Ollie’s reopens amid cold weather
Shyanne Smith, then a freshman Kishwaukee emergency medical services major, enjoys frozen custard from Ollie’s Frozen Custard in February 2013.
February 21, 2013
People stand in line. The 18-degree day turns their breath into fog, yet the only thing on their minds is getting a fresh scoop of frozen custard.
Ollie’s Frozen Custard, 2290 Oakland Drive in Sycamore, opened for its 2013 season on Wednesday. Ollie’s has been serving the area with its frozen treats since 1985.
Becky Duda, a 7-year-old DeKalb resident, said it is never too cold for custard. She prefers chocolate custard with M&M toppings.
Closed for the winter since October, customers have had their calendars marked for Olie’s reopening.
“I’ve been coming here for about 25 years,” said Mark Walter, graduate elementary education student. “I come here about once a week when it’s open.”
The open season typically lasts from the middle of February up until the end of October.
Ollie’s boasts a menu ranging in treats from shakes to scoops, and even has a Huskie flavor: strawberries and Oreos served over vanilla custard. There is a special flavor for every day of the week.
“I get a single scoop of chocolate with Oreo and peanut butter topping,” said Devann Edwards, alumna and DeKalb resident.
Frozen custard may be in the same family as ice cream and frozen yogurt, but according to Valerie Crandon, manager of Ollie’s Frozen Custard, custard must be at least 10 percent butter fat and solid egg yolks are used to make it.
“It’s not as fluffy; it’s more of a creamy flavor without the grittiness to it,” Crandon said.
Frozen custard originated in Coney Island, N.Y., but was introduced to the Midwest at the 1933 World’s Fair, according to the history of custard page on Ollie’s website.
“I work out at the gym three times a week, so I go to Ollie’s three times a week,” said Paw Paw resident Paula Politsch. “After I work out at the gym, I come here.”