heads up for planning. Street parking downtown may need coins for the meters, so tucking a few quarters into a pocket saves a scramble.
The shop also gets busy at lunchtime and on warm afternoons, yet the staff moves quickly and keeps the line flowing. Take a seat, settle in, and let the old-school setting do its quiet magic.
Sandwiches Like Grandma Used to Pack
Ice cream may get the headlines, but the sandwiches deserve their own fan club. The chicken salad is a longtime star, and many people like it toasted on white bread.
It is simple, creamy, and very filling.
The list keeps going in a delightfully old-fashioned way. Choices include egg and olive, pimento cheese, ham salad, grilled cheese, tuna, ham, turkey, and a tomato and lettuce sandwich.
There is even a ham and biscuit for anyone craving something extra Southern.
Pimento cheese gets plenty of love from regulars. It is a classic spread in Alabama, mixing cheese and peppers into something tangy and rich.
Trying it here feels like a little lesson in local food culture.
For chillier days, homemade chicken soup and chili soup are on the menu too. A warm bowl pairs nicely with a sandwich before moving on to dessert.
Some visitors have shared that they filled up so much on lunch that they had to come back another day for ice cream. That counts as a happy problem.
Here is a smart way to plan. Split a sandwich with a friend, then save room for a sundae or shake.
That way, the full Trowbridge’s experience fits into one visit. A glass bottle cola on the side makes the meal feel even more like a scene from an old movie.
Chili Dogs With a World War II Backstory
Martha Trowbridge had a lot on her plate during World War II. While running the family shop, she decided to add hot dogs and chili to the menu in the 1940s.
That one decision gave Florence a food tradition that has lasted for generations.
Today, chili dogs are one of the most talked about items at Trowbridge’s. They are messy in the best possible way.
Grab extra napkins. Seriously.
Plenty of longtime fans connect these hot dogs to family memories. Some people remember grandparents bringing them in for a chili dog and a scoop of ice cream decades ago.
Years later, they return with their own children to share the same simple meal.
The chili itself gets plenty of praise for its flavor. It is hearty, a little savory, and works perfectly on a soft bun.
For a bigger appetite, order a bowl of chili soup alongside.
A chili dog followed by a scoop of orange pineapple makes a classic combo. The savory and sweet balance each other out nicely.
It is a pairing that tells the history of the shop in two bites, starting with Martha’s wartime idea and ending with Paul’s beloved recipe.
Quick tip for families. Hot dogs are easy for kids to enjoy, so this is a great pick for picky eaters who might not want a fancy sandwich.
Oh My Gosh, Look at That Sundae
Some desserts are named after people or places. Others are named after the sound people make when they see them.
The Oh My Gosh is clearly the second kind.
This dessert starts with a brownie, then gets topped with ice cream, caramel, a tall swirl of whipped cream, and a cherry. It is one of the most popular treats at Trowbridge’s.
The whipped cream mountain is part of the fun, so come hungry.
Not into brownies? No problem at all.
The sundae menu is long and full of classics like banana splits, chocolate sundaes, hot caramel, pineapple, hot butterscotch, and cherry sundaes. The banana split especially has a reputation for being huge.
Shakes and malts are another big draw. Thick, cold, and creamy, they are perfect on a hot Alabama afternoon.
A vanilla malt brings that old soda fountain taste that is harder to find these days.
One fun idea is to swap the ice cream flavor in a sundae. Some guests have paired the Oh My Gosh with butter pecan, and others go for a different scoop based on mood.
Ask the staff what is available that day.
Sharing is smart here. Many of these desserts are big enough for two people, which leaves room to sample even more.
Grab a couple of spoons and dig in together. Spoon battles are optional but highly entertaining.
Where Florence Comes Together
Ask around downtown Florence and stories about Trowbridge’s pop up fast. Some folks had their first ice cream cone here as kids.
Others have relatives who once worked behind the counter.
The shop has been a local tradition for generations and a happy discovery for travelers passing through. College students stop by between classes.
Road trippers pull over after hearing about the famous orange pineapple. Families celebrate small wins with a round of cones.
After closing time, the space is sometimes rented out for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events. Picture blowing out candles surrounded by old photos and newspaper clippings that tell the story of the town.
That beats a plain party room any day.
The walls are worth a close look. Photographs, clippings, and local art line the shop, showing pieces of both Florence history and the Trowbridge family story.
Reading them while waiting for an order turns a snack stop into a mini history tour.
Friendly service is a big part of why people keep coming back. The staff handles busy rushes with good humor and keeps things moving.
The family has worked hard to keep treats affordable so everyone can enjoy them.
Planning a visit is easy. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5:30 PM and closed on Sundays.
Stop by, grab a scoop, and become part of the story.
