The Dairy Godmother

Ice cream shop · Del Ray

The Dairy Godmother

Ice cream shop · Del Ray

3

2310 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

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The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null
The Dairy Godmother by null

Highlights

Retro-style parlor dishing up unusual flavors of homemade frozen custard & sorbet.  

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2310 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 Get directions

thedairygodmother.com
@thedairygodmom

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2310 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 Get directions

+1 703 683 7767
thedairygodmother.com
@thedairygodmom
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@DairyGodmother

$ · Menu

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Mar 4, 2025

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@eater

"This neighborhood favorite for homemade frozen custard became even more of a must-visit with the opening of Just Fine Donuts, a donut operation with vegan options, inside the shop." - Missy Frederick, Adele Chapin

Where to Eat in Alexandria’s Del Ray Neighborhood
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@eater

"This beloved Alexandria ice cream shop serves four to six rotating frozen custard sandwiches, built from whatever is on hand that day. A recent, seasonal variety included “Cicada Crunch,” a faux cicada sandwich made from chocolate custard with Rice Krispies and Nestle Crunch." - China Riddle, Lisa Ruland

Where to Bite Into an Epic Ice Cream Sandwich Around D.C. - Eater DC
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@eater

"This neighborhood ice cream shop in Del Ray serves up a changing menu of custards, plus traditional vanilla and chocolate, which can be spun into creamy shakes to order. September’s feature flavors include Toll House cookie and pumpkin. Customers know to check the shop’s online “Flavor Forecast” calendar." - Lisa Ruland

Where to Sip Indulgent Milkshakes Around D.C.
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Nelson Dimpter

Google
This is solid ice cream and a great vanilla custard. The specialty custard flavor was very loose as soon as I got it. If they told me it was already melting, I would have gone for another flavor. Still delicious.

Aisha Choudhry

Google
Good frozen custard and pudding but they actually don’t have icecream or gelato. I was kinda disappointed about that but that’s ok. Cookies and milkshakes were also average nothing to write home about. However nice vibe, good seating, some vegan options and friendly staff.

Nadia Shaya

Google
Best Custard I have ever tasted! This shop is so adorable! They not only sell custard, but they also sell donuts and homemade cookies, among a whole lot of other goodies!

Sayaka Smith

Google
Delicious (vegan) donuts sold alongside awesome frozen custard. We had the special, a banana pudding custard, which was one of the best ice cream/custards I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to go back.

Barb

Google
Popular neighborhood spot with naturally flavored frozen custard and sorbets, with flavors that change daily and friendly staff. My only reason for not giving 5 stars is because the sorbet flavors aren't listed on their website but that's minor considering how amazing their food is.

HorrorJunky 4 Life

Google
I usually only visit this place once a year due to the Art On The Avenue festival but when I do, it's always a treat. (See what I did there?) The custard ice creams are so smooth, they truly feel like silk on the tongue. I always order the large chocolate custard with the waffle cone. They also sell cookies, gourmet marshmallows, and premium sodas. The prices are reasonable and they have a jukebox so that you can play tunes while enjoying your ice cream.

Emilie Salinas

Google
This place has unexpected flavors. We had the champagne strawberry sorbet which was refreshing. The custard is a must try.

Elizabeth Dou

Google
Good ice cream! They only have the standard ice cream flavors but lots of topping selections and great sundaes and milkshakes! You’re able to get donuts inside here too from Just Fine Donuts. There are a few benches outside to sit on, however, Del Rey is a cute neighborhood to walk around in with some ice cream.

Kimi S.

Yelp
I love being able to share one of my favorite pre-kid treat spots with my children! No trip to Del Ray is complete without a visit to the Dairy Godmother for a cup of their absolutely delicious, creamy, thick frozen yogurt sundaes. Their limited menu means they can focus on maintaining their five-star quality and I can promise you will never be disappointed! I'm a vanilla purist but my husband likes to take a walk on the wild side and try out their new flavors of the day. I am able to tolerate my dairy but love how they have a few non-dairy options on the menu at all times as well. In addition to their award winning frozen custard are doughnuts from the Just Fine pop-up, pup cups, and sparkly magic wands which lend to the dairy godmother theme. I dare you to not be happy here!

