Curly's Ice Cream — Restaurant in Riverdale

Very pleasant little local homemade ice cream stand. When you can see a crowd lining up from the highway, backed up with a full parking lot, it's usually a sign of decent quality. Outdoor signs are in large print so you can figure out what you want as you wind your way up to the window-counter.

Flavors change daily and the selections are not only inventive, but numerous. The texture is smooth and creamy, as it freshly-made ice cream should be.

Staff have an upbeat charm, making you feel they actually enjoy serving you.

Great options for kids (if they can be patient enough to wait in line).

There are only a handful of benches and picnic tables around, but many of the locals are perfectly fine hanging out with their ice cream, sitting in their cars with the hatchback open.

The grounds near the surrounding sitting areas can get a bit messy with crushed sprinkles and splotches of melted chocolate, but people almost take the mess in stride, as if they expect it at an outdoor ice cream stand. They even have a garbage bin shaped like a giant ice cream cone.

One suggestion I would have is to arrange for some music to be played outside for people waiting in line (if at all possible). It can definitely help to not only pass the time in line more quickly, but can generate a little more of a buzz...

Absolutely terrible experience. I come here all the time and always give generous tip as well. The one time I come tonight and my ice cream total comes out to 7.04 & I had 7.00 even cash, the boy and girl behind the counter were super sarcastic and would not let me get the ice cream without the 4 cents. With this, also being 33 weeks pregnant mind you, I explained I’ll have to run to my car then and find the four cents. When I came back and said how terrible their treatment towards me was even with the exact amount thereafter, the boy behind the counter continued to talked down to me and made me feel horrible. Shame on you. Never coming back to this establishment. I have never in my life experienced such horrible, non-empathetic, & cold customer service in my life anywhere. After running to my car to get the 4 cents despite their tip jar being filled to the brim, a thank you mam would have been more nice then talking down to a pregnant loyal...

Beyond disappointed. Ordered a chocolate milkshake with fresh banana. Saw one of the girls using soft serve to fill a cup and thought, no way that's for my milkshake. Sure enough, after watching her dump the bananas in and continue the process, I realized it had to be my milkshake. She then walked over and handed me the cup. I asked why she used soft serve ice cream (as the whole point in going to a homemade ice cream place is to get homemade ice cream-- not Machine made fake ice cream). Her response was that I needed to specify if I wanted real ice cream. This was the most bizarre experience and a terrible milkshake. If I wanted a cup filled with soft serve, I would have for it. You shouldn't have to ask for REAL ice cream for a milk shake... Curlys, tell your girls they should be scooping the ice cream and not taking lazy shortcuts. Applegate and Holsteins would never do such a thing.

Sincerely, A pregnant upset customer who may...