who has frozen custard: chains and shops to try
Several U.S. chains serve frozen custard, including Culver’s, Freddy’s, Andy’s Frozen Custard, and Shake Shack. Local favorites such as Ted Drewes in St. Louis and Kopp’s in Milwaukee are also known for it.
Availability depends on where you live, and some restaurants offer custard only at certain locations or in specific menu items. This guide explains where to look, what each option is known for, and how to tell traditional frozen custard from soft serve or ice cream. You’ll also find practical tips for checking a nearby menu before making a special trip.
Who has frozen custard?
For a widely available starting point, check Culver’s or Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Both are national chains whose menus center on frozen custard. Andy’s Frozen Custard is another dedicated custard chain, while Shake Shack serves frozen custard in shakes and desserts at many locations.
Regional shops can be just as famous with local customers. Examples include Ted Drewes in St. Louis, Kopp’s and Leon’s in the Milwaukee area, and Abbott’s Frozen Custard in parts of the Northeast. Rita’s Italian Ice also offers frozen custard at many locations, often as part of a layered dessert.
Menus and locations change, so treat a chain’s general offering as a useful lead—not a guarantee that every nearby restaurant has every flavor or item. Check the specific shop’s menu or call before you go.
| Where to look | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Culver’s | Fresh frozen custard, sundaes, shakes, and Flavor of the Day offerings | A familiar chain with custard as a prominent menu item |
| Freddy’s | Frozen custard served in cones, cups, concretes, and shakes | Mix-ins and a quick meal-and-dessert stop |
| Andy’s Frozen Custard | A dessert-focused menu built around custard treats | Concretes, sundaes, and custard-focused choices |
| Shake Shack | Frozen custard used in shakes and other desserts; offerings vary | Pairing a custard dessert with a burger or fries |
| Rita’s Italian Ice | Italian ice, custard, and combination treats at many shops | Layered Italian ice and custard, such as a gelati |
| Regional custard shops | Local specialties, classic cones, sundaes, and rich blended desserts | Trying an established local favorite |
National chains that serve frozen custard
Culver’s
Culver’s is one of the easiest chains to check if you are looking for frozen custard. The restaurant promotes its custard as a central part of the menu, with cones, dishes, sundaes, shakes, and blended desserts. Many locations also feature a rotating Flavor of the Day.
The daily flavor is not necessarily the same at every restaurant. Use the location-specific menu or flavor calendar to see what is being served near you. If a particular flavor matters, confirm it before traveling.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Freddy’s pairs burgers and fries with frozen custard desserts. Depending on the location and menu, you may find cones, dishes, shakes, sundaes, and concretes. A concrete is a thick blended custard dessert with mix-ins, such as candy, cookies, or fruit.
Choose a concrete when you want the custard and toppings blended together. For a simpler taste of the custard itself, order it plain in a dish or cone. Check the local menu for current flavors and add-ins.
Andy’s Frozen Custard
Andy’s is a dessert-centered chain with a broad selection of custard treats. Its menu commonly includes cones, sundaes, shakes, and thick blended creations. That makes it a natural option if the dessert—not a full meal—is the main reason for the visit.
Andy’s locations are not found in every part of the country, so search by city or ZIP code before planning a stop. Specific products and seasonal options can differ by location.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack serves frozen custard in desserts such as shakes and concretes. It can be convenient if you are already visiting for burgers, but its custard selection may be less focused than at a dedicated custard shop.
Expect the menu to vary by location and season. If you want a plain cup or cone rather than a blended dessert, check the local menu to confirm the format available.
Rita’s Italian Ice
Rita’s is best known for Italian ice, but many of its shops also serve frozen custard. A popular combination is a gelati, which layers Italian ice with custard. The contrast between the icy fruit flavor and the creamy custard is part of the appeal.
Not every shop necessarily carries the same options. Check the store’s menu for custard and combination desserts before you go, especially if you are looking for a particular flavor.
Regional shops worth checking
Frozen custard has strong local traditions, and some of the best-known shops are concentrated in particular cities or regions. If you are traveling, a local custard counter may offer a style or signature dessert you will not find at a national chain.
- Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a well-known St. Louis institution. Its thick custard desserts, including the signature-style concrete, are a major draw.
- Kopp’s Frozen Custard and Leon’s Frozen Custard are Milwaukee-area names associated with classic custard stands and rotating flavors.
- Abbott’s Frozen Custard is a regional chain with roots in Rochester, New York, and shops in parts of the Northeast and beyond.
These examples are not a complete directory. Search for “frozen custard” alongside your town or neighborhood, then look for a shop that lists custard specifically. A restaurant may use “soft serve” or “ice cream” in its name without selling custard in the traditional sense.
How frozen custard differs from ice cream and soft serve
Frozen custard is a frozen dairy dessert made with a custard-style base that includes egg yolk. The egg helps create a smooth, dense texture. It is generally served at a relatively warm temperature compared with hard-packed ice cream, so it can feel soft and creamy when it reaches the counter.
