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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is St. Charles County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
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Restaurant Spotlight Archive |
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Deters Frozen Custard Is A Neighborhood FavoriteBy Mary Ann O'Toole Holley
Deters is a happy place. From the bubbly children who belly up to the stainless steel counter for a scoop of vanilla custard sprinkled with M&Ms to the mature crowd with a hankering for a Mill Creek Turtle sundae, Deters is filled with smiles and hellos and plenty of “mmm mmm goods.” Owners Doug and Amy DelGrosso know frozen custard. Imported Belgian chocolates, the world’s finest Madagascar vanilla, fresh roasted pecans shipped from the best groves in Georgia and the “World’s Best” hot fudge are just some of the ingredients that Deters demands. “That’s what sets us apart from the rest,” said Doug DelGrosso, failing to mention that the luscious French-style vanilla custard is so dense you can almost chew it, or the effects of drenching it with hot fudge, caramel and fresh whole pecans. Just across from the Winghaven Clock Tower, beyond canopied windowpanes and cobblestone-like streets, Deters Frozen Custard lures customers from the neighborhood and beyond. “This is definitely a happy business to be in,” Doug DelGrosso said. “There are never any complaints, and hopefully everyone leaves with a smile.” Although the DelGrossos bought the licensed business a year after it opened, Deters Frozen Custard got its start in 1892 at a dairy farm in Quincy, Ill., where dairy products left by horse-drawn wagon and arrived door-to-door. One thing led to another and in 1948, the Deters family opened its first Malt Shop, an establishment that has carried much of the same appearance since it first opened its doors. Formica tables like your mother or grandmother had in the 1950s accommodate guests, stainless steel shines and red vinyl seat covers top stools at the counter. “We live here in the neighborhood and enjoy the low-key, casual environment,” DelGrosso said. “Kids ride their bicycles here during the day. When there is a social event in the neighborhood — fireworks, movie nights, bicycle races, whatever — everybody ends up here at Deters.” The DelGrossos pride themselves in the homemade brownies that go into their Fudge Brownie gourmet sundae ($3.99) and understate themselves when they call a Banana Split ($4.09) simply that. There’s nothing simple about the explosion of flavor in a Deters sundae, malt or shake selection. Custard is made daily by combining fresh cream and eggs. Chocolate custard gets that way with premium Belgian chocolate. Fruit toppings are fresh-from-the-farm, nuts are crisp and crunchy and the gooey stuff like butterscotch, marshmallow, fudge and peanut butter is so delectable, it makes your mouth shudder and your sugar buzz last an evening. And if you care to cut calories, Deters offers a low fat vanilla and sugar free vanilla custard. Cones and cups are big sellers, too. Deters’ thick, rich custard hardly needs enhancement. Smoothies are served nearly fresh off the tree and the sorbet is oh so… ooh la la. “Oh, our fresh fruit sorbet is wonderful, from the white peach to the strawberry raspberry,” DelGrosso said. “Everyone has a favorite.” For the lunch crowd, DelGrosso serves Chicago-style hot-dogs and Italian roast beef sandwiches. The classic Vienna hot dog is just $1.89. Then there are chili-dogs, chili-cheese dogs and combo-dogs, served with chips and a drink ($4.99). “This is a complete family business,” DelGrosso said. “My wife helps; my dad recently retired, so he helps too; and I’m in here every day. It’s truly a collective effort.” Deters is located at 7332 Village Center Drive at the Boardwalk/Marketplace in Winghaven. Phone 636-625-1971 for more information.
Deters is open daily from noon to 9 p.m. with extended summer hours.
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The walls are hot pink and sunshine yellow, but you don’t need any subliminal messages at Deters Frozen Custard at the Boardwalk Marketplace in Winghaven.
