Blaine DQ - Hwy 65 - Raises its Prices. Is it still the least expensive in the Twin Cities?

Dairy Queen - Hwy 65 - Blaine

Last year's winner for the least expensive/highest quality Dairy Queen in the Twin Cities might no longer be the best value anymore. The reason--an increase in prices across the board.

Small Cone: $1.39 ($1.19 last year)

Medium Cone: $1.79 ($1.49 last year)

Large Cone: $2.29 ($1.99 last year)

Blaine has just fallen into the slightly better than average camp. I'll have to check out White Bear Lake, last year's runner up, to see if a similar price increase has taken place.

The Best DQ in the Twin Cities (Mpls/St. Paul area)

And the Best (least expensive) DQ in the Twin Cities is...

Blaine (Hwy 65, north of Hwy 10)

Total cost for a sm+med+large cone + Peanut Buster Parfait= $8.06

Average price after reviewing 27 Dairy Queens is $9.48. ($1.42 cheaper than average)

--Runners up: Rice at Arlington ($8.26), 37th St and 13th Ave S in Mpls ($8.36)

Cheapest Small Cone...

White Bear Lake (Hwy 61 north of 694)

Cost: $1.09

Average cost: $1.52 ($.43 cheaper than average)

--Runners up: Blaine ($1.19), 37th St and 13th Ave S ($1.29), Rice at Arlington, Rice at Phalen, New Brighton, Hwy 88 in New Brighton, W. 7th St in St. Paul (all at $1.39)

--Most Expensive: Robbinsdale ($1.89), Edina/Hwy 100 Grill and Chill ($1.79)

Cheapest Medium Cone...

Blaine

Cost: $1.49

Average cost: $1.90 (About $.51 cheaper than average)

--Runners up: White Bear Lake ($1.59), Rice St at Arlington ($1.59),New Brighton ($1.69)

--Most Expensive: Robbinsdale ($2.29), Crystal Grill and Chill , Edina Grill and Chill, EP by Dunn Bros, Highland Park(all $2.19) , Snelling, Lakeville, Lake Josephine (all $2,09)

Cheapest Large Cone...

Tie!

Lake Street and 44th Ave (Close to the St. Paul border)

Cost: 1.88

7th St and 13th Ave S (South Minneapolis)

Cost: $1.89

Average cost: $2.24 (About $.35 cheaper than average)

--Runners up: All at $1.99-- W 7th St in St. Paul, Blaine, White Bear Lake, Rice at Artlington, Rice at Phalen, New Brighton, Lowry Ave in NE Mpls.

--Most Expensive: Crystal Grill and Chill and Edina/Hwy100 ($2.69), Highland Park, EP by Dunn Bros ($2.59)

Cheapest Peanut Buster Parfait...

Tie!

Rice Street at Arlington

Cost: $3.29

Lake Street at 44th Ave

Cost: $3.31

Average cost: $3.80 (about $.50 less expensive than average)

--Runners up: Blaine ($3.39), 37th Ave and 13th St ($3.49), Minnehaha ($3.59)

--Most Expensive: Crystal Grill and Chill, EP by Dunn Bros, Highland Park ($4.19), Robbinsdale, Lake Josephine ($4.09)

Most Expensive Dairy Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tie!

Robbinsdale-- &-- Crystal Grill and Chill

$10.76 for a sm+med+large cone+PBP

Average cost: $9.48 ($1.28 over average)

--Runners up: Eden Prairie by the Dunn Bros ($10.66), Edina Hwy 100 Grill and Chill ($10.46), Lake Josephine ($10.36), Snelling ($10.16)

Blaine DQ - sm cone still $1.19, still awesome

I went back to the DQ in Blaine on Hwy 65 this week.  They have the lowest prices of the DQs I have reviewed so far and I am going back frequently to see if they are still awesome.

They are.  Excellent cone.  Excellent service.  Excellent price.

But don't get a hot dog there.  They microwave the dog after you order it and microwave it pre-mustarded and pre-bunned.  That negates the reason why you have a bun in the first place--to be able to hold onto to something that is hot.

I suggest sticking with Frankie's on Broadway Ave in NE Mpls for your hot dog needs.  Or Super America.  I've had a good dog or two there as well.

Lake Josephine DQ - Lexington Ave $1.69 sm cone

The Dairy Queen on Lexington Ave across from Lake Josephine in Roseville is a destination DQ, like the DQ by Minnehaha Falls in Mpls.  You go there because it's right by where you are at anyways.

