This Iconic Oregon Roadside Stand Has Been Serving Frozen Custard Since 1951

Pulling up to Custard King on a crisp Oregon morning, the first thing that hits you is how perfectly unchanged the place looks, like a postcard from another era tucked right into the corner of Commercial Street.

There is something genuinely exciting about a roadside stand that has been feeding people since 1951, and this one in Astoria earns every year of its reputation.

The walk-up window, the covered outdoor seating, and the hand-lettered menu board all feel like they belong to a slower, more flavorful chapter of American life. Astoria itself is a town full of character, perched where the Columbia River meets the Pacific, and Custard King fits right into that spirit.

The first time I ordered here, I was not prepared for how good a simple frozen custard could taste. This place is the kind of stop that turns a road trip into a memory worth telling.

Quick Snapshot: What to Expect Before You Arrive

Before you roll up to the corner of 16th and Commercial Street, it helps to know what kind of place you are walking into. Custard King is a walk-up window spot, not a sit-down restaurant.

There are no servers, no reservations, and no indoor dining room.

Here is a quick breakdown:

Name: Custard KingType: Classic hamburger and frozen custard stand

Setting: Outdoor covered seating on a busy Astoria corner

Location: 1597 Commercial St, Astoria, Oregon

Arrival tip: Street parking is limited, so arrive early or be patient

Portions: Generous on the food side, custard sizes run a little smaller than expected

Open: Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 6 PM.

Closed: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Why Custard King Is Worth the Drive to Astoria

Astoria sits at the northwestern tip of Oregon, and getting there always feels like a small adventure. The drive along Highway 30 or Highway 101 delivers river views, towering bridges, and that particular Pacific Northwest light that makes everything look a little cinematic.

Custard King adds a genuine food destination to that journey. Since 1951, it has anchored itself to the corner of Commercial Street as a local institution, not just a quick bite.

Generations of Astorians and road-trippers have made it a ritual stop.

Best For: Families, solo travelers, coastal road-trippers, and anyone who appreciates old-school American roadside food culture.

The combination of quality burgers, crispy fries, and genuinely good frozen custard makes this worth planning around rather than stumbling upon. If you are passing through Astoria, skipping Custard King would be a decision you would quietly regret the whole drive home.

The History Behind the Crown: Over Seven Decades of Frozen Custard

Something special happens when a small food stand survives for more than seventy years. It stops being just a business and becomes part of a community’s identity.

Custard King opened in 1951, and that kind of staying power says everything about consistency and quality.

Frozen custard itself is different from regular soft serve. It contains egg yolks in addition to cream and sugar, which gives it a denser, richer texture that coats your spoon in the best possible way.

Custard King has kept that tradition alive on the Oregon coast long before artisan ice cream shops became trendy.

Fun Fact: Frozen custard was popularized at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, making it a true piece of American food history.

Pulling up to a stand that predates the interstate highway system carries its own quiet thrill. Some things genuinely get better with age, and Custard King is proof of that.

The Frozen Custard: A Classic Done Right

The custard here is the main event, and it delivers. Rich, dense, and smooth in a way that regular soft serve simply cannot match, each scoop carries a depth of flavor that makes you slow down and actually taste what you are eating.

Vanilla is the classic choice, and it holds up beautifully against toppings like hot fudge, Oregon Marionberry preserves, or cheesecake bites. The swirl cone is a crowd favorite, especially in a waffle bowl for a little extra crunch.

Quick Verdict: The custard alone justifies the stop. It is noticeably better than chain soft serve, with a creaminess that lingers.

Pro Tip: Ask about seasonal or specialty toppings. Past visitors have raved about house-made lemon curd paired with Marionberry preserves, a combination that feels distinctly Pacific Northwest and genuinely unforgettable.

Toppings are generously priced starting at just fifty cents.

Burgers That Hold Their Own Against the Custard

Most people arrive thinking about custard and leave equally impressed by the burgers. The menu features a solid lineup including a black and blue burger, a bacon cheeseburger, and a Philly cheesesteak that has earned serious praise from regulars.

The patties are thick and cooked with care. Toppings like garlic aioli, grilled onions, thick crispy pickles, and fresh vegetables make each bite feel assembled rather than assembled on autopilot.

