If your road trips revolve around the next frozen scoop, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives has already blazed the trail. Below are spots featured on the show, where house-churned ice cream, frozen custard, or creative sundaes take center stage. Use the list to plan a cross-country cone crawl or daydream from the couch.
1. Sweet Republic — Scottsdale, AZ
This desert favorite turns local cream and farmers-market produce into small-batch pints that disappear as quickly as spun. The two-woman team behind Sweet Republic keeps the menu rotating with seasonal inspirations. Still, the focus stays on meticulous craftsmanship—slow pasteurizing, hand-mixing inclusions, and an open kitchen that lets guests watch every step.
2. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard — St. Louis, MO
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has been serving ultra-dense Midwestern frozen custard since the 1920s, and the episode proved why it’s a St. Louis institution. Made fresh throughout the day, each cup is so velvety it famously passes the “flip test”—a rite of passage for every new customer. The stand’s old-school charm and uncompromising recipe make it pilgrimage-worthy for any ice cream fanatic.
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3. Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe — Mobile, AL
Family-owned since 1969, Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe offers more than 45 flavors in constant rotation, all churned on-site in small batches. The parlor feels like a time capsule, with chrome stools, a checkered floor, and a cheerful staff that knows regulars by name. On Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the shop impressed with its from-scratch approach, generous portion sizes, and southern hospitality that never melts.
4. Crown Candy Kitchen — St. Louis, MO
Inside this century-old soda fountain, hand-dipped malts arrive in vintage glasses accompanied by their extra-chilled mixing tins. Beyond the ice-cream counter, Crown Candy Kitchen still crafts chocolates, root-beer syrup, and caramel sauce, making every sundae an all-in-house affair. Loyalty runs so deep that locals often know exactly which booth their grandparents once occupied.
5. The Creole Creamery — New Orleans, LA
The Creole Creamery blends Big Easy flair with serious ice-cream science. Every batch starts with a custard base cooked low and slow for maximum richness before heading to the churn. Adventurous palates gravitate toward playful, Louisiana-inspired creations, while traditionalists appreciate the simplicity of perfectly balanced vanilla or chocolate. Either way, the artistry shows with each spoonful.
6. Moo Creamery — Bakersfield, CA
Part modern diner, part ice cream laboratory, Moo Creamery pasteurizes its base and spins flavors daily to complement a full menu of comfort fare. The restaurant’s open layout means you can watch the ice cream machine hum away while savoring a meal. With a focus on high-quality California dairy and thoughtful mix-ins, Moo satisfies cravings for savory plates and sweet finishes.