Walk-up / Drive-in Ice Cream: Southern Indiana Style 

Lots of things to love here, in Indiana!

Yes, I could not believe how big there soft serve was

Lots and lots of good ones. Hoping to visit a few more before the season ends.

I can’t agree more about Polly’s! Nostalgia and good food!

@@AdventureswithRoger I should say that I just happened across your channel, and subscribed. Looking forward to more videos!

@@jasonrodgers9063 Welcome to the channel, Jason!

Gained over 10 pounds doing this video. Worth it!

Berry Twist still exists, but in a new building. I couldn’t find any pictures of the old one. All I can say is that I gained 10 pounds making this film. Worth it! 🙂

Thank-you for your thoughtful kindness and encouragement, Jason! I chase stories I think are interesting, and hope other people will get a kick out of them. Much more to come! 🙂

Been enjoying his videos for years now one-of-a-kind. Flew into Louisville a couple times from the west coast for a holiday. I find that area to be very unique the cradle of Americanism.

Sounds wonderful!! If I ever get back over that way...I'm going to order THAT!! My mom (orig. from Bloomington IN) craved Chocolate Ice Cream with Marshmallow Fluff topping, it was a big thing in the late 40's! In fact, even tho it wasn't listed on the menu in the 70s when I worked at Dairy Queen, we would occasionally get someone who would order it. I think it might be called a Jack & Jill. Most times, only the store manager knows those special off the menu items!

No way!!! This is awesome news!

I took one for the team, and I’d do it again! 😀Lots and lots of good stuff.

My pleasure, Darrell! So many good places to eat in the summer. The last one to close for the 2022 season did so in October: seems like a long time to March! 🙂

I remember Dennis on all the merchandise! It just made it a happy place!

My pleasure Sam!

Moving to southern Indiana was the best thing I’ve ever done. Truly. Serenity is just a short drive away, any day of the week. I hope I can bring the slower pace, beautiful places, and interesting stories, to people who’d never otherwise know them. I haven’t covered everywhere in Southern Indiana, but I’m really close.

You would not believe how hard it was, for a non local, to find something in plain sight! Would have never found it without my Smartphone. 🙂

Make a plan and go! They are definitely all great! 🙂

been to all those you mentioned ...i'm originally from New Albany.

Until I visited Canada a few decades ago, I had this idea that it was always cold, and ice cream would be the last thing on anyone’s mind! Of course that was a silly idea. 🙂

@@AdventureswithRoger 😀got a thing for soft serve and chilli dogs.Great chanel ...Its amazing how much history you can find if you just slow down and look around.

Absolutely true! I started the channel thinking I’d be done in six months or less. Still finding things to cover, nearly 6 years later!

My pleasure, Marjie! These were such wholesome places, and started in a more innocent time. Not everyone today understands them, but for those of us that do, they are wonderful! I hope they’ll be around for a long time to come! 🙂

JIFFY Treat the best! Banana split made with cherry ice cream , pineapple orange, Vanilla, Chocolate over the cherry ice cream, pineapple over the pineapple orange ice cream,Strawberries over the vanilla. Whip cream and a sprinkle of peanuts with a banana. Can't eat the whole thing take a friend to help devour.

Thanks, Lucas! I almost did Dairy Bell.

Me too! I think I put on about 10 pounds, sampling all these Southern Indiana treats. Someone had to take one for the team! 🙂

Both great places. I grew up making noodles with my grandma that she sold to Knotty Pine.

@@bradcrawford7870 That was a great place to eat. Is knotty pine still around these days?

No, they closed years ago.

My first documentary was about Parke County’s 32 covered bridges (when the Bridgeton Bridge was original), the festival, Billie Creek Village. In the days before RU-vid, you had to sell VHS to make any money. I lost big time, and still have a box of videos in the basement, to this day. At some point, I may do that place again, but it still stings a little. 🙂 I do mostly southern Indiana because I live here. I did film two segments up north last year, will likely do more.

When I started the project, people kept asking me if I’d been to the Dairy Dip! Even though it’s close to where I live, I’d never heard of it. Now that I do, I’ve been quite a bit!

