Grunnings in South Orange.

There were two Gruning’s in South Orange; one in the Village, the other at the top of SO Avenue by the South Mountain Reservation. That site is now an ugly condo.

There is scattering information online, the best I’ve found is here:
http://www.griswold.com/Grunings.htm

I remember that menu well!

The one on the hill had large painted murals of 50′s era CHS students. Out the back windows there was a great view, where you could see for miles towards Newark and the Verrazano Bridge. The ice cream was amazing and I remember especially the hot fudge sundays. The place just had great atmosphere and was perfect for burgers, ice cream or whatever you might want after your little league game.

I remember Grunnings from 1988. I was a nanny in South Orange and met there regularly with other nanny friends and young children to enjoy the lattice fries and fantastic ice cream! It was a really special place, very friendly and traditional.I am English and at the time this was a real example of an American eatery. We loved it!

I grew up in South Orange. We would go to both Grunnings frequently. The ice cream was excellent. They also made their own candy. Chocolate. My best friend and I would stop in the village for a drink on the way home from school. We would sit at the counter and she would get a cherry coke and I a vanilla. It was the old fashioned soda fountain. The burgers had a special taste to them too. Too bad it is gone.

Grunnings is a mythological place for many who grew up in South Orange and the surrounding towns. There were other Grunnings branches in South Plainfield, Montclair, and Millburn, NJ but the South Orange Village one and the one “on the hill” were the archetypes. To this day, its ice cream is the standard by which I judge all other ice creams. If you happened to go into the store as the ice cream was being made, sometimes they’d give you a sample when it was still soft and fresh out of the machine. I remember fondly Ernest, Frank, Frank, and Will and the candy maker, a kind lady whose name I don’t recall. All were lifetime Grunnings employees in an era when one could make a living working full time in such a simple establishment. It started in the 1930′s I believe as a family business of Mr. Herman Grunning Senior and then in the 1970′s was taken over by his son who was also a lawyer. The coffee ice cream there was my favorite and forever the fond memory of drinking yummy black and white ice cream sodas there with my favorite aunt, now passed, will remind me of “home”. It was the place that as a young child I lunched with my mom and grandma feasting on special time with them and great burgers and home made soups. When I was a student at the local Marylawn of the Oranges High School, Grunnings was the place to go after school, after school dances, or for lunch on days off…Many in my family worked there at different times of their live and I myself worked there as a cashier during summers when I was a student at the College of Saint Elizabeth. I have a full and happy life in Upstate New York now but still I remember Grunnigs for so much more than just the food. Everyone should have a Grunnings in their life!

It’s nice to read all of the positive comments about Gruning’s. I was the owner of Gruning’s in the late 80s and would be happy to hear more stories or answer questions if any of you out there have any.

living in south orange since 1952 and a hang around guy at grunning’s in the village ( with my 1956 custom white with scallops, louvered hood,sitting very low bone white interior and sitting very low to the ground) the ice cream, fudge and marshmellow were the BEST, I WISH SOMEONE had the recipe.
there is a itailian restaurant there now. how about MANGIORES
(‘m not sure of the spelling) on springfield ave (east) near prospect street, not to bad either

I have many fond memories of eating ice cream at Grunnings. When I was a young boy in the early and mid 1970′s, during the summer months, one of us kids would say to our parents, “Hey, let’s get some ice cream at Grunnings!” Almost all the time, they’d oblige. We’d get excited and pile into the Ford station wagon and drive through Irvington and then make our way up So. Orange Ave., all the way to the top of the hill. We’d always get a window booth in the back of the restaurant, so we could enjoy the view of NYC off in the distance. I always ordered the same thing, a large Strawberry Sundae with extra whipped cream. It almost puts a tear in my eye to type this, because its been such a long time since I’d thought about those happy days gone by. Life was so simple back then. Its a shame that special place is no longer at the top of the hill. It was a true piece of Americana. If I was Governor of NJ, I would have made that place a landmark, to be preserved for future generations to enjoy. The building is gone, but at least we carry fond memories in our hearts of that special place called Grunnings at the top of the hill.