Soft serve describes how a frozen dessert is dispensed and served, not necessarily whether its base is custard or ice cream. A soft-serve machine can serve different mixes. That is why the words “soft serve” alone do not confirm that a product is frozen custard.
Ice cream can also be rich and smooth, but its recipe and how much air is incorporated during production can differ. The texture is a clue, not proof. If you need to know whether a dessert contains egg, ask the shop or check its ingredient and allergen information.
| Dessert | What generally distinguishes it | What to ask or expect |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen custard | Custard-style dairy base containing egg yolk; often dense and smooth | Ask which flavors are available and whether the shop can provide allergen details |
| Ice cream | A frozen dairy dessert with its own recipe and texture standards | Texture and richness vary by recipe and brand |
| Soft serve | A soft, machine-dispensed texture; the term alone does not identify the base | Ask whether the mix is custard or ice cream if that distinction matters |
| Italian ice | A frozen, typically dairy-free treat made with water, sweetener, and flavoring | Often paired with custard in layered desserts at shops that offer both |
How to find custard near you
- Search for the exact term. Enter “frozen custard near me” or add your city name. This helps separate dedicated custard shops from places that only serve soft serve.
- Check the individual location. A chain-wide menu can show what the brand sells, but a specific restaurant may have different flavors, hours, or seasonal items.
- Look for custard-specific menu wording. Terms such as “frozen custard,” “concrete,” “custard sundae,” and “gelati” are stronger clues than “shake” or “soft serve” alone.
- Confirm the item before you travel. Call or check the shop’s current online menu if a specific flavor, cone, or allergen detail matters.
- Consider a local shop. Search nearby neighborhoods, not only national chains. Regional stands may have signature flavors or styles that are part of the local food scene.
For a quick decision, use the restaurant’s own website or ordering page where possible. Third-party delivery menus can be out of date or show only a partial selection. A short call is often the clearest way to confirm a flavor or ingredient.
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If you have never tried frozen custard, start with a plain dish or cone. It lets you notice the custard’s texture and flavor without toppings masking it. A vanilla or chocolate option is a straightforward baseline, though a shop may have its own signature flavor.
If you like a thicker dessert, try a concrete or another blended custard treat. Ask which mix-ins are available, since shops may use different names for similar products. For a combination of fruity and creamy textures, look for a gelati at a Rita’s location that serves custard.
A sundae is a good middle ground. It adds toppings while leaving much of the custard intact, so you can taste both. If you are sharing, ask whether the shop offers a larger size or a specific portion intended for two.
Common mistakes when looking for custard
Assuming every location has the same menu
National brands often tailor flavors and availability to individual locations. A menu photo or review from another city does not guarantee the same dessert is sold nearby. Verify with the shop you plan to visit.
Treating “soft serve” as another name for custard
Soft serve describes texture and dispensing method; it does not automatically mean the mix contains egg yolk. Ask the restaurant what its product is if you specifically want custard.
Expecting every flavor to be available all day
Rotating flavors may change daily or sell out. A flavor listed online could be unavailable by the time you arrive. Check the location’s latest menu or call ahead.
Overlooking egg and other allergens
Because custard contains egg, it may not suit someone with an egg allergy. Dairy is also a core ingredient. Recipes, toppings, and cross-contact practices differ, so people with allergies should consult the shop’s current allergen information rather than rely on a general description.
Can you buy frozen custard at a grocery store?
Sometimes, but it is less consistently available in retail freezers than standard ice cream. Search local grocery delivery listings for “frozen custard,” and read the product description instead of relying on the flavor or brand name. Some packaged desserts may use “custard” in a different context.
A restaurant’s freshly served custard may also have a different texture from a packaged product. Storage and shipping require a frozen product to stay solid, while shops serve custard in a softer state. If the texture is the reason you want custard, a dedicated shop may be a better choice.
Quick answer by craving
- Want a familiar national chain? Check Culver’s or Freddy’s.
- Want a dessert-focused menu? Look for Andy’s Frozen Custard or a dedicated local custard shop.
- Want custard with a meal? Shake Shack or Freddy’s may fit, depending on your location.
- Want a fruit-and-cream combination? Check whether a nearby Rita’s serves gelati.
- Want a well-known local specialty? Search for regional custard stands in your city, such as the established shops in St. Louis or Milwaukee.
One useful rule: confirm the exact product, not just the brand. A restaurant may serve frozen custard in blended desserts without offering a plain cone, and a shop may use “soft serve” for a product that is not custard. A location-specific menu or quick phone call can save you a wasted trip.
Culver’s and Freddy’s are practical places to start, while Andy’s, Shake Shack, Rita’s, and regional custard shops offer more options depending on where you live. Frozen custard is not the same as every product labeled soft serve, so check the menu wording.
Search for a nearby location and confirm its current flavors before heading out. If you have an allergy or want a particular dessert, contact the shop directly for the most reliable answer to who has frozen custard near you.