Donut Delights Midwest

Coney Island Custard Shoppe (Removed)
Streetsboro, OH
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

The old sign at Coney Island Custard Shoppe gave travelers along Route 14 in Streetsboro, Ohio, something to smile about. Surrounded by chain stores, restaurants, and new development, this independent stand looked like a holdout from another era. Malts, frozen custard, and summertime treats made it worth pulling in beyond just photographing the sign. 11-00

The owner sold the business in 2005, and the property later operated as Strickland’s Frozen Custard before becoming Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. The sign came down after the sale, reportedly over local sign requirements. At the time, it lay behind the building, and a nearby historical society considered it too large to accommodate. Its neon had been dark for years, but the display still had plenty of character.

UPDATE: The owner of the Coney Island Custard Shoppe has sold the business and a chain ice cream store is taking its place. And yes, the sign has been taken down. Word on the street is that the City of Streetsboro wanted the sign removed for some reason. A local historical society (Kent) says the sign is too big to save for their purposes. For now, the sign sits behind the building, laying flat. The neon hasn't worked in years, but the sign was a pleasant reminder of a simpler time. This sign may end up on eBay. Many thanks to Mark Hackett for update. 05-05

UPDATE: Coney Island Custard Shoppe is gone, although the property continues serving frozen treats under another name. The vintage sign was removed, and its eventual fate remains unknown. Unfortunately, another ice cream stop lost the sign that made you look twice. 07-26

Twistee Treat
Livingston, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The giant cone-shaped Twistee Treat in Livingston, Illinois, leaves little doubt about its original purpose. Standing approximately 28 feet tall, the fiberglass building makes an entertaining roadside sight along Route 66. It’s exactly the sort of architecture that encourages a photograph before you even think about ordering. 08-10

Now part of the Twistee Treat Diner beside the Pink Elephant attraction, the cone continues serving its intended audience of hungry travelers. Ice cream remains a draw, while burgers, sandwiches, breakfast, and other diner favorites have broadened the menu. Incorporating the cone into the restaurant has kept the unusual structure useful as well as eye-catching.

UPDATE: The Twistee Treat Diner remains open in Livingston, serving food and ice cream alongside its oversized cone. The fiberglass building survives as a playful example of architecture shaped like the product being sold. For Route 66 travelers, it makes an appropriately memorable place to stop for something cold. 07-26

Wilson's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
Door County, WI
Photo courtesy Mary Koehler

The striped awnings and familiar sign at Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor make this Ephraim, Wisconsin, stop easy to recognize. Overlooking the waterfront along Highway 42, it has been part of Door County vacations for generations. A root beer and an ice cream cone seem like a fine way to start a visit. 08-10

Opened in 1906 as a grocery store, candy shop, and ice cream parlor, Wilson’s grew into a favorite for burgers, homemade root beer, sundaes, and shakes. Vintage tabletop jukeboxes add to the atmosphere, while the red-and-white awnings give the building its cheerful roadside appearance.

UPDATE: Wilson’s continues operating seasonally in Ephraim. Its classic sign, striped awnings, and nostalgic surroundings survive, keeping this century-old stop familiar to returning visitors. It’s nice to see a family vacation tradition still going strong. 07-26

Frostee Boy
Knightstown, IN
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

An ice cream stand along the National Road makes a tempting stop, and Frostee Boy in Knightstown, Indiana, fits the bill. Located on historic U.S. 40, it has welcomed generations for soft serve, shakes, and a bite to eat before heading back down the highway. 08-10

Known today as Frosty Boy, the business has been operated by the Dagley family for more than 50 years. Burgers, sandwiches, fries, and Pizza King favorites join cones and thick malts on the menu. A January 2024 fire destroyed much of the restaurant, but community support helped the owners rebuild and reopen within months.

UPDATE: Frosty Boy remains open following its rebuilding, and the classic roadside sign still welcomes customers. After such a damaging fire, it’s good to see this longtime Knightstown favorite serving treats along the old highway again. 07-26

Dairy Queen
Austin, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The classic roadside sign at Dairy Queen in Austin, Indiana, is the kind that's becoming harder to find every year. With its vintage neon and soft-serve cone design, it's been catching the eye of travelers along U.S. Highway 31 for generations. 02-09

This Dairy Queen has been serving the Austin community since the early 1950s and continues to operate as one of the chain's classic Treat locations. Unlike the newer Grill & Chill restaurants, this walk-up stand focuses on the frozen treats that made Dairy Queen famous and still retains much of its original mid-century character.

It's always encouraging to see another classic Dairy Queen still standing with its original roadside sign. As more of these vintage locations disappear, places like this become an even more important part of America's roadside history.

UPDATE: The Austin Dairy Queen remains open as a classic Treat location. Its vintage neon roadside marquee continues to welcome customers looking for a cool treat. 07-26

Polly's Freeze Georgetown, IN Photos courtesy Rosalind Causey The line says it all at Polly's Freeze. Folks have been stopping here for a summertime treat for generations, and once the weather warms up, it's not unusual to find a crowd waiting for burgers, corn dogs, shakes, or a soft-serve cone. The bright neon parrot out front only adds to the fun and is one of the best roadside signs around. 08-06 Polly's Freeze opened in 1952 and has become a Southern Indiana tradition. Located along State Road 62 in Georgetown, the seasonal stand is still serving many of the same favorites that have kept people coming back for decades. Whether it's a burger, a pork tenderloin sandwich, or an ice cream creation piled high with toppings, there's something here for just about everyone. UPDATE: Polly's Freeze remains open each season in Georgetown, Indiana. The neon parrot swas taking down for maintenance for a short time and returned by spring 2026. It still lights up the roadside and continues to welcome generations of loyal customers. 07-26   Polly's Freeze Lanesville, IN Photos courtesy Rosalind Causey Polly's Freeze Lanesville, IN Photos courtesy Rosalind Causey