The Meadows Original Frozen Custard

Kalen Bruce

2023-12

Oh my goodness in my mouth! Fantastic, creamy wonderfulness! I cannot tell you enough how much you are missing out on if you skip this place. If you like frozen custard, this is the place for you! The staff is friendly and then portion size is reasonable. Just about any where you come from, it will be worth your drive. Bathrooms available. They also have an outside window if you don’t want to go inside.Parking: Easy to park and get to the shop.Kid-friendliness: Good place to bring the kids for a sweet treat!Wheelchair accessibility: Enough space to get around. They also have an outside window if you don’t want to go inside.

Cruisinforfulltime

2023-07

I grew up where going to the “ice cream stand” really meant getting a delicious frozen custard (usually soft serve). Meadows’ custard harkens back to those creamy frozen custard memories.The frozen custard at Meadows was scooped, although the soft serve machines were right behind the other custard containers. I didn’t ask, but maybe both soft serve and scooped are available based on the order?I had a creamsicle “gelati” - frozen vanilla custard combined with orange Italian ice. The combination lightened up the richness of the custard, a needed modification after coming from a rich dinner. Delicious and definitely repeatable!Meadows is tucked in on the side of the Giant grocery in the Hickory Ridge shopping center.

Ayman El-Ghazali

2024-04

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Carrie DeShong

2023-09

I’m from where the original Meadows is located, and if you’re expecting this to be like that or any of the other franchise locations you’ll be disappointed. I know I’m about to sound over the top, but I really love the Meadows and am a fan of the brand. So much so that we drive an hour away to another location because this one is just that sub par! We really do love the frozen custard!That being said, here are the facts about this location:1. They do not have actual flavors of the day like other franchises. They have vanilla and chocolate flavor with things mixed in, and that’s it. No black cherry, blueberry, raspberry, mint chocolate chip, butter pecan, etc. which is a hallmark of the chain. Extremely disappointing because this is one of the things people look forward to the most when ordering from The Meadows.2. They have no indoor seating open even though they have the space for it, so you have to sit out in the heat or in your car. I’m not sure why this is, because again, they have an indoor space but it’s just blocked off and closed up.3. Their hours are too restrictive. They’re only open limited hours on weekends in the summer only.4. They do not offer black cows, banana splits, etc. which you would expect (again) from this franchise.5. The service is great, and the owner seems kind. I think he may be overwhelmed running this place alone as I rarely see any other employees.6. Their prices compared to the same products at locations elsewhere are inflated. For example, a hot fudge Sunday in PA costs around 4$. Here, its 8$.7. Their vanilla custard rocks, as it should, and is not the same as ice cream. You’ll be fine ordering this if you know the product from other locations. I don’t believe it is made fresh, though, as I never see the machines actually running.All in all, this location gives “The Meadows Frozen Custard” a bad name. It’s upsetting, and someone should really come to this location to help support and train the staff here.Pro’s: the vanilla custard is great and the service is good.

Jacob Kennedy

2023-11

Great custard, and the selection of flavors and items has something for everyone. They recently expanded hours and are open for a few more days a week. Can get busy on weekends, but that only speaks for the quality.

Christopher Castellano

2023-05

Pros: delicious, easy access, good valueCons: cookie sandwiches are yummy (you get more exciting flavors compared to flavors of the day) but over priced for what it is.

Lori Struss-Weatherly

2023-12

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Annie Na

2021-05

It was my first time, and I got an affogato and it was a 5/5! The custard was so smooth and it went so well with the espresso. Great service too:) would highly recommend.

Cat Lady

2023-08

I ordered a hot fudge sundae and wound up with chocolate syrup. I asked for a waffle bowl which was on their menu and they didn’t have it. It cost over $17.00 for two small cups of ice cream. The ice cream itself was good but the lack of what I wanted was disappointing.

Danielle M

2020-05

Tasty!! I got strawberry lemonade gelati. Hubs got mango. We got there 8:10 we were served 8:45. The owner (?) was there alone taking orders, ringing up checks, and making the desserts all alone. The line was out the door. Anybody got an idle teenager hanging around? Send them over there to help that gentleman. He said it was slow all day. And his helper just left the company. Everyone (mostly) was very patient non complaining.

Yen-Lin Huang

2023-12

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Karen Freimuth

2023-05

always great ice cream choices - today's special is chocolate fudge heath. It was so delicious. The owner is a friendly fellow, who readily recognizes his past customers. It would be great if he was open more hours, like on Wednesdays, but he is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Jinny

2023-05

The frozen custard here is very smooth and tasty! The owner is also cheerful and friendly. Had no idea this place existed the past few years I've lived in the area, but very glad to have found this gem.

