For all of the touristy businesses in downtown Bar Harbor, CJ's Big Dipper may win the most popular award. Throughout my time in Maine, I haven't seen a business with a more constant flow of customers than CJ's. For all of the ice cream parlors along Main Street, CJ's isn't necessarily the best, but perhaps the most touristy. There is almost always a wait it seems. Hordes of families crowd this joint, especially on the weekend. And of course, like most things in Bar Harbor, prices are steep. A scoop of ice cream will run you $3.50 and two scoops is something like $6.50. But to their credit, it is locally made ice cream. I'll take my chances with CJ's than any Haagen Dazs or Ben and Jerry's shop. I went for a scoop of the ever popular Maine blueberry ice cream and the artery clogging cookie dough on a cone. Each hearty scoop barely fit on the cone, leaving an uneven "leaning tower" of ice cream mass as I quickly attempted to even out the mess. (#1) And after buying a few of them for myself and my dining companions, I was nearly $30 poorer. The ice cream was tasty, but not nearly $7 tasty. The cookie dough was a bit bland but the Maine blueberry shined through. The blueberry flavor was strong and the creaminess of the milky ice cream made it the perfect summertime treat. But would I come back again? Not for that line and certainly not for those prices ... unless someone's buying ... with cash. (Credit cards are no bueno here) ________ (#1) Using my tongue. Yes, I just went there. read more

LOVE this spot for a mid afternoon/late night ice cream break! Especially on a hot day, to sit lazily out on their patio area with a huge waffle cone filled with their wild blueberry ice cream and people watch is the best! They have the usually flavors that we all come to love for ice cream but also have some funky ones called the Dirty Turtle and I'm Not Sure Yet. Plus they make some amazingvhomemade dairy free options as well. Standout flavors for me were the wilde blueberry, butter pecan, strawberry cheesecake, Chocolate Moose Track. Staff is always super fast and friendly but I so wish they would take credit cards for large orders... read more

What a disappointment! Stumbled upon this shop yesterday after spotting a sign advertising vegan ice cream. While we were helped quite quickly, the girl at the counter was clueless. I asked about their homemade gelato and was told they didn't have any even though it was listed on several signs around the store. We then inquired about the vegan ice cream and she looked at us like she didn't have a clue what we meant. They were out of that as well. Finally I simply ordered a chocolate malt. Should be straightforward. She stared at me with a confused look and told me she didn't know what that was. I had to tell her what it was. She had to ask one of the other workers for guidance on making a pretty simply item. Needless to say, it was a disappointing experience. I wish I hadn't wasted my time. Go elsewhere for ice cream. There's plenty of other shops. read more

I did not care for this place at all. Unfortunately, it was the only ice cream place open...all the others had closed for the season. The ice cream was bland and didn't have much flavor. But, what was really disappointing was the fact that they take cash only and don't have it posted anywhere except the cash register so you don't see it until after you've already ordered. The staff was also not very nice, and had very little personality. I would definitely go somewhere else for dessert. read more

We stopped in at CJ's twice on our trip to Bar Harbor. The first time we got the huge cookie sandwich. It was impressively big and the Moose Tracks ice cream was excellent between two chocolate chip cookies. The second time we had a big bowl of blueberry soft serve. Surprisingly, it may have been better than the cookie sandwich, if anything can be better than two giant cookies with chocolate ice cream and peanut butter cups smashed between them. read more

CJ's Big Dipper - Cookie Sandwich with Moose Tracks Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Dirty Turtle--chocolate ice cream with caramel swirl, cashews, and chocolate chips. Just two days ago, I was lamenting to my wife that my favorite nut, the cashew, is scorned by the ice cream world. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, and peanuts all get their due, but never the noble cashew. Then lo and behold--we walk into CJ's and find the Dirty Turtle. They also have several other interesting (and sometimes interestingly named) flavors as well as the classics. The ice cream was good, and although we suffered some sticker shock ($7.70 for two single scoops), apparently their scoooper is the size of Mike Tyson's fist. Open late (in Bar Harbor terms) and very popular. read more

Possibly the worst ice cream business in Bar Harbor. I would 100% recommend Mt. Desert Ice Cream across the street over this, which was much more interesting and better quality ice cream. The staff at CJ's was rude and misleading. They lied about the size of the scoop and then gave us all the wrong flavors. The staff was very aggressive and yelled at my friend when he asked if it was possible to get a different kind of cone. Worst of all, the ice cream itself was not worth the horrific endeavor and tasted like freezer burnt grocery store ice cream. read more

We saw the line coming out the door and figured would be a safe bet (it was). Had one of the cookie sandwiches which you get a scoop of any flavor between two giant chocolate chip cookies. Was a harder cookie so it didn't just fall apart was nice. Kids got some single scoop cones which was more then enough. Overall was a good price and great ice cream. read more

