Jarling’s

Jarling’s Custard Cup is a Champaign institution. Whenever my family from out of town/​state comes to visit, they have to go to Custard Cup. First, I *HIGHLY* recommend going at times when they’re less busy if you don’t like waiting in lines because it’s a popular place. They open at Noon daily, and there’s usually no line if you go between Noon-​2pm (not sure about later times in the afternoon but I imagine it’s not so busy on weekdays). I have also been around 8pm on weeknights and while it looks like the place is a madhouse (parking lot completely full), once we finally found a spot to park, there was only one person in line before us (because people were just hanging out at the picnic tables outside). One more pro-​tip: there are THREE lines (one at each window), so go inside and pick the shortest line rather than going in the first door and thinking you have to wait in that same line.
Now, let’s get to the custard: I have such a hard time making a decision each time we go because there are literally SO many things I love. My favorites include: brownie fudge sundae, cold fudge milk shake, cold fudge and peanut sundae (their cold fudge is a specialty and tastes delicious), berry delightful parfait (with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), banana split snowstorm (their version of a blizzard), and caramel apple snowstorm. They always have vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry and then they have a flavor of the week. My husband usually gets regular custard (any flavor) in a cone. Our family members have gotten a variety of different snowstorms and are never disappointed. You really can’t go wrong here. Check it out!

A Champaign-​Urbana institution, there isn’t anything over the top foofaraw about Jarling’s. Instead, it’s a gem of an ice cream place, serving delicious cups of happiness every summer. The custard’s pretty much unrivalled as far as I know. Even Tom Hanks has tweeted his appreciation of the custard here!

Every summer brings the heavenly taste of Jarling’s to the mortal people of Champiagn. I don’t know why I’m writing review for this tasty treat so late. Anyways, it’s better late than never. I love their snowstorms, and sundaes. They taste fresh, creamy and yum. Yes, there are long queues at the counter but I believe I’m burning few calories while waiting in the queue, which justifies me binging on snowstorm or sundae. What can I say, I’m optimistic. So, yesterday after running for 3 miles, my body was in serious need of glucose, so I HAD TO go to Jarling’s or I would have fainted :). I ordered a fruit cup snow storm, because fruits are healthy. It had strawberries and banana, couldn’t taste any other fruit. By the time, I took picture it had melted. But still, tasted gooooood. Gonna try as many flavors as I can till summer lasts.

Long wait for OK ice cream.
I stood in line for 20 minutes and watched two families cut in front of everyone because they knew someone. Ended up leaving out of frustration.
The new owners need to take a course on process management or hire on someone who is an expert in the subject.
It is interesting how Culver’s, which has equally as good custard, can get me in and out in minutes but I have to make a calendar appointment if I want to try Jarling’s again.

Jarling’s is definitely one of the major highlights of summer time in CU. although ownership has changed recently the custard recipes are still the same which means it is the best around. It isn’t ice cream, but it is ice cream’s older brother, custard. If you haven’t been here yet and are looking to have a great summer snack, go to Jarling’s! Oh, and while you’re there try the Cold Fudge, it’s to die for!

Today I took my boyfriend to Jarling’s because he’d never been. It took about 15 minutes in line before we got to order. I am used to waiting there so that wasn’t a problem.
Still tastes delicious as always and I still haven’t tried the cold fudge. I always go with 2 dips in a cone. My boyfriend had a brownie snowstorm. We enjoyed our dessert and will be back. ;)

Waited over an hour on a Sunday night around 8PM. They need to consult with the business school on campus, and get their operations logistics ironed out. The reason for the long wait is that they are super inefficient.
Now on to the ice cream. It’s good, but definitely nothing out of this world. If it were anywhere else, it wouldn’t be so popular. It’s just that this is the only custard place in town. They place music on speakers while you wait, so it makes the wait a bit more bearable. But it takes the people who work here so long to get your order together.
They have benches for seating outside. Also a drive through line.
This place is only open during the summer.

The «custard» at this place is good but definitely not the best. I found their custards to be far too sweet and the serving size to be a bit small for the price. It’s a good place to go to with friends after dinner or a movie but it’s not any better than Culver’s or Coldstone.

Jarling’s is a local ice cream gem! They offer a huge assortment of frozen custard, as well as ice cream staples like a banana split or sundae. I had a banana split and my partner had chocolate in a large waffle cone. Some words about our choices — you definitely get your money’s worth and a little extra! They were very generous in their servings and the staff are just as sweet as the products Jarling’s sells.
So why is this a 4 star review and not a 5 star review? If you are craving ice cream on a weekday or weekend evening (like we were), you will be waiting for a *long* while. Additional word of caution: you *will* be cut in line. Stand your ground and get your ice cream — it will be well worth the wait!

I love this place… it is five stars. Their cold fudge is the best. Yes, it may not be real custard — Culver’s is closer to custard than Jarlings, but still Jarling’s is AMAZING. My only gripe —- since changing owners… it was the Friday before Labor Day — September 4, 2015… the local pools are celebrating their last weekend of the season. It’s 94 degrees out… it’s going to be mid 90’s all weekend long… wow, Jarling’s would really hit the spot on this super hot sunny weekend… oh wait… the parking lot is empty… the barricades are up. Sign in the window says, CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. Hello!!! It’s still summer!!! It’s not even Labor Day… you closed four days ago on August 31^st!!! What the hell!!!

Everything I’ve tried from here hit’s the spot. I wish they’d stay open year round.

Outstanding frozen custard in a great atmosphere. Try a cold fudge sundae, or really anything else (their birthday cakes are too little known.)
Look out for the insane line formation: there are somewhere between 3 and 5 lines and people will cut you if you let them!

