Some places just have a way of making you feel like time slowed down, and Schell’s Restaurant, Dairy, and Miniature Golf in Temple, Pennsylvania is exactly that kind of spot. Tucked along North 5th Street Highway, this beloved local landmark has been serving up classic American food, creamy soft-serve ice cream, and a 27-hole mini golf course for decades.
Families, couples, and solo visitors keep coming back because there is something genuinely special about a place that does simple things exceptionally well. If you have never visited Schell’s, consider this your sign to put it on your bucket list right now.
The 27-Hole Miniature Golf Course
Picture a warm summer evening, a putter in your hand, and the sound of a little waterfall trickling nearby — that is exactly the vibe at Schell’s miniature golf course. With 27 holes spread across a thoughtfully landscaped layout, this course offers more play time than most standard 18-hole setups, giving families and groups real value for their money.
The course is clean and well-maintained, which is something reviewers consistently point out. There are ball retrievers near the water features so you do not have to stress if your shot goes a little wild.
Golf ball cleaners are also placed along the route, adding a fun and practical touch that keeps the experience enjoyable from start to finish.
Whether you are planning a first date, a family outing, or just looking for something fun to do on a weekday evening, this course delivers. The landscaping creates a relaxing atmosphere, and the pace of play tends to move well even on busy holiday weekends.
One reviewer called it the best mini golf on the East Coast, and after one round, you might just agree. It is genuinely one of Berks County’s most charming outdoor attractions.
The Dairy Swirl and Its Famous Ice Cream
There are ice cream shops, and then there is Schell’s Dairy Swirl — a place that locals have been craving for generations. Reviewers who grew up in Berks County talk about returning after years away just to get a scoop of that sweet hard ice cream or one of their legendary hot fudge sundaes.
That kind of loyalty says everything.
The selection at the Dairy Swirl goes well beyond basic vanilla and chocolate. You can choose from soft-serve, hard ice cream, Italian ice, milkshakes, and sundaes piled generously high.
One reviewer warned that even the small banana split is big enough to feed three or four people, so come hungry or plan to share.
What makes the Dairy Swirl experience special is not just the food — it is the atmosphere. Sitting outside with an ice cream cone while watching mini golfers putt away nearby creates a relaxed, nostalgic feeling that is hard to manufacture.
The staff at the counter have been praised for being polite and efficient even during long lines. After a round of mini golf or a meal at the restaurant, stopping here feels less like dessert and more like the whole point of the trip.
The Signature Ranch Burger
Ask any regular at Schell’s what to order and the Ranch Burger will come up almost every time. This is not a trendy gourmet burger stacked with exotic toppings — it is a straightforward, satisfying classic made with a thin patty and Schell’s own signature ranch sauce that keeps people talking long after the meal is done.
The burgers at Schell’s are intentionally thin, which is actually part of the charm. Some reviewers appreciate that old-school diner style where the patty is simple and the flavor of the sauce does the heavy lifting.
Pairing the Ranch Burger with a chocolate milkshake from the Dairy Swirl is a combination that comes highly recommended by longtime fans of the restaurant.
Prices at Schell’s are genuinely budget-friendly, making the Ranch Burger combo an excellent deal compared to what you would pay at most sit-down restaurants today. The food comes out quickly, which is another bonus when you have hungry kids or a group eager to get to mini golf.
Consistency is a big deal here — multiple reviewers note that the quality has not dropped even years after their first visit. That kind of reliability is rare and worth celebrating.
The Beloved BBQ Sandwich
One longtime fan described Schell’s BBQ sandwich as their all-time favorite, calling it like a tiny Manwich but way, way better. That is a bold statement, but the devoted following this sandwich has built over the years backs it up completely.
The meat is seasoned and tender, and the buns are famously soft — the kind that practically melt before you even take a bite.
It is worth knowing that the BBQ at Schell’s refers to their sloppy joe-style sandwich rather than smoked meats or ribs. If you arrive expecting a rack of ribs, you might be surprised.
But if you order the BBQ with an open mind, you are in for something genuinely memorable. It is a dish rooted in old-school Pennsylvania diner tradition, and it has a comfort food quality that is hard to explain until you taste it yourself.
Pairing the BBQ sandwich with a side of cheese cubes — another fan favorite — is a move that regulars swear by. The combination of savory, saucy meat and crispy fried cheese makes for a satisfying meal that hits the spot on a warm summer evening.
Simple food done right has always been Schell’s greatest strength, and this sandwich is proof of that every single time.
The Cheese Cubes — A Hidden Gem on the Menu
Not every menu item gets its own fan club, but Schell’s cheese cubes come pretty close. Multiple reviewers specifically call them out as the best thing on the menu, which is saying a lot given how many solid options Schell’s offers.
Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, these little bites are the kind of appetizer you end up finishing before your main course even arrives.
For anyone visiting Schell’s for the first time, ordering the cheese cubes as a starter is practically a rite of passage. They are the sort of unpretentious, crowd-pleasing snack that fits perfectly with the overall spirit of the place — no fuss, just good food at a fair price.
They are especially popular with kids, making them a great choice for family visits.
What makes the cheese cubes stand out is their consistency. Reviewer after reviewer mentions that the food at Schell’s has stayed reliably good over the years, and the cheese cubes are a perfect example of that.
One visitor noted they have been eating at Schell’s for over 50 years and the quality has never wavered. Finding that kind of consistency in a small local restaurant is genuinely rare, and it is one of the biggest reasons people keep coming back season after season.