CJ's Big Dipper - The patio of CJ's. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Non dairy hard AND soft ice cream, and multiple flavors of sorbet? Be still my heart! I can almost never have ice cream "out" due to my dairy allergy, so it brought me great joy to visit this place. On top of all that, the prices are super reasonable. The soy chocolate graham cracker and cherry chocolate chip were both delicious! read more

Cheapest place for ice cream with GIANT scoops. Get here early because it gets packed, but one of the best places for ice cream. We recommend getting a warm brownie or cookie sundae. One scoop here is what other places would call two scoops. We stop in every night when we visit. read more

Fast and friendly service. Delicious fresh blue soft serve. And equally delicious maine wild blueberry scoop. The frozen cappuccino also hit the spot. read more

Just an "order fast, cash only checkout when you can't make it to the other shop before it closes" place. No complaints. Ice cream. read more

CASH ONLY! CJs Big Dipper was very reasonably priced and they served nice sized portions, too! They have TONS of options including dairy free, vegan, gelato, soft serve, shakes, etc. There are PLENTY of choices. Wasn't overly impressed with the chocolate peanut butter gelato. It is located right off the village green. You can't miss it. If you go in the evening, be prepared for a line. I wouldn't call this the best ice cream or the most friendly service, but it's a solid choice if you're looking for a cold treat. read more

It's nice that they have so many vegan flavor options, but neither of the flavors we tried tasted good. The soy blueberry vanilla was terrible, which was so disappointing as the flavor sounded delicious! It was intolerably sweet. I don't recommend coming here for dairy-free hard ice cream. read more

CJ's Big Dipper - Vegan/dairy-free ice cream options - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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I am a soft serve fan and was very happy to find out they had blueberry soft serve. Yummy after dinner dessert!! read more

CJ's Big Dipper - Blueberry soft serve - yum! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

This is one of several ice cream stops on the main drag of Bar Harbor, but with a picturesque interior, a porch with tables to sit and eat, and with the band playing in the park across the street on a temperate summer night, this was the place to be for ice cream. Apparently, the 30 people in line in front of us also thought so also. The real dilemma was that I didn't know what I wanted. Cookie Dough always is a staple, but...whaa? An ice cream flavor called " I Don't Know What I Want", that has cookie dough, Reese's PB chunks, and chocolate chips? Heck yeah. Fantastic. Price was about $5 per cone. I can't compare the ice cream to the to the other stops in BH, but it was perfect tonight. read more

CJ's Big Dipper - Cj's pulls the crowds through! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Awesome ice-cream - as a family we tried six different flavors and each was better than the last. Great 4-star experience! Friendly, patient, helpful staff and awesome ice cream, with huge portions! In particular their cokkie dough, pistachio, and blueberry ice cream flavors were awesome! read more

Yum! There was a nice selection of hard froyo here. The first night I had the coffee Heath bar. The next evening I had the black raspberry with chocolate chips - both times on a waffle cone. I tasted my friend's Razzle Dazzle and if I ate ice cream that's the flavor I would've had. read more

CJ's Big Dipper - Razzle Dazzle ice cream! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

This place gets packed for a reason. It's right on Main St, they've got tons of flavors, and the sizes are big. Employees generally keep the line moving, so don't assume you'll be waiting forever if the line is out the door. Overall, a good place to grab a cone and that's all there is to it. read more

Walked by this ice cream store the past two nights and witnessed long lines each time. My wife and I decided to try their soft serve ice cream the third night after trying two other stores the other two nights. She had vanilla and I had blueberry soft serve. The ice cream wasn't creamy at all and almost had a cold, icy consistency. We should've asked for a replacement but with the long lines decided to just toss the cones and go back to another good store. read more

Waited in line for 10 minutes, it was a long line due to a cruise ship being in port. I was patient. However, when I was next in line, ready to give my order, one of customers jumped in front of me and the server let her. Just ignored me completely. Then served the person who jumped the line (Norwegian Cruise line hat). I immediately protested and said I was patiently waiting to be served. Maybe she was having a bad day, but she rolled her eyes and sighed asked what I wanted. Then slammed the ice cream on the counter. I thanked her and decided to write this. Ice Cream was fine, service was not acceptable. However, my belief is they never read these or respond anyway. I would encourage my fellow Veterans to avoid this place. read more

Fantastic dairy free flavors!!! Went 3 times! The sizes were inconsistent each time but still a must!!!!!!!