It's probably good that it is right across from this beautiful lake, because this DQ was not very good on this particular night.  I was not there because of the beach.  

I went there at about dusk, and it is only about 50 degrees, but there were other people at the beach this night.  There was a young couple walking and holding hands, and there was a pedophilish looking overweight adult on the swings, killing time.  There was even a few people fishing off the dock.

This DQ has a drive thru and an enormous parking lot and quite a bit of outdoor seating.  Nice place.

The boy who took my order seemed a bit rushed.  He tossed together a small, mis-shaped, over-marshmellowy mess of a small cone and practically dashed away to do something I couldn't see.  My guess is that it was an off day on many counts and that a visit this weekend would give me a perfectly normal cone.  But this is my blog and they only get one shot since they won't be in the running for best DQ.  

The prices break down like this:

Small Vanilla Cone: $1.69

Medium: $2.09

Large: $2.49

Peanut Buster Parfait: $4.09

Overall, prices are above average.  The aggregate cost for one each is over $10.00--less than 30% of the stores reviewed so far cost more than $10.00 for one each of the review items.

Just to compare: Blaine (Hwy 65) charges only $8.05 for three cones and a PBP.  Lake Josephine DQ charges $10.36.  

Shop wisely, and avoid panic buying.

Blaine DQ Follow up and New Coon Rapids Review

I went back to the Blaine DQ on HWY 65 because it is in the running for best DQ in the Twin Cities Metro Area.  The small cone is $1.19, which is more expensive than the White Bear Lake DQ at $1.09, but the aggregate cost is still less.

My cone was a bit mal-formed, but delicious, just the right blend of icy and marshmellowy.  


The small cone was average sized, so, no points lost or gained.

Later in the day I went to the DQ on Coon Rapids Blvd in Coon Rapids with my parents.  Small cones here are Free!  Actually, my dad paid, which is very cool.

Small vanilla cone: $1.59

Medium: $1.99

Large: $2.39

Peanut Buster Parfait: $3.79 (Though they are on sale this month for $2.49!)

My cone was on the small-to average size, not very impressive.  My mom ordered a chocolate dipped cone, but got a chocolate ice cream cone instead--there may have been some confusion in the ordering--but they made everything right by giving her a new cone and not charging her the increase in price.

My dad had a banana cream pie Blizzard and was a bit surprised that it came with whipped cream.  Both said their ice cream delights were good.  Mine was good, too.  I just was not impressed with the volume of ice cream in a small cone.

The Coon Rapids Dairy Queen is one of those old barn-style DQ's, which I totally dig for my Brazier stores. The interior had those really tacky duck paintings on the  wall, which I really think is inexcusable for any type of decor.  Anywhere.

Blaine DQ

Coon Rapids DQ

An interesting thing to note is that both the Blaine and Coon Rapids DQs have  similar signs.  One point goes out farther than the other.  There are differences, as you can see--one is a solid color, and one has a white edge--but they are similar enough that I think it is an exciting coincidence.

Also, if you have not seen your local DQ reviewed here, please let me know,  I want to review your DQ, but have hit almost all the ones I find and I go about my life.  I also welcome quest reviews--just be sure to get the prices for sm/med/large cones and a PBP.  Thanks for your continued interest and support. - Mike

Blaine - The Lowest Price Small Cone! - $1.19

The Blaine DQ is on Hwy 65, North of Hwy 10. It is by Aquator Park where all of my little league tournaments were played. Because of this, this is where I had all of my last game DQs that the coach would by for the team. Nothing but good memories at this DQ.

Now I have another reason to return to this DQ--Small Cone: $1.19!!!!!!!!!!

This is the lowest cone price I have found so far.

Small $1.19

Medium: $1.49

Large: $1.99

PBP: $3.39

This is also the lowest aggregate cost at $8.06 for 1 each.

The only down-side is that the cone was smaller than usual. It falls into the cheapskate category, but might be the place to go if you have smaller children who can't eat as much or if you want fewer calories. (I'm Mr. Brightside today).

This DQ has plenty of inside seating. It is one of those stores that looks like a barn. It has a drive through and the staff is friendly.

One thing to note: Take a look at the sign in the picture...It is not symmetrical like the other DQs I know about. Does anyone else know of a DQ like this?