Leslie T

2023-09

I tried the brownie sundae with vanilla custard, I went back the next day for another one -- delicious. Very kind and welcoming service. Will visit again in the future.

Daniel Allen

2022-05

Steve was extremely courteous and patient with us even though he was so so busy! It was our first time here and after a 45 minute wait ( WORTH IT ) He had great recommendations! Get here early because the line is LONG and since everything is made fresh they run out quick! I got vanilla custard with Mango Italian ice on top ( 12/10 would recommend ). If you haven’t tried this place yet, you are most definitely missing out!!

Anna T

2022-05

We LOVE meadows! Their frozen custard flavors are always delicious and the espresso is perfect… but combine them and get their best menu items! The customer service is always great, the owner is the kindest man. This is our go-to dessert in Columbia ALWAYS!

Eron Cohen

2021-05

Made my first visit to The Meadows last night--and so glad I did. I was impressed with the smoothness of the frozen custard ice cream, and the Italian Ice was absolutely fantastic.I recommend the mango Italian ice!If you get the chance, definitely give this place a try. The owner is kind and friendly.

Tess Goldsmith

2023-08

amazing on a hot or even cold day. Fresh everyday. I’m sorry I finished it too fast.

Suzanne DeVoe

2020-05

The custard here is so good!! I had a cookies and cream hot fudge sundae and my boyfriend had an apple dumpling sundae and they were both so delicious! It was very busy, no surprise there. The owner is very friendly and jolly, too. Will be back!

betsy dell

2020-05

Grew up on this Frozen Custard & was so excited that we finally have one here in Columbia!! Nothing quite like it! Loved it at age 10 & just as much at age.. well, I m a senior citizen now. Would work there for custard!! And such a sweet , happy man who runs the business..

Wesley Norman

2019-05

The turtle was delicious. Some of the best custard I've ever had. Well worth the price for the amount and quality. Staff was very nice, friendly, and quick. When I first got there I was the last in a line of about 10 people wait was only about 5-7min. Plenty of places to sit inside and out. Will be back for sure to try other items on the menu.

Jared Jarsocrak

2022-05

Love this place and the gentleman who is always there is so pleasant. The custard is so rich and creamy. I got the affogato which was so very good, espresso and vanilla custard, my wife and kids got gelattis and custard which they thoroughly enjoyed. Can't recommend this place enough!

Andrew Brown

2017-05

Steve, the franchise owner, is one of the most genuine and friendly people I have ever met.The flavors of custard are great, and rotate through about a dozen regular flavors. Check their website for the daily flavors.Left-overs are also put into cookie sandwiches, available for the next day or two.They also make Italian ices, cakes, coffee, espresso, and can mix custard drinks like affogato.

jpcst311

2019-05

Mr. Young is the best! He remembers all his customers and has the best ice cream in town. Many of the other shops in this town center have been forced out due to rising rent. Support this amazing local business owner!!

Loren Ball

2018-05

I went to college near a Meadows in PA and was so happy to see one in Columbia. The owner was super friendly and they even have some of their own flavors from other locations. Love the chocolate heath and dirty turtle. Make sure to look online for their flavor calendar not to miss your favorites. The plaza also has some nice benches and fountains to sit outside and enjoy your tasty treat!

J Kang

2019-05

This is probably the only place in this area where you can get frozen custard. It's so good and rich in flavor. No matter how busy it is, the owner always has a smile on his face with skillful service. This is, from what I had observed, even after people coming in after the posted closing hour.

Maureen C

2020-05

Coming here is always such a treat. The soft ice cream is the creamiest around. The flavors are limited, but the variety of things you can put on top is wide. The Meadows also offers lots of other options such as ice cream sandwiches, sundaes, gelato, and specialty items such as my favorite, the turtle sundae--ice cream layered with caramel, chocolate sauce, and pecans. The store is small, but there are lots of places to sit right outside on benches at the village center.

Elizabeth Gall

2017-05

I love any place that highlights the superior custard (better than ice cream in so many ways!) and this place is worth the hunt. I came to the Hickory Ridge Village Center for something else and ended up walking away with a cup of delicious frozen custard. Skip the infamous Italian ice and custard chain and come here first.

Joe Susco

2021-05

Delicious ice cream. The ice cream sandwiches are huge and really tasty. I had an espresso and it was also good. The owner is nice and friendly. Only open Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

Kim Lieberman

2023-05

The turtle sundae was delicious. The owner is very welcoming and personable. Can't wait to go again!