Okay Nomsters, this one’s my favorite soft serve spot of all time, and I will feature it over and over and over again, lol. I’m genuinely obsessed. The texture’s next level, and I crave it on the regular. If you grew up around Anne Arundel County, you already know.
Ann’s has been a Ritchie Highway institution for over 75 years, and the second I’m anywhere near Glen Burnie, I’m pulling in for a cone. Trust me and go, you won’t be disappointed. It’s for anyone who loves an old-school roadside treat: creamy vanilla soft serve, foot-long chili dogs, and thick milkshakes, all budget-friendly. Come for the chocolate dipped cone and stay for the nostalgia.
What Ann’s Dari Creme Is Known For
Ann’s Dari Creme opened way back in 1950, and it’s one of those true Maryland roadside stands that time forgot in the best way. The story I love: when Marley Station Mall went up in the 1980s and wanted the property, Ann’s refused to move, so they built the mall around it, lol. Preservation Maryland even recognizes it as one of the state’s classic roadside hot dog stands.
They’re famous for two things: their soft serve and their hot dogs. The dogs are foot-longs, and they reportedly sling around 600 of them a day. One of my favorite little details is that the staff take zero written orders, everything’s memorized, which never stops impressing me. The manager’s reportedly worked there for something like 48 years, which tells you everything about how this place holds onto people. If you’re into Anne Arundel spots that do one thing really well, Beefalo Bob’s pit turkey sandwiches in Pasadena are cut from the same local-institution cloth.
What to Order at Ann’s Dari Creme
Here’s everything I get, plus a few extras worth knowing.
Chocolate Dipped Cone
This is my ride-or-die. Their vanilla soft serve has a texture that’s genuinely next level, creamy and smooth, and dipped in that chocolate shell it’s pure nostalgia. If you’re more of a sprinkles person, you can get it topped that way instead. It’s the reason I keep coming back. If you’ve got a sweet tooth for another Anne Arundel treat, the made-to-order Sandy Pony Donuts are worth the trip too.
A Hot Dog
I always, always get a hot dog when I go. Theirs are foot-long, served on a soft roll with their house-made chili, and they’ve got a crispy exterior from the way they’re cooked. If you’re hungry, the double dog’s there for you, and their fries (on the menu since 1976) round it out nicely. Ann’s is proof that a great hot dog and a soft serve cone might be the perfect pairing.
Banana Milkshake
My guilty pleasure, lol. The banana shake’s thick and creamy, and it’s a little different from your standard chocolate or vanilla (though they’ve got those too, plus strawberry and orange). It’s the kind of thing I don’t need but always end up getting anyway. Get one, thank me later.
More on the Menu
Ann’s is more than ice cream. They also do burgers, cheeseburgers, cheesesteaks, steak subs, fries, and chili cheese fries, and the sundaes come in chocolate, strawberry, pineapple, and hot fudge. It’s a full-on comfort food stop, so come hungry. Summer’s their busy season, so if you roll up on a warm evening, expect a bit of a line, and know it moves fast.
If you’re building a full Anne Arundel sweets day, Sweet Eden Bakeshop in Severn is a short drive from Glen Burnie, a from-scratch bakeshop with cupcakes, cake pops, and custom cakes. WHY: Same county (Anne Arundel), ~4 miles; dessert-spot tie. Soft Stuff Ice Cream in Millersville is another Anne Arundel County stop worth adding to the route, a family-owned soft serve shop that’s been running since 1984.
The Vibe at Ann’s Dari Creme
Ann’s is old-school in the best way. There are a few counter stools inside and picnic tables outside, but most folks order to go and eat in the car or take it home. Make a whole afternoon of it in Glen Burnie, too. The pinball arcade at Crabtowne is right nearby if you want some vintage games with your ice cream run.
Is Ann’s Dari Creme Open in the Winter?
Yes, Ann’s is open year round, not just in summer, so you can get your soft serve fix even in the colder months. That said, hours can shift seasonally, so it’s worth a quick check before you head over.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 7918 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, next to Marley Station Mall.
- Hours: my go-to is 10am to 9pm daily, but a few listings show later closing times, so confirm before a late run.
- Price: budget-friendly. Most orders land under $10 a person.
- Payment: historically cash-only. Cards and Apple Pay are reportedly accepted now, but bring cash to be safe.
- Seating: a few counter stools and outdoor picnic tables. It’s mostly a takeout spot.
- Online ordering: available through the Toast app since 2023.
As I said, this is my favorite soft serve spot of all time for a reason: the texture, the foot-long dogs, the banana shake, and 75 years of history you can taste in every bite. If you’ve never been, trust me and go, you won’t be disappointed. Have you guys been to Ann’s yet? LMK your order in the comments, Nomsters.