# Ted Drewes > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ted_Drewes > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ted_Drewes.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Drewes > Source revision: 1355425884 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American frozen custard company}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox company | name = Ted Drewes | image = Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Oreo Concrete.jpg | image_caption = A Ted Drewes frozen custard concrete, turned upside-down | founded = {{Start date and age|1930}} in [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis), Missouri | founder = Ted Drewes, Sr. | num_locations = 2 | area_served = [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis), Missouri | website = http://teddrewes.com }}right|thumb|Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, Missouri, Route 66 location right|thumb|Another view of the Route 66 location that illustrates the crowd typically found on a summer evening '''Ted Drewes''' is a family-owned [frozen custard](/source/frozen_custard) company in [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis), [Missouri](/source/Missouri), founded by Ted Drewes, Sr. in 1929.{{Cite web |last=Kruse |first=Denise |date=2015-06-18 |title=It's All Relative: Ted Drewes Frozen Custard |url=https://www.laduenews.com/business/features/it-s-all-relative-ted-drewes-frozen-custard/article_0debf947-31cc-5150-8ef6-66fbd6beb071.html |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Ladue News |language=en |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518012915/https://www.laduenews.com/business/features/it-s-all-relative-ted-drewes-frozen-custard/article_0debf947-31cc-5150-8ef6-66fbd6beb071.html |url-status=live }} There are two locations, one on [Chippewa Street](/source/Streets_of_St._Louis%2C_Missouri) (part of [U.S. Route 66](/source/U.S._Route_66)), with the other on South [Grand Boulevard](/source/Grand_Boulevard_(St._Louis)). Its signature item is the "concrete", a serving of frozen custard so thick that it is customarily presented to the customer upside down.{{Cite web|url=http://sweets.seriouseats.com/2010/06/st-louis-missouri-ted-drewes-frozen-custard.html|title=St. Louis, Missouri: Ted Drewes' Frozen Custard|last=Parsons|first=Brad Thomas|date=|website=[Serious Eats](/source/Serious_Eats)|access-date=November 7, 2017}} ==History== A noted local athlete who starred for his high school basketball team and later dominated municipal tennis tournaments for more than a decade,{{Cite web |date=2023-01-29 |title=When Ted Drewes died, he was known more for his tennis than his frozen custard |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/archives/when-ted-drewes-died-he-was-known-more-for-his-tennis-than-his-frozen-custard/article_7421ce22-8105-11ec-b13b-bf203e5369bd.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}} Ted Drewes started making frozen custard while working for a [carnival](/source/carnival) and opened his first fixed location near [St. Petersburg, Florida](/source/St._Petersburg%2C_Florida), in 1929.{{cite web |url=http://www.antiquewhs.com/2008/Inside_STL/ted-drewes-chirstmas.htm |title=Inside St. Louis - Ted Drewes Christmas Trees & Frozen Custard |publisher=Antiquewhs.com |date= |accessdate=2010-01-28 |archive-date=September 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919143840/http://antiquewhs.com/2008/Inside_STL/ted-drewes-chirstmas.htm |url-status=live }} The first St. Louis shop began serving in 1930 on [Natural Bridge Avenue](/source/Missouri_Route_115) near Goodfellow Blvd. Less than a year later, it was moved westward along the avenue.{{cite web |url=http://www.antiquewhs.com/2008/Inside_STL/teddrewes.htm |title=Inside St. Louis - Ted Drewes |publisher=Antiquewhs.com |date= |accessdate=2010-01-28 |archive-date=March 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331135835/http://www.antiquewhs.com/2008/Inside_STL/teddrewes.htm |url-status=live }} A second location was opened at 4224 South Grand Blvd. in 1931. In 1941, a third location opened at 6726 Chippewa Street, on one of the alignments of [U.S. Route 66](/source/U.S._Route_66) through St. Louis. The Natural Bridge and Florida locations had closed by 1958, but the Chippewa and South Grand locations remain open.