By Kristine Hansen | Photo: Kopp’s Frozen Custard
Is there anything that symbolizes summer more than a scoop of frozen custard? (Spoiler alert: no!) This ice-cream-like treat is thought to have been invented on Coney Island, New York, in 1919 when ice-cream vendors added egg yolks to make it creamier. These days, in Wisconsin, frozen custard is as common as ice cream, if not more. While Culver’s, which began in Sauk City, has helped bring frozen custard to the masses via nationwide expansion, this frozen treat is still under the radar for those who don’t spend time in Wisconsin.
In Wisconsin’s largest city, Milwaukee, and its surrounding suburbs, you can find many spots to enjoy a scoop (or two), whether in a cone, dish or shake. Most of these establishments have been around for decades and remain family-owned, evoking tons of nostalgia. They’re also family-friendly environments that still hit that sweet spot for adults.
KOPP’S FROZEN CUSTARD
With locations in Glendale, Greenfield and Brookfield, Kopp’s was founded by Elsa Kopp in 1950 (her son Karl is now the owner). It’s open year-round. As there’s no indoor seating — just bar-height countertops — most people relax on the concrete benches outdoors. Flavors are wacky, such as “Chicken Dinner” (peanuts, peanut-butter ribbons, marshmallow and chocolate folded into peanut butter custard) and “Ants in Your Pants” (where Oreo cookie crumbs in butter brickle and vanilla custard are akin to “ants”). Flavor Preview helps plan your next visit. Splurge on seven signature sundaes, where 3-4 scoops of custard join other ingredients, like with the chocolate, caramel, marshmallow and jumbo peanuts on the “Smile” sundae.
DAIRYLAND OLD FASHIONED
Tucked into 3rd St. Market Hall (inside The Avenue in downtown Milwaukee) since 2022, this frozen-custard and burgers spot publishes a Custard Calendar announcing flavors in advance. These are accented by sweet ingredients, with recent examples that include Love Handle: vanilla sponge cake, Golden Oreos, strawberry preserves and whipped cream. If the flavor-of-the-day isn’t hitting the spot, you can DIY your own sundae by choosing a custard flavor, then customizing with as many of the 21 toppings as you’d like, from your favorite chocolate and candy brands and cereal crunch to marshmallow fluff and whipped cream.
LEON’S FROZEN CUSTARD
On Milwaukee’s South Side since 1942, its vintage neon sign is an attention-grabber while cruising along South 27th Street. Butter pecan flavor is offered daily, along with vanilla and chocolate, plus a rotating flavor of the day. While the place is open year-round, there’s no indoor public space and it’s all walk-up service. Since opening, this has been managed by the same family. Order your custard in a dish, cone (up to five scoops) or as a sundae, such as Tin Roof (chocolate syrup, frozen custard, Spanish peanuts and a cherry).
GEORGIE PORGIE’S
Georgie Porgie’s debuted in Oak Creek in 1991, followed by a Racine location a few years later. Both are themed around a treehouse and open year-round. Late founder George Liapis’ nickname was Georgie Porgie, hence the name of this frozen- custard stand, which is now operated by George’s sons. The Flavor Forecast reveals the day’s flavor as well as tomorrow’s flavor: recently, it was Double Chocolate Cheesecake. Vanilla and chocolate are scooped daily, and butter pecan every Friday. Five sundaes, plus a sundae of the month, include Churro Sundae and Banana Cream Pie. Another unique item are Blitzes: frozen custard blended with one of 25 savory and sweet toppings, from salted pretzels to cake pieces.
FRED’S FROZEN CUSTARD
Open since 1967 on Vliet Street in Milwaukee, and open only between April and December, the simplicity of Fred’s frozen custard flavors is refreshing: chocolate, vanilla or twist (a combination of the two flavors). Choose from a dish or cone. Or, amp up the sweetness with five specialty sundaes anchored by scoops of frozen custard: Dusty Road, Georgia Sue’s Delight, Banana Split, Rocky Road and Turtle. One menu item you can’t easily find anywhere else is the Slushsicle. This is a very intentional blend of a slushie (your choice of flavor, derived from a syrup selection) with frozen custard. Be advised: Fred’s Frozen Custard is designed to be a take-out spot, not a dine-in restaurant.
