Nothing beats a sip, spoon, or bite of anything cold on a hot summer day — especially frozen custard.
Best described as ice cream's rich cousin, frozen custard is made with egg yolks, which are meant to give it a thick, dense consistency.
Culver's, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, and Shake Shack are all known for their custard, including blended concoctions, and I was curious which had the best. There was only one way to find out.
I spent the same Wednesday night at all three chains, ordering a plain vanilla custard and (when possible) an Oreo-themed custard concrete. To keep things fair, I opted for the smallest size of each.
Here's how they measured up in taste, value, and price.
Culver's is a beloved Midwest staple based in Wisconsin.
What started as a regional specialty operates over 1,000 locations across 26 states, though Midwesterners (myself included) still claim it as their own. I grew up in Illinois just five minutes from a Culver's.
The chain is known for its ButterBurgers, and of course, its custard.
The first thing I noticed when I arrived at my local Culver's was a partially full parking lot and kids peeping at me from the windows.
Diners occupied about six tables, and judging by appearances, a significant portion were under the age of 10.
As much as I enjoyed the family vibe, the restaurant itself wasn't anything special. I kind of felt like I was in a healthcare setting, thanks to the plain gray tables, generic carpet, and fluorescent lighting.
Another Midwest favorite, Freddy's began in Kansas and has since expanded to 37 states and Canada. It has over 500 stores, including a few near my current home in Indiana.
As the name suggests, Freddy's is famous for its signature steakburgers and frozen custard. I'd only ever been here one other time, and it was quite recently.
A long line awaited me at Freddy's. It stretched not quite to the door, but halfway there.
Whereas kids dominated Culver's, Freddy's seemed to have a much older clientele. This might be because of its senior meals, which launched earlier this year and offer discounts to the over-55 crowd.
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