Mom, Andy and I are training for a marathon in October, so over Memorial Day weekend we had to do one of our long runs. That week it was ten miles. Some days I love it. I feel strong, I hit my stride (what they call a “runner’s high”) and could run hours. Other days, it’s tough. I’m slogging it the whole time and willing it to end. Monday was one of those days. I just couldn’t get into it. But I had to keep running, mile after mile. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of the lunch we had planned at Dilly’s Corner in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Dilly’s is a special place, the stuff that perfect American summers are made of. Cheeseburgers, curly fries, soft serve ice cream, sticky picnic tables, bees, and high school kids taking orders and cleaning tables. Twenty years ago we visited New Hope for the first time to see if it would be a good fit for our family. Our young family stumbled upon Dilly’s, stopped for lunch and positively fell in love. We joke that we moved to New Hope because of Dilly’s. If nothing else, it sealed the deal.
Dilly’s does a roaring trade from March through November. Just a stone’s throw from the Delaware River, the location is ideal, the food is legitimately good and (for better or for worse) it is impossible to go there without running into someone you know—your teacher, your soccer coach, a parishioner or your nemesis from school.
Perhaps most endearing is that nothing has changed in the nearly twenty years since we started going there. Not a thing. Dilly’s menu hasn’t given way to food trends, they haven’t built more seating areas or expanded the operation. Even the graying and sun-faded Dilly’s menu remains unchanged. Sharon and I get the same thing every time. Chicken sandwich, curly fries, Coke and a “baby cone” ice cream.
One of the little charms is that they write down your order with just the first letter of each word. Like a code. So our order would be: CSCFCBC. But we worked that out long ago. Once you’ve finished ordering, you’re handed a playing card. When you order is ready they call out, “Ace of Hearts!” or “Jack of Diamonds!”
This trip to Dilly’s was our first of the season and the fact that we had run ten miles on an empty stomach only added to the anticipation and excitement. We all ordered our usual, found that sticky picnic table and ran into a family that we knew (even though we moved away from that community nearly eight years ago!) It was the perfect kick off to summer.
Man, I love that place. I don’t really even like soft serve ice cream, but I LOVE the swirl cones at Dilly’s…especially covered in rainbow sprinkles!
Mags, we probably SHOULDN’T tell people that there was a time when we might have considered getting our order code CSCFCBC tattooed on our bodies. (Eeeek! Thank God they don’t let you get tattoos til you’re 18!)
The food is good, but the atmosphere, the memories, the people, and the nostalgia make it unparalleled. There are few restaurants I can say, with confidence, that I have loved for almost 20 years.
Anyway, it’s not summer until I’ve been to Dilly’s, so I guess I better get down there quick! It’s almost July 🙂
I remember the first time I went with you guys there after church. Now I bring my son, he loves it. Ps- they are JIMMIES not sprinkles 🙂 lol. Didn’t you learn that in PA!! Teehee hope you guys are well.
Our favorite! Love reading about it. The only thing they have changed is new picnic tables. And even that was done “just so right”. Last summer I commented to the owner (as he was cleaning tables) about the color – weathered wood – and high quality of – recyled I think – plastic. He said they really carefully selected them. Such nice people, pride of ownership; making delicious food & memories. Thanks for helping to make my dinner plans for tonight.
I almost never go to Dilly’s anymore (can’t afford the calories!). But on occasion, I’ll stop there with a real estate client so they can soak in the atmosphere of our little corner of the world.An it’s true, one always sees an old friend or at least an acquaintance. My favorite Dilly treat: chocolate malted milkshake.
I love Dilly’s! Man, I haven’t been there in probably 10 years. I think it’s time for a drive up River Road… Thanks for the post, it captured my fond memories so perfectly!
Looks so good! I think I’m getting hungry for lunch.
Maggy, which marathon are you running in October? I’ll be running the Nike Women’s that month… would be crazy if we were in the same one!
totally missed this post! agreed, it is just perfect and really makes me love new hope so much more! I even tried a new food this season, fish! but still stuck to my curly cheese fries! I also earned it, after a 10 mile bike ride 🙂