The Very First Dairy Queen / Where Soft Serve Ice Cream Began

A visit to the first Dairy Queen in Joliet Illinois as well as the store in Kankakee location that originally debuted soft serve ice cream . To find out the day also stopped by the first franchise . Good times !
Adam The Woo Shirts & Hats
shop.spreadshi...
Help Fuel The Woo
/ adamthewoo

[@TheDailyWoo]

Thanks for watching this tasty video . Find me on Instagram - AdamTheWooATW . If you missed yesterday's vlog check it out kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5ranGWEa8Z6h8k

[@MrBigdavehd97]

TheDailyWoo 200,000 getting close Adam

[@jrwizz]

Dangit adam im on my way to DQ nkw because of this vid. Havin the old fashioned naner split

[@streaming1950]

I didn't miss yesterday's vlog because I NEVER miss one.

[@youryogi]

Are you ever going to visit international locations?

[@mbgrafix]

I Scream Sunday! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqOof4SYgLSqpbc

[@flutefanatic221]

How about some Joliet history....The original name of the town was Juliet which paired with neighboring town Romeoville. The name was later changed to honor Louis Joliet. So nice to see local history in my neck of the woods!

[@ExplorationUnknown]

I use to work at Dairy Queen years ago. A few pounds were added during that time lol.

[@darthjayder2927]

Exploration Unknown me too. Didn't work there very long. But the one thing I remember is making some buffalo chicken tenders and getting some sauce on my finger. I of course I liked it off and regretted it. LOL

[@MrBigdavehd97]

Exploration Unknown me too got that job on my 16th birthday

[@BlaZed1216]

same

[@70brine]

The best Dairy Queen’s are the ones that were never remodeled.

[@sofiabravo1994]

MJW 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@sofiabravo1994]

MJW for real though

[@CiscoWes]

Just like the best BBQ joints - they have burnt down at least once in their existence.

[@tomriggle3217]

You better hope you don't run onto anymore Dairy Queen's you won't fit in the rental car anymore

[@juddpalmer5445]

CiscoWes or have a million photo of Elvis on the wall. But the holy grail would be both.

[@TampaJay]

The original Dairy Queen! Until now I never knew where it existed. Not only do I enjoy the ice cream, I enjoy their hot eats as well! Burgers and Chili dogs! I’ll be visiting one of the oldest and longest operating DQ location in the country soon in New Castle, Indiana right down the street from my grandparents. I’ve been planning on capturing it in a video. I really enjoyed this! I love DQ

[@Living_EDventures]

Tampa Jay We used to have a DQ in Ionia Michigan years ago when I was a kid, they closed down and turned it into The Snack Shack which was the same type of business. It was eventually tore down and became a new Marathon gas station.

[@KLEARSKITHEKREEPER]

Love me a blizzard..😀

[@pokeyporter6444]

Tampa Jay the video made me hungry so I went to Dairy Queen on 54 and got a blizzard lol

[@TheGallivantingGinger]

*drool*... best chili dogs

[@royceiscool554]

The original Dairy Queen is on Wall Street in Kankakee, IL. It was the very first store and is still open.

[@rush437]

i miss small town mom and pop owned dairy queens. i remember when i was a kid in the 80s it was huge ordeal when the dairy queen would opne back up in the spring. they had a walk up window and a few few tables outside to sit at. two older ladies ran it for as long as i can remember. a coney dog and chocolate milkshake was my favorite thing to get when i was a kid. they tore the old dq down and rebuilt it with a gas station. : (

[@matthewvoss7365]

I'll tell you I was so happy that in the Copperfield area of Houston TX they opened a Dairy Queen that's up to date. Ice cream bars, bottled water and up to date technology oh it's awesome. DQ is not dead. I'm saddened and sorry to hear you lost your DQ just so more Indians could profit.

[@theweakestlink2278]

Dairy Queen is everywhere in the south. The old school locations from the 70's and 80's have most all been rebuilt though. The food is still pretty good though and of course the blizzards!

[@RosscoSoletrain]

Dairy Queen is the #1 in the world of Soft Serve. Say hello to Joliet Jake and Elwood for me 🕶🕶

[@carloslopezjr2757]

The Dairy Queen in Kankakee use to have a tall water fountain in front i use to drink from it every time i walk home from school

[@RhettyforHistory]

All you can eat for 10 cents! Even if you adjust for inflation I've never seen any kind of deal like that! That was some smooth ice cream history!😁

[@anonymousgoogle8462]

I learned something new. I thought Dairy Queen was started in Texas. Lol

[@loridee1182]

"Dairy Queen with the curl on top" , nice video. thanks.

