Johnson’s Real Ice Cream: Exhibit B – Ice Cream Capital of the World
Posted by CMH Gourmand on July 19, 2008
Johnson’s Real Ice Cream
2728 E. Main Street
Bexley
614.231.0014
7111 E. Main Street
Reynoldsburg
614.577.1916
Johnson’s is a real Bexley institution. It is destination for anyone in the community as well as for those who have moved away that sojourn back to remember the good old days. Children from the nearby elementary school observe local tradition by walking to Johnson’s for an end of the school year ice cream cone. Robert Johnson and his son-in-law James Wilcoxon opened a small stand in 1950. Johnson’s has beaten the odds by remaining a family run business to this day. In 1994 Matt Wilcoxon became the fourth generation of the family to work in the business. (There is also a spin off in Chicago).
Johnson’s has churned out fifty flavors for over fifty years from the same spot on Main Street. The Bexley location is family friendly with plenty of booths and tables. The interior is decorated with ice cream posters and thank you cards from school children that have experienced the “factory” tour. There are also framed ice cream-themed puzzles for added ambiance. Walk-up windows are available for ordering to help manage the summer time lines.
Johnson’s is served at several local restaurants including Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. An adult favorite is Triple Vanilla Bean while kids go crazy over Blue Sky, a marshmallow swirl ice cream in a brilliant blue base. In addition to a wide selection of flavors, Johnson’s is also has unique sundaes such as Tin Roof and Pecan Ball as well as specialty items including Turtle ice cream pies. The ice cream buckeyes are best known Johnson’s specialty – handmade round balls of peanut butter chocolate chip ice cream dipped in chocolate and sold in packs of eight. Johnson’s buckeyes are great for any OSU themed event – one local institution supporting another.
CMH Gourmand - Eating in Columbus & Ohio 
Geoff W said
Johnson’s is a neat ice cream place. Up until recently, they had a true rarity (these days) on the menu : an egg-cream float drink. These beverages enjoyed their heyday around the late 1950’s and were occasionally found in other places afterwards.
Some of the staff currently working there, as of earlier this year, still knows how to make one, so if one has an interest in a unique drink, you may be able to request it!