Jada J.

Yelp
This is a very busy shop located in Del Rey. The line was wrapped around inside and spilling out the door a little bit. I got a birthday cake waffle cone (2 scoops) and really enjoyed the flavor. I was hoping it would have a little more of the cake in it. I liked that it melted slow and wasn't super messy. I'd like to try a sorbet next time!

K S.

Yelp
Alexandria, VA - we stopped in for ice cream and then I spotted the cookies...I had not noticed Dairy Godmother has cookies in addition to delicious sorbet and soft serve. So I added a ginger cookie to our order. At $1.60 it was reasonably priced and reasonably sized. It was quickly packed in a very large bag (as they had run out of small bags) by a very efficient employee. When we ate it for breakfast the next morning it was still fresh, moist and gingery. I'm a big fan of ginger so I could stand a bit more of that flavor. If you like a mild ginger flavor this is the cookie for you! Me, I will continue my hunt for big ginger flavor. I do think that two of these cookies with the lemon custard in between would make an excellent ice cream sandwich.

Kaline G.

Yelp
I had the pistachio chip flavor and it was so good! Couldn't tell it was vegan. My puppy had a treat and was happy as can be!

Phil H.

Yelp
As a staunch supporter of soft cream, Carvel, Marvel, even MickeyDs all satisfy that sweet tooth desire. But while on a trip to Alexandria I was led to The Dairy Godmother. And yes, well worth the trip. First a quaint frozen dessert emporium not an ice cream shop but a custard shop which also has vegan ice cream. Ok so as an unapologetic carnivore I also am unapologetic to dairy. So to all you vegans, you too have a place to rub elbows. According to my son, they have vanilla, chocolate and a rotating flavor depending on the season, I.e. pumpkin at Halloween. He went with a pineapple/mango blend in the middle of cake which made up one of their homemade ice custard sandwiches. There were 2 other flavors but the pina/mango seemed the most interesting. My DIL says when she was pregnant a daily trip for peppermint was not unheard of for her. She enjoyed her soft serve on a sugar cone. I went with a traditional hot fudge sundae with vanilla enhanced by whipped cream and finely chopped almonds. The fudge was hot, the custard cold and the whipped cream fluffy. Yummmm!!! We were served by 2 smiling young ladies and who I believe was the owner at the register. Sorry he seemed a little grumpy. The girl's pleasantness over shadow his frown. I guess everyone is entitled to a bad day. Last a pleasant atmosphere enhanced by outside picnic tables to sit at and enjoy the sun. Although it was almost 90 degrees mine melted pretty quickly. Yes highly recommended. Unfortunately for too far for a "dairy" trip. Hehe, little play on words.

Jason M.

Yelp
Consistently delicious, outstanding customer service and high quality small family business. It's the heart of Del Ray and likely a staple for generations of residents and visitors alike. Their frozen custard is terrific and while I haven't had room to attempt their baked goods - they look equally tempting!

Sally W.

Yelp
The Dairy Godmother has some really good non-dairy options! So refreshing and the flavors actually taste like what their description is. Highly recommend.

David H.

Yelp
delicious custard, wonderful texture and flavor. They had a carrot cake special this past weekend which was tasty although on the sweeter side. Ordered a triple berry cobbler which was topped with two scoops of custard - delicious and worked well together, just wish there was a bigger bowl and more custard :) Will be back!

Allen D.

Yelp
Quirky ice cream shop in Alexandria, VA. Daily special ice creams and of course they always have many old standbys. In warm weather and evenings be prepared to wait in line. It moves fairly quickly, however.

Katherine R.

Yelp
Loved my experience at The Diary Godmother. They have limited flavors with regard to custard, but the ones they do have are certainly a delight! I got the vanilla with strawberries and chocolate (yum!). The shop also sells vegan donuts, regular donuts, and many other goodies. I'll be back often!