[@MariaT6317]

I know I’m seeing this video late, but did you know that the actual inventor of soft serve ice cream was Tom Carvel who started Carvel Ice Cream in New York. Unfortunately, it seems he didn’t file a patent, so Dairy Queen filed the patent in 1938 and claimed it as their own

[@jberger73]

I’ve lived in Kankakee for 45 years and been to Dairy Queen on Wall Street many times. Love the videos Adam!

[@ViralTuber]

What wonderfully pleasant and de-stressing videos you post. Thanks!

[@timlawson4314]

The building may have been used as a barber shop at one time before 1940. It could have held a barber pole, or another professional plaquard of some kind. I worked at a DQ in Tennessee when I was in High School.

[@j.chanslor8221]

Thank you for this video. It lightened my heart today. Been real stressed and its nice to sit back and enjoy the little things. It is also nice to see you happy and in your element. Woo on bro, woo on.

[@fernandochavez4312]

Glad to have you back! I’ve always enjoyed your videos. Keep up the good work. Hope your family is well.

[@davidc.pierce9631]

A scrumpdillyishous video, Adam.. It was very 'Brazier' of you! Who can't love Dairy Queen? 👏

[@bonniemoerdyk9809]

Being a previous DQ Employee, I can almost assuredly confirm that ALL Dairy Queens were walk-ups in the first couple+ decades. We had about 5 or 6 locations in Terre Haute, IN, and more still in the surrounding towns ~ all walk-ups in the 50s & 60s. When I was going into my senior yr of High school in 1972, the newest one in town was the new form of building that had indoor seating with a greatly increased menu. They called them DQ Braziers due to the way they grilled the burgers. I think it was built around 1970. Thanks for the very fun and interesting video!!🍦😊

[@johndeveney3878]

Even more interesting, they mentioned a 40qt batch freezer was used to make sherb's ice cream 🍦 Since "soft serve" didn't exist before this point, it was made in regular ice cream machines. Only two companies were in existence that made batch freezers. One company is still making these machines! Emery Thompson is based in Florida (fun fact)!

[@zzzzxxxx341]

I love old buildings and structures, it just shows how strong, beautifully and well made those designed by our great architects and engineers of before. As always, thank you for the best educational filed trips to historical places. Keep up the good work. 👌💪🙏😎🙂

[@JoeFitzPatrickGrandish]

Thanks for the video Adam, I remember finding your channel and watching you travel and discover parts of the world I could never afford to visit in person. It's been a real treat being able to travel with you. You have supported me during some seriously bad times and I'd like to say thanks.

[@kaijukara]

I grew up in kankakee/bourbonnais. I went to all three of those Dairy Queens for many years. You should have visited the Janiecki's drive in.. Great old fashioned Root Beer!!

[@FoxDemonMaster]

The one by ONU? I use to go there when I worked at the Bears Training Camp.

[@NolaDad08]

This was awesome. We have a routine where we get a DQ ice cream cone when we are done with our arcade adventures. I can't wait to watch this again with the kids!

[@NolaDad08]

Ok... I just realized you can't have a Dairy Queen without a Dairy King! LOL

[@tonymeers9960]

If your still in northern Illinois, you should go to the first Ovaltine factory in Villa Park. Some of the original factory building is still standing , it is an apartment / condo now. but still some pretty cool history. My home town, factory closed when I was about 12, can close my eye and still smell the sweet sweet chocolate as I road my bike slowly past the factory. Trick or treat always yielded many Ovaltine products in our Halloween bags

[@eileenruth9794]

You continue to outdo yourself on this journey. Your narration is exceptional, interest is great, & your charming voice captures us ~ one & all!!

[@windkin45]

I don’t know but now I want a Blizzard.

[@RebelRed]

What a shame they didn't preserve it as a Dairy Queen! Good find Adam... now I want some ice cream 😋 have fun in Chi town 👍🏻p.s I think the first franchise you visited was the original cos it looks more retro

[@RebelRed]

Sir Wallace of Bauer, Esq., DDS there are only a couple of Wimpy Burgers left now, who knew a burger called "The Big Bender" wouldn't last...