I haven’t been there since I was a little kid over 20 years ago. I have great memories of post-little league game gatherings there.

That name just popped into my head out of nowhere a minute ago, and Google brought me here. I am lucky to have grown up in a town like South Orange.

I grew up in South Orange in a house that was about half-way between the Grunings in the Village and the on “on the hill”. My greatest treat was to walk up the hill with my friend and enjoy an always absolutely PERFECT hot fudge sundae, seated in a booth overlooking the best view…on a clear day, you could see NYC!

PLEASE, does anyone have the recipe for Gruning’s Hot Fudge, or know where I can get it????? I used to have it shipped to me after I moved to California. It’s legendary in my family and I’d love to be able to make it. My e-mail address is: myra@myraanddave.com

I grew up in Short Hills and we frequented the Millburn Gruning’s regularly….. They had an amazing Lemon Ice Cream…. not a sorbet but ice cream! Good times!

My sister and I grew up on Grunning’s ice cream in South Orange, NJ. I have lived in Arkansas for 32 years and my sister is in Dallas. We all still talk about it and wondered what was going on. I would love to order some and send it to her and her husband. Would that be possible? Glad to know that so many people are still enjoying the best ice cream ever!

Too many fond memories of Grunings in the 60s and 70s, I can hardly begin, especially the store in the Village with the factory right behind it. Got to tour the ice cream making in grade school. Spent many hours at the counter, black and white sodas, banana splits, hot fudge (to die for) sundaes. The confections were also amazing. The thin mints were a family favorite, mom got several boxes every Mother’s Day. My sister even worked there for awhile after the reconfigured the counter. So sad to see it go. There is a very active group on Facebook for Grunings, if you want to share more or read more.

I worked as the assistant manager for about 4 year at the Grunnings on Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell in the mid 70′s. I remember the peach ice cream in season and shipping hand packed quarts in dry ice all over the country. They also had really good candy. I think what I liked the most (besides all the good ice cream and candy) was the regular customers we had come in almost every day.

Good memories and I really miss the ice cream.

This was such a popular place that there’s even a Discussion Board on Facebook about it. Check it out.

wow…Grunnigs. I remember as a kid my parents would either take me to the duck pond in South Orange or go to the deer park in the reservation on saturdays. We would always end those afternoon times at Grunnings. My older brother would hang at the bottom of the hill and I the top. They truly were two different places

Hey,
My name is Glenn and I worked the grill at Grunnings in the village in 1975-76. My mentor was the great Gus.
We had many guests such as John amos who came in late with a bunch of friends often. Don Kerschner of Rock Concert fame was another. It was so cool to see them and take care of them.
We had a great crew that really made sue that every customer was happy. Danny, Fred, and others.
Wet walnuts, loose eggs, Reuben sandwiches, candy in the window, turkey molded ice cream, the greatest rum raisin like no other since,
No other place will ever compare to this.
I hear people trying to make comparisons.
Trust me, from the inside I can tell you that there will never be anything you will ever see or taste like it was.
The great people of South Orange will testify to this.

Further, I met my wife Deborah and her mom there.
I cooked for them late on Saturdays.
Our crew would have late night poker games in the back.
The owner never knew at the time but the S.O cops did. The came in for coffee at 4AM long after closing time.
They were young guys like us.
I was a student at Seton Hall trying to get by working for nothing.
This place was an anchor for all of us.
It’s a real crime to see that it is no longer around.
The block was magic with the Town Hall Deli and their coleslaw sandwiches shaved off with razor precision.
It was amazing to see the whole neighborhood.
There was the Stuft Shirt. Roquefort burgers.
There was this little man from Ireland at St Patricks day. His name was Johnny Ross. He played a bar every year on St Pats. in the village, I forget which.He was the greatest!!!!!!!!!!1

Hi!

I did not grow up in S. Orange, my Mom worked in S. Orange and my boyfriend lived in Maplewood. As a special treat, my Mom would stop by Grunnings before she came home with the most wonderful ice cream. We didn’t get it all the time which made it even more special. I loved that ice cream soooo much! I was so sad when they went out of business.