Joseph F.

Yelp
This place was good and the ice cream and service was excellent too. It's a small shop with not a lot of room inside but the ice creamy was very good and I enjoyed a vanilla and cinnamon (something I don't remember the name ), and I think that one just overpowered the vanilla scoop. I only gave it four stars because of the lack of indoor seating.

Tim L.

Yelp
It's not ice cream - it's frozen custard! But it's more than just frozen custard, it's an all around sweet shop: donuts (Just Fine Donuts), cookies made in house, cakes, a "treat of the day", and even sorbets! Some of the surveys are even dairy-free. DGM is a neighborhood staple with a presidential story of its own: it was visited by Obama during his presidency! Definitely check their flavor of the day on their flavor forecast. They always have chocolate and vanilla custard, but rotate a third flavor as their flavor of the day. Some great seasonal flavors are peppermint stick, pumpkin, and gingerbread. Sometimes the custard itself is flavored (like pumpkin) and sometimes the FOTD is a mix in (think cookies and creme). They combine their custard with their cookies for sandwiches. They also make frozen custard cakes and Ice pops. Also have some usual Ice cream shop finds like shakes and sundaes. Don't forget about the doggos! You are in Del Ray after all. They've got pumpkin or banana flavored pup cups as well as treats shaped like squirrels that our pups LOVE. All in all a must stop shop on the Avenue!

Zachary H.

Yelp
The dairy godmother is a very interesting, yet great place to get custard and treats. The unusual thing about them is that they only have regular flavors (chocolate and vanilla) and one specialty flavor every few days so don't expect a big selection to choose from. You can look at the specialty flavor of the day on their website which always is a unique and interesting flavor such as caramel apple pie, or butterscotch toffee. The specialty flavor has been delicious every time I've tried it. They sell craft soda and dog treats such as puppy pops if you're interested. Additionally, they are incredibly friendly here. The location is also fantastic being on a cute street in Del Ray. If you are with a person that is very picky, this might not be the best place for you without checking the flavor calendar before going. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend it for the fantastic custard!

Stef S.

Yelp
The girl working there on the weekend had an attitude problem. It was my first time there so I had one question about the milkshakes and she was incredibly snippy. Asked if I could do 50/50 coffee and peanut butter so the shake wasn't too strong on coffee flavor, she nodded yes and then proceeded to up-charge me for "adding a topping" without saying a word. It's half one flavor, half another, and you're arbitrarily charging me extra $1.25? I asked about it and she shrugged me off. Regardless, the milkshake ended up being 100% pb with "no topping"... Good custard, but bad service and random charges left a bad taste in my mouth.

Kasi M.

Yelp
A yummy spot for treats of all kinds. I was called to the donuts and my husband and daughter got custard. They also had cookies, pints and doggie treats. The flavor were all delicious. I had a "specialty" donut and it was the last one by noon. Def come early if it's something particular that you want. Service and staff were friendly. Nice little nooks to sit inside or outside. Prices were typical for Alexandria. They have a neat mural that changes I believe and pics of Obama bringing his girls in. Cute and would return if in the area.

Rohit R.

Yelp
We were looking for some post meal ice cream in Alexandria and came across the Dairy Godmother. With a name that has dairy in it, we weren't expecting to find any dairy free options for my wife but we're surprised to find sorbets, pops, and even vegan ice cream! I ended up getting the rice crispy sundae which was vanilla custard with rice crispies and marshmallow sauce while my wife tried the mango coconut. The sundae was delicious; the custard was nice and creamy. My wife also enjoyed her ice cream although the flavor was more subtle than she was hoping for. Overall, I enjoyed it but just wish they had more custard flavors.

Nix R.

