Most of us in the Boston area know that J.P. Licks, a popular ice-creamery located in and around Boston, is kosher, certified by the Va’ad Harabonim of Massachusetts. What most of us don’t know is that the main, Jamaica Plain location is actually more than an ice cream shop.

I was first tipped off by the fact that the JP JPL’s is open at 6AM every day. (Ice cream at 6AM — preposterous!) I finally got around to confirming my hunch yesterday, making the short drive from Brookline to Jamaica Plain with digital camera in hand. Besides serving ice cream, this J.P. Licks roasts its own coffee, serves lattes and cappuccino, and offers a nice selection of fresh baked goods — coffee rolls, danish, muffins, cookies, batter breads, and H & H Bagels from New York. It’s an expansive building compared to their other locations, with high ceilings and much more seating.

Believe it or not, we’ve actually had a kosher-dairy breakfast hangout, right in our backyard, for years — and I never knew about it ’til now. So, next Sunday, skip Starbucks (can’t eat their baked goods, anyway), and enjoy this “new-to-you” kosher eatery for a simple dairy breakfast.

And while you’re there, try out their new apple crisp ice cream; it’s amazing.