Over ten pounds gained, making this documentary. Happy to take one for the team! 🙂

Fun fact: I gained a little over 10 pounds doing this segment. Worth it! 🙂

Sounds like very good memories of time well spent

I will have to swing by, the next time I’m at Madison!

And there are a TON of them! 🙂

Nostalgia! 🙂

This is absolutely the time! 🙂

That settles it: next trip! 😀

@@AdventureswithRoger My daughter-in-law, who had been all over the world, goes to Jiffy Treat every time she is here. She gets the Oreo Cyclone with white ice cream. She said it is best ice cream that she ever had. I think so too! Yum… I go over there and get one myself 😋

I looked at that menu and was completely in shock and awe! So many good things to choose from. I’m a big fan of CFA’s cookies and cream shake, so I bet I’ll love this one!

@@AdventureswithRoger I bet you will. I only live a few blocks from it but on hot summer days there’s a long line. It’s worth it!

I get one with the twist every time I am there

True on the Pizza Kings! I miss the one they had at Whiteland. It was the largest one I’d ever seen, and had a model train that delivered soft drinks to your table. They have a smaller PK with train at New Albany, Charlestown Road.

I am a huge fan!

I gained at least 15 pounds as I tried not only what I showed, but a few things that were ok but not notable! ☺️ It was a good time!

@@AdventureswithRoger 😁😆🤣

Thank-you, Charles! My pleasure

I gained 10 pounds doing this video: totally worth it! And as the defiant little kid said, “I’d do it again!” 😀

I keep missing that store at Laconia! I’ve seen pictures and have said, “I should check that out!” I think I’ve been saying that three years. 😀

My pleasure, and welcome, Bonnie! I really love these old places of nostalgia. I’m thinking about doing a video about restaurants that are no longer in Indiana, but open in other states. When I passed an Arthur Treachers in Ohio, I nearly lost my mind! Many other great places like that, that we grew up with.

I remember when all DQs were walk up, and many had a red barn house motif. AND the slushies were called Mr Misty until the name changed in the 90s (I believe) to whatever dumb name it is now. I still order them as Mr Misty, and inevitably I have to explain it to the kid taking my order, lol. I don't care, it's a Mr Misty!

@@user-sw4qd2up2s ~ Oh Yeah, Mr. Misty!! I poured a few thousand of those! I sure could go for one right now ...A/C is broken today, and heat index is near 100.🥵 Nothing cooled you down better than a Mr. Misty!🥶🤗

@@AdventureswithRoger ~ Thank You Roger! Arthur Treachers sounds good too! I think I only ate in one once, when traveling. That's a great idea for a video! I sure miss a lot of restaurants from Terre Haute in the 60s & 70s. Some were Ma & Pa types. The menu were typed up and the daily specials were on the chalkboard. One place on south 25th called Bev's now, you would pick one meat item from a choice of 3-5 (like Fried Chicken or Meatloaf or Pork Chops) then you would pick 2 side dishes from 6-8 choices, then you'd pick a bread and a dessert and drink. Guess how much for late 1960's.... $1.25 per plate! Mom, Dad, Sis & I got fed well for $5.10 w/tax. 😄

@@bonniemoerdyk9809 Good times and even better prices! Hope your air situation gets resolved soon!

Several people have mentioned the Dairy Barn. Must be a good one! 🙂

Really liked Norma Jeans, they had all the right variety!

I used to work in Indy, and a bunch of us would jump in a van to get Mug and Bun: good times! I also liked Edwards, was sorry to hear that closed.

@@AdventureswithRoger that's a shame about Edward 's. I took my grand nephew there when he was 8 and he was more interested in the jukebox than eating.

They were still playing the music loud the last time I was there! I’ve heard that they’ve since turned the business into a food truck.

Thanks, Leo! Totally worth the pounds I put on. 🙂

Looking on the map, I have passed Fish Hut Pizza numerous times! My obsession, since most of the ice cream places have closed for the season, is The Gastof Amish restaurant, Montgomery, Indiana. Buffet style, all you can eat, what’s not to love? 😀

I never heard heard that before.