Yelp
What a great little ice cream shop! I was working in DelRay and took my "boys" for ice cream. I was so excited to find that not only were they very reasonably priced, but they had tons of options for non-dairy as well! I also love the fact that they have an entire case full of ice cream for your doggy companions! (Angus likes the pumpkin) The shop is small and quiet, it has limited indoor seating. They also serve a variety of donuts and baked goods. I bought some lavender things that are delightful! I am happy to have stumbled upon them and will definitely be back in the future when I'm working in the area!

emily c.

Yelp
I came to dc for a convention and decided to try this place since it is right next to the restaurant I was trying. Interesting place that has a treat for everyone. I really liked their flavor pops pops breakfast frozen custard. I do hope that they can have more flavors instead of just vanilla, chocolate and only 1 special of the day. The vegan flavor sounds good but didn't feel like ube ice cream today. They have both cake and regular donuts and kolaches. Bought one birthday donut taste good but not the best.

Kimberly L.

Yelp
Custard! Got a turtle sundae and it fixed the night (from previous 3 dinner). Local spot with no frills but delicious ice cream.

JEREMY G.

Yelp
Have come here a couple times now. The whole Del Ray area is wonderful and Dairy Godmother is the icing on the cake. The custard here is unbeatable and their donuts are amazing and some are dairy free which is awesome because I have a family member with a severe dairy allergy. Highly highly recommend.

Jersey M.

Yelp
Dairy Godmother is the ice cream champion of Alexandria. I really have not been able to find many places that measure up to the standard they have set. I am a big fan of the flavor of the day rotation. We check the "Flavor Forecast" very frequently and often plan our visits around it! There are also some great, exciting flavors. One I can remember off the top of my head was Cicada Crunch. No bugs involved, just incorporated rice cereal to bring that crunch! They also have delicious shakes and malts with a variety of flavors. I love a good chocolate malt. I have also enjoyed a custard float. Always a delicious option as well. In addition to all of this they have a great vegan/non dairy options. The sorbets are rich and delicious. The vegan ice cream is very well made and tastes just like the real thing! They also have donuts and cookies galore! Lastly, they are really dog friendly with their offerings. They have squirrel biscuits and pumpkin/banana popsicles in a cup. Our dog is obsessed with all of the above. We try to keep a bag of those squirrels stocked all the time for the little guy to enjoy!

Lesley C.

Yelp
I was so excited to finally try the dairy godmother. I've heard people rave about it for years! So when I was finally in Del Ray, I stopped in for a small sundae and it was ... just okay? The flavors are very limited, vanilla, chocolate, and a rotating flavor. I went classic with a hot fudge sundae with vanilla custard.'to be honest, it tasted very much like a McDonalds sundae but with less hot fudge. To make it a bit more disappointing, the service was pretty much nonexistent with the server depositing my sundae on the counter and immediately walking away. Next time, I'll save my money and grab ice cream from elsewhere.

Allison N.

Yelp
Y'all this place is so GOOD! Ice cream, donuts, a rotating menu. What more could you want?! We came here after dinner and ordered the soft serve ice cream of the day which I believe at the time was cookies and cream. It was the perfect ice cream. Just enough for two people and was so smooth and tasty.

Frankie N.

Yelp
I stopped here quickly because I wanted ice cream and this was nearby. I got the vanilla ice cream sandwich between two chocolate chip cookies. It was so good that I didn't even take a picture. I love custard so I knew it would be good. My boyfriend and I came back and got three more flavors. I think they were the same vanilla, thin mint, and maple. All three were excellent but the vanilla pulled through and was definitely the favorite of the three! All of their desserts looked good. I will definitely come back here again!

Nancy R.

Yelp
I was walking in del ray one morning to get coffee and I saw a sign in their window that said Just Fine vegan donuts tues-sun @9am and I immediately ran in and was not disappointed!! The yeast donuts where the most light airy melt in your mouth vegan donuts I've EVER tasted and absolutely delicious i asked the guy which ones were vegan and he said, "they all are it's the only way we know how to make them " which was music to my ears. Listen, I am a fiend for vegan donuts and have tried them all in the DMV and Just Fine donuts have quickly moved the top(May just be my fav I have to go back and try them all!) they also had several cake donuts which were also Don't walk ‍ to just fine donuts located inside the dairy godmother!