The blueberry and vanilla twist soft serve is delicious! Went back for another round a few days later! read more

CJ's Big Dipper - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

The girl working the counter was rude. Asked for Gelato and she was just rude. I finally left. Later the wife order ice cream for the kids and asked for napkins & the same girl was still rude. This placed has the worst service. read more

soft serve doesn't taste good and is overpriced. $6 for a kids cone? the only reason i gave 2 stars is because the service was friendly

Rude rude rude !!!!! The owner couldn't be any less accommodating. Not helpful to customers demeaning to his help. Give your business to another shop!!!! read more

Not happy about the cash only operation with a conveniently located ATM inside with a $2 fee. In this day and age why would any establishment owner want a teenage staff handling cash only? On to the ice cream- mediocre at best. Udder Heaven was a better place to go. Better ice cream, though not as conveniently located. read more

Not so friendly and not the greatest ice cream. Cash only at this location. Better off trying another location on the strip. Now I know why there was longer lines at the other places. read more

Ridiculously overpriced. Ice cream wasn't creamy and the service was slow. Would never go back.

Prices are way way too high. We got two waffle cones with one serving of ice cream for 16$ got to be kidding me it ain't that good it's average ice cream overpriced. I understand it's tourist area but they don't take cards, and it's ice cream not lobster. Super disappointed read more

Stopped by here for more ice cream after finishing a cone from another ice cream parlor. There's many nice cream places around Bar Harbor! We stopped here to try the blueberry soft serve. We saw people walking around with super purple ice cream and was intrigued. The blueberry ice cream was only OK though. It was a bit icy and more of a serbert than a creamy ice cream. The server was friend fly and they are dog friendly as well. read more

CJ's Big Dipper - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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Awesome selection of flavors, and let's face it - when it's hot outside, and you are tired from all the hiking at the park, is there anything better than ice cream? Scoops are huge so be prepared! read more

Service is so horrible. They don't even give you time to think. Lady gave me a cone when I hadn't even stated what I wanted yet. DO NOT RECOMMEND read more

Absolutely loved this place. They had a large selection of the most heavenly vegan ice cream I've ever had in my whole life. We live about 9 hours away, but I would make the trip just to have that ice cream again. YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

If you want to be served small portions of ice cream- or tiny sorbets- by someone who clearly does NOT want to be there, this is your place! If not, try Mt Desert Island across the park. read more

i was drawn to this place because of the big sign in their window that said blueberry soft serve because i'm a huge sucker for soft serve. there was a line that was out the door and the employees were pretty efficient. not fast, but also not dreadfully slow. (they also only accept cash! FYI) i'm so glad i stepped into this shop because their blueberry/vanilla twist soft serve was soooo good. definitely worth your money and your time because they also give you a huge swirl. would definitely come back just for the soft serve! i think for future recommendations on this place: i'm a person who definitely judges a book by its cover and the overall aesthetic of this place wasn't initially appealing. i felt as if i really had to take my chances. and it doesn't help that they're cash only to show that there may be needs for an upgrade. judging by the quality of their ice cream, i hope they will succeed enough to make some renos! read more

CJ's Big Dipper - blueberry vanilla twist cone - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

I had the Blueberry hand scooped into a cup. It was the best ice cream I've had in years! I worked in two ice cream shops when I was younger and routinely enjoy a scoop, so to say that this stood out means I really mean it! To top it off, the tour guide mentioned that Pres Obama tasted their ice cream when he was in town at some point, so that was the initial reason we chose CJ's. I look forward to going back for another blueberry scoop - even though I usually go to other flavors, I'd really like to duplicate the taste if I am able to get back there in the future. Unfortunately we live in Eastern PA & the distance is significant. Enjoy it if you can! read more

CJ's Big Dipper - Generous scoop of really good blueberry. Fantastic. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Right place; wrong night! On a rainy autumn night, we came here for a quick ice cream snack. CJ's has a variety of ice cream flavors with unique ingredients. I already knew I wanted the soft serve and ordered a kids size blueberry flavor and it was extremely impressive with a real taste and color of blueberries. The server was kind enough to let me sample the "Moose Tracks" (vanilla ice cream with PB cups and fudge) which was rich and creamy. CJ's is conveniently located on Main Street at the popular corner where many of the touristy shops are located. If you're craving for soft serve, CJ's definitely deserves a visit! read more

Nasty staff and icky ice cream. I asked if the Swiss chocolate almond was made with real almond or almond flavoring and the impatient, annoyed-looking worker said it was made with real almond. One taste made it clear it was artificial almond flavor. When I asked if I could swap for something else , the worker said, frowning, without missing a beat: "no." I was stunned. I guess the artifice of an old-timey, family ice cream shop is just that, an artifice. You can do much better in Bar Harbor. Only good thing I'll say is that my kid liked his "tornado" flavor. read more

Blueberry soft serve---Really?? I have to give it a try. Lick Lick---Yuuummmyy! Absolutely fantastically tasty blueberry soft serve!! Best ice cream I had in Bar Harbor. PS: Super cheap and CASH ONLY!! read more