Berks County Hot Dogs — A Local Staple
Schell’s uses Berks hot dogs, and in Berks County that detail matters more than you might think. Berks is a regional brand with deep roots in the area, and locals have strong opinions about their hot dogs.
Serving them at Schell’s is a nod to local pride that longtime residents genuinely appreciate and visitors quickly come to understand.
The hot dogs at Schell’s are simple and well-prepared, earning praise even from reviewers who were less enthusiastic about other menu items. One visitor noted that they wished they had ordered the hot dog instead of the burger, admitting the hot dogs looked especially good coming off the grill.
That kind of honest, relatable observation tells you these are the real deal.
One popular order is the Berks Fiesta Dog with BBQ — a creative combination that layers the tangy BBQ sauce over a classic hot dog for something with a little extra personality. It is the kind of item that feels like it was invented by someone who truly loves food rather than by a marketing committee.
Paired with a soft-serve cone from the Dairy Swirl, a Berks hot dog at Schell’s makes for one of the most satisfying and affordable summer meals in the entire Berks County region.
Affordable Prices That Make It Family-Friendly
In a world where a simple family dinner can easily run into triple digits, Schell’s feels like a welcome throwback. The restaurant is rated with a single dollar sign on Google, which reflects the genuinely low prices across the entire menu.
Families can enjoy burgers, hot dogs, cheese cubes, and ice cream without breaking the bank, and that accessibility is a huge part of Schell’s ongoing appeal.
Adding mini golf to the mix makes the value even more impressive. A full evening out — dinner, dessert, and 27 holes of mini golf — can be done at Schell’s for a fraction of what it would cost at a typical entertainment venue.
Reviewers frequently mention being surprised by how affordable everything is, especially given the quality and portion sizes.
Budget-friendly does not mean cutting corners at Schell’s. The portions are generous, particularly at the Dairy Swirl where sundaes are described as excellent and generously portioned.
The small banana split alone reportedly feeds three to four people. For families trying to stretch their entertainment dollars while still creating meaningful memories, Schell’s represents exactly the kind of place that should be on everyone’s radar.
Good food, good fun, and prices that make you feel good about going back again and again.
The Charming Roadside Atmosphere
There is something unmistakably nostalgic about pulling into Schell’s for the first time. The property has that honest, no-pretense roadside charm that you just cannot fake — the kind of place that feels like it belongs to a different, slower era.
Even reviewers who had mixed feelings about the food acknowledged that the atmosphere has a certain undeniable appeal.
Outdoor seating near the mini golf course lets you eat while watching golfers take their shots, which adds a lively and entertaining backdrop to any meal. The landscaping around the course features small creeks and waterfalls that create a surprisingly peaceful setting for what is essentially a parking lot attraction.
One visitor described it as beautiful scenery, and that is not an exaggeration once you see it in person.
The interior of the restaurant has a well-worn, lived-in quality that some visitors find endearing and others might find dated. But that honest, unpolished character is part of what makes Schell’s feel authentic in a way that newer, trendier spots rarely achieve.
When you visit, you are stepping into a piece of local history — a place that has served the Temple, PA community for generations without ever needing to reinvent itself. That kind of staying power is earned, not manufactured.
A Perfect Spot for All Ages and Group Types
Schell’s has a rare quality that many entertainment venues aim for but rarely achieve — it genuinely works for everyone. Solo visitors come for a quiet burger and some mini golf.
Couples use it as a casual, pressure-free date night destination. Families with young kids love the affordable food and the excitement of a 27-hole course.
Grandparents bring grandkids and relive memories from decades past.
Reviewers from wildly different demographics all describe positive experiences at Schell’s, which speaks to how well the place serves its community. Teens enjoy the mini golf and ice cream.
Parents appreciate the low cost and the ease of keeping everyone entertained. Older visitors feel the warm pull of nostalgia that comes with a place they have been visiting for 50-plus years.
The fact that Schell’s works equally well as a quick weeknight dinner stop or a full evening activity makes it incredibly versatile. You can spend an hour or spend three, and either way you leave feeling like you got exactly what you came for.
Not many places can claim that kind of universal appeal without sacrificing something in the process. Schell’s manages it by staying true to what it has always been — a welcoming, unpretentious community gathering spot.
Decades of Consistency and Community Love
Some restaurants chase trends, constantly updating their menus and rebranding to stay relevant. Schell’s has taken a different approach — it simply keeps doing what it has always done, and people love it for that.
One reviewer mentioned visiting for over 50 years and finding the same great food every single time. That kind of consistency is not an accident; it is a commitment.
The 4.5-star rating across nearly 1,800 Google reviews is a testament to how consistently Schell’s delivers on its promise. For a casual, budget-friendly roadside spot, that level of sustained positive feedback is genuinely impressive.
Locals who grew up going there bring their own children and eventually their grandchildren, creating multi-generational traditions centered around a plate of cheese cubes and a soft-serve cone.
Community landmarks like Schell’s are increasingly hard to find. Chain restaurants and corporate entertainment venues have replaced so many of the small, family-owned spots that once defined local culture.
Schell’s has survived and thrived by staying grounded in what makes it special — honest food, fair prices, and a genuine sense of place. Visiting Schell’s is not just a meal or a game of mini golf.
It is a chance to experience something real, something rooted, and something worth protecting for the next generation of Berks County families.