Yum Yum: Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant is Delicious Treat

"It’s the law of ice cream," my 5-year-old son said during a recent visit to . “You should never leave any behind."

Rest assured, young man. Few cones are ever abandoned at this beloved local restaurant.

Yum Yum Tree's red and white striped awning is like a beacon on Main Street, drawing families like moths to a flame. In the summertime, a stop at this old fashioned ice cream parlor is like a cherry on top of each visit to downtown Brighton. The benches outside are always busy as people gather to enjoy a cone after shopping or playing at .

According to assistant manager Eric Wall, fruity ice creams like black cherry or sorbet are most popular in the summer, while rich flavors like butter pecan and triple chocolate sell more in the winter.

Cake & ice cream, our family favorite, is in demand all year, Wall said.

Yum Yum Tree is also a full service restaurant. Kids are entertained in the dining room with children’s books stashed behind the napkin holders at every booth, coloring pages served with cups full of crayons, and the ever-popular electric train, complete with whistle, whirring around the room overhead.

Lisa Nowling, a mom of three, stopped in with her children one recent Wednesday before dropping son Basil off for afternoon Kindergarten at .

“One day a week is 'special food day',” Nowling said. “Today, Basil picked Yum Yum Tree.”

Kids eat for $1.99 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. every Wednesday, but a special kid's menu serves them all week long.

For adults, selections include appetizers like chicken tenders, cheese sticks and sweet potato fries ($3.75-$6.75); salads, burger baskets, quesadillas, sandwiches and house favorites like the deep dish chicken pot pie, served with tossed salad or cole slaw ($7.95).

There’s also a whole calendar of soup’s from "Bert’s famous kettle," including deliciously rich almond chicken, Amish potato, butternut squash with apples, and tomato bisque. On the menu every day is piping hot chili topped with diced onions and cheese, and served with a grilled cheese tortilla ($5.50).

According to Wall, the house favorite is the cheese steak hoagie basket. Dubbed “the pride of Brighton,” it's a French bun filled with a ½-pound of shaved steak, flame roasted onions and peppers, and cheese, served with fries ($7.25). Hot peppers or mushrooms come on request.

There's also free Wi-Fi so you can stay connected while you dine.

But back to the sweets.

Yum Yum Tree makes all sorts of concoctions with its ice cream, which is mostly Kemp’s brand and some Mooney’s. Traditional soda foundain fare includes floats, malts, shakes and sundaes ($2.95-$4.75).

More elaborate selections include the famous turtle sundae, with hot fudge, hot caramel, and pecans crowned with whipped cream, cherry and a cookie wafer; and the Mt. Brighton, a mountain of vanilla custard and oreos with hot fudge covered slopes ($4.75).

If you order dessert, be sure to save room. You wouldn't want to break the law of ice cream.