That’s a pretty great idea, Daniel! With autumn colors around the corner, it would be sensational! I was just talking to a friend of mine that had climbed the one at Clark State Forest. She said they had recently locked it up for the season. I heard there used to be one in Perry County, at Buzzard Roost, but that overlook still isn’t bad at all!

There are TONS of them for sure! I started off with the idea of only doing the oldest ones, that provided a retro look, but included newer ones that are also keeping the seasonal dairy bar spirit alive, with something special. I keep finding more of them as I travel the state!

I missed a bunch of good places! The bonus is that my viewers are setting me up for next summers calorie fest! 😀And I am already stoked, as my last local dairy bar closed for the season, on November 13th!

Love Jiffy Treat! I’ve heard that Curbette at English opened this year, I plan to check that one out soon soon!

@@AdventureswithRoger ohhhh good info! Thanks!

I think both that one and Bedford are open year round

@@AdventureswithRoger we're just a few blocks away. My wife and I sneak out for a quick ice cream date there while running errands.

I’ve ate at that one, it is a good one! 🙂

I gained a little over 10 pounds, making the video, but it was a great time! Many people told me about the Curb-ette, but by the time I found it, they’d closed shop for good. Hopefully, someone with a talent for business and a love of nostalgia, will give it a try!

Each time I’m in Bedford, it’s Jiffy Treet for me!

I grew up in Ellettsville and Jiffy Treet has always been THE place to go. I remember going there in the 60's and to be honest, the place hasn't changed. My mom knew the owners at that time. I took my son there then my granddaughters. I moved away when I retired and haven't been there for at least 8 years. It's definitely a piece of everyone's history, if you're from Monroe County.

@@hoosiergrandma7640 Speaking of iconic ice cream places, the Chocolate Moose on Walnut St was torn down a couple of years ago and another apartment building wss built on its lot. It reopened on the first floor but I haven't bothered to go.

@@staceyn2541 Thanks, I'm glad to know it reopened. Downtown has changed so much.

@@hoosiergrandma7640 I love all these little gems! But, have to say I've made MANY trips to the Jiffy Treet at Bedford and one at Ellettsville. =)

I feel your pain! 😀 After gaining 60 “on the road” pounds, I’ve been doing a keto diet. But, after I get back to a good weight, I’ll indulge every now and then.

I had to go back several times, for many of these. Pretty sure I gained 19 pounds! 🙂

@@AdventureswithRoger 😂🤣☺️

I haven’t been a ton of places up by Fort Wayne and Kokomo. Small towns often preserve good stuff because they know they’ll never get it again: those are the best

Good stuff!

Hi John! Lots and lots of good ones!

I was really hoping the Curbette was re-opening this year. But, there are other good ones. I have what’s left of The Curbette, near the end of the film.

@@AdventureswithRoger Yes absolutely! Over the years I have been to the majority of the ones you featured and really they’re all unique and have good food. I was a Dairy Dip regular for many years and always loved the pizza, the management, the old and the new, good peoples. Fingers crossed that the Curbette will make a full reopening in the near future! I’d fly back for another Bacon Slawburger, corn nuggets, and a cold Pibb Extra, for real 😂

@@curtissclark7805 You are my kinda people, down to the Pibb Extra! 🙂

@@AdventureswithRogerFountain Pibb was the icing on the cake. It completed it and made it the perfect lunch OR dinner

@@curtissclark7805 Ralleys started serving Pibb Extra a few years ago, or at least that’s when I first noticed, and I was ecstatic. My favorite soft drink in the world! For some time, you could only find it in southern Indiana, in vending machines. Once I got my Illinois cousin hooked, he found where he could buy it by the case. He ended up drinking so much of it, that he built a castle in his basement, with the cans! 😀

I’ve driven passed that one, many times. Not sure how I missed it!

