Dairy Queen (Treat)

Stopped on the way thru to see the oldest original Dairy queen still running... which also has the world's largest dilly bar statue by the way. Place itself is pretty standard for what you would expect with the addition of goos seating outside with these massive umbrellas. About 3 picnic tables under each.

This place is a gem - we visit many many times in the summer and it is always a great experience. First off, the ice cream is amazing - the best DQ treats you will find anywhere. Lots of options, they mix in lots of candies, etc. into the blizzards and are happy to make additions or subtractions when requested. The food is pretty good too, I always enjoy a classic Nathan’s hotdog, but the reason to visit is truly for the treats and nostalgic experience. The staff is also helpful and always willing to accommodate needs such as extra napkins, water, cups, etc. Lines can get long, but chatting with people in line and watching the trains go by is all a part of the experience. Definitely a must visit in Moorhead.

The wait can be long outside. The food was delicious. I noticed some customers were getting additional toppings on their blizzards but mine didn’t. My son got some on his. Outside seating only. There were three windows to order from. I also ordered the loose meat sandwich and it needed more meat for the price. It was good but mostly bun, which I wouldn’t pay for again. Employees were friendly.

Fun stop in Moorehead, MN, to pick up an ice cream treat for the afternoon. Note that traffic in the area is tough due to construction (August 2025)

The atmosphere is nostalgic and the vibe is old school and good. The order taking should be more efficiently run by having order takers at all available windows. This location is franchised differently, meaning that their recipes and builds are slightly different than the regular locations. This is where the problem lies, as they skimp on the hot fudge in the buster bars and on their DQ ice cream cakes. These items in particular are much better at their sister locations.

We catered ice cream for our wedding and had a great experience! Troy did a great job with having everything ready and asking all the necessary questions. Great product and customer service, plus, it was a big hit at our wedding!

If you would like to feel you stepped back in time stop by this retro Dairy Queen in Downtown Moorhead, Minnesota. With the ability to sell its own creations along with some of the current staples all Dairy Queens have this DQ makes for a stop worth driving more than a few miles for. Home of the original Dilly Bar and to my knowledge the only Dairy Queen that serves it in its original form and wrapper you won't be disappointed. Well, that is, unless you stop in November - February when it is closed because it is outdoors only.

Came here for the trains (tracks right next door) and for the world's largest "Dilly bar" roadside attraction. Just a walk-by location (not done-in) with lots of dairy queen novelty options, including some that you don't see anywhere else. And souvenirs to buy , too! So glad I got there before the bus tour as within a couple minutes, there were 60 people in line! Fun to visit! Wish more Dairy Queens had fun giant frozen treats outside their stores :)

I like finding quirky gems when I am travelling. On my road trip between Winnipeg and the Twin Cities, I flagged dropping by Moorhead and this iconic Dairy Queen (DQ). This store is open from March 1st through October 31st. It's closed for Easter Sunday and July 4th during this period. It's open from 10 am till 10 pm during this seasonal period. I came when it was closed last month. It was worth it. I got to take a photo of the world's largest dilly bar at its birthplace. It's cool and impressive! This DQ is historic. It's one of the oldest ones in the States. It was opened in 1949 by Bob and Phyllis Litherland. The torch (maybe dilly bar is more appropriate) was handed over to current owners, Troy and Diane DeLeon in 1995. The way things work is that you walk up to the window when it's open. There should be menus on either side. You order, pay, and you get your goodies there. I saw a sign for curbside pickup, which is nice that it's available. There is patio seating outside. This store looks tiny that I highly doubt that there is any room inside to sit down and enjoy frozen treats. I was thrilled to have dropped by. I'm not sure when I'll be in the area when this DQ is open. I'd be happy to stop by for a dilly bar and more when the timing is right. (4)

Fun stop to go to an old school walk up DQ location that has things on the menu that you can't find anywhere else. Grabbed a monkey tail, a chocolate covered banana! Only complaint was the massive amount of bees near the picnic table area. I understand it's all sugary, melting products, but if you're allergic, might want to head back to the car to eat your treats.

A classic for sure! The vibes are the best part of this place. The ice cream was good but not amazing. I got the banana pudding ice cream and it basically was just vanilla.

It is both a kitchy and tasty must see. We are always up for a roadside attraction. One that sells ice-cream on top of it is a win for me! The service was quick. While we only had ice-cream treats this site does offer more.

