There's something about local ice cream places that is nostalgic for me. It reminds me of simpler times. Smitty's does just that for me. It used to be located along I79, past the University Towne Centre, but it recently moved to Sabraton in the old Hero Hut.

They have so much here: funnel cake, floats, ice cream, shakes, cones, sundaes, and hot foods like sandwiches, burgers, hoagies and more. But their specialty is a "hillbilly mess." It doesn't sound particularly appetizing, but it's essentially a blizzard - ice cream with your choice of fixins. They also have specialties. It didn't take long for the 'turtle cheesecake' to catch my eye.

They don't take cards here, so I wrote a check for mine and my friend's. The total came out to be around $7. It was whipped up in a jiffy (I feel like this terminology is appropriate here). And before I knew it, I had a freezing cold mixture of vanilla ice cream, caramel, chocolate and cheesecake. Sweet Jesus.

While the cup it is served in is kind of unconventional because it's tall, but the spoon is short. It made for an interesting scene, I'm sure. But it was so good! It was just dripping in decadence (and calories). The caramel and chocolate were bold, while the cheesecake was smooth and creamy and was just as scrumptious.

This place is an institution; if you haven't already been, what are you waiting for?

Smitty's is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. 1616 Earl Core Rd., Morgantown, WV 304-241-5778

Grade: A