For ice cream lovers who enjoy heaping portions of the frozen, sweet cream, Fentons Creamery is dishing up exactly that on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland.

From the moment you walk into Fentons to the moment you leave, you always feel welcomed. Fentons is a family-oriented restaurant with good service, charming décor and sweet-toothed customers.

With over 35 flavors and an extensive menu, the possibilities for ice cream creations seem endless. You can also watch the creamy ice cream being made right in the restaurant.

“We produce our ice cream and toppings the old fashioned way – by hand, right here on site,” is their motto.

Fentons has been around since 1894 and business is still booming. A one-time visit to Fentons is unlikely. Most customers keep coming back for the one-of-a-kind ice cream and super-sized sundaes.

Although Fentons has been around for more than a century, it had to rebuild after a 2001 fire started by employees during a burglary attempt gutted the historic building. The ice creamery reopened in 2003, to the delight of its fans.

I have been there a dozen times at varying times of the day and I’ve always had to wait a little, but it always seems to be worth it.

All around the parlor you can hear customers talking about the ice cream. One person even said that it was the best ice cream she’d ever had and couldn’t believe how big it was.

The only complaint I have about Fentons is that it’s challenging to find a parking spot, and there is usually around a 10-25 minute wait.

The ice cream is fairly priced and range from about $3.75 to $9.95. A small sundae with one generous scoop costs $4.95, while a banana split costs $8.95. If you’re really feeling ravenous, you can try the Banana Special for $9.95. It consists of huge scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream cradled by a whole ripe banana, covered in pineapple, strawberry and chocolate fudge, topped off with almonds, whipped cream and a cherry. It’s great to share and usually perfect for two hungry customers.

Fentons ice cream dishes are worth every penny due to the mountain of ice cream and toppings you get. The creamery also offers a menu for children that still has pretty big portions, but costs a little less.

Fentons is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, and closes at midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They do not accept reservations.