This week I thought Jones’ Food Street Journal would do a quick double.  Part one of the double is Seawell’s Market and Deli on First Avenue in Parkesburg.

Last Friday Lin and I went for the meatloaf special.  As we were driving by on First Avenue we saw the sign advertising $6.99 for a meatloaf dinner so we thought, why not?  There were several other tables filled when we got there and much to our pleasant surprise we saw a gentleman dining alone and enjoying a glass of wine with his dinner.

This puts a whole new spin on dinner at Seawell’s for us.  I asked Carol and she said it was fine to bring your own wine and enjoy.  If you don’t mind plastic cups (we don’t) there’s plenty.  You could also bring you own glassware if you want to jazz things up a bit.

Anyone who knows this place knows it is very informal, but also very friendly and comfortable.  In food, you don’t get much more comfortable than meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans.  The serving size isn’t huge, but it is a good portion for the money.

Had we known we could bring our own wine (and glasses) we would have, but absent that we shared a large chocolate milkshake.  The milkshakes here are made the old fashion soda fountain way.  That means you ‘need’ a spoon and it’s thick and delicious.

Seawell’s doesn’t always do meatloaf, but check out the board out front and give them a try.  We will be going back.

The second half of the double shot is the new and improved Bell’s Delight on Route 10 just south of the intersection with Route 372.  If you’re from Parkesburg like I am, you’ve been watching and waiting as the new ice cream shop has been nearing completion.

I go way back at this location to the Hawk’s Nest as a child. Mrs. Hawk was a lovely person and I spent many hours at the ‘nest’ while growing up in town.

I’ve been checking with the workers and staff for when they would officially open and heard from the horses’ mouth it would be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday April 22, 2015.

I decided to be there for the re-opening Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m.  My intention was to be the first in line and take pictures capturing the excitement as our latest new place in town opened.  Eating ice cream for my lunch is a favorite pastime for me.  Of course, I also don’t mind substituting ice cream for dinner.

Well, I made it!  As you can see I was the first customer served when the ‘new’ Bell’s Delight opened April 22, 2015.

I had a blizzard with Heath Bar chunks in a wonderful waffle cone.  The new place is fantastic.  It’s bright, clean and fun and sure to be a destination for after baseball and football for many kids and their parents.

Don’t forget the drive-in window will be opened year round from here on out.  While talking to one of the owners, Ray, he told me they have a Dairy Queen in Coatesville that is busy all year round selling ice cream from the drive-in window and he expects Bell’s will be just as active through the winter months.

I wish them all the best and I am sure glad we have a new ‘icon’ at the busiest intersection in town.  This will help put a much brighter face on my little home town of Parkesburg.

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A native of Chester County and a 1968 graduate of Octorara Area High School, David Jones earned a Masters Degree in Medical Ethics from from Villanova University. Mr. Jones served as CEO of both Mayview and Wernersville State Hospitals. Jones and his wife Lynn make their home in Parkesburg and dine out frequently around the Delaware Valley.