[@RebelRed]

Sir Wallace of Bauer, Esq., DDS they have a couple in London, and one in Essex I believe - weird fact is it's Brad Pitts favourite place to eat lol

[@RebelRed]

Sir Wallace of Bauer, Esq., DDS are you English?

[@Nancy-iv1yj]

Love your videos.

[@rpop414]

Is there any reason that Adam could not have a terrific TV show which chronicles the unique American history that he brings to us on You Tube. His insight and delivery style are first rate. Hello Hollywood this is a no brainier. He is TV Gold.

[@davebrown3230]

Remember in the song City of New Orleans . Steve Goodman wrote one line mentioning Kankakee "The Train pulls out at Kankakee "

[@michaelmerck7576]

It kind of put Kankakee on the map besides being a very minor league baseball town

[@shannonm75]

I like Dairy Queen. Reminds me of simpler times. People aren't walking around in a hurry to serve you. They make it all good. Usually they are in smaller towns and communities so I slip out of my city and just a few miles up the road is one.

[@Living_EDventures]

Great history Adam, now I want ice cream

[@AGreedyTree]

Me too but I'm going to have to wait until I go grocery shopping tomorrow.

[@OrlandoThemePark360]

wait, someone drove a car into an auto insurance store? now that's funny.

[@AGreedyTree]

OrlandoThemePark360 I wonder if that guy was insured by them...

[@roberdude12345]

OrlandoThemePark360 I bet the driver was like “hey man, can you fudge the paperwork so that my policy started half an hour ago?”

[@michaelmerck7576]

Probably didn't like his payout after an accident

[@bobchauncey63]

I was a frequent customer of the Dairy Queen in Hobbs, NM back in the late 1950s...the hot fudge sundaes were delicious.

[@faithparrigin8733]

Brings memories for me. I lived in Romeoville Il and grew up there til I was 9

[@BenLaurence]

Cool seeing the OG DQ! DQ doesn’t really like me after I made a shirt inspired by their logo 😂 but I still love there ice cream lol

[@R-Lee-]

What was your shirt like?

[@dennisscanlon8731]

I love these videos. I grew up on dairy queen. Always loved the blizzards and mr. misty's. Safe travels.

[@seed_drill7135]

There is a DQ in Hickory, NC that has been there since 1948. It's purportedly the second oldest in the country. Until about 10 or 15 years ago they didn't even have the red sign, they had a soft serve cone atop a neon signage.

[@sammytri9113]

I live in Kankakee so I know and i rode my bike to dairy queen

[@josephhuffman6765]

Thanks for the great time 😀 take care and be safe God bless

[@jasonfidanza3637]

I was surprised when I found out that Dairy Queen came out of Illinois - I always assumed that they came out of somewhere further south & I don't know why I thought that, oh well. Thanks again Adam.

[@raddasr]

The cows were saying "moo"ve along.

[@unionrdr]

Thanks for the history lesson! I didn't know they were a walk-up like McDonalds used to was?! cool history lesson!

[@davidtaylor6663]

About 2 years ago I drove across the country, stopped in Holdrege NB where my mom grew up. Stopped at the DQ she went to as a kid back in the 40's

[@KILRtv]

Too bad DQ didn't buy the building back and restore it to the original Dairy Queen store. I bet it would get a lot of business for nostalgia reasons.

[@tsaraura9549]

The problem is that there are two other DQ’s (as far as I know of) so if they do this it might hurt the business of the other two.

[@SBCBears]

If the address was 257, it was across the street from the parking area 9:47. Odds on one side, evens on the other. The style of the facade on the odd side building is pre-1938. That's my 2 cents.

[@matthewvoss7365]

I'm glad those two big plaques were put in place as historical markers. Even the building itself is the same but a fast food restaurant can be knocked out in a flash I've seen it happen.

[@ShilohAcres2221]

We're very lucky to still have some "vintage" DQ's here in Michigan... Although, my favorite is and always will be our "vintage" Ortonville, Michigan A&W 😁

[@kaffeice7]

i apss adore ur vids !! spec these with this lets call them small towns and stuff vibe, amazing! its like we are back in time, and for some odd reason always the 1st thing that comes to my mind is the original IT when they were kids lol .. makes no sence i guess ,but its crazy how good it is ,i could watch things like these all day ! amazing Adam

[@TD402dd]

The first one in Marietta, Georgia on Roswell St. was also a walk up. It closed in the 1950s, and replaced on US 41 by the Dairy Queen - Brashier, which is also a walk up, but it has two windows, one for ice cream, and the other for Brashier hamburgers. It has been in operation since the 1960s.

