Jerry's Sno Cones in Memphis, TN is a colorfully painted Ice Cream shop. One of the scenes from the movie "Great Balls of Fire" was filmed here. Many thanks to Sherry McGee for info. 09-06
Looking for something to cool off with? Jerry's Sno Cones was one of those roadside places that made it easy to pull over. Housed inside an old Sinclair gas station, the colorful little building had plenty of personality long before you even reached the order window.
The former service station became Jerry's Sno Cones in the late 1960s, serving shaved ice, burgers, and its famous "Supreme" treat. It even had a brush with Hollywood, appearing in the 1989 movie Great Balls of Fire!.
UPDATE: The original Jerry's Sno Cones closed in 2024, and the old roadside stand has since been converted to another business. Jerry's continues serving customers from its newer Cordova location. 08-26
Tasty Dip (Gone)
Heflin, AL Photo courtesy Paul Bauke
Traveling through Heflin? Just keep an eye out for the giant soft-serve cone on top of Tasty Dip and you'll know you've found it. Roadside advertising doesn't get much simpler, or much better, than a building with an ice cream cone on the roof. 04-09
Opened in 1948, Tasty Dip became a hometown favorite for cones, milkshakes, sundaes, and footlong chili dogs. The little walk-up stand had all the ingredients of a classic roadside stop, but it was that oversized cone and vintage roadside sign that made it memorable to passing motorists.
UPDATE: Tasty Dip closed in 2026, and the building now sits vacant awaiting a new owner. The giant rooftop cone roadside sign is gone. 08-26
Sundae House
Florence, SC Photo courtesy Tony Craig
If you're driving along Palmetto Street in Florence, it's hard not to notice the familiar sign at Sundae House. The old roadside stand has been tempting travelers since 1949, and from the outside it still looks like one of those classic places where an ice cream cone is always a good idea. 11-10
Over the years, Sundae House has become much more than an ice cream stop. Along with sundaes, shakes, and other frozen treats, the menu grew to include burgers, hot dogs, and even Greek favorites, making it a popular stop with both locals and travelers. Still, it's the vintage roadside look that makes the place memorable.
The sign out front has been welcoming motorists for generations, and it's easy to imagine families spotting it from down the road and deciding it was time for a quick break before continuing their trip.
UPDATE: A fire temporarily closed Sundae House in 2025, but after months of repairs the restaurant reopened in early 2026. The classic roadside sign still greets travelers today. 08-26
Tidwell's Dairy Bar (Rem.)
Lonoke, AR Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Driving through Lonoke, this old Tidwell's Dairy Bar sign looked like it belonged on Main Street. It had that classic hometown feel that made you wonder how many people had stopped here over the years for a burger, shake, or ice cream cone. 11-10
The dairy bar opened in 1962 and became a longtime favorite for locals and travelers alike. While the menu has always been filled with burgers, chili dogs, hand-spun shakes, and other dairy bar favorites, it was the simple roadside sign that first caught your attention.
These days, the stand operates as Jackrabbit Dairy Bar, named after the local high school's mascot. The original sign has been replaced, but the little walk-up stand is still serving customers from the same familiar spot.
UPDATE: The dairy bar remains open today as Jackrabbit Dairy Bar, continuing a roadside tradition that's been going strong for more than 60 years. 08-26
Dairi-O (Gone)
Bishopville, SC Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Driving through Bishopville, this old Dairi-O sign was a reminder of a roadside stop that had already served the community for more than half a century. Even after the stand closed, the weathered marquee proudly advertised "Over 50 Years in Business," giving passing motorists one last glimpse of a hometown favorite. 11-10
The little drive-in opened in the 1950s and spent decades serving burgers, shakes, and ice cream before closing around Thanksgiving 2008. When this photo was taken, the building was already quiet, but the old sign still stood beside the road, almost looking as though it was waiting for the next customer to pull in.
Not long afterward, both the stand and its familiar roadside sign disappeared. Today, only the photographs remain to remind travelers of another small-town dairy bar that once welcomed hungry motorists along the highway.
UPDATE: The Dairi-O building has been demolished, and the roadside sign is gone. 08-26
Frozen Dairy Bar and Boardwalk Pizza (Gone)
Falls Church, VA Photo courtesy Michael Natoli
The Frozen Dairy Bar custard shop was established in 1950. The original building was lost in the 90's, however the dairy bar (and now also pizza) is still in business and is still on the same property that the original store was on. The business owners are renovating and remain one of the oldest still operating custard shops on the East coast. Many thanks to Michael Natoli for info. 08-13
If you're driving along Route 50 through Falls Church, it's easy to imagine why this corner became a favorite stop for generations of ice cream lovers. Frozen Dairy Bar and Boardwalk Pizza carried on a tradition that began here back in 1950, when a little roadside custard stand first started serving frozen treats to passing motorists.
For decades, this corner was one of Northern Virginia's best-known places to cool off on a hot summer day. It wasn't hard to understand why so many families made it part of their routine whenever they passed through town.
UPDATE: Frozen Dairy Bar closed in 2018, and the signs and giant ice cream cone are gone. The original frozen custard recipe, however, continues to be served at the business that later occupied the space. 08-26
Jerry's Sno Cones (Gone)
Tasty Dip (Gone)
Sundae House
Tidwell's Dairy Bar (Rem.)
Dairi-O (Gone)
