15 Best Places To Get Wisconsin’s Iconic Frozen Custard
Looking for the best frozen custard in Wisconsin? You have tons of options. Wake up your sweet tooth, because we’re about to show you the best sweets shops in the state.
Our status as the dairy state is what cemented frozen custard’s history in Wisconsin – we had the necessary ingredients at our fingertips. The FDA has rules on what makes something ice cream or frozen custard. Custard has to contain at least 10% butterfat and 1.4% egg yolks. The yolks are the crucial part. Most ice creams have no eggs. One other factor that gives custard its unique texture? There’s little to no air in it. The large machines that create it introduce little air. The best guess is that our very first custard place opened in 1938 – Gille’s in Milwaukee. The rest is, as they say, history.
In no particular order, here are 15 places that folks rave about for serving the best frozen custard in Wisconsin.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Probably the fanciest frozen custard place you'll ever see, Robert's has a fireplace and an inviting interior to bring you in to enjoy their delicious custard year-round. There's a rumor of a cream puff sundae from Robert's that seems worth investigating - for scientific purposes, obviously. Located at N112 W16040 Mequon Rd, Germantown, WI 53022. To learn more, visit the official website for Robert's Frozen Custard.
The original. It sometimes feels like little has changed in the 70+ years of Gille's. A simple stand with decadent sundae toppings, it's simple but delicious. Located at 7515 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213. To learn more, visit the official website for Gille's Frozen Custard in Milwaukee.
Opened in 1949 by the same family that owned the Milwaukee location, visiting this place is like a trip back in time. You can almost see the poodle skirts and bobby socks. You turn your lights on to let the staff know you're ready to order. Located at 819 S Main St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. To learn more, visit the official website for Gille's Frozen Custard in Fond du Lac.
Located right off Echo Lake, a trip to Adrian's signifies summer fun. Since 1974, this little stand has been putting out giant cones of delicious creamy custard. They're closed from November to March, so mark your calendars to check them out when they're open for the season. Located at 572 Bridge St, Burlington, WI 53105. To learn more, visit the official Facebook page for Gille's Frozen Custard in Fond du Lac.
The bright colors of Zesty's are a Green Bay-area institution. Folks love their burgers, but make sure to save room for the fresh-made custard. The DePere location is seasonal while the others are open year-round. Located at 508 Greene Ave., Green Bay, WI 54301, 2639 Lineville Rd, Howard, WI 54313 and 3718 Riverside Dr
De Pere, WI 54115. To learn more, visit the official website for Zesty's Frozen Custard.
An eclectic mix of a little bit of everything, this is one of the only places in northern Wisconsin to serve frozen custard. Come for dinner or entertainment, but leave with a sundae or cone to top off your day. Located at 5234 N Highway 51, Mercer, WI 54547. To learn more, visit the official website for The Pines Restaurant and Beer Garden.
There's plenty of places to find treats in Door County, but you'll want to find Not Licked Yet for the odd but wonderful combination of two Wisconsin snacks - puppy chow and custard. Located at 4054 WI-42, Fish Creek, WI 54212. To learn more, visit the official website for Not Licked Yet.
This seasonal stand offers a unique feature - a cobblestone that allows you to get whatever flavors mixed into your custard. They have ice cream, too, but I don't know why you'd choose that over custard. Located at 637 Main St, Delafield, WI 53018. To learn more, visit the official website for Wholly Cow Frozen Custard.
I don't know how I made it this far in life without knowing about frozen custard pies, but it's clearly a mistake in my upbringing. Custard pies are a thing I never knew I needed, but now I don't know how I lived without. These guys are open year-round and even if it's not for pie, you have to go. Located 240 W Summit Ave, Wales, WI 53183. To learn more, visit the official website for Le Duc's Frozen Custard.
Folks rave about their Butter Pecan custard and going here feels like living in an episode of "Happy Days." This place was opened by a man who previously made a living fixing frozen custard machines. Located at 3131 S 27th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215. To learn more, visit the official website for Leon's Frozen Custard in Milwaukee.
Originally opened by family members of the Milwaukee location's owner, these two are no longer related. Either way, it's a slice of dairy heaven with creamy custard and a simpler time. Located at 121 W Murdock Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901. To learn more, visit the official website for Leon's Frozen Custard in Oshkosh.
This seasonal location is a must-stop for those heading up to Door County. A hidden gem of burgers, fries and sundaes as well as interesting flavors. Located at 707 Main St, Kewaunee, WI 54216. To learn more, visit the official website for Kewaunee Custard and Grill.
Frozen custard is a hotly debated topic in Milwaukee and one's affiliation tends to be based on where they were raised. Everyone in town has their favorite. As someone who grew up in walking distance of Kopp's, this is mine. Kopp's is credited with popularizing the idea of new and interesting daily flavors. Located at 7631 W. Layton Ave.
Greenfield, WI 53220, 18880 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, WI 53045 and 5373 N. Port Washington Rd., Glendale, WI 53217. To learn more, visit the official website for Kopp's Frozen Custard.
This counter-serve joint added a walk-up window, and custard in Menomonee Falls has never been the same.
Located at N87 W16459, N87 W16459 Appleton Ave, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. To learn more, visit the official website for Pop's Frozen Custard.
Interesting sundaes, delicious burgers and the best custard in Madison make Michael's an institution. Located at 2531 Monroe Street, Madison, WI 53711, 5602 Schroeder Rd, Madison, WI 53711, and 3826 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53711. To learn more, visit the official website for Michael's Custard.
Who do you think makes the best frozen custard in Wisconsin? Did we miss any northern Wisconsin custard places that you love? Tell us in the comments.
Address: N112W16040 Mequon Rd, Germantown, WI 53022, USA
Address: 7515 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53213, USA
Address: 819 S Main St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, USA
Address: 572 Bridge St, Burlington, WI 53105, USA
Address: 508 Greene Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301, USA
Address: 5234 US-51, Mercer, WI 54547, USA
Address: 4054 Main St, Fish Creek, WI 54212, USA
Address: 637 Main St, Delafield, WI 53018, USA
Address: 240 W Summit Ave, Wales, WI 53183, USA
Address: 3131 S 27th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215, USA
Address: 121 W Murdock Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
Address: 707 Main St, Kewaunee, WI 54216, USA
Address: 5373 N Port Washington Rd, Glendale, WI 53217, USA
Address: N87W16459 Appleton Ave, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051, USA
Address: 3826 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53714, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best frozen custard in Wisconsin
August 31, 2020
Elisa Regulski
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