Nathaniel Jackson, co-owner of Meadows Original Frozen Custard in New Alexandria, knows his frozen treats — and there’s a big difference between ice cream and custard.
“The main thing is the egg yolk. For custard to be called custard, it has [to have] 1.4% egg yolk,” Jackson explained (or about 10% milkfat). “So that makes it a lot richer, creamier, which in turn makes it smoother. There’s just a lot more depth to the flavor.”
Another big variation is production method: while ice cream is made in a machine that churns air into the base as it freezes, Meadows’ frozen custard is churned in a refrigerated hopper that incorporates as little air as possible, keeping the dessert dense and velvety.
“We are [about] 15% air, so you’re getting 85% product,” Jackson said. He doesn’t like to brag, but “our custard’s superior.”
Jackson has been fielding comparisons like these — no contest between custard and Italian ice either — after announcing a new Meadows Original Frozen Custard shop opening in Ross. A Feb. 27 Facebook post showing a rendering of the new shop replacing a former Avis car rental location drew excitement from fans ready for warmer weather and fresh-made custard, cones, shakes and sundaes.
Jackson told TribLive they began construction at 6215 Babcock Blvd. earlier this month and hope to open by June.
“Right now, it’s just a big empty garage,” he said of the space, located across from The Block Northway shopping center. “[But] we wanted to do something that was more of a destination.”
The build-out will add a commercial kitchen, drive-thru lane and a patio with outdoor seating for customers to linger during the summer months.
“That’s kind of what we wanted to bring, was just a nice spot to get your custard, sit a minute and enjoy it,” Jackson said. They’ve even opted to keep the large garage doors from the former Avis for sunnier views.
Jackson is expanding with a second Meadows franchise location along with his wife, Rachael Jackson, and Cord Leone and Taylor Leone, childhood best friends.
“They got married, and then my wife and I got married, all high school sweethearts, and we are still great friends. And now we’ve gone into business together,” Jackson said.
The four grew up in Latrobe, also known as “Banana Split Capital of the World” for being the birthplace of the dessert, something Jackson thinks may have influenced them all subconsciously. Every year, they run together in Latrobe’s 5k Banana Run, part of the borough’s annual festival celebrating the banana split.
When the Leones relocated to the North Hills, the two couples began scouting a location for a new custard stand. It was also important to them the franchise be in a standalone building, rather than a shopping center or strip mall, to make the new custard shop a true gathering spot.
“We’re excited to bring what was once a childhood experience for us all in our community, to what is now our new community,” Jackson said.
Family is at the center of the Meadows chain that started in 1950 in Duncansville, Pa., when brothers J.V., Richard and Delbert Meadows opened a small custard stand. The business began franchising in the 2000s, and now has 28 locations, including one in Australia, according to its website. Jackson believes most franchise locations remain family-owned and operated.
One occupational hazard of operating a family-run custard shop is having to indulge the whole family. Both the Jacksons and Leones have young children 4 and under. “They love to pretend to play ‘ice cream’ now … if it can be turned into a drive-thru, [it is].”
“We’re excited to bring it to the community,” Jackson said of Ross location of Meadows. “We really think it’s going to be a great spot to foster childhood memories, adult memories, anything — just for the community there to have a good time, a nice treat and enjoy it.”