Carvel Ice Cream Bakery

I don’t know what that other reviewer is talking about. His review was from 2013 so maybe the owners have changed, or they just changed the way they doing business. But I like this carvel. It’s clean and they present they ice cream in the cooler the way gelato is usually presented (in stainless steel trays rather than tubs). It’s pretty cool. The people are pleasant, the ice cream is fresh, and they even have a drive thru!

Eating ice cream is supposed to be a joyful and happy experience. The proprietor of this establishment was so rude and difficult to deal with. I’ve frequented this carvel a couple of times in the past. The product itself is ordinary, as a franchised ice cream parlor should be. So the differentiation comes from the service and smile, or in this case, lack thereof. The gentleman who works here does not smile. He’s gruff and would not honor a coupon that he claims was from a different carvel.
His wife, who answered the phone when I called in to order an ice cream cake, was hostile at best. I had some innocent (honest) questions regarding the size of the cakes, and she insisted that ‘each person eat different size!’ Yes, but couldn’t you tell me the recommended servings per cake, or the general dimensions?
She clamored that she had ‘other customer’ and needed to go, abruptly. So I subsequently did my research on the carvel website. I asked my wife to call to get the pricing and finalize the order. She spoke to both the Matawan and hazlet locations — the hazlet location was super helpful and cheaper, to boot.
Oh yeah, and Matawan location, really classy move on suggesting that the hazlet store is cheaper because they are ‘part timers who drop cake on floor.‘
Matawan store went on to proclaim that she has made cakes for 30 years and I s really experienced. Sure, really experienced at turning customers off. I will now support the hazlet location. Eating ice cream and ice cream cakes should be a pleasant and memorable experience. Just not at the matawan carvel.
I hope the franchisor does periodic drop ins, as these folks don’t deserve the franchise, in my opinion. Treat the business and the customer with some respect, please.