Dakota Drug

I came here while visiting my boyfriend in North Dakota last weekend. I got whirlo whips many many years ago… Probably 2 decades ago which makes me feel super duper old.
There were some impatient customers at the fountain counter, yes the girl working was spending a lot of time making the frozen treats but people chill out. Maybe they really did need a dozen treat ;/​.
Anyways my whirlo whip was fantastic and I was so happy we made the drive from Minot to have one. I got a vanilla cake batter one with butterfinger. My boyfriend got a vanilla one with Oreos and mint cookies.
I will probably come to Stanley for one a couple times a year. Basically a blizzard but better! As for the rest of the shop. It was organized a little funny. Pringles by the coffee mugs and odds and ends of gift shop merchandise for sale. But that’s beside the point. :)

For a high quality sugar rush can’t be beat. Old timey stools. Would like to see them step it up with ice cream better than Deans but then I’m just picking on an icon.

The Whirl-​a-​Whips mentioned in the other reviews are still here but prices have increased due to the recent economic changes in this region (ie: Oil). These are definitely a novel item and you get a decent amount for the cost (despite the price increase). They have a lengthy selection of add-​ins including pickle which I have yet to try. Service can be a little slow depending on how many people are here. If it’s hot out and you’re in the neighborhood definitely worth a stop.

When I visit Stanley, which is rather infrequently, my aunt always takes me to get a Whirl-​a-​Whip. It’s kind of like an old-​school Blizzard. They use REAL ice cream and add various flavors, blend it, and serve it in a cup or cone. The ladies behind the counter are super cute and friendly.
The store is full of other things, too. There’s home décor, a pharmacy (duh) and cards. It’s where things in a small town *happen*. I’m pretty sure it’s the place to be on any given weekday.
Oh, and if you’re not into blended ice cream, try one of their flavors. I had the Almond Joy and it was so good it almost knocked me off my stool.

Well there is only one real reason to go here and that is for the Whirl-​a-​whip. Its an amazing concoction of ice cream and toppings pulverized into amazingness. They have other trinkets and typical drug store items but the ice cream counter is what keeps them in business. If you ever find yourself in Stanley, North Dakota ask yourself where life went wrong then go get a Whirl-​a-​whip.

An old-​style drug store with full service pharmacy and lots of knick-​knacks for sale. But that is unimportant. What IS important is that the store has an original soda fountain with a long bar and stools. And that soda fountain serves a whirl-​a-​whip. The last of the whirl-​a-​whips anywhere in the world. And who knows how much longer their machine will last.
A whirl-​a-​whip lies somewhere between a DQ Blizzard and soft-​serve ice cream. It is made with hand-​dipped (aka real) ice cream, syrups, flavors, candy, or other additions. The mass of goodness is mixed up in the machine and then squeezed out of a spout like soft-​serve into the cup. You eat it with a spoon. All for only about $ 3.25
I had a chocolate and peanut-​butter whirla-​whip, while my companion enjoyed a coffee and maraschino cherry concoction. Both were excellent. One can choose between a vanilla or chocolate ice cream base, and add flavors such as oreo, cake batter, cherry jolly ranchers, dill pickles, whoppers, and all the other expected offerings.
One note: don’t expect to show up to enjoy your creamy goodness in an old-​timey atmosphere. The drugstore has been completely upgraded (downgraded?) from it’s original state. I would put it’s current style as late ‘80s country, with lots of frilly things and pastel palates. The rating is based purely on the profound product. If you ever find yourself driving past Stanley, ND (near Minot), STOP. Taste. Enjoy. For tomorrow the machine may break and all whirla-​whips will be a memory of joys past.