What's better than ice cream in the summer? Frozen custard! Yes m'am, add egg yolk and at least 10% milkfat to your average ice cream, and frozen custard you have. I have had an affinity for this frozen treat since I was a child. My family spent summers in Conneaut Lake, PA, and we traveled often to Hanks Frozen Custard in Meadville. I spent my college years at Allegheny College, so I got to continue the tradition into my adulthood. While I still get to Hanks whenever I get a chance (as in, whenever I am within 30 miles or so), I like to have my fix at some local locations as well. But, let's start with the real deal.
Hanks Frozen Custard - Meadville, PA
Hanks in Meadville has been open since 1952, or so the website says. It offers chocolate, vanilla, and light vanilla daily, and an additional flavor every day. The flavor schedule is available on the website (http://www.hanksfrozencustard.com/flavor-schedule)and boasts some favorites like peanut butter and black raspberry. Hanks still uses the old electro freeze machines. These machines are a must if you want a real custard experience. I can't say much about the rest of the menu - I haven't had anything besides the custard. My mom, for some unknown, incomprehensible reason, got the sherbet once and enjoyed it. But, I wouldn't recommend it. Why miss out on the good stuff?
Hanks Frozen Custard and Mexican Food- New Brighton, PA
The original Hanks, this location was opened by a family member of the Meadville Hanks, though no familial relation exists today. This Hanks offers chocolate and vanilla daily, as well as a rotation of seven flavors, including strawberry and pistachio. The custard here is not made in the electro freeze machine, but is still pretty good. Less buttery and smooth, and a little heavier, but good. Haven't had a chance to try the Mexican food yet, but plan to soon. Will update.
J & T - Ellwood City, PA
J&T offers custard, hard ice cream, soft serve, and sherbet, as well as some grilled and fried foods. The custard is made in the electro freeze machines, and is awesome. They offer vanilla and chocolate custard daily, as well as a special flavor daily. They also blend some of the fresh-made flavors with other ingredients and offer them frozen. One of my favorites is chocolate almond. Overall, some very good custard.
Young's Custard Stand - Zelienople, PA
Youngs is on the vanilla and chocolate plus one flavor bandwagon. Their flavors change weekly, not daily, and include pistachio, a personal favorite of mine. Electro freeze machines are in use. Young's custard is unbelievably creamy and light, and is flavored a little more sophisticated than the other custards I have tried - in a less is more way. It also tasted fresher than the other custards I've tried, though I may have just hit it on the right day. Young's serves burgers and dogs too. But, again, I had no room for any non-custard treats. The stand itself sits in the country in a large parking lot. There are some benches and picnic tables set up, and a line usually winds around the corner. Well worth the drive and the wait.
Forbush's - New Castle, PA
Why does life get in the way of eating? I hate to do this to you, but I have yet to try this place. I don't want to fail to mention it, as it is often spoken of in the same vein as J&T. But, I can't say anything good or bad about it. I can only promise to get there, asap, and update shortly thereafter. The things I do for research...