Food Friday: Route 66 Stop: Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

One thing my hometown St. Louis, Missouri is totally awesome at is food. We have some unique hometown favorites that I’ll be featuring in a series of posts. First up is Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a landmark along Route 66.

Ted Drewes actually has two locations, but the Chippewa location in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood is the only one that can proudly display the Old Route 66 sign. Ted Drewes Frozn Custard has been a vital part of St. Louis since Ted Drewes Senior opened up shop in 1931. Although the Drewes family is constantly bombarded by offers to franchise the business, they are adamantly against it. Ted Drewes Jr. insists, “it is a matter of quality. Franchising could lead to mediocrity.” It’s a St. Louis exclusive!

As a self-proclaimed ice cream (and related products) fanatic, I can assure you, Ted Drewes custard is anything but mediocre. When I took a whirlwind 6 city in 6 weeks trip home while living in Argentina, I made sure to hit up some Ted Drewes for a delicious taste of a hometown favorite.

The stand is open nearly all year long, closing only for a few of the very coldest weeks in January. During the colder months, heaters surround the building so that St. Louisians can enjoy their frozen treat while still staying toasty warm. Once November hits, the parking lot is stuffed full of Christmas trees. Many families consider it a tradition to pick out their tree while slurping down some classic frozen custard.

If you ever swing by St. Louis or are looking for a stop along Route 66, Ted Drewes is a must. Honestly, the custard is so thick and rich that even a plain cone is pretty incredible, but they have plenty of mix-ins and sundaes as well.  I recommend a concrete, which are made so thick that the employees are required to turn it upside down before handing it over just to prove it was made correctly.  It’s an impressive and delightful dessert that is totally worth the stop.