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Malt Shops: Classic Ice Cream, Friendly Service & Comfort Food in Portsmouth, OH

Malt Shops in Portsmouth, Ohio, offers a charming, nostalgic experience with its old-fashioned malts, soft-serve ice cream, and comfort foods like mac & cheese and broccoli cheese bites. This cozy spot is praised for its rich chocolate soft serve and friendly, attentive service, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Customers appreciate the delicious banana splits, flavorful milkshakes, and reasonably priced meals like chicken wraps. While the small, quaint setting could use some updates, the quality of food and fast, clean service stand out. Malt Shops perfectly blends classic treats with a hometown feel, making it a beloved local gem.

Malt Shops at a glance

  • Address 2004 Scioto Trail, Portsmouth, OH 45662, United States
  • Phone +1 740-353-6665
  • Restaurant type Ice cream shop , Armenian restaurant , Hamburger restaurant , Hot dog restaurant .
  • Popular for Solo dining .

Photos & Gallery

Malt Shops: Reviews & Ratings

CR Vetter Cochran
5

Good place to eat lunch, great ice cream and mac & cheese bites too!!

Kerry Coyne
5

This was a small little building. But when we g it there it was a closing time but the young lady at drive thru said yeah well get you. They still have old time malts. The icecream was very good. My wife got the hard ice cream and loved it. The servers were all very friendly. Will visit again.

Michele Walburn
5

I love their chocolate soft serve ice cream. It's as good as what they had at the big top back in the seventies. That was my all time favorite. Their other food is all pretty good too. The only problem I've ever had there, and it's nothing I would get upset about, is that the broccoli and cheese bites are sometimes cold. It's only happened a couple of times and both times I noticed new staff working so I figure they just hadn't gotten the hang of it yet. Everyone makes mistakes and I didn't die from eating cold broccoli and cheese bites. Lol. I'm just glad that we have local shops and that they hire kids with no work experience. No kid should have to work for a corporation, especially as their first job.

April Graham
5

I was feeling kind of like getting into something. So I stopped by your little malt shop. And it was very cute and the banana split in a cup was so delicious. The service was so fast and friendly. And they was dressed very clean and neat looking.

April Steele
4

I had a milk shake and it was really good. My friend had the chicken wrap and said it was really good too. The prices are very reasonable too. It could use a good cleaning and update, but food and service was really good.

Location

  • Malt Shops
    Malt Shops
    2004 Scioto Trail, Portsmouth, OH 45662, United States Hotline: +1 740-353-6665

Nestled in the heart of Portsmouth, Ohio, Malt Shops delivers a nostalgic journey to a classic American malt shop experience. This cozy spot may be small in size, but it packs a big punch in flavor and charm. Famous for its rich, creamy ice cream—especially the chocolate soft serve that evokes memories of simpler times—the shop effortlessly blends old-fashioned treats with friendly, welcoming service. Customers rave about the range of delights, from indulgent malts and milkshakes to savory bites like their beloved mac & cheese and broccoli and cheese nuggets.

What stands out most about Malt Shops is the genuine, unpretentious atmosphere. The staff’s warmth and enthusiasm add a personal touch that big chains simply can’t match. Even during a near closing hour visit, the drive-thru team went the extra mile to serve delicious, freshly made treats. The menu offers comfort food staples that satisfy cravings without breaking the bank—think creamy banana splits in a cup, crispy chicken wraps, and milkshakes that bring a burst of childhood joy.

While the building shows signs of its age and could use a little sprucing up, that only adds to the character and authenticity of the place. Occasional hiccups, such as slightly cold broccoli bites, speak more to the learning curve of a team dedicated to growth and community employment rather than any culinary disappointment. This commitment to local staff and genuine flavors makes Malt Shops a charming, authentic find in Portsmouth’s dining scene—where every visit feels like coming home to a simpler, sweeter time.

Business Information

  • Accessibility
    • Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Service options
    • Delivery
    • Drive-through
    • Takeaway
    • Same-day delivery
  • Payments
    • Credit cards
    • Debit cards
    • NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards