Brian Nagele
Experience a symphony of delectable flavors as we delve into the Dairy Queen menu’s crown jewels. The food options at Dairy Queen are a circus of flavors, ranging from the savory satisfaction of GrillBurgers to the creamy extravagance of Blizzard treats. Whether you’re a seasoned DQ aficionado or a curious newbie, follow along on a delectable adventure as we expose the greatest of the best. Prepare to delight in the quirkiness of their enticing treats combined with the legendary sweetness of their distinctive soft-serve. We explore the menu on this culinary journey to find the hidden treasures that make Dairy Queen a sanctuary for people looking for the perfect marriage of flavor and texture.
Blizzard
The Dairy Queen Blizzard is one of the most popular items on their menu, and with good reason. Who would turn down a cup of soft-serve ice cream with tasty mix-ins? The Blizzard is such a varied item that it has a menu of its own. You can find Blizzard flavors such as Oreo or Turtle Pecan year-round. Or if you’d like something festive, you could try flavors like Pumpkin Pie or Candy Cane during their respective seasons. And if you’re looking for something super-rich, you could try one of their Royal Blizzards. These come with a cavern of gooey pie filling in the center.
Banana Split
If you like your desserts fruity, a banana split is the way to go. Dairy Queen offers this classic American dessert in a beautifully colorful presentation, so consider taking a picture of it before you dig in. With vanilla soft serve, strawberry sauce, pineapples, and chocolate fudge, there’s a full range of flavors that mingle perfectly. And of course, all of this is served between a sliced banana. Because this is such a big dessert, it’s perfect for sharing. So next time you take that special someone out on a date, consider stopping by Dairy Queen for a delicious banana split.
FlameThrower Grillburger
If you’re stopping by Dairy Queen in the winter, consider trying their FlameThrower Grillburger. This fiery hot burger is sure to warm you up and satisfy your tastebuds. It includes a 100% all-beef patty, spicy FlameThrower sauce, pepper jack cheese, jalapeno bacon, fresh tomatoes, and lettuce. It even includes a toasted bun, adding a little extra crispiness to this burger. The Flamethrower Grill Burger is delicious alone or with one of their sides. Consider adding on some fries or onion rings for a complete meal. Because this burger is a little spicy, it also pairs well with one of their chilly desserts!
Chicken Strip Basket
Whether it’s your first or hundredth time eating at Dairy Queen, a chicken strip basket is sure to hit the spot. Dairy Queen’s chicken tenders are some of the best, and are popular among children and adults alike! The chicken strip basket comes with breaded white-meat chicken strips, crispy french fries, buttery Texas toast, and your choice of dipping sauce. You can choose a four-piece meal if you want to save room for dessert or go for a six-piece meal if you’re feeling particularly hungry. Add on your favorite drink, and you have a tasty and filling meal!
Fries
It’s pretty hard to find someone who doesn’t like french fries these days. If you’re looking for a savory snack or something to go with your meal, these crispy-fried potatoes are the way to go. They taste delicious on their own, but they also pair well with one of their many sauces. Ketchup is the standard for french fries, but ranch or honey mustard tastes delicious on them as well. They’re also easy to share, so if you’re stopping by Dairy Queen with some friends or family, consider ordering their large fries and a few dipping sauces to choose from.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Dairy Queen’s BBQ pulled pork sandwich may be hard to find, as most locations no longer sell it. But if your location happens to still offer this tasty sandwich, you’re in for a flavorful experience. The main attraction of this sandwich is the pulled pork, which is slathered with savory barbeque sauce; it also includes white onions and pickles for a little extra zing. And if that wasn’t enough, it even comes on a chewy pretzel bun! This juicy sandwich is an experience all on its own, but if you’re looking for a full meal, it also pairs well with some crispy onion rings.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
While Dairy Queen has a reputation for its greasy, deep-fried menu items, sometimes you want something a little bit lighter. Fortunately, Dairy Queen offers their deliciously fresh grilled chicken sandwich year-round. Even though it’s lighter than some of their other options, you don’t have to miss out on any flavor; rest assured that this sandwich is tender, juicy, and well-seasoned. It also includes fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and a dash of mayonnaise. You can opt for the sandwich itself if you just want a quick bite, or go for the full combo meal if you’re looking for something a bit more filling.
Oreo Brownie Earthquake
This discontinued item from Dairy Queen is one that many remember fondly. It included a huge chunk of brownie, soft serve vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, marshmallow sauce, and crushed up Oreo cookies. Fortunately, there is a very similar item you can still find at most Dairy Queen locations. If you were a fan of the Oreo Brownie Earthquake, consider giving the Brownie and Oreo Cupfection a try. It has basically all of the same ingredients but in a smaller cup-sized portion. With a dessert as rich as this one, perhaps that’s for the best.