{{cite web|url=http://www.teddrewes.com/sitecontent/dynamiccontent.aspx?pid=75&uid=7404EA24-5BA6-40D9-A794-9F764BC611C5|title=A ST. LOUIS TRADITION|accessdate=2013-04-22|archive-date=2013-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223043651/http://www.teddrewes.com/sitecontent/dynamiccontent.aspx?pid=75&uid=7404EA24-5BA6-40D9-A794-9F764BC611C5|url-status=dead}} When Ted Drewes, Sr. died in 1968, the ''[St. Louis Post-Dispatch](/source/St._Louis_Post-Dispatch)'' noted his passing in an obituary that focused on his tennis. For decades, the Grand Avenue location was the flagship store, serving what was then a densely populated urban area in the neighborhood of [Dutchtown](/source/Dutchtown%2C_St._Louis) and near the neighborhoods of [Tower Grove South](/source/Tower_Grove_South%2C_St._Louis), [Gravois Park](/source/Gravois_Park%2C_St._Louis), [Bevo Mill](/source/Bevo_Mill%2C_St._Louis), [Holly Hills](/source/Holly_Hills%2C_St._Louis), and [Carondelet](/source/Carondelet%2C_St._Louis). Each year, it would open in April and close on October 31. The Chippewa location served as an outpost near the city limits for travelers heading to or returning from an [Ozark](/source/The_Ozarks) weekend getaway. In those days, it was open from [Memorial Day](/source/Memorial_Day) to [Labor Day](/source/Labor_Day). Between the population shifting west in the city and [Route 66](/source/U.S._Route_66) drawing more crowds, the Chippewa store became the flagship location. Its season extended to more of the year, while the shop on Grand shortened its seasonal operation. In the weeks leading up to [Christmas](/source/Christmas), Ted Drewes began selling live [Christmas tree](/source/Christmas_tree)s. In the wake of the transition, the Chippewa store expanded its building and bought a neighboring property to accommodate parking. By 2006, the company was making more than 150,000 gallons of custard every year.{{Cite news |date=2004-10-27 |title=In the Midwest, a Sweet Tooth Is Nonpartisan (Published 2004) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/27/dining/in-the-midwest-a-sweet-tooth-is-nonpartisan.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |last1=Jr |first1=R. W. Apple |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918192220/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/27/dining/in-the-midwest-a-sweet-tooth-is-nonpartisan.html |url-status=live }} The Chippewa store is closed only during the month of January. In 2013, it closed briefly after a minor electrical fire.{{cite web |url=http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/fire-temporarily-closes-ted-drewes-store-at-chippewa/article_7d858835-5a9d-5d8c-8a43-d7b7a8dcda99.html |title=Fire temporarily closes Ted Drewes store at Chippewa : Business |publisher=Stltoday.com |date=10 November 2013 |accessdate=2013-11-11 |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821194646/http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/fire-temporarily-closes-ted-drewes-store-at-chippewa/article_7d858835-5a9d-5d8c-8a43-d7b7a8dcda99.html |url-status=live }} The South Grand location now operates only seasonally during summer months. In 2013, Ted Drewes Jr. said he has declined numerous requests to [franchise](/source/Franchising) nationally. Due to effects from the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_United_States), the South Grand location closed temporarily prior to the summer of 2020. It reopened for the summer of 2023.{{Cite web |last=Clubb |first=Michael |date=2023-05-27 |title=Photos: Ted Drewes South Grand location opens for summer for first time in four years |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/photos-ted-drewes-south-grand-location-opens-for-summer-for-first-time-in-four-years/collection_e2b785fa-fcd0-11ed-b4d9-1fb064fbfcba.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en |archive-date=August 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805222857/https://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/photos-ted-drewes-south-grand-location-opens-for-summer-for-first-time-in-four-years/collection_e2b785fa-fcd0-11ed-b4d9-1fb064fbfcba.html |url-status=live }} On August 26, 2024, Ted Drewes Jr. died at the age of 96.{{Cite web |last=Post-Dispatch |first=Ian Froeb St Louis |date=2024-08-28 |title=Ted Drewes Jr., icon of beloved St. Louis frozen custard stand, dies at 96 |url=https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/restaurants/ted-drewes-jr-icon-of-beloved-st-louis-frozen-custard-stand-dies-at-96/article_2f1e5a6c-317a-11ee-99d1-f71ba8ecbb4c.html |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007172121/https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/restaurants/ted-drewes-jr-icon-of-beloved-st-louis-frozen-custard-stand-dies-at-96/article_2f1e5a6c-317a-11ee-99d1-f71ba8ecbb4c.html |url-status=live }} ==In the press== Ted Drewes' shops and frozen custard have drawn the attention of ''[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)'' several times over the years, including in 1986,{{Cite news |date=1986-09-01 |title=DAIRY QUEEN'S BLIZZARD IS HOT (Published 1986) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/01/business/dairy-queen-s-blizzard-is-hot.