Ice cream lovers have enjoyed a "cone with the curl on top" since 1940. Here's a look at Dairy Queen's history in pictures.
Courtesy American Dairy Queen Corporation
The Dairy Queen story begins in 1938, two years before the restaurant opened, with the dawn of soft-serve ice cream. The inventors, J.F. McCullough and his son Alex convinced ice cream man Sherb Noble to sell it at his shop in Kankakee, Illinois. It was an immediate hit. They served 1,600 customers in two hours at an all-you-can-eat ice cream sale.
Noble and the McCulloughs opened the first Dairy Queen store (pictured above) on June 22, 1940, along historic Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois.Though no longer serving customers, the site still stands as a local landmark.
Check out these other must-see stops on Route 66.
Courtesy American Dairy Queen Corporation
The Original Dairy Queen Menu
Dairy Queen’s first menu items included soft-serve cones, sundaes and ice cream by the pint and quart. A cone cost a nickel, and a sundae cost 8 cents.
Courtesy Dairy Queen
Gail Jackson, reader of Taste of Home‘s sister magazine Reminisce, remembers when the restaurant opened in Roseburg, Oregon, in 1948. “I talked Mom out of a nickel and walked the nine blocks to the new Dairy Queen,” she says. “When I asked what flavors they had, they realized I hadn’t been there before and gave me a free cone. I remember how good ‘the cone with the curl on top’ (pictured above) tasted. And best of all, I still had my nickel!”
Can you guess the country’s oldest restaurant chains?
Courtesy Dairy Queen
“Dairy Queen was the closest thing we had to fast food in the 1950s,” explainReminisce readers Danny Atchley and Barbara Starcher of Mineral Wells, Texas. “Most of the young people hung out there, visiting with friends while working on our malts, shakes or banana splits.”
Photos from Dairy Queen’s Past
We rounded up these old photos from Dairy Queens over the decades. Do they look familiar?
The First DQ Sign: 1940
Courtesy Dairy Queen
This sign lists the prices at the very first DQ, and cones indeed went for a nickel. That’s not all—you get your second cone for just a cent. Plus, a quart of soft serve cost only 35 cents—if only we could bring these prices back!
DQ Storefront: 1946
Courtesy Dairy Queen
This photo of a Dairy Queen storefront shows just how popular their cones have always been. There’s a line straight out the door! The logo and the setup are a far cry from modern-day DQs around the country.
DQ Behind the Scenes: 1950
We can’t imagine handling three of DQ’s signature cones at once, but this DQ worker seems to be having no trouble at all! The logo on his hat was clearly going through some development—there’s a definite change from the one we saw in the ’40s.
Introduction of the Dilly Bar: 1955
Courtesy Dairy Queen
The Dilly Bar debuted in 1954 at the DQ in Moorhead, Minnesota—one of the oldest locations that’s still in operation. According to the restaurant’s website, an employee trainer put a dollop of ice cream on a piece of cardboard, stuck a stick in it and said, “Ain’t that a Dilly!”
A year later, the new treat expanded nationwide. This poster shows off the brand-new creation, but it’s definitely progressed since—you can now get a gluten-free version. Its introduction was only outshone by the arrival of the DQ Blizzard.
DQ Storefront: 1962
Courtesy Dairy Queen
In this photo of a storefront from the ’60s, you can see some resemblance to the modern-day versions of the store. The DQ logo, which has gone through plenty of changes, looks much closer to the red, orange and blue version we’re so used to seeing now.
Full Meal Deal: 1980
Courtesy Dairy Queen
The Full Meal Deal was a ’80s promotion offering a hamburger, crunchy fries, a sundae and a drink for just—wait for it—$2.79. Unbelievable as it sounds now, this advertisem*nt says otherwise.
Next Up: Make these Dairy Queen copycat recipes.
1 / 16
Smash Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Inspired by: Original Cheeseburger Signature StackburgerTwo mouthwatering burger patties stacked high with toppings like melted cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard. Our smash burger recipe is just like DQ's Original Signature Stackburger—and maybe even better.