Slushie
Are you looking for something light and refreshing? You may want to give one of Dairy Queen’s slushies a try! These ice-cold drinks are great on their own, especially on a hot summer day. Or, you can get one as an addition to a Dairy Queen meal; they’re a great way to cool down your mouth after biting into their spicy FlameThrower Grill Burger. No matter how you do it, just don’t drink too fast–unless you want to get a brain freeze. You can choose between a variety of fruity flavors, including cherry, mango, lemon-lime, blue raspberry, or even strawberry kiwi.
Ice Cream Sundae
While Dairy Queen has a reputation for its complex ice cream desserts, sometimes, you just want something simple. In these situations, it may be best to go with one of their ice cream sundaes. If you’re in a chocolatey mood, consider trying their hot fudge sundae. Or if you’re craving something fresh and fruity, a pineapple or strawberry sundae might be the way to go. And if you’re feeling nutty, you could even get a peanut butter sundae–the melty peanut butter sauce is sweet, savory, and simply delicious.
Quarter Pound Bacon Cheese GrillBurger
Meat lovers won’t want to miss out on this burger. The quarter-pound bacon cheese Grill Burger has everything the name suggests–a quarter-pound of beef, smoky Applewood bacon, and gooey cheese–as well as tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, onions, and a dash of mayonnaise and ketchup. With so much flavor in one sandwich, you can enjoy this as a meal of its own–but it also pairs wonderfully with some onion rings, french fries, or cheese curds. You can also add on a light dessert such as a smoothie or small cone to end your meal on a refreshing note.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich
The chicken bacon ranch sandwich isn’t available at every location, so be sure to check online before ordering. But if your preferred Dairy Queen location includes this tasty item on their menu, you’re in for a treat. This sandwich includes a flavorful slice of grilled chicken topped with smoky swiss cheese, Applewood bacon, and ranch, as well as the standard tomato and lettuce that comes with most of their sandwiches. It’s complete with a warm ciabatta roll, too. Next time you’re craving something smoky, we recommend giving the chicken bacon ranch sandwich a try. It’s sure to satisfy your tastebuds!
Turkey BLT
Are regular BLTs just not cutting it for you anymore? Maybe a little extra protein will help. Consider checking for the Turkey BLT next time you visit Dairy Queen–bear in mind, though, that it’s only available at participating locations. This sandwich has all the basics of a BLT and more. Smoke bacon, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and mayonnaise, with the addition of fresh deli turkey and swiss cheese, make this a notably flavorful sandwich. It all comes on a warm and fresh ciabatta bun, too. The Turkey BLT is a bit lighter than many other sandwiches on Dairy Queen’s menu, so it’s great if you’re hoping to save room for dessert!
Chili Cheese Dog
There are few things more American than a chili dog covered in cheese. If you’ve ever been to a ball game, you’ve probably tried this classic in some form or another. It’s a hearty and savory snack that’s satisfied American tastebuds for decades, and Dairy Queen’s chili cheese dog is no exception! When you order this item, you’ll get a juicy hot dog topped with beefy chili and melty cheddar cheese, all served on a soft hot dog bun. Be sure to grab plenty of napkins when you order this chili cheese dog, because it can be pretty messy.
Onion Rings
If you’re in the mood for a deep-fried snack but are sick of the usual french fries, you may want to give Dairy Queen’s onion rings a try. They’re hot and crispy, and they taste delicious on their own or dipped in some barbeque sauce or ranch. Sliced white onions, a thick bread coating, and thorough deep-frying are what make this snack truly tasty. They’re great for sharing with friends, eating alone, or as a side dish for a Dairy Queen sandwich. Consider pairing these crispy-fried onions with a chili cheese dog for a memorable and hearty meal!
Peanut Buster Parfait
Chocolate and peanuts are some of the most iconic food combinations, and the Peanut Buster Parfait is a prime example of that. This is a notably rich and heavy treat, so if you’re planning on ordering it as a dessert, consider choosing something light for the main course. This treat includes soft serve vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and salty peanuts. These three components mingle to create a truly chocolatey and nutty experience!
Smoothies & Frappes
Are you looking for something to enjoy while you’re on the road? You’re in luck, because Dairy Queen’s smoothies and frappes have all of the flavors of their chilly desserts, but with the convenience of a hand-held drink. If you’re in the mood for something fruity and refreshing, consider giving their smoothies a try. Or if you’d like an extra boost of caffeine, you could order one of their delicious frappes.
