Forget Dairy Queen, These 8 Ice Cream Spots Are Way Better

There’s nothing better after a long day then an ice cream treat. Many people choose to get their sweet fix by visiting Dairy Queen and to be honest; I used to be a loyalist myself. However, over time, I have expanded my horizons, and I have found that there are many other ice cream and fast food shops that satisfy my flavor desires like never before. What I’m trying to say is, forget Dairy Queen; these eight ice cream spots are way better.

There are many great places on this list. There are traditional ice cream shops like Cold Stone Creamery that offer the best tasty treats in the nation. Many fast food restaurants, like McDonalds and Culvers’, also deliver the goodness. Try a few of the hot spots on this list for your new favorite cool treat.

McDonald’s

First on the list of ice cream spots that are way better than Dairy Queen is McDonald’s. No, it’s not exclusively an ice cream restaurant, but many people go there just to get a sweet treat. There aren’t as many flavors as at Dairy Queen, but they make up for it with their quality. The ice cream has a perfect sweetness, and you always get a lot of it for your money. Plus, it’s a very cost-effective option.

What to Try While You’re There

There are several different ice cream treats you should try at McDonalds. For starters, go with the regular vanilla cone. It’s packed with flavor, and it comes with that tall swirl. You also can’t go wrong with a McFlurry. You can get different flavors mixed in. Most people prefer the Oreo filling, which adds extra flavor, pop, and a nice crunchiness.

Oberweis

Many people consider Oberweis ice cream to be the very best in the world. Unlike many other ice cream options on this list and out in the world, Oberweis is made from real cream and authentic ingredients. They also use 18% butterfat, which is more than the competitors. It’s what makes ice cream taste good. Even the cones themselves are out of this world. Try a waffle cone with any flavor of ice cream for a real treat.

What to Try While You’re There

The flavor you choose will depend on your preference, but trust us when we say that every variation is delicious. They have traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla. However, they also have chocolate marshmallow, dark chocolate sea salt caramel, lemon sorbet, honey butter cashew, and many other tasty variations.

Culver’s

One of the best ice cream spots to visit, especially if you’re in the Midwest, is Culver’s. They serve burgers and fries as well. However, they are most well known for their frozen custard. Unlike many other places, the custard is prepared daily for eager visitors. Custard is made from egg yolks, and there’s less air allowed during the churning process, so you get a very tasty ice cream with an incredible mouthfeel.

What to Try While You’re There

To be honest, you could go with plain vanilla and have an incredible cone of ice cream. However, you’re not limited to basic flavors. While the available flavors can rotate over time, you can often get flavors like mint explosion, caramel pecan, raspberry cheesecake, Snickers swirl, chocolate volcano, and caramel fudge cookie dough. Try them all!

Cold Stone

Dairy Queen is good but you don’t really know what’s always going on behind the scenes. That changes with Cold Stone. They’re famous for making your ice cream right there on the spot on a frozen granite stone. You get to customize your order completely and add any toppings you want. The ice cream is really top-tier. Once you come here, you may not want to go back to any other ice cream spot. 

What to Try While You’re There

Any ice cream flavor you get here is going to change your life. However, since it is fully customizable, your preference is up to you. If you’re not sure what to choose, go with some of the most loved flavors. They include treats like cake batter, coffee, cotton candy, French vanilla, and sweet cream, among others. Add any toppings you want on top.

Baskin-Robbins

Dairy Queen has a lot of great flavors, but Baskin-Robbins has more than 31 flavors to offer. They’re all really tasty, too. There’s a real joy that people of all ages get when they go into the shop and see all those flavors sitting under glass. There’s also a nice selection of cones, from waffle to cake cone options. Of course, there’s also the tasty toppings.

What to Try While You’re There

There are many different flavors to try at Baskin-Robbins. However, if you want to live a little and try something new, you have options. Critics especially like Snickerdoodle Chai, Mom’s Making Cookies, Caramel Macchiato, Icing on the Cake, and Oreo N’ Cold Brew. Go back for another course and try their world-famous rainbow sherbet.

Shake Shack

When you want a tasty meal and amazing frozen treats, then one of the ice cream spots you need to try is Shake Shack. The idea here is that if you can get an ice cream flavor in a shake, you can also get it in a cup. Most people like the ice cream there, and it truly rivals Dairy Queen. It has a nice mouthfeel, and it’s generally rich and creamy. It’s the perfect dessert after a filling meal.

What to Try While You’re There

Whether you’re getting a shake or a regular cup of ice cream, you have many tasty options from which to choose. Many people enjoy the cornflake chocolate drizzle shake that’s filled with mini marshmallows. There’s also the chocolate birthday cake shake that’s loaded with candy crumbs and sprinkles.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

Technically, Menchie’s is a yogurt shop, but they are similar to Dairy Queen in many ways. You can fully customize your treat with all the toppings your heart desires. From sprinkles to gummy bears to chocolate chips, the sky is the limit. The yogurt itself is also delicious. It’s also low-fat, so you can eat without fear. The price is also comparable to Dairy Queen, so there’s a lot to think about when deciding between the two.

What to Try While You’re There

While many people go to Menchie’s for the various toppings, the chain does have many tasty yogurt flavors. Some of the highlights include chocolate hazelnut pie, Dutch apple pie, and cinnamon crumb cake, among others. There are also flavors for folks on vegan and dairy-free diets, so there’s a lot to love.

Friendly’s

Finally, one of the ice cream spots that is way better than Dairy Queen is Friendly’s. This restaurant is similar to Dairy Queen in that they serve both entrees and ice cream. The chain is mostly found on the East Coast, but they’re worth a drive. The prices are good, and the variety is better. You can bring your family there and have a full meal. It’s no wonder Friendly’s is on the tip of the tongue when you ask folks about their favorite ice cream place.

What to Try While You’re There

In addition to being affordable, Friendly’s also has some of the most unique ice cream flavors you’ll ever find. Head there and try Retro Royal Banana Split, Hunka Chunka PB Fudge Sundae, Raspberry Crunch, and many other tasty flavors. You will get a good helping on a cone or in a cup. It’s a fun place with amazing flavors.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of Maricel J. via Yelp.