I’ll admit it; Dairy Queen wasn’t a big part of my childhood. Growing up, I missed out on the quintessential kid experiences like sticky fingers from colorful Dipped Cones or the pure joy of witnessing an upside-down Blizzard. The after-game DQ treat? Never happened for me. Partly because there wasn’t a DQ nearby, but mostly, I just lived life for almost three decades thinking I was perfectly content without it.
Then, an invitation to Dairy Queen headquarters in Minneapolis landed in my inbox, and suddenly, I felt that familiar childhood excitement I’d only imagined. It was like finally getting the “yes” after years of asking – my DQ moment had arrived.
After an amazing tour of their test kitchen and even sampling some hush-hush menu innovations, lunch at the DQ Chill & Grill was next on the agenda. And let’s just say, I might have gone a little overboard on the savory side. My table quickly became a landscape of Stackburgers, crispy fries, golden Cheese Curds, crunchy onion rings, a hearty Chicken Strip Basket, and an array of dipping sauces – country gravy, zesty queso, honey mustard, and marinara. Scanning the delicious spread, my eyes immediately locked onto one thing: the Cheese Curds.
Why DQ Cheese Curds Need to Be on Your Radar
Okay, full disclosure: I am a cheese enthusiast through and through. So, it shouldn’t shock anyone that the Cheese Curds were a standout. But seriously, these are legit. Visually, they are stunning – fried to a perfect deep golden brown with tantalizing strings of cheese escaping from within. They arrive fresh and piping hot, and if you dive in quickly, prepare for an epic cheese pull. Marinara is the classic dip, but I decided to get adventurous and try them with honey mustard. Honestly, I could (and probably should) write a love song dedicated to these curds. They are absolutely worth a special trip to DQ and something I’d happily order alongside any of their famous sweet treats.
Don’t Overlook the DQ Sides and Sauces – They’re Secretly Amazing
The onion rings also deserve serious recognition. They boast a satisfying crunch, are perfectly seasoned, and crucially, the onion stays put – no stringy onion detachment from the crispy coating here. My pro tip? Dip them in the country gravy or the zesty queso. Speaking of sauces, these are the unsung heroes of the DQ savory menu. The honey mustard offers a sweet and tangy kick, the country gravy is rich and comforting, the zesty queso is bold and flavorful, and even the marinara is a cut above your average fast-food marinara.
The Backyard Bacon Ranch Signature Stackburger is definitely for burger lovers who believe “more is more.” This behemoth is loaded with two juicy patties, crispy onion rings, sweet honey barbecue sauce, creamy House Made Hidden Valley Ranch, melted cheddar cheese, and smoky bacon. It’s a lot, but somehow, it all harmonizes perfectly. And the fries? They’re easily in my top tier of fast-food fries – perfectly crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and seasoned just right.
Pretzel sticks at DQ? If you didn’t know, now you do, and you need to pay attention. These aren’t your typical chain pretzels. They come with that amazing zesty queso I already raved about – a surprisingly bold and brilliant sauce pairing for pretzel sticks. The Pretzel Stick itself leans towards the breadier side, with a doughy texture almost like a doughnut and a hint of sweetness. The bright, savory queso is the perfect counterpoint, creating a balanced and addictive snack.
You might have noticed I haven’t talked much about the iconic DQ desserts yet. That’s because my afternoon took a sweet turn in the test kitchen, filled with Blizzards, Dipped Cones, and creamy shakes. I walked in post-lunch in a happy food coma and left practically bouncing off the walls after sampling a dozen decadent desserts. Here’s the inside scoop on the best of the best.
The Must-Try DQ Treats: Blizzard Mania and Beyond
The summer menu, which recently launched, features some incredible Blizzard flavors including the Picnic Peach Cobbler, Brownie Batter, and Frosted Animal Cookie, among others. The Peach Cobbler Blizzard offers a delicate, genuinely fruity peach flavor with delightful chunks of cobbler throughout. The Brownie Batter Blizzard is a resurrected gem from the DQ Freezer, their vault of beloved past flavors. It’s a dream for anyone who secretly loves licking the brownie batter bowl – the batter mix-in has the exact texture and rich cocoa flavor of real brownie batter, and they are generous with it. But my absolute favorite? The Frosted Animal Cookie Blizzard. They didn’t just capture the flavor; it was a total nostalgia trip back to childhood afternoons munching on those pink and white cookies. Plus, it’s pink – bonus points for aesthetics! The Confetti Cake Dipped Cone is another visual stunner, covered in colorful sprinkles over a creamy white coating. The flavor is intensely sweet, just like classic Funfetti frosting.
And of course, no DQ experience is complete without a classic vanilla cone. I even got to try my hand at creating the iconic DQ curl myself. It tasted fantastic, but let’s just say my curling technique needs some work.
It took me almost three decades to finally experience Dairy Queen. And I can confidently say, it probably won’t be more than a week before I find myself at my nearest DQ, craving those Cheese Curds and a Frosted Animal Cookie Blizzard. This Dq Food Review is just the beginning of my Dairy Queen journey!
