Farrell's Coming to Mission Viejo

When I was a kid in a church youth group in the late 60's and early 70's a popular stop for the kids was the Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor in Costa Mesa. Farrell's has been long gone from Orange County for many, many years. But good news, ice cream fans, it's coming back (from the Mission Viejo Dispatch):

Some long-time residents will be able to remember taking the family to Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour for special events. Saddleback Valley wasn’t very developed back then, so there wasn’t a store in Mission Viejo, but the festive 1900’s atmosphere of Farrell’s was worth the drive north to Beach Blvd, especially for their popular party packages.

Mike Fleming, CEO of Parlour Enterprises, told the Dispatch today the firm will open its first Orange County store at the Shops of Mission Viejo this Fall. It will be located in the space formerly occupied by Ocean 33, an upscale eatery.

The Parlour will be the company’s “concept breakout” store, featuring modern trends to complement its famous ice creams. It will also sell sugar-free ice cream, frozen yogurt and soy-base treats for people who are lactose averse. The menu will offer pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches plus soups and salads.

The two big items were the "Trough" and the "Zoo". Here's the description of those items from the current menu:

THE PIG’S TROUGH® $11.99 (Fit for a Pig)
Picture this – our traditional banana split times two! Fit for
a pig (you eat from a trough.)
Plenty for two – just you and you

FARRELL’S ZOO® Serves 1-10 $49.99
Every creation except the keeper. So huge it takes two
strong Servers to deliver it to your table. Their knees sag
under FIVE flavors of our famous ice cream. THREE fruit
flavor sherbets, FIVE delicious toppings, whipped cream,
cherries, nuts and bananas. Additional servings $4.99 per
person.

If some group in the store ordered a Zoo the whole place would erupt with bells, whistles and such. This is an experience that today's kids haven't had, and I'll bet this store will do gangbuster business. When you combine the "Build-a-Bear" experience at one end of the mall with the new Farrell's, every birthday party in South County will be taking place at the Mission Viejo Mall