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |last1=Phillips |first1=Stephen |archive-date=August 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801013530/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/01/business/dairy-queen-s-blizzard-is-hot.html |url-status=live }} 1997,{{Cite news |date=1997-09-14 |title=St. Louis, The City Under The Arch (Published 1997) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/14/magazine/st-louis-the-city-under-the-arch.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |last1=Lowry |first1=Beverly |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225232520/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/14/magazine/st-louis-the-city-under-the-arch.html |url-status=live }} and 1999.{{Cite news |date=1999-04-16 |title=ON THE ROAD; St. Louis: The River Runs by It, History Through It (Published 1999) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/16/arts/on-the-road-st-louis-the-river-runs-by-it-history-through-it.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |last1=Jr |first1=R. W. Apple |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212043150/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/16/arts/on-the-road-st-louis-the-river-runs-by-it-history-through-it.html |url-status=live }} In 2004, reporter [R.W. Apple Jr.](/source/R._W._Apple_Jr.) extolled the custard in an article on Midwestern sweets. In 1986, ''[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)'' revealed that the origin of the Blizzard from [Dairy Queen](/source/Dairy_Queen) was an attempt by a franchisee to mimic the Ted Drewes concrete. In 2006, [Alton Brown](/source/Alton_Brown) featured the Route 66 location on the [Food Network](/source/Food_Network) show ''[Feasting on Asphalt](/source/Feasting_on_Asphalt)''. In 2010, [Bobby Flay](/source/Bobby_Flay) recommended Ted Drewes on the "Sweet Tooth" episode of ''[The Best Thing I Ever Ate](/source/The_Best_Thing_I_Ever_Ate)''. In 2011, Ted Drewes was featured in a "[Route 66](/source/U.S._Route_66)" episode of ''[Man v. Food Nation](/source/Man_v._Food_Nation)'', hosted by [Adam Richman](/source/Adam_Richman_(actor)). In 2014, the ''[Riverfront Times](/source/Riverfront_Times)'' 2014 award for "Best Frozen Custard in St. Louis" went to Ted Drewes. In 2017, Ted Drewes was named "Best Ice Cream Shop in the World" by SoolNua, an Irish marketing firm that publishes a world ice cream index every year.{{Cite web |last=Bernhard |first=Jimmy |title=St. Louis is home to the 'best ice cream shop in the world' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/02/14/st-louis-home-ted-drewes-worlds-best-ice-cream-shop/97888922/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=February 16, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216091402/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/02/14/st-louis-home-ted-drewes-worlds-best-ice-cream-shop/97888922/ |url-status=live }} In 2024, Ted Drewes was featured in [History Channel's](/source/History_Channel) ''[The Food That Built America](/source/The_Food_That_Built_America)''. During the episode entitled "Ice Cream Revolution", it is stated that the concept of the Blizzard from [Dairy Queen](/source/Dairy_Queen) was copied from the Ted Drewes concrete. ==See also== * [List of frozen custard companies](/source/List_of_frozen_custard_companies) ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==External links== *{{official website|http://www.teddrewes.com}} * {{commons category-inline}} {{Restaurants in St. Louis}} Category:Restaurants in St. Louis Category:Buildings and structures on U.S. Route 66 Category:Restaurants established in 1930 Category:Frozen custard Category:Ice cream parlors in the United States Category:U.S. Route 66 in Missouri Category:Tourist attractions in St. Louis Category:1930 establishments in Missouri --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ted Drewes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Drewes) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Drewes?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.