Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

The Verdict

If you are visiting St. Louis for the first time and someone asks where to get dessert, the answer is Ted Drewes. That combination of critical acknowledgment and sustained public approval at a walk-up custard stand on Chippewa Street is the kind of signal worth paying attention to. Compare this to Big Gay Ice Cream Shop in New York City or Fatamorgana in Rome: both are legitimate frozen dessert destinations in their own cities, but neither carries the same neighborhood institution weight that Ted Drewes has accumulated over decades on Route 66. Book here if frozen custard is your format. Skip it if you want a sit-down meal.

What to Expect as a First-Timer

Ted Drewes is an outdoor walk-up operation on Chippewa Street. There is no host stand, no dining room, no table service. You join a line, order at the window, eat outside. The visual signature is the custard itself — dense, thick, scooped into cups or cones — most associated with the "concrete," a frozen custard blended with mix-ins thick enough to be served upside-down without spilling. If you are visiting from out of town, that is the thing to order: it is the format Ted Drewes is known for, it is what the OAD recognition is built on.

First-timers should also know this is cash-friendly counter service with no dress code and no reservation system. You show up, you wait in line if it is busy, you order. The experience is exactly what it appears to be from the street: a no-frills custard stand with a serious product.

Lunch vs. Evening: When to Go

The timing question here is practical. Ted Drewes opens at 11 am daily, which means you can technically arrive at lunch hour. But frozen custard as a lunch destination is a niche call. The midday visit works well if you are already in the South St. Louis area and want to avoid the evening crowd. Lines at peak summer evenings, especially on Fridays and Saturdays (which stay open until 10:30 pm versus 10 pm the rest of the week), can be substantial. The custard does not change based on time of day, but your wait time will. For a first visit, arriving between 11 am and 1 pm on a weekday gives you the shortest lines and the same product. If the evening atmosphere and the energy of a busy summer night on Chippewa Street is part of what you want, Friday or Saturday evening is the right call, just expect to wait. The weekend late-night window (until 10:30 pm) is worth knowing about if you are finishing dinner elsewhere in the city and want dessert as a final stop.

Ratings & Recognition

• Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America: Recommended (2023), #442 (2024), #510 (2025)

Practical Details

Reservations: None, walk-up only, no booking required. Dress Code: None. Hours: Monday through Thursday and Sunday 11 am–10 pm; Friday and Saturday 11 am–10:30 pm. Address: 6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109. Budget: Cheap Eats category; expect low per-person spend typical of custard and ice cream counter service. Booking Difficulty: Easy, no reservation needed.

How It Compares

See the comparison section below for how Ted Drewes sits alongside other St. Louis options like Crown Candy Kitchen, Pappy's Smokehouse, and Bogart's Smokehouse.

Pearl Picks: More St. Louis

• Mai Lee (Vietnamese), the go-to for a full sit-down meal in the city
• Pappy's Smokehouse (Barbecue), St. Louis barbecue with serious critical backing
• Bogart's Smokehouse (Barbecue), a strong alternative if Pappy's line is too long
• Crown Candy Kitchen (Luncheonette), worth considering if you want a full meal alongside your sweet fix
• MAINLANDER, for something more current in the St. Louis dining scene
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FAQ

What should I order at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard?

• Order a concrete. It is the format Ted Drewes is known for: frozen custard blended with mix-ins and served thick enough to invert the cup. The specific flavor combinations are not listed in our database, so ask at the window for current options.

Is lunch or dinner better at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard?

• If you want the shortest wait, go midday on a weekday, Ted Drewes opens at 11 am daily and lines are thinner before the evening rush. If you want the full summer-evening energy, Friday or Saturday night works well and the stand stays open until 10:30 pm. The custard is identical either way; the difference is queue length and atmosphere.

Can Ted Drewes Frozen Custard accommodate groups?

• Yes. Walk-up counter service with no reservations means groups of any size can show up together. There is no table to reserve or party limit to worry about. Large groups should expect to order in batches at the window. Outdoor space on Chippewa Street gives room to spread out once you have your order.

Does Ted Drewes Frozen Custard handle dietary restrictions?

• Our database does not include specific allergen or dietary restriction information for Ted Drewes. Frozen custard typically contains eggs and dairy, so it is not suitable for vegans or those with dairy or egg allergies as a baseline assumption. For specific ingredient questions, contact the stand directly before visiting.

Is Ted Drewes Frozen Custard good for a special occasion?

• It depends on what the occasion calls for. Ted Drewes is a strong answer for a casual St. Louis celebration or a first-visit ritual, it has the recognition and the local standing to feel like a meaningful stop. It is not the right answer if you need a sit-down dinner with service. For a birthday dessert stop after a meal elsewhere in the city, it works well. For a full celebratory dinner, look at Mai Lee or MAINLANDER instead.

Can I eat at the bar at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard?

• There is no bar. Ted Drewes is an outdoor walk-up custard stand. You order at a window, collect your custard, eat standing or seated outside. If you are looking for a bar experience alongside dessert in St. Louis, check our St. Louis bars guide for options nearby.

What are alternatives to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis?

• For a different kind of sweet institution, Crown Candy Kitchen gives you a luncheonette format with malts and sodas alongside a full short-order menu. For food rather than dessert, Pappy's Smokehouse and Bogart's Smokehouse are the two strongest barbecue options in the city. Mai Lee is the answer for a sit-down dinner with depth and critical backing. None of these replace Ted Drewes if frozen custard is what you are after, they are different categories entirely.