Years later, I was in S. Jersey and found a little store that sold seasonal corn and I saw in the freezer Grunnings! I was so excited! It still tasted the same, absolutely wonderful.

Grunnings made this little girl’s life in Colonia, NJ a little sweeter! Thanks Grunnings, I wish you were still around.

Love ya!

I didn’t grow up or live in South Orange. But for one great summer in 1964, Grunnings was part of my daily ritual. I was living in Morristown and taking physics in summer school at Seton Hall. When class was out my treat each day was to head down the hill to Grunnings for a burger (outstanding) and ice cream before heading for the E-L station to get the train back to Morristown. It was a great place. I’ve lived in North Carolina for 40 years now. But I’ve thought about that summer from time to timeand my daily treat of lunch at Grunnings

Oh, I remember it well. Mt late grandfather was the chief candymaker. My grandmother headed thye packing dept. I used to
sneak in the dipping roo every chance I got. On my b’day Mr. Gruning used to send me the biggest ice cream cake I ever saw. Spent my childhood vacations at the Gruning property in Lavalette.
Remember hanging out with Christine, Jimmy, “Snookie” and Billy
(the grandkids). Those were the days!!!

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe I found this site. I was just writing about my childhood memories of Grunnings and I thought, why not see if it still exists? I grew up in Mexico City but once a year we went back to New Jersey to visit my grandparents (60s). Inevitably my grandfather would take us to Grunnings to pick up ice cream for the family. it was always the same: coffee, chocolate, and raspberry sorbet (I used to call it sherbert). Each family member would have a different combination. Sometimes we would eat ice cream there and then have some more at the house. Ask my sisters and my parents. They will all say the same thing about Grunnings: it was the best ice cream.

Growing up in Short Hills, we always enjoyed visiting the Millburn Grunnings location. But I also remember many trips to “Grunnings on Top” in South Orange and later, while a student at Seton Hall, the Village store. They had a candy recipe I wish I could get today…carmel, chocolate, peanuts all combined. What a treat. Do you remember the “Dusty Road” sundae? Where have all the great places gone? At least we have fond memories!

I didn’t know others felt the same as me. I am fifty years old and Grunnings Ice Cream is still my favorite. Not only did I enjoy the ice cream, but I loved the atmosphere. I discovered Grunnings in 1974 when I started Marylawn of the Oranges. Eating Grunnings ice cream and attending high school are still two of my best childhool memories.

I spent many a happy time in Grunning’s, both top and bottom. In the village (Grunning’s Bottom) my favorite seat was at the counter near the grill. Then when ever a mistake was made with a sunday or ice cream soda they gave it to me. That was the life. One time my friends and I sat in the back room which was up two steps and had booths. Well after we all ate our ice creams and what not we hid the glasses under the booth seat which I noticed was moveable. When the waitress came back with our check we all looked at the clean table and said we are ready to order. She didn’t think it was funny and ran for the manager. While she was gone we put all the glasses back. When the manager arrived we all looked at him like he was crazy. Ahh the good old days.

After every concert or piano recital, the deal was to go to The Top for ice cream sundaes. Usually mine was hot fudge on coffee, but I could also go for vanilla with that caramelly butterscotch topping. Yum and yum. I also liked going to the one in town but The Top was for occasions. I lived on Collinwood Road in Maplewood and my dad (Herb McDavit) was Superintendent of Schools there while I went through school. If he didn’t declare a snow day, I had to pay once I got to school! I am watching my weight and have lost 70 pounds but I’d kill for one of those hot fudge on coffee sundaes.

I grew up in Plainfield in the 1960s, and Gruning’s on E. 5th Street was one of the places kids from PHS congregated–there, and City Hall park across the street at Watchung and 5th. I didn’t eat ice cream then–I came to like it years later–but I loved getting a cheeseburger, FFs, and a coke, usually a vanilla coke.

Was there a waitress there named Gladys? Something makes me remember Gladys all of a sudden. I can picture her as easily as I can my own grandmother, though she might have worked at the Frontier Diner or the Park Ave. Tea Room.

