Andy's Frozen Custard

I just figured it was time that Andy's had its own thread, since there are now locations in Bolingbrook, Evanston and Chicago proper.

I have only ever been to the Evanston location and just love it. Especially the seasonal concretes that they have on offer, like blueberry, blackberry and key lime pie. Concretes are similar to blizzards at Dairy Queen, except even heavier, settling into your stomach like concrete (in a good way) with different ingredients blended into the custard. While the stolen brownie sundae and strawberry shortcake sundae are both very good, I end up ordering concretes about 90% of the time I'm here. The custard is fresh and creamy, with a very smooth consistency that makes Andy's my number one stop for frozen treats in Evanston

Just today I took advantage of the gorgeous weather to stop in and try the Pumpkin Pie Concrete, which has been really hyped up on their Facebook page, with YouTube videos and the like. They blend a slice of pumpkin pie with several scoops of vanilla custard, so you get swirls of pumpkin and chunks of pie crust in your treat.

This was just fantastic and reminded me of Hoosier Mama's Pie-in-a-Blender concoction served at Lollapalooza and at Taste of the Nation. I highly recommend trying it while it's still on the menu!


Pumpkin Pie Concrete


Strawberry Shortcake Sundae



Blueberry Concrete

I swung by the Block 37 location this afternoon - I hadn't realize that it was finally open. I live about a block away from Scooter's and eat there far more often than I should, so I've been wondering how Andy's Frozen Custard compares after having read about it here. They weren't busy at all at 1:30 in the afternoon. All of Block 37 is usually empty in the afternoon, so I hope they do okay in that location.

I went planning to try the delicious-sounding Pumpkin Pie Concrete, but was led astray by a big sign for a concrete with a dark chocolate bar with cacao nibs mixed in (I can't remember the name and it's not on their web site). It was excellent. I'd describe it as a bit lighter in consistency than Scooter's (although not as light as Culver's) and this mix-in was much better than Scooter's excellent chocolate chips. At $5 for a small concrete, the pricing was roughly the same as Scooter's, and the portion size seemed about the same. I'll definitely be heading back to try the pumpkin pie soon!

I went to Andy's in Evanston for a repeat visit last Friday night. We got lucky because when we walked in the door there was absolutely no line, but the place quickly filled up. By the time we were handed our cones (probably no more than 45 seconds), people started streaming in and the line was nearly to the door.

I continue to be impressed with Andy's Frozen Custard. I much prefer it to Scooters. I think it's in the same league with the Milwaukee Custard Greats, Kopp's and Leon's.

I enjoyed my pumpkin pie concrete -- for about the first two minutes. After that, it was a long, hard slog. And after that, I still had half of the thing left.

Basically, imagine eating a full serving of custard and a slice of pumpkin pie in one sitting. If this appeals to you, by all means, go for it. Me, I'm going to wait until I've finally made a friend before attempting this again.

I've had Andy's many times in Evanston. It's really good if you need a custard fix in Evanston. I don't recall it being better than Scooters or Kopp's, but definitely one of the better ones.

Tambreet - you had the WooHoo concrete with dark chocolate from Askinosie Chocolate - I really enjoyed that when I had it last week. I too enjoyed this much more than the typical chocolate chips. The server told me that the WooHoo will be a permanent addition to the menu, as opposed to a rotating seasonal flavor.

Andy's is out of Missouri and is more of a Ted Drewes knockoff than a Wisconsin custard shop. The pumpkin pie concrete was excellent and pretty close to a Ted's.

