It’s been so hot lately that I’ve basically been surviving on soft serve, lol, and Hovermale’s in Fort Washington has earned a permanent spot on my summer rotation. This nostalgic little walk-up stand has been a staple since 1954, and it’s now sitting comfortably in my top 3 for best soft serve in all of Maryland. My honest ranking, if you’re curious, goes Ann’s Dari Creme, then Hovermale’s, then Jimmie Cone.
The one thing you NEED to order here is the chocolate dip, no question, it’s the best chocolate dip I’ve ever had, rich and uber chocolatey. They keep it simple with 3 flavors plus floats, sundaes, hot dogs and more, and it’s cash only, so plan ahead. Nomsters, if you’re anywhere near Prince George’s County on a hot day, this one’s worth the drive.
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What Makes Hovermale’s a Standout Soft Serve Spot in Fort Washington
What makes this place special isn’t some big flashy menu, it’s the fact that they’ve been doing the same thing really well since 1954. Hovermale’s is an old-school, walk-up window kind of spot, the type of nostalgic ice cream stand that feels increasingly rare these days. There’s no indoor counter and no frills, just a window, a few flavors, and a line of happy people on a hot afternoon. They’re known around Fort Washington for their soft serve and that chocolate dip, and the whole thing is pure summer nostalgia. It’s the kind of place families have been coming to for generations, and once you go, you get why it’s stuck around for 70-plus years.
What to Order at Hovermale’s
They keep the menu refreshingly simple, so you don’t need to overthink it. Here’s what to know before you get to the window.
The Chocolate Dip
This is the one, Nomsters. Hovermale’s chocolate dip is, hands down, the best I’ve ever had. When you get a soft serve dipped, they coat it in a chocolate shell that hardens into a thin, crackly layer, and theirs is so rich and uber chocolatey that it tastes like the real deal instead of the waxy stuff you get at a lot of stands. That first crack into the shell, followed by the cold, creamy soft serve underneath, is exactly what you want on a hot day. If you order one thing here, make it a dipped cone.
Classic Soft Serve
They’ve got 3 soft serve options, vanilla, chocolate, and a swirl of the two, and it’s a solid, classic soft serve, cold and creamy the way a good stand should be. Whichever way you go, it’s a great base for that chocolate dip. You can get it in a cup or a cone depending on how you like it.
Floats, Sundaes, and More
Beyond the cones, they do floats and sundaes too, plus classics like banana splits and milkshakes. And it’s not all sweets, they also serve savory stuff, think hot dogs, chili dogs, and beef BBQ sandwiches, so you can actually make a little meal out of a visit. The menu covers more than just sweets, so you can grab a hot dog alongside your cone if you want.
Is Hovermale’s the Best Soft Serve in Maryland?
Short answer? It’s close, but not quite number one for me. My current top 3 in Maryland goes Ann’s Dari Creme first, Hovermale’s a very close second, and Jimmie Cone rounding out the list. Ann’s just edges it out for me overall, but that chocolate dip at Hovermale’s is something special. So if a killer chocolate dip is what you’re after, this is the spot. All three are old-school seasonal stands worth the trip, so really, you can’t go wrong.
The Vibe and Experience
The vibe here is exactly what you’d hope for from a spot that’s been around since 1954, laid-back, nostalgic, and made for a warm evening. Since it’s a walk-up window, you order and then post up outside, there’s outdoor seating in a grassy area to enjoy your cone before it melts. It’s super family-friendly, the kind of nostalgic stop people come back to all summer. Just remember it’s cash only, so hit the ATM first. It’s the kind of simple, feel-good stop that reminds you why these old ice cream stands are worth protecting.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 9011 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11AM to 8PM, Sunday 12PM to 8PM (closed Monday)
- Payment: cash only, so plan ahead
- Seasonal: this is a seasonal stand, generally open from around Memorial Day through the end of summer, so go while it’s warm (worth a quick check before a long drive)
- Service: walk-up window with outdoor seating in a grassy area out back
- Parking: small on-site lot
- The menu: 3 soft serve flavors (vanilla, chocolate, swirl) plus floats, sundaes, shakes, and savory bites like hot dogs
Ok SO, is Hovermale’s worth the trip?! If you love a proper old-school soft serve stand, it’s absolutely worth going out of your way for, especially for that unreal chocolate dip. It’s a top-3 soft serve spot in Maryland for me, and one of the more nostalgic finds in Prince George’s County. It’s best for a hot summer evening with the fam!
And there you have it, Nomsters, another soft serve gem for your summer list. Have you guys been to Hovermale’s yet, or do you have a favorite MD soft serve spot I need to try? Let me know in the comments, and if you know someone who takes their ice cream as seriously as I do, send this their way.