I think perhaps I have been living under a rock for the last 30 years of my life. Because until last Sunday, I had never heard of the awe inspiring Carl's and I had never tasted frozen custard. First, some history on how I discovered this delicious gem. My husband and I decided to take a road trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia. The hour long drive was inspired by the opening of a Sonic Drive-In. I know this may sound silly to some, but I am originally from Texas, and Sonic is my lifeblood. Since moving to D.C. in 2000 I have desperately longed for a Sonic within driving distance.
After stuffing ourselves with Sonic's cheeseburgers, cherry cokes, tater tots, and a coconut cream pie shake, we thought it might be prudent to do some walking. We made our way to charming historic downtown Fredericksburg, which is filled with a multitude of antique and junk shops. After perusing the shops and walking off our calorie fest we decided it was time to head back to D.C. On our way out of town we saw Carl's, or should I say, the line to Carl's. We slowed down to see what could be causing this group of about sixty people to stand in the hot sun. One look at the top of the building and we knew this place was special. I slowed down and my husband grabbed a place in line as I found parking.
We were so excited we could hardly contain ourselves, as we watched children and adults contently lick their cones as they were served. Carl's has three flavors to choose from, and I thought going with the original vanilla was the smartest bet. My husband went for strawberry and we agreed to share, but not much! I'm a little depressed for not grabbing a chocolate as well, but I guess we'll save that for another trip.
If all frozen custard is a good as Carl's then count me in as a member of the custard cult, because I'm in love! I also found a website devoted to frozen custard flavors and stand locations. I may have to start planning some more road trips soon!
Chocolate-stuffed bananas on the grill
Tyler Florence welcomes new daughter
Beware kids' menus!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-13-2008 @ 6:53PM
missmary113 said...
If you're in DC, check this place out.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1086106
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5-13-2008 @ 7:45PM
dwain said...
Here in Kansas City it's not uncommon for a Sonic and frozen custard place to be within yards of each other. Or at least within a mile.
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5-13-2008 @ 10:07PM
Kearns said...
Carl's is heads above most, I've found, but any custard is better than soft serve...
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5-14-2008 @ 9:07AM
BigGUM said...
Hmmm...upstate NY is all about the frozen custard. Here it's Abbott's, though you can find other kinds at any "hots" restaurant.
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5-14-2008 @ 10:39AM
Mandy Clatterbaugh said...
I live in Fredericksburg, VA and I love Carls. Everytime I go by there, I always stop by for a twist on a sugar cone.
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5-14-2008 @ 10:50AM
Wendy Buckley said...
You can get a twist!? That is awesome!
BTW - Dwain, I'm so jelous!
Thanks for naming all your favorite places. Keep it coming.
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5-14-2008 @ 12:42PM
GL said...
It seems like a Culvers sprouts up every other day around these parts.
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5-14-2008 @ 3:35PM
EW said...
Anyone who's from or been to Harrisonburg (and now Staunton/Waynesboro) VA, the best custard come from Kline's Dairy Bar... try it and you won't be disappointed.
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5-14-2008 @ 4:28PM
kevjohn said...
Hey, why don't they have any of these in Florida?!? What, is it TOO HOT here most of the year for people to enjoy delicious frozen custard?
Hey Carls and Culvers, come to Florida and make some money.
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5-14-2008 @ 5:38PM
Colleen said...
Ted Drewes is the place in St. Louis. I spent many a steamy St. Louis summer night in the line at Ted's, waiting patiently to order from an impossibly fresh-faced and polite teenager.
My choice was usually a "concrete," vanilla frozen custard with toppings, mixed like a shake but left thick enough for the teenager to hold it over his/her head before serving to show its thickness. I got chocolate chip with malt: the chocolate chip was made by pouring hot fudge on the custard right before swirling in the shake machine. Dee-lish!
They always gave you a spoon and straw but the straw was useless until you got to the final drips at the bottom of the cup. By that time, you were so blissed out by the custardy goodness that all you could do is weakly sip up those last little drips.
What a scene in south St. Louis and it continues to this day. Added bonus: in the winter, they sell Christmas trees!
http://teddrewes.com/Drewes.asp
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5-15-2008 @ 8:10AM
Miranda said...
I used to live in the Fredericksburg area but moved to Richmond and don't get my Carl's fix often enough now. Luckily, they will do hard packs so you can travel short distances with it. Try my favorite, the pineapple milkshake. Yummy!!
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5-16-2008 @ 10:13AM
debbie greene said...
I moved to Maryland last July and was dismayed to find a lack of Sonic Drive-ins near me. I always got a diet coke with strawberries to make it through any situation!! My daughter sent me your entry so that I would know that I had someone else missing Sonic!
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5-23-2008 @ 2:13AM
Mustafa, M. said...
If you ever in Corpus Christi,Texas.Frozen Custard Co.& Grill is the place to be.Whatever you try don't choose anything but the most tasty thing i ever put in my mouth which was the strawberry cheesecake. It was a taste of heaven.By the way,i was actually told that their food was superb and that's why i visited that place to start with.i tasted uniquness,tradition,wholesomeness all at once.
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6-25-2008 @ 8:12AM
Ken Aldrich said...
I found a place in Beverly Hills that has taken frozen custard to the next level by fusing it with Italian artisan gelato--its called Silky Smooth Ultra Creamery, and it is truly ultra delicious!
www.silkysmoothcreamery.com
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