The Waffle Cone Was Invented Here In Virginia, And You Can Grab One From Doumar's In Norfolk
By Beth|Updated on May 15, 2024(Originally published July 06, 2022)
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Few things are as delightful as soft-serve ice cream in a homemade waffle cone. Here in Virginia, this treat takes on a special meaning, as the first waffle cone was actually invented in the Old Dominion. Head to Doumar’s, home of the famous waffle cone, and you’ll experience this treat as it was originally intended to taste. Whether you’re a fan of ice cream in Virginia or simply love experiencing history in a unique way, you’ll be glad you stopped by Doumar’s in Norfolk.
Welcome to Doumar's! The motto here is "every day is ice cream day," and we can't think of a better reason to visit.
Doumar's also holds a fascinating piece of dessert history. Step inside, and you'll find the machine that was used to create the very first ice cream cone at Coney Island. Moreover, it's here that the waffle cone was first invented.
As legend has it, Abe Doumar was attending the World's Fair in St. Louis when he noticed an ice cream vendor ran out of serving plates and had to stop selling his product. Nearby, a vendor was selling waffles. Doumar put two and two together and rolled up a waffle so that it could hold ice cream. The rest, as they say, is history!
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In 1907, Abe Doumar and his brother opened an ice cream stand at the Ocean View Amusement Park. This was an incredibly popular location, at one time selling 23,000 cones a single day!
Did you know about this unique piece of Virginia history? Have you ever visited Doumar’s in Norfolk? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! Need a place to stay while you’re in the area? Check out these unique vacation rentals in Norfolk, VA.