[@TD402dd]

I just remembered I had my first Dilly Bar at age 4 in 1953. DQ traveled fast to open in Georgia 10 years after the first in IL.

[@JulietParrottMerrell]

The first thing I ever bought with money I counted all on my own was a vanilla ice cream cone from the Dairy Queen just west of 72nd on Division street in Portland Oregon. Last time I was there it still looked exactly the same as it did all those years ago when my teacher, another student and I took that little field trip from school out into the real world all those years ago - when it seemed like everybody was listening to that oh so long version of American Pie on 62 KGW. This Dairy Queen looked vintage even back then.

[@greghall4113]

Thanks Adam. Be safe out there.

[@TheInsaneChef]

Very interesting! It's amazing that the company didn't document itself such as in and out and McDonald's did, being it's been around since before them. I do know what a burger started in corpus Christi Texas. I was told years ago dairy queen was started in Indiana, so I was shocked to see it was started in Illinois

[@markwitte303]

reinforcement bars that add structure to the brick building are what those round things are and also the things on the sides where the lights were mounted. they run between the ceiling and floor.

[@lukepate8749]

Very interesting for sure.Here in Texas, Dairy Queen has been here forever and I thought it started in Texas but I was wrong.After a little research I found the first and continually operating DQ in Texas opened in Henderson,TX in 1950.Its still open and years ago when asked if town folk wanted to build a new one,they said no so it is the original building and the first in Texas.Pretty wild.Great vid,thanks Adam.:)

[@MrCZLover]

Who but Adam the Woo could take a dilapidated old nondescript building and make it interesting? You're the best Adam!

[@leslieschoenberg817]

Whatever one is the original soft serve ice cream is great. In Levittown long island we had A Mr. Softy truck come down our block everyday in late June and all of July , August till the middle of September.

[@simonsays365]

in adel ga there is a DQ buolt in the 60's with the old sign that auctly says dairy queen and it is still open to this day as of october 2021

[@seagull7]

Love that you do your research an you have the knowledge on your content great job my brother !!!!

[@GregsVlog]

Hard to tell what the metal protrusion is at 4:08. Maybe for a flag? Would be interesting to see the moulding without all the paint covering it...

[@brian5o]

I was thinking that it might have been a mount for a barber's pole. It seems about the right height for one and and would explain why there was only one bracket. I do think some sort of a flag mount like you mentioned is also a great possibility.

[@JayJayFromAZ]

Corporate Dairy Queen tried to remove our Old School Neon sign here in Holbrook Az but locals prevented it. Now we have a CHILL AND GRILL sign under our old school neon sign.

[@robertcramer1886]

I,ve lived in Jolièt, Illinois 3 times & i didn,t know this. Amàzing

[@michaelhoopes7922]

I first ate Dairy Queen in ST.Bernard. Ohio. Very good ice cream. This was in the 1960's...

[@nascartacobellcupseries3815]

Joliet Illinois is also the home of the Chicagoland Speedway which hosts NASCAR and ARCA racing, Chicagoland is also a 1.5 mi track but that Dairy Queen video is nice, videos like this that you give us is, gives us some history we didnt know and we all learn something new everyday

[@Corgis175]

There was a Dairy Queen in Englishtown, NJ when I few up in the 50's and may still be there. Also in Freehold, NJ there is the famous "Jersey Freeze" around the Routes 33 and 9 Circle. The gathering place for all teenagers from way back in the 60's and onward, perhaps even further back than the 60's. Bruce Springsteen still stops in there sometimes.

[@jons.6216]

So funny that where I grew up in San Jose CA there used to be one that closed; but they kept the wavy roofed structure and it was turned into a pool store and seems to have stayed in business as that since the late 70s!

[@FoxDemonMaster]

As someone who grew up in Kankakee I can tell you with 100% certainty that second Dairy Queen you went to in the original franchise. The first one you went to was built around late 90 early 2000.

[@JimBerthiaume]

We enjoy your almost daily vlogs! Hope daily vlogs to return. you have a great fan base with your video content. Looking forward to more :) Thanks for sharing the history of DQ.

[@KathyRoth5]

These are the kinds of vlogs that Adam the Woo does best!