Troy M.

Yelp
Great frozen custard! Love their sundaes and shakes! Sometime the line is long, but it's worth the wait and it moves fast.

Jessica G.

Yelp
I love this place! Parking nearby is always easy and the custard is just better than anything else around. Check their instagram for the flavor of the day.

Mary B.

Yelp
I have always gone next door to pick up my burgers and have always seen a line in front of this venue. Their flavors are posted on a blackboard outside including the flavors of ice cream sandwiches available with the flavor cookie they used. I have had custard ice cream before but it was nothing like this rich, thick custard. The flavors were mixed in nicely and this venue made me appreciate true custard ice cream. In the past I have had "custard" ice cream that was thinner and sometimes even had ice crystals in my custard. The custard ice cream at this venue is wonderfully rich and very flavorful. The tuile cookie was buttery delicious and I got it because I wanted to try it. I can't wait to try their other flavors. The line went quickly so that was definitely worth the wait!! And I will definitely be back!! They do post their flavor of the day on their website: thedairygodmother.com.

Courtney D.

Yelp
Literally the best vegan ice cream in town!!! They also have adorable dog treat options for your four legged friends.

Eileen C.

Yelp
Amazing. Always a line whenever I go but it moves fast and well worth the wait. I love their daily flavor specials and how family friendly it is!

Cheryl T.

Yelp
I am a big fan of the Dairy Godmother! I am lactose intolerant so finding good lactose free / dairy free options can be tricky at most places. I was surprised to see the menu here had so many options! They have vegan ice cream (coconut cream based), sorbet, and ice pops. I ordered a scoop of the raspberry and blueberry lemonade sorbet and it was delicious! My bf ordered the special with cobbler and a scoop of vanilla on top and he said it was amazing. Definitely returning here some time soon!

DON C.

Yelp
Great frozen custard and baked treats....all wrapped up in nostalgic charm. This neighborhood shop definitely knows how to create a buzz....and has the lines out the door at times to prove. Dairy Godmother serves up frozen custard in true Winscosin style and in-house, freshly made baked goods, popsicles, shakes and malts. Their custard ice creams are smooth and like silk on the tongue. The flavor profiles of most of the custards I have tried are not as intense that I would want it to be....but, do not be mistaken....it is still good. The custard tends to take on more of a light, thin (soft-serve) profile and airy sweet-taste. For me, "chocolate anything" is my weakness....and I always go for the large chocolate custard on a waffle cone as soon as I step into this joint. Just recently, I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried...the "Turtle Sundae w Vanilla, Coconut Custard & Strawberries!"....Man! Talk about heaven....in a cup. I think I have found my new summer foodie crush. This treat was everything....two servings of Vanilla and Coconut custard...topped with Caramel, Chocolate, & Pecans. And, if that wasn't already enough to tip the calories and satisfaction scale....I opted to add an additional strawberry topping into the mix!! Two-thumbs up and I defintiely recommend....Including whip cream and all! I found an empty bench where I could be unbothered and was in complete bliss like a kid enjoying the moment! Note to "First-Time" Visitors: The outside benches draw a huge crowd of fun-loving dogs with cute pup faces that make you feel guilty for not sharing. If you don't have the willpower to ignore them....I advise you enjoy your treat inside. You have been warned. lol In all, I am a fan. Although, I am more of a heavier ice cream/gelato kind of guy and prefer deeper-intense flavors in my ice cream, this place serves up a good rendition of custard and is the perfect treat for the soon to be summer heat. Also, brownie points for being open until 9pm on Sundays! * Pro Tip: Only a few different flavors are served per day, so you definitely will want to check the website in advance to make sure you're actually interested in the flavors of the day!

Bradley Thomas A.