Just a gimmick don't bother going if you want good food they can't get anyone's order correct

This DQ is pretty cool. It might not look like much when driving by, but it is worth a stop. As far as I could tell, it was outdoor seating only. To order, you have to walk up to a window. When your order is ready, another window will open and your name will be called out. Service seemed a little bit slower than other DQs I've been to, but I will attribute that to their more expanded menu. They have so many different things I haven't seen at any other DQ (including dairy-free dilly bars and Heath dilly bars)! It appeared that for every category of food they serve, they had one unique thing you can't find anywhere else. The quality was on par with other DQs too.

I have went to this location several times and my experience has been amazing every time. I have gotten a blueberry brownie blizzard here before, a grasshopper pie blizzard, and a raspberry sundae, and all three of them have been amazing. As you have noticed, the menu items I named are not available at any other Dairy Queen as this one is unique as they have a special contract with Dairy Queen that allows them to do so. The staff has always been friendly here, the building is just so neat, and is definitely a staple of Moorhead, Minnesota. 10/10 would recommend!

The legendary home of the "Dilly Bar! The Dilly bar was created here in 1955. This was one of the first Dairy Queen restaurants in the franchise and remains one of the oldest. The owners have always been an important part of the community. That legacy continues today through the philanthropic generosity of Troy and Diane DeLeon. Included in the photos I posted, are Troy and Diane being recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northern Plains Chapter as the "Philanthropists of the Year" at the 2022 National Philanthropy Day in Fargo.

The birthplace of the Dilly Bar! This Dairy Queen is an absolute must stop when in the Moorhead area. This is the location where the famous Dairy Queen Dilly Bar was invented and is one of the few remaining locations that still makes their Dilly Bars by hand! You can definitely taste the love that goes into each ice cream creation. This is an outdoor only eating situation and features ordering from the counter on the street. This DQ is a bit of a "rebel" when it comes to Dairy Queen corporate and is still able to have some local items on their menu, definitely check it out! The staff is fun and friendly and makes this stop worthwhile. Also, get your picture next to the world's largest Dilly Bar outside! Enjoy the cool treats on the hot summer days! Cheers!

This is a super fun stop if you're a DQ fan! We stopped here on the way to MN and it was the perfect 11am treat! We ordered the Dilly Bar and it was super fun!

A classic Dairy Queen that serves heritage treats like the Mr. Maltie, Monkey Tail and Chipper sandwich. They also have a lengthy list of Blizzard flavors. I had a Peanut Butter Bash, hubby had a Heath Caramel Brownie Blizzard and we shared a Monkey Tail so we could try a heritage treat. So good! We like to stop when we travel through Moorhead, it's a family tradition.

A must stop if you're ever in Fargo. The line is long as is the wait. Well worth the wait and money. They have flavors that normal DQs don't.

It was fun to see this Dairy Queen and take our photo with the World's Largest Dilly Bar. Two of us ordered butterscotch dipped cones and they were delicious and ask expected as was the chocolate cone my son ordered. The three stars was due to the two blizzards our party ordered. What they ended up being was the sauce on the bottom with some of the mix ins, Ice cream, then some of the mixins placed on top. The two who ordered blizzards were disappointed. It as that seemed to be how the blizzards came out we didn't attempt to stand in line to get them remade as it seemed that's how this DQ does it. The taste was fine but it didn't seem to be the same quality of product we have received at other DQs when ordering a blizzard. I likely won't be in the area again but if so I might try the grill and chill and see how their blizzards turn out.

I mean... it's just iconic. Worth a stop if you're driving through... birthplace of the Dilly bar, and has a lot of other options that a typical DQ franchise can't offer because of its decades old contract. We stuck with the dilly bar for nostalgia but it would be fun to try the other options. PS- Try the heath dilly bar!

You can't ask for nicer owners!!! They go out if their way for the community and their customers!!!! So glad they are here!!!!!

One of America's great Ice cream stores , home of the original dilly bar , a monumental piece of history here in Moorhead! Lightning fast service and great food!

I had went there before it closed. Stood there to wait to be served for awhile. The workers in there would not acknowledge me. One even came up to the window, looked like she was gonna take my order but proceeded to walk away without saying a word to me. Multiple of the employees would know I am there but would not acknowledge me. Was very disappointed in the experience

I love the old fashioned walk-up Dairy Queen locations like this one. There aren't many like this one any longer. The service is friendly and quick. The daily lunch specials are great and reasonably priced. The Blizzards are made perfectly. A perfect summertime stop!

This Dairy Queen has the longest lines of any Dairy Queen within a 20 mile radius. I believe the reason for that is because it is by far the most friendliest and proportional and price friendly of any other Dairy Queen with in the FM area.

Apparently this place is a Moorhead institution since it's a Dairy Queen that has no inside for patrons. It's all outside. I guess the appeal is that it's been here forever. Not sure exactly, but we saw it on TV, plus a friend used to live here and told us he came here all the time growing up. I do know that at times, there's a huge line to order, and even on this Wednesday afternoon there was a small line, so people do love it here. After lunch in Fargo, we walked a mile to come here for ice cream. Not 100% sure it was worth a mile walk, but that's not their fault. Maybe we ordered wrong. Don't get me wrong. It wasn't bad or anything, just not spectacular. For some reason I remember Dairy Queen being better. Who knows. We ordered a Twix Blizzard. There wasn't much Twix in it. The ice cream could have been creamier. Sorry Dairy Queen. I'll have to try again another time.

When ordering my chicken strip basket I asked for ranch and gravy. When I got my food I received only gravy. I went up and asked for ranch and they said we will have to charge you for it. I said I asked for it when I order? He said it wasn't on there an that he'd have to charge me for it. Other than that it was very good.

How can you not love a place that gives free ice cream on tax day?! Trying to explain to people that are not the midwest that our DQ is seasonal ends up being pretty comical at times. As much as I love ice cream, I cannot imagine standing in line, outside in the dead of winter! However, no matter how cold it is on opening day (March 1st, people refer to it as the DQ Day!) - no matter how much snow is on the ground - there will ALWAYS be a line for the first DQ of the season! It is staffed mostly by the MHS'ers (the local high school kids) and they are usually sporting a smile, spud gear, and ice cream and toppings all over them. Be warned - it gets REALLY busy on the hot, muggy days, but it is totally worth it! Believe it or not - the Dilly Bar was "invented" at this location by the owner many many years ago. Pretty cool claim to fame if you ask me.... Plus, they still do the ice cream sundae in the baseball hat! I still say the StarKist Bar and Peanut Buster Parfait (with extra peanuts of course) are the best. This is also one of the only places that will roll your dipped cone in an additional topping (everywhere from CO, to TX to MA they look at you like you are crazy if you ask for that...)

This Dairy Queen is the most absolute best DQ ever. We always have a great time here and their ice cream is the best tasting. My wife worked at DQ when she was younger and she says that they are constantly cleaning the machines. You can taste the difference between this DQ and every other one. The biggest negative is the long lines that can form because everyone knows that this is the best DQ around. Plus, it was the birthplace of the Dilly bar so it's got that going for it. We take special trips as a family to go to Moorhead from West Fargo. We have a DQ 1.5 miles away from the house and we still decide to go to this one when we have a chance.

We just ordered Buster Bars. They were pathetic. Hardly had any peanuts and fudge in them. There was only a small layer of fudge in the middle just enough to color the ice milk; read that tiny line.

The only Dairy Queen to go to! They have all the flavors and toppings all the time. We tried a couple other places and they seemed to always be out of something. Cool environment, too.

Love this family-owned Dairy Queen. The quality of their products is superb and no other Dairy Queen that I've been to can compare to them. Only bad thing I have to say is that they are closed in the winter.

Why have chicken strips on your menu here if you don't make it? Then your answer is "I don't know what you're talking about" when I let you know. Super slow line too

Privately owned DQ = Awesome! They give away free ice cream some days! The only DQ to go to!!

Watched this DQ on the Today Show this morning. The story about a family owned business that still cars about their community, their customers, and their employees makes me feel good that these places still exist in America. If it wasn't a 20 hour drive from where I live in Atlanta, I'd visit the store today. The DQ stores in my area are terrible, the owners squeeze every penny out of the business and give nothing back, the stores are dirty, falling apart, and the food is questionable. Nothing like the DQ's I remember growing up with in the Chicago area. We won't go to a DQ since both my wife and I got food poisoning after eating ice cream from at our local DQ.

WOW!! Had a chance to visit this store while visiting friends from outta town. I had no idea this store was different than the rest of the DQ stores I have visited. Typically, I NEVER buy food, just the cones because I am not interested in the menu, but this store doesn't have a traditional DQ menu. I was in town for five days and I visited this store seven times, and I didn't order ONE cone! The super chili cheese dog was da bomb, I had that 4 times, and my 10 yr old ordered the Nathans dog every time (the only brand of hot dog he will eat). The malt on a stick and monkey tails were good as well (cant get thee at regular DQs) The food just seemed like it was more like home cooked than commercial. I can see why they always seem to have long lines. Btw, the staff was very pleasant. If I didn't live almost 1500 miles away, I would be a daily customer. Now I'm back to a once or twice a month medium cone at my local DQ. : ( PS: All the other Dairy Queens could learn a lesson from this place.

Delicious! They still have the candy crunch when other locations only have that cake crunch. But this is the best location in the fm area!

Best ice cream in Fargo/Moorhead and hands down the best DQ for miles. Hot spot on any given summer night!