Frozen Dairy Bar resurrected
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| DC Steakholder has a 1950s vibe. |
The Frozen Dairy Bar, the much-missed frozen custard place with a long history in Falls Church, is coming back this Saturday.
The small art deco ice cream stand was a Falls Church landmark on the corner of Arlington Boulevard and Annandale Road for some 70 years.
After going through several owners, formats, and locations, its final incarnation was the FDB Eatery in the shopping center that replaced the old stand. It closed in September.
A new restaurant in that space, called DC Steakholder and 1950s Creamery, to open April 6, will feature the original frozen custard recipe from the Frozen Dairy Bar, as well as “simple American food,” such as burgers, fries, cheesesteak sandwiches, and hot dogs, says Usman Bhatti, who purchased the store with his wife Lilly.
The Bhatti’s operate the DC Steakholders food truck and are planning to add a new food truck specializing in desserts.
Bhatti got the frozen custard recipe from the great great grandson of Kevin Eakin, who bought the Frozen Dairy Bar around 1960.
The new place will have vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry frozen custard, plus a weekly special, which will probably be mango during the first week. There will also be malts and milkshakes.
“We’re going back to the roots,” says Bhatti, who notes that FDB Eatery’s attempt to serve more gourmet food didn’t work.
12 responses to “Frozen Dairy Bar resurrected”
Leave a Reply to Unknown Cancel reply
There IS a heaven after all!
Used to go to Frozen Dairy Bar quite often as a child and so glad to hear it's coming back thank you so much new owners you are blessed people????
Dear Unknown: I grew up in Jefferson Village and would get frozen custard all the time. 10 cents a cone. My mom used to sell Avon to the owners, Sponseller’s, wife. I got to sit inside where the machines were and get a cone. Was very disappointed that the FDB was torn down to accommodate a Pancake restaurant. Can’t figure that one. So then surprised the machines were moved to the strip serving the same favorites. But then even more surprised when they moved the machines again to DC Steakholders. Guess the frozen custard didn’t get it’s favorite due in a restaurant. I lived in San Jose CA now and have only visited the old neighborhood twice over the years. If I return I will be very disappointed I can’t experience my favorite custard again. There was nothing like it. Thank goodness I have a framed picture of the old FDB stand hanging in my home.
Just one word: YAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!
Can’t wait!
Will they deliver??? I never understood why they stopped. That was 90% of our business gone.
If this is good news to you, PLEASE patronize regularly!! You know, capitalism and whatnot…
Thank you for keeping the memories and original recipe alive. Wish you much success.
Does anyone know if the original recipe used corn sweeteners? I hope not….
The type of food on the menu was not the problem. The taste of the food on the menu was the problem. The service was even worse.
I agree. Service was always poor.The LAST time we tried to support them the girl told us we couldn't be served outside even though they were not busy. As for the food, no reason to even try when you have Anthony's across the street.
So happy they have the original recipe for the frozen custard! The other would do for a craving but not like the original frozen dairy bar.