For those like me who may not have stumbled across an Andy's yet:

Block 37, 108 N State St, #24
Chicago - 60602
312-422-9800

719 Church St
Evanston - 60201
847-864-8009

260 S Weber Rd
Bolingbrook - 60440
630-378-9590

Opening soon:
9507 S Cicero
Oak Lawn - 60453
(no local phone)

http://www.eatandys.com/

Hi- I just came back from the Andy's in downtown Evanston, and they are having a one day special today. They are selling a small pumpkin pie concrete for $1 plus tax! It is normally $4.54. This was the first time I had been in Andy's, and it was wonderful. Their frozen custard is really good, and their pumpkin pie concrete was excellent. They had a sign on a truck which was driving around downtown Evanston, and that is how I found out about it. They had lots of customers because of the special. They are open until 11:00pm tonight. As far as I know this special is only good at their Evanston location. Hope this helps, Nancy

NFriday wrote:Hi- I just came back from the Andy's in downtown Evanston, and they are having a one day special today. They are selling a small pumpkin pie concrete for $1 plus tax! It is normally $4.54. This was the first time I had been in Andy's, and it was wonderful. Their frozen custard is really good, and their pumpkin pie concrete was excellent. They had a sign on a truck which was driving around downtown Evanston, and that is how I found out about it. They had lots of customers because of the special. They are open until 11:00pm tonight. As far as I know this special is only good at their Evanston location. Hope this helps, Nancy

We may have just dropped everything we were doing to make a quick trip to Andy's. Thanks for the head's up!

I finally made it to the Evanston Andy's last week. My frozen custard experience is very limited. I barely remember my single Culver's experience on a road trip circa 2005, and I found the custard at Ted Drewes too sweet when I was in St. Louis maybe that same year. Last week at Andy's, I had a hot fudge sundae, which I liked more than any other custard I've ever had. It was less sweet, even covered in fudge. The heaping of toasted pecans probably helped. I have at least two trips to Milwaukee in the next month; I hadn't planned on including a stop at Kopp's, but Andy's has inspired me to seek out more custard. I look forward to comparing.

try Leon's in Milwaukee, which I prefer to Kopps, although they're both really good. Leon's butter pecan really blew me away.

elakin wrote:try Leon's in Milwaukee, which I prefer to Kopps, although they're both really good. Leon's butter pecan really blew me away.

X2 for Leon's (though Kopps is no slouch)

stevez wrote:

elakin wrote:try Leon's in Milwaukee, which I prefer to Kopps, although they're both really good. Leon's butter pecan really blew me away.

X2 for Leon's (though Kopps is no slouch)

I'm not generally one to do things half-way, so two stops for frozen custard it is! I'll be asking for feedback on my MKE food itinerary shortly.

stevez wrote:X2 for Leon's (though Kopps is no slouch)

X1 for Kopp's (though Leon's is no slouch)

happy_stomach wrote:I'm not generally one to do things half-way, so two stops for frozen custard it is! I'll be asking for feedback on my MKE food itinerary shortly.

Upcoming Kopp's flavors can be found here. I have been known to plan my travels around it.

cilantro wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:I'm not generally one to do things half-way, so two stops for frozen custard it is! I'll be asking for feedback on my MKE food itinerary shortly.

Upcoming Kopp's flavors can be found here. I have been known to plan my travels accordingly.

Excellent. I'm now following them on Twitter, so I should know soon what flavors I'll be trying on Friday. The "maple syrup and pancakes" from last week sounds brilliant. I've met quite a few people who arrange trips around Kopp's; I may be joining the club.

happy_stomach wrote:

cilantro wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:I'm not generally one to do things half-way, so two stops for frozen custard it is! I'll be asking for feedback on my MKE food itinerary shortly.

Upcoming Kopp's flavors can be found here. I have been known to plan my travels accordingly.

Excellent. I'm now following them on Twitter, so I should know soon what flavors I'll be trying on Friday. The "maple syrup and pancakes" from last week sounds brilliant. I've met quite a few people who arrange trips around Kopp's; I may be joining the club.

I don't know what is the Twitter, but the old-fashioned Wide World Web tells me that this Friday's flavors are Tiramisu and Snickers Chunky Cheesecake. I've had the tiramisu; it's good.

G Wiv wrote:

stevez wrote:X2 for Leon's (though Kopps is no slouch)

X1 for Kopp's (though Leon's is no slouch)

I think it vitally important to document the items where Gwiv and I are in full agreement.

