After much research of business opportunities and franchises, owners Kristie
and Archie Carlini made the commitment in September 2003 to open a frozen
custard shop, located at 3080 Cypress Gardens Road, at The Shoppes of Lake
Dexter in Winter Haven
Before entering into her new business venture, Kristie Carlini researched
different avenues to pursue before finally falling in love with frozen custard.
Carlini formed KC'S Big Dipper based on a longtime dream of owning and operating
her own business. "I have wanted to do this for a number of years,"
she said.
KC'S Big Dipper serves frozen custard made fresh daily in a real frozen
custard machine. The store produces three flavors of frozen custard fresh daily:
chocolate, vanilla and sugar-free vanilla - and will also feature a special
"Flavor of the Day."
Custard is not just any ordinary ice cream; there are laws that regulate,
define and separate it from other frozen snacks.
"This is considered gourmet ice cream," Carlini said. "When
you get a custard cone, it's usually heavier than a regular cone because it is
so dense."
Frozen custard first originated on Coney Island, N.Y., as a carnival treat in
the early 1900s, Carlini said. The popularity of frozen custard quickly grew and
became popular along the East Coast. Travelers had the chance to taste it, and
its popularity quickly spread to the Midwest. Now, Milwaukee is currently
considered the "Custard Capital of the World," Carlini said.
As custard is an ice cream, it must be at least 10-percent butterfat. What
makes frozen custard unique is that by law it must contain 1.4 percent of egg
yolk by weight, have a low overrun (amount of air out into the product), and be
frozen and served fresh daily.
Also, they serve traditional frozen favorites such as "you name it"
sundae's with a choice of 21 toppings, floats, milkshakes, sodas, banana splits,
KC Bar's and more.
During their lunch hours, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the restaurant serves the
original Fluky's Chicago Hot Dog, 100-percent beef in a poppyseed bun with
mustard, relish, onions, pickle, tomatoes, peppers and celery salt - a true
Chicago favorite.
For more information or to schedule an ice cream social, contact the store at
324-7309 or visit their Web site at www.kcscustard.com.