Gluten-free buns are available, which is a genuinely thoughtful touch for a casual roadside spot.

Insider Tip: The black and blue burger with added grilled onions is one of the most talked-about items on the menu. If you enjoy bold flavors, that is the one to order on your first visit.

Burgers come with fries and fry sauce, so the value is strong. For a corner stand with walk-up service, the quality consistently surprises first-time visitors in the best way.

Those Fries Deserve Their Own Conversation

Somewhere around the halfway point of this visit, something shifts. You reach for a fry almost as an afterthought, and then you stop and look down at your basket because those fries are genuinely exceptional.

Skin-on, crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and cooked in a dedicated fryer that keeps them gluten-safe. The fry sauce served alongside has a subtle horseradish note that elevates the whole experience without overwhelming it.

Multiple reviewers have called these the best fries they have had in the United States.

Why It Matters: Custard King uses a separate fryer for fries and tater tots, making them safe for people with gluten sensitivities. That kind of attention to dietary needs is rare at a casual roadside stand.

The tater tots are equally crispy and satisfying. Whichever you choose, do not skip the side.

It would genuinely be a mistake to leave without trying them.

The Atmosphere: Old-School Charm on a Busy Corner

There are no indoor tables, no mood lighting, and no background playlist carefully curated for ambiance. What Custard King offers instead is something harder to manufacture: genuine character built over decades of daily operation.

The covered outdoor seating area is clean and comfortable, positioned right on the corner where Commercial Street meets the rhythm of Astoria’s daily life. Traffic moves past, locals stop by between errands, and visitors from all over the coast pull in after a beach walk or a hike.

Planning Advice: The seating area is not wind-protected, and Astoria’s coastal weather can be breezy. Bring a light jacket during cooler months, especially if you plan to linger over your custard.

There is a pager system for food orders, so you can sit down and relax rather than hovering at the window. That small convenience makes the whole experience feel more relaxed and genuinely enjoyable on a slow afternoon.

Who Should Stop Here and Who Might Want to Plan Ahead

Custard King works beautifully for a specific kind of traveler. Understanding that before you arrive saves time and sets the right expectations for a genuinely good experience.
Who This Is For:
Families with kids who love soft serve and classic burgers.
Road-trippers looking for a memorable local stop in Astoria.
Food lovers who appreciate quality ingredients at reasonable prices.
Anyone with gluten sensitivities who wants safe, clearly labeled options.
Dog owners, because pup cups are available at the window.
Who Should Plan Ahead:
Anyone on a tight schedule, since wait times can stretch during peak hours.
Visitors who prefer indoor dining or table service.
Those arriving Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, as the stand is closed those days.
Arriving closer to opening at 11 AM tends to mean shorter waits and fresher batches of everything on the menu.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Visit

First-time visitors sometimes leave feeling slightly confused, not because the food disappointed them, but because they walked in without knowing a few simple things. A little preparation goes a long way here.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Arriving on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday without checking hours first.

Expecting indoor seating or table service.

Ordering a large custard and expecting a massive portion, sizes run on the modest side.

Arriving during peak afternoon hours without budgeting time for a wait.

Forgetting to ask about specialty toppings or seasonal custard flavors.

Parking is limited on the street corner, so circling the block once or twice is normal.

Cash and cards are both accepted, and the staff is friendly and patient with new customers navigating the menu for the first time.
Going in with the right mindset makes this a highlight of any Astoria visit rather than a frustrating experience.

Final Verdict: Key Takeaways from Custard King, Astoria

After spending time at Custard King, the overall impression is simple: this place earns its reputation every single day it opens those windows. The food is honest, the quality is consistent, and the setting is exactly what a great roadside stand should feel like.

Key Takeaways:

Frozen custard is richer and creamier than standard soft serve and genuinely worth the trip.

Burgers and fries punch well above their price point.

Gluten-sensitive visitors have real, thoughtful options available.

Open Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 6 PM only.

Expect a wait during busy periods, plan accordingly.

The atmosphere is casual, outdoor, and full of old-school charm.

Custard King is not trying to be anything other than what it has always been. That kind of quiet confidence in a simple concept is rare, and it makes every visit feel worthwhile.