Hinsch's Confectionery

I used to go here when I was little all the time - great memories. A great mainstay of Bay Ridge. The ice cream sodas (black and whites) are fantastic. Even today, twenty-five years later, I still go back to Hinsch with my mom for the ice cream sodas when in the area.

From Williamsburg to Bay Ridge?????

Who are you and what have you done with Kara???????

What a great looking place.

My first job was cleaning dishes here. My god I think I made 2.50 an hour and worked sat and sunday afternoons. I guess that was a lot of money for a eigth grader in 1988. Thanks for the post.

It's still me, Kensingtonian. I've been gettin' around! (And for the record, we were a little worried that comments would dwindle as we ventured out of Brownstone Brooklyn -- so it's good to see you guys here!)

The ice cream here is out of this world. Edible Brooklyn did an article on Hinch's and reported that they are only 1 of two ice cream joints that make the ice cream on the premesis. When you walk in, its like you've steped back in time.

(I know Bay Ridge is not considered Brownstone Brooklyn but we've got streets and streets of them so I often wonder why?)

I get the warm and fuzzies every time I see that neon sign. Such great memories of going there with my mom after a day of shopping on 86th street. Last time I went 2 years ago, the ice cream soda and burger I had was still just as good as when I was a kid. I think it's still the same family that's owned it all these years.

Bay Ridge's culture in my opinion is food. Not high end, but down home good eats of many ethnicities. Thanks Kara!

have gone there after a trip to century 21. can't remember anything about the food, but love the place for it's old school charm.

I'm not sure who defines the boundaries of Brownstone Brooklyn -- but I agree that there are a lot of restaurants worth checking out in Bay Ridge. Stay tuned for Turqua Grill, italiana!

Kara, it's great you are stepping out of the Brownstone Brooklyn boundaries! A lot of us readers are from all over Brooklyn and I am looking forward to more reviews from Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Bensonhurt, Kensington, Gravesend, Brighton Beach, Sheepsheadbay, Midwood, etc.

Wow, is this cute.

i finally figured out what the sign reminds me of! the russ and daughters sign. ah, what a relief.

I go there whenever I hit up C21 and it's fantastic!

I always get a grilled cheese sandwich and a chocolate malted.

Heaven!

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I grew up around the corner from Hinch's. On a recent trip back, my server was the same one as the last time I ate there nearly 18 years ago.

She's been there for 35 years.

It's not Le Bernardin, but the burger and fries is very decent and anything chocolate dipped is great.

Come to think of it, I'm gonna take my kids there this weekend.

Thanks for the memory jogger Brownstoner.

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This place looks lovely.

I'm really glad to see you venturing beyond Smith St. and Williamsburg for your restaurant reviews. This is a sweet little place. I finally realized that one of the reasons I go out of my way to Bay Ridge for doctor's appointments is because I like the community, including this place and so many little food shops from different cultures. Thanks for featuring this one!

Love old timey places like this. Have to make a trip out there. I like Bay ridge- I know we seem to concentrate on "Brownstone" Brooklyn but why? There is so much more to Brooklyn, and I'd love to know more.

It looks like a slightly more upscale version of Anapoli on 3rd avenue, also in Bay Ridge.

Please continue with the Bay Ridge reviews, this is great! I'll mention a few that I'd like to see reviewed...

Dish
Elia
Cebu
Chianti
Areo
Nouvelle
Fushimi
Anapoli

There should be a law mandating that every neighborhood have a place just like this.

Going to be in Bay Ridge next weekend for brunch to meet up with a long lost cousin and I might ask her if we can go to Hinsch's. Been a long time. bpjay....In 1988, my ninth grade job was working in menswear at Century 21 around the corner. Two buses from Coney - crazy. I would eat at Hinsch's all the time and have the cheapest thing I could get: grilled cheese and coffee. Thanks for the dishes.

mermaidtwirler....thats great, i was probably behind the counter doing the dishes while you were eating on break. I took one bus from borough park (the BP in bpjay)(B16) to get there. Not as bad as two but it was still a long commute for 2.50 an hour. Funny thing is you dont see kids working these days, I started there the summer of 7th going into 8th grade, i was probably 12 (that was probably illegal). I'd like to see an 18 year old doing that work today!

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I'm sorry, as a lifelong Bay Ridge resident I know Hinsch's is nostalgic for some but it's filthy, the food is standard diner meh (at BEST) and a couple of the waitresses are so friggin' crabby.

The last time we went in famished from Century's to grab a bite to eat the waitress barked at me that there was no room for my stroller and to move it. Just behind me were two customers deep into their meals with strollers double the size of mine blocking the aisles and entrances to the bathrooms. I was trying to manuever getting my stroller folded when she barked at me again (less than a minute later) "That can't stay here!" I said to my poor friends "I refuse to eat here and be treated this way." Especially when there was about 4 tables full in the entire restaurant.

We moved on down the road to Skinflints on 79th & 5th and had some juicy & delicious blue cheese burgers which turned out to be a much more satisfying meal than we could have EVER had at Hinsch's. For old world charm with much more customer service I go to Anapoli's where they treat us like family. To the commenter that this looks like an upscale Anapoli's they may just be commenting on the exterior. Anopoli has fare better food, service and standards of cleanliness. Bay Ridge has so much more to offer than the nostalgia Hinsch's dishes up, at this point it's the only dish worth mentioning.

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I love this place so much. Nothing special about the sandwiches etc. but the waitresses call you "hon" and the ice cream is great and that is the entire point! Can cheer me up when I am in the dumps, no doubt. And if I've just gotten a bargain at Century 21 then it is a near perfect day. (I am easily delighted!)

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Yay - another Bay Ridge restaurant! Thanks again for coming to our nabe. Just like everyone else has said, Hinsch's is that comfortable, familiar neighborhood establishment that everyone knows and loves. The food may not be anything great, especially when you compare to 3rd Ave. (Restaurant Row), but it's the kind of place that everyone will miss if it ever closes. There is definitely sentimental value when you think about Hinsch's. With all of the new places popping up and neighborhoods changing so rapidly, it's nice to have those few places that remind you of the past.

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