Serving Up Soft Serve: This Custard Shop in Minnesota Won Me Over

Minnesota summers can be downright sultry, but we know how to cool off—that's what all those lakes are for, right? After a hot day on the water, not much tastes better than a swirl of creamy soft serve. I'm not talking about your typical frozen powdered milk dripped into a cone from a notoriously unreliable machine. No, when I say soft serve, I mean silky, rich frozen custard. Frozen custard is a Midwest tradition, and since 1986, nearly a decade before Wisconsin powerhouse Culver's opened its first store in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Adele's Frozen Custard in Excelsior as been a Minnesota soft serve institution.

The difference between typical soft serve and frozen custard is egg yolks, which are used to add a layer of complexity to the texture of the treat. The egg makes the texture smoother and flavors richer—just perfect for taking the edge off a hot day in the Bold North. Adele's in Excelsior, just steps from Lake Minnetonka, is the place to get it.

As far as custard flavors go, Adele's typically keeps it simple: vanilla or chocolate, plus one or two specialty flavors that rotate through the calendar. They do offer additional flavors of frozen yogurt if that's your jam, but I'm telling you now, I don't go to frozen custard shop for fro-yo. I'm here for the full-cal, all-custard experience.

Of course, this doesn't mean your custard is relegated to a cone or a dish with no accoutrement. You can choose from three types of cone—wafer, sugar, or waffle—and add sprinkles, or a candy, nut, or fruit topping to any cone or dish. You can take your custard experience even further by ordering it in a sundae, shake, malt, or concrete.

That said, I am a simple, simple person when it comes to soft serve. I like plain vanilla in a dish, and believe me when I say that you will not find a better dish of vanilla soft serve in Minnesota than that served by Adele's. Many folks prefer something more extravagant, like my recent custard companion, who ordered a turtle sundae. I tried a few bites, and it was quite delicious. The toasted pecans offered just the right salty, crunchy counterpoint to the sweetness of the caramel.

If, for some reason, you're not a dessert-first person, fret not. Adele's offers a selection of freshly-made deli sandwiches, hot dogs, brats, and daily specials for customers looking for a little substance before indulging in their custard. Adele's spacious patio is the perfect place for lunch—or take it to enjoy at nearby Minnewashta Regional Park.

When it comes to soft serve, frozen custard is easily my favorite; and when it comes to frozen custard in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Adele's is a Minnesota original. Visit Adele's Frozen Custard on the web to see the menu, hours, and daily flavor selection.

Have you tried Adele's Frozen Custard in Excelsior? Tell us about your favorite place for soft serve in Minnesota—we'd love to hear from you!