All of this, of course, is before the PHS riot in 1969. Poor Plainfield. It was a nice place to grow up. Too bad everyone abandoned it just because of a little incident of racial strife. I mean, it was the ’60s, for God’s sake. I haven’t been back there since my father died in 1989, and prior to that, not since 1977. I think that’s when my father moved to Edison.

Anyway, the cheeseburgers were worth remembering. I think it cost $1.26 for a cheeseburger, FFs, and a coke, and then I left the change as a tip.

Anyway, did Gruning’s/Grunning’s have one “n” or two?

I remember Inky, Kim, Connie, Robert, Sam, Brad, Mike, Marty, Kathy, John, Bruce (a couple of Bruces, actually), Wayne, Brenda, Dale, Dana, a whole bunch of people.

Wow, this is awesome; to have found this site and be able to “trip” down memory lane is so cool. Growing up in South Orange in the 70′s; I can remember Grunnings on the hill fondly. That was to go to spot after dance and / or piano recitals. The ice cream really left a lasting impression on my taste buds. The “clown” sundaes were always the best with the candy eyes and the ice cream cone hat !
I also remember getting green bagels from the bagel shop in the Village every St. Patrick’s Day. Marshall School got an incredible playground built from tires. Memories of buying candy and stickers from Maplewood Village at lunch time while at Jefferson School. (smile)
Ah ! the Good Ole’ days………Now it’s Applegate Farms for ice cream.

I was raised in Delaware but I first went to the Grunnings on Top sometime in the late 60′s. My big brother was a SHU grad and was marrying a girl from Maplewood. We, the little kids, were taken to get ice cream and I remember well both the ice cream and the panoramic view. I graduated from SHU in ’79. One of the first places I discovered as a freshman was the Grunnings in the village. In my four years at The Hall some of my best times were spent at both Grunnings, with friends or on a date. The ice cream was great and the burgers were very, very, good, second only to another now gone local legend, the Kless Diner in Irvington.

I was raised in South Orange from 1954 until 1967 when my family moved to CA. I have never forgotten going to South Mountain School and walking to Grunnings on the hill for lunch once a week. The mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best I ever had and have spent the last 40+ years seeking the same taste without success. I was hoping someday to return to South Orange to eat at Grunnings, but I guess I waited too long.

Living on Orange St and walking to St. Roses every day Grunnings was part of life. After every Imperial Lancers practice we would stop at Grunnings. Coffee ice cream hot fudge (the very best) and a small coke with colored straws!

Was first introduced to Grunning’s in the 50′s when hiking up to Hemlock Falls from city of EWR on a hot summer day. While students at OLV we often ended up at Grunnings on a saturday nite. In the 80″s we celebrated many of special treats with our young sons who remember with fondness those great banana splits. When our eldest son just finished 4th grade at OLS, his Dad took our son to Grunnings for his favorite treat..our Michael actually cried because he couldn’t finish that giant Strawberry Sunday! We still tease him about that great memory!!

Moved to South Orange from Michigan with my family in 1983. We walked down Tillou frequently from our home on Harding Drive into the Village for the best chocolates & ice cream at Grunnings. Then, one day my mom got a job there waitressing! (Does anyone remember “Agnes”?) Us kids were thrilled! Many happy lunches with mom at the counter. LOVED the hot fudge sundaes; fresh squeed OJ; and the best chocolates. My mom ate them fresh off the cooling rack – nothing like it. Anyone remember “George” who was a fixture of a patron. Wish Grunnings would re-open! End of a bygone era…

Asking Marc the old owner of Grunnings .My wife and I have been on a search for the vanilla ice cream that could match Grunnings. NONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need a receipe . My wife loves to try to make her own .