Leon's may have it on character and vibe, but on substance, I'm voting X1, Kopps.

For anyone who is interested the Andy's in Evanston has been selling Pumpkin Pie Concretes for just $1 starting on Friday. I think the deal is still valid...

Vital Information wrote:

G Wiv wrote:

stevez wrote:X2 for Leon's (though Kopps is no slouch)

X1 for Kopp's (though Leon's is no slouch)

I think it vitally important to document the items where Gwiv and I are in full agreement.

Leon's may have it on character and vibe, but on substance, I'm voting X1, Kopps.

Is there any consensus on Oscar's? Growing up down the street tends to skew one's opinions, but it's still my favorite in MKE.

Andy's custard has a pleasingly thick consistency, but the flavor strikes me as milky rather than creamy. It's more like a high-end soft serve than a good custard, in my opinion. From a local perspective, I much prefer Scooter's to Andy's. I don't think Andy's compares very well to most of the Milwaukee custards I've tried, either. Leon's (my favorite), Kopp's, Oscar's, Robert's, Kitty's, Bella's Fat Cat, etc are all better, from what I recall. Andy's probably has the edge over Gilles' custard, but that place seemed to be living on its reputation the couple of times I tried it.

I thought Andy's custard was pretty good, what I really liked was the Sprecher rootbeer float I had.

shay thought the custard was great:

I had a pumpkin pie concrete at Andy's yesterday during a fundraiser described as an "alternative student break" everything in the store was $3.

The concrete was excellent-
I thought it was a litttle reminiscent of Kopps although not quite as good.
Definitely not as good as Drewe's
still quite a shorter drive than either place....

I would return- there was a creation with strawberries and hot fudge I would try next time
or maybe german chocolate.mmmmmmmmmmm

irisarbor wrote:I had a pumpkin pie concrete at Andy's yesterday during a fundraiser described as an "alternative student break" everything in the store was $3.

It's really nice to see that Andy's is working with student groups. Alternative Spring Breaks is a student-run organization that plans spring break trips in the US and abroad intended to immerse students in service-learning around specific social issues. I did ASB through high school and college (in Evanston, incidentally), and I credit those trips with helping me find how to connect my interests in food and civic engagement. It's because of ASB that I'm a volunteer cook with the Chicago Women's AIDS Project today. Thanks for supporting an, I think, very important organization.

irisarbor wrote:I had a pumpkin pie concrete at Andy's yesterday during a fundraiser described as an "alternative student break" everything in the store was $3.

The concrete was excellent-
I thought it was a litttle reminiscent of Kopps although not quite as good.
Definitely not as good as Drewe's
still quite a shorter drive than either place....

I would return- there was a creation with strawberries and hot fudge I would try next time
or maybe german chocolate.mmmmmmmmmmm

Yes, thank you for supporting us! I'm a part of ASB at Northwestern The German Chocolate is very good if you like German Chocolate cake.

I gave them a try out in Bolingbrook late summer.

Not as creamy and more sugary than Culver's in my opinion.

The Sprechers on tap is great!

I was in Block 37 yesterday and Andy's was giving away free scoops of custard with hot caramel sauce. It was so good, I was so happy. Nice and creamy and the caramel was so hot and thick and sweet and just the right amount. Way more than any sample I've ever received.

Shaggywillis wrote:I was in Block 37 yesterday and Andy's was giving away free scoops of custard with hot caramel sauce. It was so good, I was so happy. Nice and creamy and the caramel was so hot and thick and sweet and just the right amount. Way more than any sample I've ever received.

Wow, that's very generous of them! Sounds really yummy. I'm excited to try their Apple Pie Sundae. It's a seasonal special and just started today. I'll get in sometime next week and let you guys know what I think.

I just had my first cone at the Evanston location. I went for chocolate and it was really satisfying. Not too sweet and wonderful in this weather. Too bad I had to eat it inside (it melted almost immediately outside).

I noticed that the special was the blackberry concrete. I will be back again, probably tomorrow, to try that.