Yelp
This is a fun and trendy spot in the charming Del Ray neighborhood. With a rotating flavor every day, you'll always have something new. I've enjoyed each time I've gone and recommend it for others as well!

Cindy S.

Yelp
Oh my. This place is amazinggggggg. I was super full after walking out from Holy Cow for dinner but my second stomach was ready for dessert! The Dairy Godmother (très adorable name btdubs) is super cute little shop with yummmmy yummy desserts. I tried the cherry cobbler with a scoop of vanilla custard on top and I was on cloud 9. My husband's peach cobbler was equally mind-blowing. My only complaint is that I wish the serving sizes were bigger for the price point. But that's just the Texan in me. I am so glad I don't live closer to this place or I would definitely weigh 10000 lbs. I am already planning a return visit...

s t.

Yelp
Frozen custard they served up today was nowhere near frozen. Been here many times, but today they handed me a vanilla "frozen" custard that was half melted and dripping all over. It dripped all over and could hardly stay on the cone. It had to be scarfed down before it totally liquified. This is after I watched them load my cone and then remove some custard from a batch that was even warmer. They just reused that cone that was already covered with liquid custard. Should have just refused to take it.

Vicki K.

Yelp
The ice cream is so good. Also I just really love the name of the shop. Del Ray is one of my favorite neighborhoods to walk around and with an ice cream in hand it's even better.

A V.

Yelp
Super local sweet shop! Their custards and gelatos are amazing as are their backed goods! Ginger cookies made to perfection! Doughnuts to die for is you can catch one of the daily 1,000 they make each morning.. Amazing selections! Can't wait to taste new items each time keeps me coming back for more!

Pam D.

Yelp
We always save room for dessert. We left Holy Cow and a convenient walk next door was where we both capped off our lunch with frozen vanilla custard. The Dairy Godmother makes some fine custard...extra rich and flavorful. I just wish they offered more flavors.

Dana Z.

Yelp
COVID review: GUESS WHAT! They sell handmade face masks for $8. And $2 goes to animal rescues. Between me and my coworkers we bought a dozen masks. Not only are they cute but it's nice to feel like your money is going to a) a small business and b) animal rescue. As for Dairy Godmother, I've been here a few times actually but never got anything (I'M NOT A DESSERT PERSON!) but when I went to buy a mask, I did pick up their lavender shortbread cookies and omg. Maybe I am a dessert person?!?!? They were delicious. They also have dog cookies too and being a dog person that gets extra points. Maybe one day I will go back for some ice cream :-)

Vic C.

Yelp
The Dairy Godmother is a good place to stop by on a hot and humid day. My husband, our little girl dog and I came by here on a Thursday evening, around 8:30 pm (please note that there is a blue bench you can sit outside with your pup). I ended up purchasing: Puppy Cup, $1.39 prior to tax- I got my little girl the banana flavor (pumpkin is also available). This little icy concoction is made from yogurt and peanut butter (which you can easily smell it in this little cup). This dessert is wheat free in case you are concern with your dog's diet and digestion habits. My little girl really liked this treat and finished at least half of it. She looked very cute licking the frozen treat (please note that when you get it from the freezer, it is rock hard so let it thaw a little bit before giving it to your pup). Made for some cute photos and videos. Vanilla Custard, $3.25 prior to tax- I read in a tourist magazine that The Dairy Godmother specializes in Wisconsin style frozen custard. Frozen custard is made with egg yolk and has at least 10% milk fat, which makes it have this nice creamy mouth feel. Although I got the vanilla (chocolate is also available), I thought it was pretty good and had a nice flavor. ------------------------ (Total= $4.92 after tax) Initially I thought there was only 2 flavors of frozen custard. But I saw a sign behind the cashier that there are other frozen custard flavors, but was only advertised as an frozen custard sandwich. Not sure if you could just purchase a scoop of one of those flavors of frozen custard. When I first was in line, I felt a bit rushed by the employee behind the counter to make a decision on what to order. I wasn't sure if I could sample a flavor of the chocolate and vanilla frozen custard since I did not see a sign, nor did I see any of the other customers in front of me ask (I also did not see a little trash can for used spoons). There are 2 unisex restrooms in the back for your use. There is also a water dispenser with snow cone style cups in the corner, near the freezer with the puppy cups in case you wish to grab a drink of water. I appreciated that this was available as a help yourself style. Overall, the 3 of us all enjoyed our frozen desserts.