Grunnings was my first paying job. I cleaned tables and washed dishes the summer of “66″ for 1.25 per hour at the Village location. It was a learnng experience I never forgot. It taught me the value of a dollar and hard work. Ernie was the store Mgr.and took no crap from anybody. I could go on and on about grunnings and wouldn’t know where to stop except to say I wish they were back.
Anyone from that time or place feel free to contact me at drgallagher@charter.net

Ah, Grunnings. No question about it – the best ice cream ever made! I just now returned from a Marble Slab Creamery. It will have to do. Besides, it beats the sludge at Sonic, but it doesn’t compare to Grunnings. On the hill, or in the village, you were guarenteed a treat. I must admit that I almost always went there just for the ice cream. Burgers and fries were at The Sage Diner in Maplewood, or Don’s on SO Ave in Livingston (or was that actually in Milburn?)

Been out of Jersey so long now, it’s all a faded memory. Last time I took a trip down SO Ave in the villiage, I couldn’t recognize the place. Happy to see Bunny’s is still open.

Wasn’t there a Grunings in Plainfield, too?

Grunnings had the best ice cream and hot fudge. I would always get a hot fudge sundae with mint chocolate chip ice cream. I grew up in Caldwell, but my favorite was the Grunnings on the Hill because of the awesome views of New York. I was lucky to eat at all six locations before they closed:

Caldwell (Bloomfield Ave)
Village (South Orange center)
Up on the Hill (Maplewood or South Orange)
Montclair (Bloomfield Ave)
Short Hills (Rte 24?)
Plainfield (E. 5th Street)

They all tasted the same – absolutely wonderful!

Does anyone know if the recipe for the hot fudge was ever published?

Just released my book on growing up in South Orange (Montrose Park). It contains stories about Grunings, Cricklewood, Town Hall Deli, etc. Makes a great gift for new home owners or oldies like me who enjoy traveling back to earlier times. See:

http://www.150montrose.com to view the book or purchase.

Sounds very cool.

I grew up in SO in the fifties and regularly went to Grunings for ice cream and occasionally other things like hamburgers, shrimp salad sandwiches, bologna sandwiches, etc. In all my years I have never found anything to compare with Grunings. Some places like Pals have great food, but not the ice cream or chocolates. I also remember the “Top” being a special occasion place where “Foot” Zuzuro would take us for ice cream sundaes upon winning the SO Little League championship. What a great time those fifties were….

Oh my gosh, do I remember Grunnings!!! Going back 60 years. Our family of 7 lived in West Orange and one of my father’s favorite places (and ours too) was Grunnings for an “awful awful”. Anyone remember those? If you could eat two, you got the third one free…. I have four brothers and they all tried at one time or another, but failed. By far, this was the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted. I miss them so.

My family and I lived in SO beginning in the early 50′s until I moved to Morristown in 1979. My parents still lived there until the mid 90′s. To this day there is no comparison to their coffee ice cream and hot fudge. My father was an ice cream and candy lover and the only place we ever went for those treats was Grunnings. What great memories. Even now in my mid 50′s I am still partial to a hot fudge sundae with coffee ice cream, just like my father always ordered. The dusty road and hot fudge marshmellow sundaes were also great. Though we frequented both spots in SO, my favorite was in the village. I remember walking home from junior high and stopping in and getting a cone. I believe it cost .22 cents. So glad I found this site, really brings back wonderful memories of days gone by with my family.

There was also one in downtown Newark.

My grandfather was one of the owners of the grunnings corporation,when my aunt was born (around 1974) he decided to buy a substantial chunk of the buisness with a good friend since college and my others aunts ex boyfriends father(funny!). I heard very little about it when I was a child. But I started working at friendlys ice cream about three yrs ago and he told me all about grunnings. He showed me pictures of my father when he was ten mixing the ice creams and pictures of a woman who made all the homemade chocolates for 40 years! I guess ice cream runs in the family!

To Pam Moon:
I could be wrong but I think “awfuls” were the product of another establishment. I could be wrong because it was 45 years ago.
Do you remember the Town Hall Deli.
I live in S.Carolina and had a Sloppy Joe shipped to me. 16 for the sandwich 72 for over night shipping.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED GRUNNINGS ICE CREAM! I loved it when my mother would bring a pint of lemon flavored ice cream home and it was like CHRISTMAS! That pint did not last the the night! I wish I coudl find out where to purchase it again or get the ingredients! Perhaps the former owner Marc could contact me since I live in Florida now. Please someone email me!
Grunnings I miss you!

