The Best Frozen Custard in Los Angeles, Part 4

I can feel the quest drawing to a close. So far, Los Angeles Foodie has visited:

Silky Smooth Ultra Creamery
Lucky Devils
BennieLoco
Fraiche

…and we’re pretty close to a winner. I have not yet visited Strickland’s in Irvine, but it’s on the list. Given that Strickland’s is based in Ohio, I have high hopes.

Los Angeles Foodie Tami visited Fraiche, and one look is enough

That’s like no frozen custard I’ve ever seen. Tami says it was excellent, and I can’t wait to try it… but a dessert this pretty has no home on this website. If it’s not served in a waxed paper or plastic cup, it’s probably not genuinely Midwestern.

As for BennieLoco, Los Angeles Foodie Jim had this to say:

The only reason to visit BinnieLoco is if you’re on a mission for frozen custard.  Located in Korea Town at 3rd & Vermont, it’s not a place to go if you’re looking for ambiance…unless you consider a small, depressing strip mall soothing ambiance. At the time of my visit, my St. Louisian fiancée was bogged down by a pretty intense migraine, and the one thing that she wanted was frozen custard.  Me being the gentleman and fiancé that I am, went out in search of the classic remedy for any headache.  I arrived at BinnieLoco and was greeted by both of the employees with friendly smiles. I asked what kind of flavors they had. Vanilla & Dulce de leche. They also have some fruity Latino drinks. I didn’t really pay much attention.  I looked down at the toppings behind the glass sneeze-guard. Pinkberry. I inquired about any sort of fudge or chocolate topping. Nope. I opted for the vanilla, and when I said that I wasn’t interested in any cereal/fruit additions, the enthusiastic woman behind the counter insisted that she put on some Gummi Bears to add some color to the concoction, despite my incessant pleas not to.

Skeptical, I took the “frozen custard” back home and handed it to my under-the-weather lady, who gave me a WTF look when she saw the Gummi Bears. She tasted it, and then without saying a word, handed it back to me. I tasted it. Blasphemy. Airy…light…they may as well have taken a scoop of frozen Cool Whip, dumped it in a cup and called it “frozen custard”. I then realized how fitting the name of the establishment was, because they must be “loco” to call that crap “frozen custard”. McDonald’s soft-serve, Pinkberry, and TCBY are all thicker and creamier than BinnieLoco.

Her headache only escalated after that experience.

Initially, I reported that Lucky Devils’ custard was better than Silky Smooth’s. In all fairness to the purists, Lucky Devils might sell a true custard (it contains eggs), but it’s dispensed via a soft serv machine and not an extruder. Those who read the previous post in this series know that the proprietor of Silky Smooth took issue with my opinion and invited me to join him for a one-on-one custard tour of his place. It turned out to be well worth the time.  I was able to sample two flavors (strawberry and vanilla) right off the “ribbon,” which is the best possible way to eat the stuff.

Chuck (the owner) is a really nice guy, if not a bit obsessive (but that’s how we like our restaurateurs around here). He has poured his life into introducing Southern California to the best frozen dessert on planet earth. And he probably has his work cut out for him since a brand new Pinkberry (bleech) moved in next door just a few short weeks ago. The Beverly Center location isn’t ideal, but I urge you to try some of the best truly Midwestern frozen custard I’ve had in a long time. Los Angeles Foodie will devote a full review to Sikly Smooth Ultra Creamery in the near future.

Until then, the quest continues…