Soft serve truck with endless options hits Henderson

HENDERSON, Ky. – If you see something that looks like an old-school Mister Softee ice cream truck parked around Henderson, it is one − or was. It was built as a Mister Softee truck way back in 1959, but was more recently restored by Doug and Meagan Rouse in Doug’s auto body shop.

Now it’s called the Old Fashioned Ice Cream and Concessions truck, and the menu is larger and more exciting than it ever was as a Mister Softee.

The Rouses didn’t set out to have an ice cream truck, but when they came across this gem for sale, Doug wanted to restore it and did it on a whim. He spent two years on the project and his daughter, Chloe Griffith, ran the truck this summer while she was home from college at the University of Southern Indiana, and it’s helped fund her schooling. She’s still helming the truck on the weekends, and Doug and Meagan are working it, too.

It will be on the road through October, rolling the streets of Henderson and Owensboro. Eventually, the Rouses would like to come over to Vanderburgh County as well.

Doug Rouse shared his secret for success.

“The first thing I learned from the old guys who run these soft serve trucks is to get the creamiest, highest-fat ice cream mix you can find and not go for a cheaper one,” he said. “This is not low-calorie food.”

On the menu

The truck has soft serve machines that produce chocolate and vanilla ice creams or swirl. The magic comes from flavorings, syrups, extras, add-ins, and toppings.

Shakes are offered in 19 flavors from the basic strawberry to some with add-ins such as Fruity Pebbles cereal and coffee beans. Other flavors are mint chip, caramel and cotton candy.

If you’re in the mood for something with a little more chew to it, sundaes include the brownie extreme with a brownie on the bottom, ice cream, whipped cream, a chocolate drizzle and chocolate chips. Shortcake sundaes are built on a slice of shortcake with chunky, fruity blueberry or strawberry topping and whipped cream.

Additonal toppings range from candies, crushed cookies and cereal to sprinkles and fruits.

Soda floats, popsicles, and savory snacks such as nachos with cheese or chili, chips, and sometimes hot dogs round out the offerings.

For more information on the Old Fashioned Ice Cream and Concessions truck, search for its Facebook page or call 270-454-0208.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Old Fashioned Ice Cream and Concessions truck opens in Henderson, Ky