Giant scoops that spill over the rim and demand a plan for sharing before the first bite. California has an ice cream shop famous for exactly that, and it has been scooping since the 1920s.
For years, trouble threatened to close the place. Equipment aged.
Costs climbed. The future looked uncertain.
Then a local family stepped in with a $2.3 million deal and plans to keep the legacy alive. The counter still hums.
The freezers still run. The scoops still arrive absurdly large.
Walking through the door, the smell of fresh waffle cones fills the air. Regulars order their usual.
Newcomers stare at the size. Nobody leaves disappointed.
The line forms early on warm evenings, and the staff moves with the kind of rhythm that only comes with decades of practice. This is a story about second chances and the kind of community that refuses to lose a landmark.
The next chapter is already underway.
A Black And White Landmark Across From City Hall
Few buildings in town announce dessert quite as boldly as Superior Dairy Products Company, known to most people simply as Superior Dairy.
The location puts it right in the heart of downtown Hanford. It sits directly across from City Hall and Civic Center Park, so it is easy to spot once you reach the civic center area.
The building itself is larger than many people expect from a scoop shop. Property records list it at about 7,703 square feet, which leaves plenty of room for both a dairy operation and a parlor.
Its striking black-and-white look has long made it a recognizable stop. That bold color scheme works almost like a giant sign that says ice cream lives here.
You also land close to other downtown spots worth a stroll. Historic China Alley and the Star Restaurant are nearby, which makes an easy walk before or after dessert.
Parking is generally manageable based on visitor reports, though California downtown streets can get busy on weekends. Giving yourself a few extra minutes is a smart move.
Think of the shop as the sweet anchor for a downtown afternoon. You can explore the neighborhood, then reward yourself with a cup that will likely need both hands.
A Milk Business That Started Back In 1922
Long before anyone was snapping photos of giant sundaes, this place was all about milk. F.
Judson Bowden founded Superior Dairy in 1922 as a milk dairy serving the Hanford area.
The ice cream shop came along in 1929. That timing is notable, since the Great Depression began shortly afterward and tested businesses across the country.
Somehow the parlor kept going through those hard years. It stayed open long enough to become a fixture in downtown Hanford for nearly a hundred years.
Family ownership was a big part of that staying power. Bowden ran the company for decades alongside his son Jim, keeping the business in family hands.
Later on, Tim Jones co-ran the dairy with his sister, Susan Bowden Wing. She passed unexpectedly in late 2017, and Jones continued to lead the business afterward.
That nearly century-long family run is rare in the restaurant world. Plenty of shops change hands every few years, so this kind of continuity stands out.
Knowing this history adds something to your visit. When you order a cup today, you are joining a tradition that started when milk was still delivered in glass bottles.
It is a good reminder that small-town businesses often carry big stories. This one simply happens to come with extra scoops.
Scoops That Refuse To Stay Small
Here is a fair warning before you order. A single at this shop is not what most people picture when they hear the word single.
Huge portions are the most talked-about feature in visitor reviews. Google reviews mention the big scoops and portion sizes hundreds of times, which makes the pattern hard to miss.
Several recent reviewers describe the junior size as plenty for two people. Some say even that smallest option looks like a few regular scoops stacked together.
So how do you plan smart? Start small, because the smallest size on the board is likely bigger than you expect.
Sharing is a practical idea here, especially with kids. One cup split between two people can keep you from wasting ice cream on a warm day.
A few visitors also mention that cups can look small for the amount piled on top. Grabbing extra napkins, or bringing a spare bowl, can save you from sticky fingers.
Want more than one flavor? Reviews suggest mixing flavors may require a larger size, so ask the staff what works before deciding.
Taking a pint home is another option some guests recommend. That way you can enjoy the ice cream slowly instead of racing a melting tower in the sun.
The Seven Scoop Sundae Challenge
Seven scoops sounds like a lot until you learn what counts as a scoop here. The S.O.S., short for Superior Oversize Sundae, takes the shop’s love of big servings to its peak.
On paper, it is a seven-scoop sundae. Reports say each of those scoops is at least eight times the size of an ordinary scoop, so the math gets silly fast.
Sherbet plays a starring role in this giant creation. That brings fruity flavors into the mix, giving the dessert a lighter feel than an all-ice-cream pile.
Is this something one person should try alone? Probably not, unless you skipped a few meals and enjoy a good challenge.
A smarter approach is to bring a crowd. Birthday groups, sports teams, or a big family outing could make quick work of it together.
