Helene the 'Ice Cream Queen' and her truck remain an iconic part of Clifton

Clifton residents of all ages know the sound and sight of Helene Berrios' ice cream truck when it passes through their neighborhood. She has earned the "Ice Cream Queen" title for the past 32 years for serving sweet treats to local children with a smile and napkin.

It all started with Mister Softee. Berrios' husband worked out of his father's truck as a kid but went on to start a family, leaving the dairy business behind. It wasn't until 1991 that he brought the ice cream legacy back and got his wife on the job as well.

Having driven behind the wheel for generations, Berrios said she enjoys the seasonal work and not having to answer to a boss while supporting her family and bringing joy to the community.

"Most favorite part is running a successful business, able to go out and put money into the vehicle to maintain it, and be able to get a turnaround for my clientele and make it worthwhile throughout in the heat and work," Berrios said.

There are plenty of stores around the city that supply ice cream, some at cheaper rates. However, Berrios said she offers a service to her neighbors that the local supermarkets or bodegas cannot compete with. Not only do customers leave with a dessert, but they enjoy friendly conversation from a familiar face.

Both the young and old partake of this legacy. Berrios said she used to drive up to the house of an elderly woman who would wait by the window and leave money in her mailbox for a chocolate eclair.

"It's not just an ice cream, it's an event," Berrios said. "Going out and seeing your neighbors and having a conversation. It's something for someone to look forward to."

Children Berrios served back in the '90s now have kids who have come to know the Ice Cream Queen. While the customers and vehicles have changed through the years, the product has not.

The truck offers an assortment of fudge popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, drumstick cones and more to make any kid's day. Even if someone is just short of change, Berrios said she occasionally goes into her own pocket and covers the rest, so they don't leave empty-handed.

Competing ice cream trucks make the industry fierce. Other brands used to drive along the same routes as Berrios when she first started, but she said her truck is the one that lasted.

Berrios remembers one instance when a rival's daughter jumped into a car and followed her to get the Ice Cream Queen's route. Now, Berrios travels through multiple neighborhoods and no longer sees some of the older competition.

Berrios' experience with ice cream trucks has not been just selling and competing. She grew up running to the sound of a truck's jingle as well. She recalls hot nights when her family saw the lights and heard the familiar song of the ice cream man after they had all changed into pajamas. Berrios said her parents never refused an ice cream run.

"We went so often, he named one ice cream pop after my grandmother cause she just ate it all the time, so he just called it a yaya pop. It was a black raspberry with a dark chocolate coating. It was fantastic," Berrios said.

As with her own business, the ice cream man knew the Berrios family and all their names.

The Ice Cream Queen seems like she will be here for a long time. She does not plan to stop anytime soon, as Berrios said this is her retirement, and she will continue as long as she is comfortable.

Her two sons, the older a substitute teacher and the younger an employee at Rutgers University, rode along with their mom during the early days. The elder son helps in the family business when he has time, and Berrios said he may continue this multi-generational legacy, or it could even be her two granddaughters.

In addition to dishing out cones, this food dynasty owns a catering service for city events like local fireworks, Memorial Day and bordering towns' celebrations.

The company, R&H Catering, has specialized in shish kabobs, gyros, Philly cheesesteaks and other staples for over 30 years. Employees travel in a trailer all across Passaic and Bergen counties, even once going to Florida.

Lasting this long in the ice cream and catering world does come with sacrifice. Berrios said she misses birthdays and holidays to continue the hustle, especially since customers expect the truck at holiday events.

"If you have an ice cream truck and you're in this type of business, if you're not serious about working seven days a week, then you picked the wrong business," she said.