Love Fort Wayne! I read that Zesto was at one time a huge chain, right up there with Dairy Queen. I grew up in central Indiana, where I never saw a Zesto, but we had lots of walk-up DQ’s and a place called Mr Curls. Someone just this morning said they have two Zesto’s at Evansville. All I know is I have another place to eat at Fort Wayne and Evansville!

I gained about 10 pounds doing this one. Worth it!

Berry Twist is shown at the end, and I love their bbq and ice cream, but they don’t have any nostalgia, like the others.

I was just up there on Sunday, totally missed it!

Official address is 5242 SR-62, Georgetown, Indiana, 47122

Many of the places say coneys, but if you’re expecting the type from say Chicago, they aren’t exactly the same. Hotdog, simple hotdog bun, meat sauce, shredded cheese, sometimes you can get diced onion. I have found a few that do bakery buns, relish and so on.

I heard Montezuma has a Tasty Freeze, but I haven’t been up that way in ages! I’ve seen pictures: it definitely looks like my kinda place!

Me too! At least once a week, during the season. In fact, I just had two chili cheese dogs on Saturday! Taking it all in before these places start closing for the year! 🙂

Gained about 10 pounds and my doctor gave me a speech about cholesterol and death. 😀

I heard that was a good one!

Almost went to Dairy Barn, had several people tell me about it.

While I got quite a few, I missed quite a few! The bonus is that people have told about other great ones to try: the gift that keeps on giving, if you ask me! 🙂

I’ve heard that the one at English is permanently closed. The one at Columbus closed in 2021. If I could find classic diners from the 50’s, with neon and chrome, that would be interesting! I have found other quirky restaurants with great food, might do some of those. Gasthof at Washington is an awesome Amish buffet. The Log Inn at Evansville is southern style meals in an old stage coach building: Abraham Lincoln ate there! A little further north is the legendary Gray Brothers Cafeteria, up by Martinsville

@@AdventureswithRoger I am kinda gutted about Musallamis, tbh. That was a dream I had, like you and Jiffy Treet. My whole life, we only drove past to go shopping or to visit grandparents. I think I went once, and it was worth the wait. The place in English had one of the best burgers I think I have ever eaten. My parents lived in Marengo for about 4 years, and those were the saddest food years! Luckily, I only came down to visit during college breaks! I am also devastated that Bloomington couldn't save The Chocolate Moose. It still exists, but in a hideous modern building. Luckily, I live next to an excellent Jiffy Treet. The one in Bloomington by the mall is only eh, the one in Ellettsville is top notch, if you are heading this way. :). Oh, Larrison's in Seymour is a really interesting place, as well as The Fish Place. I don't think they have redecorated since the 70s. If you wanna go crazy retro, like old school supper clubs, The Pines on SR 31 is kinda trippy. Columbus has an old school ice cream shoppe downtown, too. Sorry, I don't know the names of anything...

Zaharakos in Columbus is a great place, I nearly forgot about it!

Will absolutely get over there!

Have not tried that one! Is that first place on the left, as you leave town, toward West Baden?

@@AdventureswithRoger yes once you leave West Baden, and end up in Paoli, super burger will be on the left and Porky’s will be on the right

@joshuarobbins5465 I have passed that pork place more times than I can count, and every time I say to myself, “I bet that’s a good place.” 😃

My aunt and uncle live at Tell City, they told me, “You missed The Barge Inn”. 🙂 Since I published, I’ve found many more great places, thanks to viewer suggestions.

Have heard of it, have not been there. Yet. 😀

@@AdventureswithRoger monster ice cream cones. I sent you a email this morning. Not sure if it went through

Wow, I might’ve when I worked up there in the 90’s. We did a lot of Mug and Bun for sure

It used to be B & K root beer drive in then Barry died and mel bought it still in the family if you want just ask Terri kinnett the waitress about her family business it been around for ever.

I don’t usually go further north than Nashville, as even that is an hour and a half drive. But I’m thinking about doing a long filming day in the spring, covering Indianapolis. I am ALWAYS in for road trip food. 🙂

Part 2 🌭🍔🍧🍿☕

I absolutely want to go!

