Article by Chris Scopelliti | Photography by Nick Rynes | Owl Staff
At first glance, I thought it was a barn. Situated in the middle of the farm, no one would guess that this is an eating establishment. I traveled on a gravel road and as I approached the barn and the picnic tables, it suggested that this was not a typical farm.
Broom’s Bloom Dairy, located on Route 543 in Bel Air, has been open for the past decade. As a small, locally owned business, the owner’s goal is to satisfy local customers on a daily basis with local products.
Known for their homemade delicious ice cream, they also sell artisan cheese, pork sausage, free-range eggs, seasonal vegetables, flowers and they serve homemade heart-warming soups for both lunch and dinner.
When I went to try some of the foods and ice cream out at Broom’s Bloom, I fell in love with all of the flavors that I sampled. Broom’s Bloom makes more than 100 different flavors a year, and serves 12-18 at a time, depending on the season.
Some of the different flavors that you would not see at other places include Coconut, Caramel Cashew, Graham Cracker Butter Cake, Marachino Cherry and Chips, and Coffee. I tried the Graham Cracker Butter Cake and it is now my new favorite flavor. It wasn’t too heavy and sweet, which is what I loved about it. A small cup of ice cream costs $2.50, while a large cup costs $4.50.
Aside from their unique ice cream selection, Broom’s Bloom also has an up-and-coming reputation for their soups. The “Maryland Half and Half” is a combination of their Cream of Crab and Maryland Crab soup. My, was it delicious!
I have never tasted any kind of soup like that before; it was extremely creamy and had large pieces of crab meat in it. A small 8 oz. cup of soup is $4.25 while the 12 oz. bowl is $5.75.
“Known for their homemade delicious ice cream, they also sell artisan cheese, pork sausage, free-range eggs, seasonal vegetables, flowers and they serve homemade heart-warming soups for both lunch and dinner.”
Broom’s Bloom also has numerous lunch specials that they serve year-round. I tried the Cowman’s Repast, which is a cup of soup/stew or mac and cheese, half a sandwich, and a small ice cream for $9.95.
I really enjoyed this special because the sandwiches are delicious, and it is not too much food at once; and to top it all off, you get an ice cream for a dessert.
Charles, a 65-year-old Vietnam War Veteran says there is “no place like Broom’s Bloom.” He adds, “I love the customer service, it’s the reason we come here. I go to other places around town with my wife and the employees don’t have a smile on their faces like they do here.”
Broom’s Bloom represents how small businesses are the backbone of our country. This place is for people of all ages, and if you haven’t tried out this great restaurant, I highly advise you to do so. You will not be disappointed, and their food will keep you coming back for more.