Get Our Smash Burgers Recipe
Taste of Home
Inspired by: Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard TreatThese rich chocolate peanut butter shakes will make you feel as if you're sitting in your local Dairy Queen. But since you're the one whipping it up, you can add as many Reese's cups as you heart desires!
Get Our Chocolate Peanut Butter Shakes Recipe
Taste of Home
Inspired by: Pretzel Sticks with Zesty QuesoServe up warm pretzel sticks straight from the oven. Don't forget the cheese sauce! To make it zesty just like DQ's, add diced jalapenos and green chiles.
Get Our Movie Theater Pretzel Rods Recipe
LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME
Inspired by: Ice Cream Round CakeYou don't have to be a baker to make this ice cream cake for your next celebration! This ice cream cake recipe is inspired by the DQ classic—made with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, chocolate ganache and a thick layer of chocolate cookie crumbles.Get Our Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Inspired by: Chili DogThe very thought of a hot dog dressed in chili makes us giddy. Just add slightly melted cheese to get that straight-from-the-drive-thru taste.
Get Our Favorite Chili Dogs Recipe
TMB STUDIO
Inspired by: Caramel MooLatteYou can easily indulge in a MooLatte at home anytime. This copycat recipe will give you the extra caffeine to get you through your day.
Get Our Creamy Caramel Mocha Recipe
Inspired by: Crispy Chicken SandwichHere's our take on the Crispy Chicken Sandwich from Dairy Queen. We know everyone says theirs is better than the original, but ours really is.
Get Our Copycat Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe
All-American Banana Split Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Inspired by: Banana SplitServe up this classic Dairy Queen staple at home! We promise it's not as intimidating as it looks. Top scoops of your favorite vanilla ice cream with sauce, whipped cream, strawberry slices and bananas. Sprinkle a few nuts on top for good measure, too.
Get Our All-American Banana Split Recipe
Taste of Home
Inspired by: Cheese CurdsDQ's cheese curds are the ultimate in delicious comfort food. Dip them in ranch dressing, ketchup or barbecue sauce for the full experience.
Get Our Deep-Fried Cheese Bites Recipe
Taste of Home
Inspired by: Strawberry SundaeA simple scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with strawberry jam makes for the perfect treat. We like adding a handful of chocolate chips and chopped nuts to our sundae.
Get Our Vanilla Ice Cream with Jam Recipe
Chicken Fingers Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Inspired by: Chicken Strip BasketYou can skip the drive-thru and make these golden chicken fingers in your own kitchen. They're finger-licking good!
Get Our Chicken Fingers Recipe
Taste of Home
Inspired by: Strawberry ShakeNo matter what the temperature is outside, there's nothing quite like a cool strawberry shake to finish a meal. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream for the finishing touch.
Get Our Strawberry Shakes Recipe
Inspired by: Onion RingsThese Dairy Queen-inspired onion rings are a healthy alternative to the deep-fried version. But don't worry, they're still as crispy as ever!
Get Our Crispy Baked Onion Rings Recipe
Taste of Home
Inspired by: Mint Chip ShakeYup, we even have a copycat recipe for DQ's latest (and limited time) release: their Mint Chip Shake! Ours even uses up a handful of Thin Mints...talk about yum.
Get Our Thin Mint Milk Shake Recipe
Taste of Home
Inspired by: Hot Fudge SundaeOur hot fudge sauce always turns out smooth and yummy—just like DQ's. The dark chocolate flavor, with a hint of rum extract, is not overly sweet but will still satisfy a chocoholic's cravings when served over vanilla ice cream.
Get Our Rich Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
Taste of Home
Inspired by: Cherry Misty FreezeBlend together a homemade Cherry Misty Freeze for a cool and refreshing treat. It's sure to hit the spot on both warm and cool days alike.
Get Our Cherry Fruit Smoothies Recipe