Did the Gruning’s in Millburn have any name other than Gruning’s? I’ve seen one written as Gruning’s-on-the-Mountain where you could view the New York skyline. Could anyone verify?
Thanks

Boy did this bring back memories. I used to live on Tillou Rd, right up the hill from SOJHS. I loved the Grunnings in the village. They made mint chocolate chip ice cream that was honestly a work of art. It was also the only flavor my mom wouldn’t eat, so a pint or quart would survive in the freezer until I personally finished it off. Every other flavor disappeared the day we went off to school.

Speaking of which, I went to South Mountain school. One of my favorite memories was my parents giving me money for lunch and my sis and I walking up that steep wooded shortcut and darting across a busy midday South Orange Avenue to eat lunch there. Imagine parents today letting their kids do that? Wow!

Thanks, Grunnings, for all the great memories!

I went to Seton Hall from 1974 to 1978. Grunings on the Hill was THE place to go when the parents came on Sunday to visit. Also a treat when the roommates/suitemates wanted to splurge. (We were students after all)!! The burgers were great and the ice cream just couldn’t be beat! My mother mentioned it to me tonight … remember when … so I had to go on line to see if it was still there. So sorry its gone but what great memories

I grew up in South Orange in the 50s- 60s, and have vivid memories of Grunings, and S Orange in general. I left Jersey for college in Vermont in the 60s, and have made my home in Vt and Florida ever since. Here are some of my memories relating to Grunings, for those interested:

1. Grunings in the village: My grandfather, Raymond Connolly, owned a real estate company in S Orange for many years, and I used to visit his office on Saturday mornings as a young boy. I remember him taking me to Grunings in the Village for ice cream. He and I were very close.

When I was in grammar school at Or Lady of Sorrows, and later in high school (Seton Hall and Columbia- class of 62), we hung out at Grunings, sometimes getting into more trouble that our parents would have liked. I remember many weekends cruising the village, and Grunings parking lot, looking for girls, and “trouble”. We found “trouble” more often than not.

2. Grunings “on the top”: I remember spending countless hours “on the top”, cruising for girls, and meeting up with my buddies. Alcohol was not served at Grunings, but there sure was a lot of it consumed either in the parking lot, or at parties just a mile or two from Grunings. I remember meeting the young CHS girl I went out with much of my time in college on th Top. Many young romances started, and probably ended at Grunings.. I don’t remember much about the food..

Life is good today…thanks for listening…

My dad grew up near Grunnings and always tells me all about it and how absolutely amazing it was, and it makes me feel bad I didn’t grow up when he did!

Right now, I’m only 15 and my dad can’t name ANY ice cream I buy to date that compares to Grunnings. Even my favorite ice creams that I think are great he says aren’t even a half of what Grunnings tasted like. So can someone give me an idea? What do YOU think is the closest icecream you can buy to Grunnings ice cream? I’d love to taste something similar, even if its not the real thing. Thanks.

Pam, Awful Awfuls were a product that Bonds put out. There was a Bonds in Montclair and some others elsewhere in the Essex County area. Essentially, it was a very thick milkshake served super cold. You really needed a spoon to eat one. Very very filling and pretty good, too.

@Jerry (comment #43)

There was a Grunings in Newark? I didn’t know that!
By the time I was going to them there were only six locations on the menu.

Wish I could still buy that yummy hot fudge.

Ah! The Coffee Ice Cream Floats at Grunnings were to die for. Delicious memories of their most awesome Hot Fudge Sauce (nothing has ever come close) leave me with a desperate craving that will remain unfulfilled. Yet my fondest thoughts center on their red pistachio nuts. You could buy them by the pound or in small cellophane wrappers. My girlfriend, Sandy and I would each buy a small bag (.25) and then set out from Grunnings on the top for an after school walk up South Orange Ave. and into Newstead in search of a white Maserati Ghibli that resided amongst the homes up there. We left such a trail of red shells . Thank You Grunnings for playing a wonderful part while I was growing up and now, in my memories.