The menu also lists other sundaes if you want something more manageable. Hot Fudge, Banana Split, and the Superior Special are all on the lineup.
Before ordering any sundae, ask how it is being served right now. Some visitors note that service style changed during the renovation period, with certain treats arriving in cups.
Either way, the S.O.S. is a fun bit of local lore you can actually order. Few desserts come with a story this big attached.
Flavors Worth Asking About
Choosing a flavor can feel like a pop quiz when the case is this full. The shop makes its ice cream in-house, and the lineup mixes classics with rotating choices.
Seasonal flavors have included Pumpkin and Pistachio Chip. Coconut has also appeared, though rotating options can change, so check what is available during your visit.
Sherbet fans have choices too. Orange, Tangerine, and Lemon sherbets have been offered, giving you a tangy break from richer flavors.
Maple Nut comes up again and again in recent reviews. Several visitors call it a favorite, which makes it a reasonable first pick if you feel stuck.
Frozen yogurt is on the menu as well. Some reviewers also mention sorbet, which could help guests who prefer something without as much dairy.
Not sure what to choose? A few visitors say staff are happy to offer samples, so asking politely can save you from flavor regret.
Beyond scoops, the treat list covers milkshakes, floats, frosteds, and cones. That variety lets you change things up on a second or third visit.
Since flavors rotate, following the shop’s social media pages is a smart move. You might catch a seasonal favorite before it disappears from the case.
Sandwiches From A Soda Fountain Tradition
Ice cream may get the headlines, but lunch has long been part of the story. The shop has a history as a soda fountain that also serves sandwiches.
The menu lists a solid lineup of classics. Tuna, Turkey, Ham and Cheese, Pastrami, Grilled Cheese, Deviled Egg, Ham, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Egg Salad all appear.
Side dishes and extras round things out. Soup, Potato Salad, Chef’s Salad, and a Cinnamon Roll are listed, plus hot chocolate for chilly days.
Here is the practical part. During the renovation period, some visitors reported that only ice cream was available, so food options may be limited for now.
Calling ahead before a lunch trip is a wise idea.
The new owners have said the tuna and egg salad sandwiches will stay. That promise matters to longtime fans who connect those sandwiches with the shop’s past.
Plans also include adding a full kitchen. Burgers and fries are on the future wish list, which would give the menu a bigger lunch presence.
Once that kitchen opens, a full meal plus dessert could become an easy downtown outing. Just remember to save room, because dessert here is no small thing.
How A Local Dairy Family Stepped In
For a while, the future of this downtown favorite looked uncertain. In fall 2024, the business went up for sale with an asking price of $2.5 million.
Owner Tim Jones was ready to retire. The pandemic had also brought real challenges, including the closure of the main counter and dining areas early in COVID-19.
Then came good news in March 2025. The sale closed on March 24 for $2.3 million, and the buyers had deep local ties.
The Zonneveld family purchased the business. They are a multi-generational dairy family with roots in Kings County, and Andy and Jacob Zonneveld were named as the new owners.
That background makes the match feel fitting. A shop that started as a milk dairy ended up with owners who understand dairy from the farm up.
The family has said they want to preserve the history and invest in the facility. Their goal is to honor what made Superior Dairy matter to Hanford for so long.
For you, this means the shop is not fading away. Instead, it is getting a second wind from people who live and work nearby.
Sales like this do not always end well for old businesses. Here, the story took a hopeful turn that keeps the scoops coming.
Pink Trailer Now, Big Plans Next
Good things are worth a little construction dust. Right now, the original building is undergoing major renovations, so the shop looks different than it did in years past.
Ice cream service is running from a pink trailer set up inside the building on E. Ninth Street.
It works as a temporary storefront while the work continues.
Service is takeout only for the time being. Many recent visitors mention there is no indoor seating, so plan where you will enjoy your cup.
Civic Center Park sits across the street if you want some open space. On hot days, though, a pint to take home might be the easier choice.
The future plans sound exciting. The owners aim to restore a preserved dine-in area and build a larger fast-casual takeout space with more seats.
An outdoor seating concept is also in the works. Historical artifacts may be displayed on-site, giving guests a closer look at the dairy’s long past.
Fans of the old interior can relax a bit. The owners have said they want to keep retro touches like the tin ceiling and pink booths during upgrades.
Someday, guests might even watch ice cream being made. Until then, the trailer keeps the giant scoops flowing, and that feels like a pretty sweet bridge.
Address: 325 N. Douty Street, Hanford, California 93230