Jackie V.

Yelp
Soooooo good! You can beat the smooth ice cream on a warm summer night or a cold winter day! They have a different treat of the day which they update on their website. My favorites are the apple crisp & peach cobbler which they accompany with a delicious scoop of vanilla ice cream. I also love the chocolate fudge sundae & the chocolate shake. Very family friendly and there is indoor and outdoor seating. Street parking is available on side streets. The line can get long but it moves quick - these folks are ice cream professionals. Obama visited the shop a few years ago and they have the chair marked he sat on - so you can too! It's also accessible for those with mobility issues & gender neutral bathrooms.

David D.

Yelp
Wonderful neighborhood gem! Custard is fabulous, people are great, and Just Fine donuts are out of this world!

Jane P.

Yelp
I was a fan of the custard, but I did not like the flavor I got. I wish I just got the plain vanilla flavor. I got the girl scout thin mint custard, which was the flavor of the day. The custard was thick and creamy and perfectly sweet, but I did not like how there were such huge chunks of thin mint inside of the custard. I also tried the brownie sundae. I would not suggest this because it was way too sweet and I felt like there was not enough custard inside of the sundae. there was a lot of brownies and other toppings in comparison to the amount of custard. If I went back, I would stick to the plain flavors.

Monica J.

Yelp
A tad pricey, but....Great place. Great people. Great desserts. I would definitely go back.

Christopher S.

Yelp
I can't say for sure if the quality of the custard has gone down since changing ownership in 2017, but it seems some of the negative reviews from former local regulars make a strong case it no longer has the characteristic custardy indulgent quintessence tracing back to its Wisconsin roots. I also don't take much stock in the folks who say they have been coming for years and give it 5 stars for being the greatest frozen treat they've ever had since there's a likely element of familiarity, sentimentality, and to be brutally honest, lack of competition in the Del Ray neighborhood so not sure if they would honestly care if there was a dip in quality so long as it did not close down. I also don't find it to be helpful when there are five star reviews raving about their sorbets since your claim to fame is the custard and it's even included in your namesake so that inflates the rating in a way that is quite misleading. Going in with limited expectations (aware of the change in ownership and never experiencing their treats during its prime when Obama stopped by), not a good sign when I was still bitterly disappointed. The custard flavors usually come in chocolate and vanilla with a rotating special so I went with Key Lime Pie custard as a scoop over their daily special peach pound cake. With limited selection and a slight markup in price, one would think some extra care and finesse would be placed into each item, but I would rather pickup similar items at a local grocery store for half the price and likely be more satisfied. The custard is problematic in that it has a texture closer to frozen yogurt with a fairly strong milk component and muted flavor of the key lime. No characteristic tartness one would expect from emulating a key lime pie and the graham cracker pieces were few and far between. More like vanilla soft serve with lime zest and a few graham cracker pieces that fell in accidentally from the imaginary topping bar. Then there was the debacle known as the peach "pound cake". An ultra dry cake with dried peaches bearing the texture of an overbaked scone, even the frozen custard could barely penetrate the cake to soften it up and not sure if warming the cake (which I would have expected going in) would have made a difference. People who prefer plain chocolate or vanilla are going to be hard to disappoint and the addition of said custard to a sundae or ice cream sandwich masks the quality so from my isolated custard experience with the rotating special, not sure if I would necessarily expect better results with their standby options. Sad to see a former Del Ray institution resting on its laurels by the previous owner but it's a cute place nonetheless if you're visiting the neighborhood and want a post-meal treat, but definitely not a destination worthy of skipping past the multitude of frozen dessert options in Old Town Alexandria and beyond.

