Meet Linda Udell Zakheim of Dania Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Udell Zakheim.

Hi Linda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Jaxson’s was founded by my father, Monroe Udell, and Mother Connie in 1956. He had a vision of creating a place where families could come together to enjoy great food and ice cream. From the beginning, Jaxson’s was about quality ingredients, large portions, and fun, and those values are still at the core of everything we do today.

When my father passed away in 2014, I stepped in to continue what he started. I worked in the restaurant during my teen years but stepped away for a career as a Broward County Social Worker and then a stay-at-home mom raising two children with my husband Scott. Returning to help my father and eventually taking over Jaxson’s was deeply personal for me. This was not just a business. It was his life’s work, and I felt a strong responsibility to protect his legacy and keep his spirit alive. That meant staying true to the things that made Jaxson’s special in the first place.

We still use the same secret proprietary recipes my father believed in, and we continue to make our ice cream, toppings, syrups and sodas in house, which is something I am incredibly proud of. At a time when many ice cream shops bring in premade products, we remain committed to doing it the old-fashioned way, because that is what my father believed in and what our guests have come to expect.

Today, Jaxson’s is still a place where generations gather. I see grandparents bringing their grandchildren and sharing stories about coming here years ago. Every day, I feel like I am honoring my father by keeping Jaxson’s exactly what he intended it to be.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most restaurants today, we face ongoing challenges with rising costs, from labor and food to supplies, equipment, and constant maintenance.

Labor has also become more challenging in recent years, and we work hard to support our team while keeping Jaxson’s affordable for families. Even with these obstacles, we stay committed to doing things the right way, making our ice cream and many of our food items such as our famous corned beef and more in house, honoring our original recipes, and delivering the experience guests have loved for generations.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant has been part of this community since 1956, and what really matters to us is bringing people together. We are a classic family ice cream parlor and restaurant where generations have come to celebrate birthdays, after school treats, family traditions, and special moments. So many of our guests first visited Jaxson’s as kids and now they are walking through the doors with their own children and grandchildren!

We are best known for our made in-house ice cream, 50+ flavors, big fun sundaes, and generous portions, especially The Original Kitchen Sink® – a massive sundae served up in a kitchen sink designed by my dad featuring approximately one pound of ice cream per person (minimum 4 people). We top it off with bananas, homemade whipped cream, mixed nuts, and lots of cherries. Then, just before it gets to your table, we add a sparkler or two and sound the Jaxson’s siren! Ice cream will always be at the heart of what we do, but we also serve classic American comfort food like corned beef, pastrami, ½ pound burgers, foot-long hotdogs, wraps, salads and other favorites, so families can enjoy a full meal together, not just dessert. Our country store is also unique – filled with fresh candy that we bag daily in addition to Jaxson’s apparel, retro toys, assorted Jaxson’s merchandise and TY beanie babies.

What sets Jaxson’s apart is that we have stayed true to who we are. We are not trying to be trendy or change what people have loved for decades.

What I am most proud of from a brand perspective is the emotional connection people have with Jaxson’s. This is not just a place to grab ice cream. It is a place where memories are made and shared. I want readers to know that when they visit Jaxson’s, they are becoming part of a tradition that has been around for seventy years (!), and we feel incredibly honored to be a part of their family stories.

Pricing:

• Ice Cream starting at $8.50
• Food prices range $15-$20 per item
• Avg Price per person: $20

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jaxsonsicecream.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaxsonsicecream
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaxsonsicecreamparlor

Image Credits
Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor