Missouri takes its frozen custard seriously, and once summer hits, the lines outside these stands say it all. Frozen custard is thicker and creamier than regular ice cream because it uses egg yolks and gets churned slower, which keeps the air out.
Some of these spots have been scooping for generations, and others have built loyal followings with concretes, sundaes, and daily flavor specials. Here are eight Missouri custard stands worth planning a warm-weather stop around.
1. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis
Few names in Missouri custard carry the weight that Ted Drewes does. The stand on Chippewa Street sits on old Route 66, and it has been serving frozen custard since the 1930s.
The signature order is the concrete, a shake so thick the servers famously hand it to you upside down to prove it will not fall out. Flavors range from classics to specialty combinations with names locals know by heart.
Summer means long walk-up lines, but the wait moves fast and the crowd is part of the fun. When the weather turns, the Chippewa location becomes a Christmas tree lot, which tells you how much it is woven into the city’s calendar.
2. Andy’s Frozen Custard, Springfield
Springfield gets bragging rights here, because Andy’s Frozen Custard got its start in this part of the state before growing into a chain across the country. The original roots are pure southwest Missouri.
The menu leans on concretes, sundaes, and the popular Jackhammer, which layers custard with a filled center. There is also a daily flavor rotation that keeps regulars checking the board.
Service runs through walk-up windows and drive-thru lanes, so you can grab a treat without leaving the car. That drive-thru convenience makes it an easy stop on a busy summer evening.
3. Fritz’s Frozen Custard, Kansas City
Kansas City families have a soft spot for Fritz’s, and part of the appeal has nothing to do with the custard itself. Some locations are known for the ceiling-mounted train system that delivers orders right to the table.
The custard comes in cones, cups, sundaes, and concretes, with a rotating flavor of the day keeping things fresh. Simple classics anchor the menu.
The train gimmick makes it a hit with kids, so it works well as a family outing rather than just a quick scoop. Plan for it when you want the treat and a little entertainment rolled together.
4. Silky’s Frozen Custard, St. Louis
Concrete lovers in St. Louis often point to Silky’s when the subject comes up. The shop built its reputation on thick concretes packed with mix-ins.
Beyond the standard cones and cups, Silky’s offers a wide list of add-ins so you can build a concrete exactly how you like it. Fresh custard is the foundation for every order.
With locations serving different neighborhoods, it has become a reliable go-to for a summer treat close to home. I like this stop for anyone who thinks a concrete should be a full dessert, not just a drink.
5. Sylas and Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream, Kansas City
Homemade is the whole point at Sylas and Maddy’s, where the frozen treats are made in small batches on site. The Kansas City area shop has earned a devoted following for that hands-on approach.
The menu spans a rotating list of flavors, sundaes, and generous scoops served in cones or cups. The variety changes often, so repeat visits rarely feel the same.
The counter service and playful atmosphere make it a comfortable stop for a casual summer outing. Bring an appetite, because the portions do not hold back.
6. Gooey’s Frozen Custard, Ballwin
Out in Ballwin, west of St. Louis, Gooey’s has carved out a spot as a neighborhood custard favorite. It fills the role of the local summer stand where families end up after ballgames and warm afternoons.
Concretes, sundaes, cones, and shakes cover the menu, with the thick fresh custard doing the heavy lifting. Daily flavors give regulars a reason to keep an eye on the board.
Because it sits in a suburban pocket, it draws a steady stream of nearby residents rather than tourists. That makes it a genuinely local pick for the west county crowd.
7. Mr. Wizard’s Frozen Custard, Springfield
Springfield has more than one custard contender, and Mr. Wizard’s holds its own in the local scene. The shop focuses on fresh frozen custard served up in familiar formats.
Expect cones, cups, sundaes, and concretes, along with flavor options that rotate to keep the lineup interesting. The custard’s thick texture is the calling card.
As a homegrown Springfield spot, it gives the area a second strong choice when the temperature climbs. Worth a stop if you want to compare the city’s custard offerings side by side.
8. Foster’s Frozen Custard, St. Charles
Over in St. Charles, Foster’s rounds out the list with a straightforward take on the classic stand. The shop keeps the focus on fresh custard made throughout the day.
Cones, sundaes, shakes, and concretes make up the core menu, with a daily flavor keeping the routine from getting stale. The simplicity is part of the charm.
Set in a growing St. Charles County community, it serves as the kind of easygoing stop you swing by after dinner. A fitting way to close out a Missouri custard road trip that spans the whole state.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.