Laura N.

Yelp
I've lived in DelRay for 26 years, and with kids, this has been a staple stop for our family. Writing a critical review only in hopes of improvement. Like everywhere, the prices have risen, but unfortunately the quality is falling. When ice cream is $9 a pint I don't expect to have to throw it away bc of bad taste. Mango Lassi was so over seasoned with cardamom it was uneatable. Frequently now cookies are hard when they should be soft and often taste less than fresh. I want to support one of my long time neighborhood favs but they are slipping. Really hope they just had a few off days.

Larry M.

Yelp
So me and @aquarius.sun_pisces.moon decided to do something the other day after we indulged ourselves with those delicious biscuits. We walked right across Mt. Vernon street and got some desert @thedairygodmom !! We couldn't resist, after looking at their menu, and judging their foot traffic...we went in. Their sorbet menu in and of itself is vast and tempting with flavors like Thai coconut, pomegranate lemon (pictured), apple snow (with lemon and white wine), honeydew melon, and Santa Rosa Plum...I wanted to try them ALL...just based on their alluring names. If you're a marshmallow fan, they make their own under the name "Exotica treats", which come in different colors and flavors.This place has it all...sundaes, splits, ice cream, shakes, and array of specialty soft drinks, soft serve custard, a myriad of cookies, muffins, and other baked goods. So I tried their item called a Meerwasser (two scoops of sorbet with a ginger beer-pictured $6.25). I had no idea that this concoction had a name...I've been mixing "Meerwasser's" since I was a child!! The lemon pomegranate sorbet mixed with spice of the ginger beer was a HIT and it was refreshing!! I just wanted larger scoops for the price tag. My partner got a coffee shake (pictured one size $5.25), and when she let me taste it...I immediately went back in and got a shake for myself called a black n white which was vanilla ice cream with chocolate fudge on top (that I didn't take a picture of because I crushed it). We also got a large cookie called flat almond cookie that i made a mistake in calling it a "Tuile" cookie. It was ok. Located at 2310 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria Virginia their customer service was standard, and parking was metered. Overall I'd go back. That's it. **This establishment is Covid compliant** #desert #dairygodmother #bigschlimsreviews #delicious #shakes #bakedgoods #alexandriava #foodie #goodeats #funfood #deliciousfood #food #marshmellow #sundaes #icecream #cones

Andrew M.

Yelp
a & m: door county (two scoops of chocolate custard, maraschino cherries, and whipped cream) - super creamy ice cream - fun interior // couple picnic tables upfront

Kate R.

Yelp
Expect long lines but its worth the wait. I always get the chocolate custard which is perfectly creamy and not too rich. Need to check out their flavor of the day rotation schedule so I can branch out more but I would be happy to stick with the choc! Line moves relatively fast but some more complicated orders (sundaes and what not) can jam them up. They do the best they can! I've generally experienced positive attitude and friendliness from the young staff.

Laura W.

Yelp
Is it worth all the hype? Sorry, I don't think so. Would I go out of my way to visit? Nope. Would I stop again if in the area? If the line is not out the door AND they have a chocolate flavor available. Husband, baby, and I stopped here after dinner. Line was pretty short:l. The seating was plentiful on this night. They had, for custard, chocolate, vanilla, and thin mint. I had a small chocolate/thin mint-it was super small! I was seriously thrown by portion size. My husband got a small chocolate/vanilla and we ordered a brownie (because they looked so chocolatey in the display) to sprinkle over our custards. So the brownie was hard around the edges (no bueno for me) and tasted very dry in general. The custards-I tried all three- were rich , flavorful and tasty. Very good just super small portions. I understand it's probably the only place to get ice cream nearby , but still, I think the portions should be just a little larger especially given the pricing. Not to say we won't be back, unless we are nearby and the line is out the door (honestly, my Edys satisfies the same craving) , but I just won't be expecting this amazingly delicious custard. It's ok, about average, end of story .