Central Dairy Ice Cream Parlor — Restaurant in Jefferson City

I gave this place a 1 star only bc I couldn't give it zero. The old lady that seems to run the place is VERY rude and should not be in charge of anything. I was in with my son's field trip this week. We had a group of 18. As soon as she saw that they were on a bus she started hollering that they could only get 1 scoop of ice cream. I was at the end of the line and watched and listened at how she spoke to the kids, and let me tell you she ruined the whole experience and ruined us ever going back there. The school will not be supporting them in the future and my family as we go back to Jeff City will also not be supporting them ever again. I hate this bc it seems like it was a cool little ice cream shop at one point but the extremely rude customer service will not be tolerated and how she made the kids feel. The rule all together is completely bizarre bc it isn't a rule that can be used in anyway fairly. I drove up with another parent to enjoy the field trip with our kids. The kids that didn't have parents there were spoke to so poorly and made to get 1 scoop in a cup and that's it. But my child was able to get whatever he wanted bc he didn't "seem" to be on the bus, I guess bc I was with him but little did she know he was as well as 2 other kids that could get whatever they wanted but their friends had to get 1 scoop in a cup was their only option. Each kid was paying for their own treat as well. So they were individual customers and told they could not pick what they actually wanted to spend their own money on. So had we just all been together and not been on a bus, or just told her no we weren't on a bus we would of just been regular customers in line. Either way the approach she gives as you walk in the door ruins the whole sweet old time vibe the place is supposed to put off. The old lady and man working were NOT friendly in anyway. I do NOT recommend going and supporting them at all but especially as a group, even...

When the high school girls behind the counter ruin the nostalgic ice cream parlor you grew up on....

I miss all the kind people that use to work and scoop ice cream with a smile. They carefully wiped the container. Even handed it to you saying "enjoy"... now you get eye rolls with your order because they "didnt hear that" (poor listeing skills).

The kids today don't know how to pack a Rock n Roll with the flavors stacked on the sides, not layered, so they don't all melt together before you get to the bottom.

They put too much ice cream in (I know), and don't leave room for toppings... which are slopped in, disproportional, and flowed all over the counter. No offer to wipe the sides, leaving a mess on the counter as well as half of the toppings that survived when it was nearly dropped on to the counter so the kid could go wash her hands first.

Had to laugh when the child, who wasnt even born when we use to get Rock n Rolls, asked if I want the "traditional toppings". I asked what that included. After she listed them off, I said "traditionally, the toppings included pineapple as well" (hence the eye roll).

What happened to the other 2/3s of the original flavor sign/list? There's only part of the original flavor options now.

I don't mind paying the extra 2.50 for "today's prices". Even if it's a plastic container (hey, if you go back to the wax wrapped paper cups will it be cheaper?). But if you're paying kids to work because they are cheaper, teach em better. Train them how to make the dish correct, serve it, and clean for goodness sake. The lack of caring shows and the next posts won't be about the poor services it'll be "man this place is really starting to go"...before the next "I remember when there was an old icecream shop here".

Please take care of the few treasures Jeff city has...

Yesterday was the most disheartening visit I have had here. Found out corporate office denies anyone in a group of 15 or more from having anything but small cone or cup. Not even a sugar cone versus cake cone. We were the only people there. Then a school group came in behind us and the teacher with them was just as frustrated as I was. He even asked what if we had two groups of 14? "It's Corporate rule." I'm not clear why we are punished for being a group. If we all came in with our own money and they did not see the bus, would that still be enforced? Or a large family? Again? The answer was corporate said this is the only way to do it. If it was a Saturday or Sunday and they were packed, it would have been different. But again, it was not. However no flexibility. I found out after digging around today that Chris Hackman is "corporate" and in Edwardsville, Illinois. So he is not even located in Jefferson City. Of course, Central was bought up so not local. As someone from Vandalia, Missouri who has always stopped at Central Dairy, I'm really disheartened by a corporate person out of town making these sorts of decisions at a hometown...