Very good custard as always, if you like rich frozen goodness. Look no further. I would recommend getting your custard in a waffle cone, you get a little more bang for your buck.
You seriously can’t be in the Champaign-​Urbana area with out getting some!

If you’re a Champaign-​Urbana native, I’m pretty sure it’s a rule (and possibly something in the water) that you love Jarling’s Custard Cup.
Talk about a C-​U tradition. Jarling’s has been open (and keep in mind, this is a summer shop, so they’re only open from April-​ish to November-​ish) since 1983 (they began in 1949, but in Danville). They have an incredibly history, one any employee would be happy to share with you (or you can always find more on their website).
They’ve done some renovations in the past few years, giving them a better parking lot (the old one was abysmal, and even though they’re still using it, they’ve expanded to make the drive around nicer). There’s also outdoor seating!
That’s the other thing… Jarling’s isn’t really an «inside» place. You either get your treat to go, or your stand around outside and eat it as it melts all over you. ;D At one point, the store was completely outside, but they built a small air-​conditioned foyer-​like surround, which is really nice on a hot day and there are 10,000 people ahead of you! ;D
Their menu is so diverse, I think it’d take the most seasoned die-​hard an entire summer to get through all the flavors and combinations (and they’re always adding more!). The price is steep, but you’re paying for quality, here, over something that’s so processed and artificial it almost ruins the experience.
Seriously, if you’re in need and have the chance, get your custard fix at one of C-U’s paragons. You can’t go wrong.

Jarling’s is the BEST place to get ice cream in the C-​U area. I have been going to this place every summer for years! When the owners announced they would close after they ran out of their initial batch of custard at the beginning of the season, it sent me (and everyone I know) into a panic. Luckily, they decided to re-​open, and I have been able to get my annual fill of delicious custard.
Their menu includes a huge list of flavors for «snowstorms,» the Jarling’s version of a blizzard. They always have a flavor of the week in addition of the standard chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. I would say that the flavors for the custards are fairly subtle, so I usually add a topping or two. Every week, there is also a different special deal, like $ 1 off a specialty sundae. Jarling’s is most famous for their cold fudge (and for good reason). It is unlike anything I’ve had before. Whenever I’m feeling indecisive, I know I can’t go wrong with a classic cold fudge sundae.
Most recently, I ordered the brownie fudge sundae and it was just what I needed. It included a generous serving of vanilla custard, their famous cold fudge, pecans, and whipped cream topped with a cherry (which I chose to forgo). I highly recommend trying this one!
No matter when you decide to go, you can count on it being busy. However, since each of the three windows has a separate line, the wait is never as bad as it seems. They lock the doors at exactly 10 pm. Even if you arrive at 10:01, they will not let you in (I speak from experience), so be sure to get there in time.

I adore Jarling’s. It is the embodiment of an old time ice cream shoppe. I have gone here ever since I was a little kid. My friends and I were so disappointed when the owners said they would be closing Jarling’s! We were begging our parents to go and buy ice cream when they announced they were selling all of their inventory. Thank goodness for the new owners! The ice cream and style of delivery has not changed which is a huge plus.
I didn’t feel like ordering a snowstorm when I went because I had eaten a lot that day. Do not let the sizes deceive you; the smalls are pretty large! I had a kid sized strawberry with cold fudge and peanuts on top. That hit the spot! The strawberry flavor is subtle. The cold fudge is something that you have to try if you go to Jarling’s. For some reason it gives a different feeling than hot fudge. It melds into the ice cream and becomes one with it giving a smooth finish to the sweet treat.
Some people may say that it is pricey for what you order. But I would pay more for this quality ice cream because it is so refreshing.
Pro Tip: Many people go to the window on the very right of the store and the line looks like it is out the door. They think that you have to wait in line and then go to an open window. This is not how it works! There are 3 windows and 3 different lines. In my experience, the window on the very left is the shortest!

I’ve been coming to Jarling’s for a long time and it never fails. Delicious custard prepared in a huge variety of ways. The line at the front can be confusing but I would stand near the back when you first walk in and then you’ll notice several counters where you can place your order and lines form leading up to them. The snowstorm is Jarling’s version of a Dairy Queen Blizzard but my favorite thing to get are the sundaes. Be sure to bring cash! There’s a $ 10 minimum for cards and it’s hard to reach it since everything is so cheap.

The sheer magnitude of customization that this place offers is just mind blowing. the cold fudge Sunday is absolutely the very best and you have to give a try. I visit this place everytime i come to Champaign. perfect place for an evening snack

Shocked how rude the owner treated me when I went to go get ice cream. I arrived there at 8:55 and the owner came and told me to leave because they closed at 9. She had a lobby completely full of other people but decided to turn me down. As she is closing the door on my face I asked her why I couldn’t come in when it was only 8:55 and she rudely told me she was aware of that. She sarcastically winked at me too. Just plain rude. You don’t treat customers that way. If you don’t want to take new customers DURING your business hours then at least be nice about it.
Will NEVER go back here because of how rudely I was treated.

Restaurant review
Frozen custard, just what you need on a hot summer day. This place is a real gem with the low cost ice cream that puts to shame other ice cream stores. Do you know what makes custard a custard and not ice cream, it contains egg yolk in it. Just a random fact for the day. This place is always busy in the summer time with your selection of waffle cone ice cream, sundaes, snowstorms, and shakes. The ice cream «custard» is super smooth. Flavors are usually limited to vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and the special for the day. But you can have a lot of different mix-​in to make your own snow storm. You can eat right outside the benches or drive through. All and all this place is simply amazing!
Pro: inexpensive ice cream «custard», fast service
Cons: only open during the summer, credit card can only be used if you are purchasing 10 dollars or more
Hidden gem:
Snowstorm card, for every 9 you buy you get one free