OSCAR’S FROZEN CUSTARD
Even though the Waukesha location is being rebuilt after a recent fire, other locations in Franklin and West Allis remain open. They’re owned and operated by the Taylor and Oscar families and recently celebrated their 40th anniversary, marking four decades since opening the first location in West Allis in 1984. From the flavor of the day (recently it was Polar Bear Tracks) to a Sundae of the Month (vanilla frozen custard topped with ingredients, such as the recent Chocolate Covered Strawberry sundae), not to mention a shake of the month that also features vanilla frozen custard, this beloved restaurant covers all its bases with frozen custard.
GILLE’S FROZEN CUSTARD
Open in Wauwatosa since 1938, and holding true to its year-round hours, this is Wisconsin’s oldest custard stand. What makes the “flavor of the day” roster different here than at other places is that they remain for two to five days. Recent flavors include Cookie Monster and Orange Dreamsicle. There’s also a monthly sundae with vanilla custard as the base, and Custard Floats, with a choice of five flavors, such as pineapple or strawberry. Custard aficionados will love the DIY sundaes, with 21 toppings to choose from, and there’s always “fancy” sundaes, such as “Lalapalooza,” like a banana split but layered and with pineapple.
MooSa’s
If you want to lick a cone of frozen custard paired with a view of Lake Michigan, then head to this Bradford Beach custard stand on Milwaukee’s East Side, along Lincoln Memorial Drive. It’s only open during the warmer months. If you can’t decide between vanilla and chocolate, opt for the twist that blends these two flavors, in either a cone or a dish. This waterfront custard spot, with outdoor seating, also folds custard into banana splits, shakes and a root beer float.
MURF’S FROZEN CUSTARD
With plenty of indoor seating, this Brookfield frozen-custard spot — founded by former Kopp’s employee Jerry Murphy in 1993 — is open year-round. While the Waukesha location closed in 2020, this one has been going strong since its 1999 opening. The Flavor Forecast reveals upcoming flavors so you can plan your visit — and they’re a mix of traditional (chocolate and vanilla) and unique (such as Frosted Animal Cookie or Mocha Chip, with Kahlua woven in). Seven signature sundaes feature custard and there’s also a custard soda — soda paired with your choice of custard flavor.
BIG DEAL BURGERS & CUSTARD
Located in West Allis, this year-round, frozen-custard restaurant was started in 2013 by three brothers, one who worked at Kopp’s. During the week, there’s a flavor of the day but on weekends, there are two, and the options are very unique, such as Irish Cream Cheesecake, Peanut Butter & Jelly and Honey Jack (whiskey-infused honey). While shakes are on most frozen-custard menus, what’s different here is the 24-ounce Big Deal Blender. Choose from eight signature sundaes or create your own from a list of toppings. ew
Outside of Milwaukee?
There are plenty of places to enjoy frozen custard outside of Milwaukee. Here are some of our favorites.
- LEDUC’S FROZEN CUSTARD
Open since 1980 in Wales, this place offers a whopping 75 “flavors of the day.” - MICHAEL’S FROZEN CUSTARD
Now with just one location, on Madison’s East Side, Michael’s has been selling scoops since 1986 and is known for its Michael’s Famous Turtle Sundae. - ZESTY’S FROZEN CUSTARD & GRILL
With two Green Bay stands, Zesty’s developed nearly 30 specialty sundaes and opened in the 1980s. - ADRIAN’S FROZEN CUSTARD
This seasonal stand in Burlington has dished up custard since 1974. Check their Facebook page for hours of operation and the flavor of the day.
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