They hand your dessert across the counter upside down, and not a drop falls out. That little flip is a famous ritual at a walk-up custard stand on old Route 66 in Missouri.
The treat is called a concrete, and the name fits because it’s frozen custard blended so thick a spoon nearly stands up. The stand has no indoor seating, so everyone orders at the windows and eats outside.
I like how a spot this simple has stayed a must-stop for generations of Missouri families. Road trippers, summer crowds, and late-night snackers all end up in the same fast-moving line.
I can’t imagine a better reason to plan a drive, especially with grandkids in the back seat. So what makes a cup of custard worth that kind of loyalty, and which one should you order first?
A Walk-Up Window On The Mother Road That St. Louis Keeps Coming Back To
Some desserts come with a side of history, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard serves a big one. The stand sits right on historic Route 66 in south St. Louis, Missouri.
It isn’t a sit-down parlor or a fancy dessert shop. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a walk-up stand where you order at the windows and enjoy your treat outdoors.
The menu centers on frozen custard, which is richer and denser than regular ice cream. A vanilla base gets dressed up with toppings, mix-ins, and a few other flavor options, so the choices add up quickly.
The stand has become one of the best-known stops on the old highway through Missouri. Road trippers working their way along Route 66 pull in right alongside neighbors who live a few blocks away.
I like that the whole operation feels refreshingly uncomplicated. You line up, you order, and a few minutes later you’re holding something cold and thick on a warm night.
That simple formula has made the stand a true St. Louis tradition. For older Missourians, it’s a place tied to childhood summers, and for younger families, it’s the start of new memories.
Decades Of Custard History Hiding Behind That Retro Sign
The Drewes family name has been tied to St. Louis custard since 1929. That’s a long run for any business, let alone one built around a frozen treat.
The Chippewa Street stand reportedly began serving travelers on Route 66 in the early 1940s. Back then, the highway carried families heading west, and a cold custard stop made a lot of sense.
The famous concrete came later, reportedly created in 1959. It went on to become the signature item that made Ted Drewes Frozen Custard a household name across Missouri.
Today the stand still has that classic roadside look. A white building and retro signage give it the feel of a mid-century highway stop, which fits its Route 66 address perfectly.
There’s also a small museum about the history of the business, located with the gift shop across the parking lot. It’s a nice bonus for anyone who likes a little backstory with their dessert.
I believe that sense of continuity is a big part of the appeal. Grandparents can bring grandkids to the same windows they once visited, and that’s hard to put a price on.
The Upside-Down Flip That Proves A Concrete Means Business
Here’s a dessert that comes with a little stunt. Staff at the window famously turn the cup upside down before handing over a concrete.
Nothing slides out, and that’s the whole point. The concrete is frozen custard blended so thick with mix-ins that gravity doesn’t stand a chance.
Choices run deep. The Turtle mixes hot fudge, caramel, and pecans, while the Dutchman Delight brings chocolate, butterscotch, and pecans together.
Local pride shows up on the menu too. Names like Cardinal Sin, Terramizzou, and Muddy Mississippi give a wink to St. Louis and the state of Missouri.
The Christy combines brownie, vanilla custard, caramel, and hot fudge for anyone chasing a serious chocolate fix. Cookie dough, Reese’s, Heath bar mocha, and s’mores-style concretes also show up among the many options.
Mini sizes are available if you want a smaller treat. That’s handy for little ones or for anyone who wants to save room to try a second flavor.
Toppings tend to be generous, so each spoonful carries plenty of the good stuff. Good luck picking just one on your first trip.
Sundaes, Shortcake, And Fruit Treats For The Non-Concrete Crowd
Not everybody wants their custard blended into a brick. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has plenty for folks who prefer a classic sundae or something fruity.
The strawberry shortcake is one of the most talked-about items on the menu. It’s a fresh, sweet change of pace from the heavier chocolate and caramel combinations.
Banana splits are another longtime favorite. They bring that old-fashioned soda fountain feel that so many Missouri grandparents remember from their own childhoods.
