Founded in 1981, local ice cream chain J.P. Licks is a funky, inventive institution. Bostonians take ice cream seriously, and founder Vince Petryk has succeeded for more than 25 years in satisfying their voracious tastes for frozen treats. J.P. Licks’ home base is on the main drag in the center of Jamaica Plain, and although it’s a town gathering spot year-round, in the summer, the lines grow throughout the day and reach their peak in the hours after dinner. The company roasts their own coffee and sells a variety of cookies and pastries, so it’s a good place to drop by for a cup of coffee and a non-ice cream snack, too. The coffee’s great, but guests line up for Petryk’s rich ice cream in a range of flavors: from standards like chocolate and vanilla, to combinations such as cappuccino crunch, to seasonal flavors like apple crisp in the fall and cucumber in the summer. There are fantastic, enormous sundaes and a line of decadent ice cream cakes, as well. J.P. Licks has regular ice cream, lactose-free, sorbet and sherbet, as well as hard and soft yogurt. The several area locations are all decked out in black and white décor, and many of the cafés feature local art on the walls and wireless internet access. No alcohol available. Hours vary by location, but generally serving during breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night hours. Voted Best Place for Ice Cream in the 2008 The Phoenix readers poll.