[@maurzackbr]

Oh my gosh Mr Woo!!! I was born and raised in Kankakee(also in the song "city of new orleans") but never knew Joliet invented DQ !!!!

[@Badass_Rooster]

I love these vlogs man! I really appreciate what you do as I find that I’m very into and like the same stuff you do!

[@kylemorgan4959]

A cows loyalty to the location of soft serve originality is one of a kind. Also I used to work at a DQ. It was my favorite food service job ever!

[@TheSWolfe]

Yum. The neighborhood ice-cream truck just rolled by outside, playing an old familiar tune I can't recall the name of. Growing up, we had a DQ on High St., & a DD (Dairy Delite) rt dn the street from where we lived, so I've tasty memories of both establishments. Mmm, ice-cream: the quintessential summertime staple.

[@petesenrab5691]

Thanks Adam, safe travels.

[@radioham6979]

I remember buying a large shake and a large hamburger for a dollar and three pennies back in the early '70s at our DQ that started in the late '40s. It closed but reopened much later at a new location.

[@familyfilmscans8350]

When you went thru my home town of Manhattan i screamed!!

[@gabeschmidtlein4098]

The original ice cream factory building where it all started is still there in Greeriver Illinois, DQ used it as a warehouse for quite some time.

[@kranwa15]

I used to live on the Big Island Hawaii and Dairy Queen was a very popular place for ice cream

[@stephanienicks5043]

the place where Soft Serve Ice Cream was first servered, as mentioned is in Joliet IL. The first oldest operating one(s) are in Mattoon IL

[@Trance88]

I absolutely love DQ. I wish there were more of them in my area.

[@omarlopes5762]

We have a couple of dairy queen in Houston TX I love dairy queen since the 1990s I'm going tomorrow after work I'm getting the burger

[@TuesdayAfternoon]

I liked the first building with the fleur de lis medallions and painted over chipped paint. Very entertaining vlog today. Hope you have fun on your trip! 🙂

[@samilt13]

Adam...I love when you talk to the cow's.They look at you like girls don't give him any moo's. The first one looked older then the one where you ate the cone.

[@jrwizz]

I wish dq had 10 cent all u can eat right now

[@racersabandonedretail361]

There is a Dairy Queen in Beavercreek, Ohio that opened in 1956 and is still open!

[@RadioHamGuy]

Very cool thanks for this video!

[@Caderic]

I love you Adam. Seriously I do! It seems like every video you get at least one obvious word wrong...that’s not a roof, it’s a ceiling. Every time you do something like that I want to scream. That being said, I love your videos, none the less.

[@yhenry77]

One of my first teenage jobs was working at MAC signs in Oklahoma City. We built the classic Dairy Queen signs for Oklahoma state area. I was welder's helper at the time.

[@dambreaker]

I do love these historic restaurants and eatery vlogs. Soooooo much information to learn from them all.

[@claire040776]

Thanks for the vlog Adam!

[@AdventureswithMike]

Been there a few times. In fact I sent a message to Justin and he stopped at the location on his last Route 66 adventure. Illnois also has the first Steak & Shake.

[@ILSRWY4]

Very cool! I was born and raised and now live in north central Illinois about 50 miles west of Joliet... I had no idea the beginnings of Dairy Queen and soft ice cream! Thanks! You should do one on Stake n Shake... although you will not find the original building.. they tore it down about 10 or so years ago.... still interesting story though

[@Steve-uq7np]

Oh boy.....you are a true hero of the past...

[@brg9085]

And let the adventures begin. Love how Adam makes the best of everything.

[@danielkurpiel4704]

I will actually be in Joliet tomorrow , I will stop by there for sure! Thanks for the video

[@louisedwards4023]

I live in the small town of ROANOKE RAPIDS NC on I 95, one of the only burger joints was DQ. , NOW EVERY FRANCHISED HAMBURGER PLACE IS THEAR WE CALL IT BURGER ALLY. I95

[@nicholedecker2979]

The last one looks more new then the one you got your first ice cream at. Cool video🍦!

[@lesinboston9208]

Warren Buffett owns Dairy Queen now. I recently went to a newly built DQ and it was fantastic. Far exceeded my expectations.

[@Sheri7029]

Interesting video. Appears like a lost dog was looking for help from you Woo. When in situations like that, local dog rescues will usually come to help.

[@tubehound8]

Inspector Columbo would be dang proud of your research and colorful narative. Rock on