Fruit fans can look for options like pineapple, strawberry, and raspberry. Lemon crumb has its own following, and a blueberry lemon graham cracker combination has appeared on the menu as well.
Kids get a fun option too. Sundaes served in little baseball helmets make the trip feel extra special for young Cardinals fans.
There are also slabs, which come in two-flavor and three-flavor specials. They’re a smart choice for a group that wants to share and compare without committing to one flavor.
Hot fudge deserves its own shout-out, since it pops up across sundaes and concretes alike. One cup, plenty of chocolate, and a very happy kid in the back seat.
Long Lines That Move Faster Than You’d Ever Guess
Pulling up to a packed parking lot can feel a little discouraging at first. At this stand, though, a crowd usually just means you’ve found the right place.
Lines are a regular sight, even late in the evening. The good news is that the staff works multiple windows quickly, so waits often wrap up in a few minutes.
First-timers sometimes find the system a bit confusing. Just pick a line, study the menu boards, and feel free to ask for a suggestion at the window.
The crew has a reputation for being friendly and efficient under pressure. That’s no small feat when half of south St. Louis seems to want custard at once.
I can’t imagine a better place for people watching while you wait. You’ll see families, couples, teenagers, and Route 66 travelers all sharing the same patch of pavement.
A quick tip for the line is to decide on your order early. With so many flavors and mix-ins, it’s easy to freeze up at the window, and not in the delicious way.
Once you’re served, the wait feels like a fair trade. That first cold spoonful tends to erase any memory of the line.
Benches, A Gift Shop, And A Little Museum Across The Lot
Forget about grabbing a booth, because there isn’t one. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has no indoor seating, so the dining room is the great outdoors.
A few benches sit off to the side of the parking area. Plenty of folks also eat standing in the lot or head back to their cars with cups in hand.
Right across the parking lot, there’s a gift shop worth a few extra minutes. It’s tied to the stand’s Route 66 heritage, and the prices on souvenirs are friendly on the wallet.
The shop also includes a small museum about the history of the business. Older visitors will enjoy the nostalgia, and kids can learn why their dessert has such a long backstory.
The gift shop staff are known for being knowledgeable about the company. Ask a question, and you might walk away with a fun fact to share on the drive home.
For Route 66 fans collecting stops along the old highway, this is an easy place to grab a keepsake. It’s a nice way to remember a Missouri road trip long after the custard is gone.
Hours, Address, And A Few Smart Tips Before You Drive
Planning the trip is refreshingly easy. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard sits at 6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109, right on the historic Route 66 corridor.
The stand is currently listed as open daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Hours may vary by season, so it’s smart to confirm before making a long drive across Missouri.
Pricing lands in line with other custard shops, and size choices help you control the bill. Mini sizes keep things light, while larger cups are easy to share with the family.
Parking is on site, though the lot can fill up fast on busy evenings. Patience usually pays off, since cars come and go quickly once people get their treats.
Winter visitors may notice something different on the lot. Ted Drewes is also known for selling Christmas trees during the holiday season, which adds a festive twist to the old stand.
Since seating is limited to outdoor benches, pack some napkins and maybe a wet wipe or two. A thick concrete is forgiving, but sticky fingers are still part of the adventure.
Why This Custard Run Belongs On Your Family’s Missouri Bucket List
A 4.8-star rating across more than 12,000 Google reviews says a lot. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has earned a spot near the top of almost any St. Louis must-do list.
Not every visitor walks away calling it the best dessert of their life. Still, most agree the history, the flip, and the friendly service make it worth at least one stop.
I believe the real magic is how little has needed to change. You order at a window, eat outside, and enjoy a treat tied to generations of Missouri summers.
It’s a great pick for a day trip with grandkids, a Route 66 adventure, or a simple evening drive. The custard is the star, but the shared memory is the real souvenir.
Pair it with a stroll through the gift shop and museum for a fuller experience. Then snap a photo of that upside-down cup, because somebody back home will want proof.
So gather the family, check the hours, and point the car toward Chippewa Street. Just be ready for a friendly debate over whether the Turtle or the Cardinal Sin deserves the crown.
