Abbott's Frozen Custard

Abbott's Frozen Custard is a Rochester institution that traces its roots to 1902, when Arthur Abbott began perfecting his frozen custard recipe while traveling with small carnivals along the Eastern Seaboard. In 1926, Abbott settled in Rochester and opened a permanent stand at the corner of Lake and Beach Avenues, across from Ontario Beach Park — which at the time was a bustling amusement park drawing visitors from across New York State. The Lake Avenue location at 4791 Lake Ave in the Charlotte neighborhood has operated continuously since then, making it one of the longest-running frozen custard stands in the country.

In 1957, Leonard and Thelma Schreiber took over the business and began franchising. Their daughter Gail now chairs the company's board of directors, keeping Abbott's a family-run operation through multiple generations.

Abbott's makes its frozen custard fresh daily at each location using a longstanding family recipe. The menu includes:

• Cones and dishes in rotating flavors
• Sundaes, including Banana Split and Turtle varieties
• Shakes, including peanut butter
• The Chipwheel
• Custom cakes and pies
• Sundae kits and party packs for larger gatherings

The Lake Avenue stand is a seasonal operation, typically open seven days a week from noon to 8:30 PM during the warmer months. Several other Rochester-area locations with drive-thrus remain open year-round.

Abbott's is known for its Turtle — a frozen novelty created by Thelma Schreiber in 1981 that became the brand's signature item. The Lake Avenue stand itself holds historical significance as the original permanent location, serving hundreds of thousands of customers each season. The business has grown to nearly 40 locations across multiple states, but this Charlotte-neighborhood stand remains the flagship.

The original Abbott's sits at 4791 Lake Avenue in Rochester's Charlotte neighborhood, directly across from Ontario Beach Park and the Lake Ontario shoreline. The stand is positioned at the corner of Lake and Beach Avenues, making it a natural stop for beachgoers heading to or from the park. Street parking is available along Lake Avenue. The Charlotte neighborhood is Rochester's lakefront community, anchored by the park, the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse, and the public pier extending into Lake Ontario.