May 14, 2008
Retro Good Humor Man Recalls Less Irritating Era
Photo: Ed Levine’s Eats.
Say goodbye to the maddening ear-poison of Kool Man’s “Pop Goes the Weasel,” and harken back to the more civilized jingle of a bygone era: the gently ringing bell of the retro Good Humor ice cream truck. On Sunday Adam Kuban got the scoop of the week when he happened upon this atavistic enabler of sweet teeth outside the Museum of Modern Art.
The vintage customized Ford pick-up is just one of a fleet of Good Humor trucks that will be cruising New York City this summer. The fridge installed on the truck’s side keep the treats cold and accessible to the snappily dressed driver, Jose Martinez, who tells Kuban he hopes the truck will be more lucrative than his last job as Italian sausage vendor.
But first he has fight the more established ice cream trucks for a piece of turf. As the Times reports today, Ceasar Ruiz, a Mister Softee man on the Upper West Side, says his seniority entitles him to certain prime spots: “I sell Good Humor, too. But his is more cheap. I sell bar for $2. He might sell for $1.50. Not good. Not good.”
Martinez counters that Ruiz "doesn't own" the spots where he parks, and besides, Good Humor is "the original" ice cream truck. The feud is only going to heat up along with the weather, but let's hope it doesn't end in violence, like the 2004 ice cream truck rivalry that culminated in a savage beating.
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This is cute and all, but he's been parked out front every afternoon for about a week. Move it, Jose!
i spotted one on fulton and water at the south street seaport last saturday. he seemed lonely as no one was near him.
People seem to like to buy food sold out of a truck.
Oooh, ice cream truck wars! Anyone else a fan of the film "Comfort & Joy?"
I have to find this guy! A long time ago I drove a truck just like that in Brooklyn for three years while I was in college. That looks exactly like my old truck! If anyone sees it please tell me whether it has the number 81 painted in the front over the driver's head.
I once drove past a stripper club in another city and parked neatly to the side were about five Schwan's Ice Cream trucks. It neatly completed the mental image I have of these people.
I'm convinced that you can sell ANYTHING out of a truck. It makes it seem like an excellent deal.
I once had 3 hookers drive up to me in a minivan and asked if I wanted to take a ride. Seriously. I was role reversal.
#5 - he's outside the MoMA yet again. If you make it here, please relieve him of those damn bells.
I used to ring bells just like that, Jen. At least be happy it's not a Mister Softee truck playing that damned jingle over and over and over again. That truck's a classic. The kids wanted their ice cream of course but I used to get adults who wanted to sit in the driver's seat. Could be the same truck, who knows?