I tried frozen custard from Culver's, Freddy's, and Shake Shack — and there's only one chain I'm rushing to return to

In this investigative report, the author sampled frozen custard from three different chains: Culver's, Freddy's, and Shake Shack. The author's journey began with visiting Culver's, a beloved Midwest chain with over 1,000 locations across 26 states. Despite the moderately busy atmosphere, the author appreciated Culver's ice cream-like custard, describing it as "super customizable" with options for various flavors and mix-ins.

However, the author found the portion size to be rather small, resulting in a "barely half full" 8-ounce cup.

Next, the author ventured to Freddy's, a newer Midwest favorite with over 500 stores across the nation and Canada. Here, the author encountered a long line, hinting at the chain's popularity. The retro-themed interior and vintage diner feel added to the ambiance. Freddy's custard, described as having a "drippy consistency" and a "grainy mouthfeel," was still enjoyable, though the author preferred Culver's in terms of texture and portion size.

Finally, the author discovered Shake Shack, a New York-based chain known for its burgers and custard-based treats. While Shake Shack boasted a modern, chic interior and had a self-ordering kiosk, custard concretes were removed from their US menus in 2020. Consequently, the author settled for a small vanilla custard, which, while flavorful, lacked the smooth texture and rich mouthfeel found in Culver's custard.

Overall, the author concluded that Culver's emerged as the clear winner, delivering a satisfying custard experience that outshone its competitors.