Several have mentioned Little Twirl and The Dairy Barn.

We have one here in Newburgh called Rivertown Ice-cream. Really good ice cream , cash only though

I really should’ve mentioned the cash only policy at many of these places. In some of these towns, an ATM is tough to find. I remember having to hit up a gas station ATM before I could get anything.

Hi Amy! I removed all the Jersey Park videos. While I never said where it was, people figured it out, and were trespassing a great deal after 58,000 hits. We’re talking groups of people, nearly every day. My intent was to preserve an untold history, not ruin it with people looking for souvenirs or possible vandalism, but the latter is what happened. I’m sure most people were like me, just wanting to view a unique piece of Indiana history, but it caused a nuisance to both the property and neighbors living along that small road. Not to mention, it’s a very unsafe place with many hazards, including random pieces of metal, sticking out of the ground. The house and barn ruins could cave in at any moment. So incredibly neglected, it needs to be bulldozed to prevent further tragedy: it is beyond saving.

@@AdventureswithRoger What a shame!!! It was such an interesting piece!! I am a homeschool mom and have several children very interested in history. I had shown the video to everyone but my oldest and he was hoping to see it.... Thanks for all you do!!!!

@@MrsMaverickMom More cool things to come. I’m finishing a piece about Vincennes at the moment, and have both Corydon and New Albany nearly ready for post production. In the fall, I hope to wrap up a segment about Indiana’s ancient places, from amazing caves to settlement over 1,000 years ago. I’ve had requests to make one about easy walking trails, I’m always looking for new ideas!

@@AdventureswithRoger Have you done any about the legend of Madoc? What about the Old Fort along the Ohio River Greenway? Bike trails? Freedomland? The Old Clock Tower Church?

@@MrsMaverickMom I briefly touched upon the Madoc legend / old fort in the Rose Island, Borden Museum and Clarksville segments. There’s probably a bit more to tell, but I don’t have enough at the moment. I have considered mounting a camera on a bike, to show the greenway, as well as the B&O trail at Bedford. It may or may not happen this fall. I got an invite to film inside the old clock tower church at New Albany, but they were doing some work the last time I thought about it. Freedom Land I hesitate to do, as it’s totally unsupervised and could be victimized once the wrong people knew where it is. By accident or vandalism, I noticed that the limestone sign is now destroyed.

I didn’t notice any difference at Polly’s, the tenderloins and banana boats still seem great. The fact that Berry Twist and Zesto have drive thru lanes, is why I hit them the most.

@@AdventureswithRoger I can normally park, order, and be back in my car by the time the last car in line places the order. I try this many times at various drive thrus.

@@nickaltvater5592 No doubt! It’s more of a “I’m hungry but didn’t feel like dressing up” kinda thing for me. 🙂

Didn’t see that one. There are many good ones I learned about, after I published the video: that’s a win for all of us! 🙂 To my knowledge, there is no list of all the older southern Indiana ice cream places. I found many by accident, while going on various filming trips.

Had not heard of that one

Riverside is the best one

I looked for something at Evansville but came up empty! Much bigger town than the other places

@@AdventureswithRoger just means you will have to do a part 2 !

You know I love my road trips and bad choices! 😀

There’s a place in Evansville called Big Top Drive In that’s very similar to these

Getting fat in the Hoosier heartland 😃

Also posted the epic segment about the Silver Mine: that one was a monster. 8 weeks of editing, of what was many years of filming.

I’m a native Hoosier: slang is my sport 😂

Yes. We don’t have coney dogs at southern Indiana summer places, at least not the ones I visited.

Well the narrator kept saying this place or that place had coney dogs, then would go on to say how good the chili was. They are different.

Some of the menus offer “coney dogs” but what they really mean are optional onions, atop the typical chili, shredded cheese and standard hot dog. They aren’t coneys in the Chicago or east coast sense.

@@AdventureswithRoger ah. Here in northern indiana if it says coney it’s like a sweet bbq sauce. Chili is chili.

I gained 10 pounds to make this episode: worth it!