German chocolate soft serve. Peach soft serve. Peanut butter soft serve. This little walk-up window serves flavors that make plain vanilla look shy.
The menu doesn’t stop at ice cream, either. Cheeseburgers, corn dogs, onion rings, and funnel cake fries share the spotlight with snow cones and thick milkshakes.
I like how the whole setup feels pulled from another decade. You order outside, grab your tray, and find a seat on the patio. There’s no dining room to hide in, and honestly, I can’t imagine it any other way.
This Tennessee treat stop sits just steps from a charming town square. It stays busy enough that a line often forms at the window. So what keeps everyone coming back for one more cone?
Your Ice Cream Order Might Take Longer To Choose Than To Eat
Decision fatigue is real at Mensi’s Dairy Bar in Collierville. The soft serve list runs long, and the flavors go well past the usual suspects.
Caramel, peanut butter, German chocolate, peach, and orange have all shown up at the window. That orange one gets compared to a creamsicle, which sounds like summer in a cone.
Flavors can rotate, so it helps to read the board before you reach the front. Nobody enjoys freezing up while a line forms behind them. Pick a backup flavor too, just in case your first choice is taking the day off.
You can get your soft serve in a regular cone or a crunchy waffle cone. The waffle cone adds a toasty crunch that pairs nicely with fruity flavors. A regular cone keeps things classic and simple.
Here’s a smart move for groups. Have everyone order a different flavor and pass them around for a taste test. You’ll find your next favorite faster that way.
Kids especially love this part. Letting them pick something wild like peanut butter turns a simple treat into a small adventure. Grown-ups are allowed to have fun with it too.
Old-School Cheeseburgers Still Rule The Grill Here
Ice cream may get the headlines, but burgers hold their own at this walk-up spot. The menu leans into classic drive-in comfort food that feels pleasantly frozen in time.
Cheeseburgers are a big part of the draw. A jumbo cheeseburger sits on the menu for bigger appetites, while smaller options suit lighter lunches.
The beauty of a dairy bar burger is that it doesn’t try too hard. You won’t find fancy sauces or towering stacks meant for social media. It’s a simple, familiar burger built for eating at a picnic table.
Pair it with a side and a shake, and you’ve got the full old-fashioned meal. That combination has kept small-town stands going for generations. Some traditions just make sense.
Timing helps here. Lunch and early evening can bring a crowd, so arriving a little early saves you some waiting. Weekday afternoons might also feel calmer.
One fun tip is to order your burger first and your ice cream later. That way your cone doesn’t melt while you finish your fries. It’s a small trick, but your napkins will thank you.
Shake Lovers Have Some Serious Choices To Make
Milkshakes might be the most talked-about item at Mensi’s Dairy Bar. They come up again and again whenever folks discuss this Collierville favorite.
A few flavors really stand out. Banana, Oreo, and peanut butter shakes all have their fans, and each one feels different from the last.
Banana tastes like a sweet throwback to old soda fountains. Oreo brings that cookie crunch everyone loves. Peanut butter is rich, nutty, and filling enough to count as a snack all by itself.
Not sure which way to go? Think about your meal first. A fruity shake can balance salty fries, while a peanut butter shake works great as dessert after a burger.
Shakes take a little extra time to make, especially during busy hours. Be patient, because good things often come in tall cups. Grab some napkins while you wait.
Families can save money and stomach space by sharing. A single shake with two straws is a sweet way to end a summer evening. Just agree on the flavor ahead of time to avoid a friendly argument at the window.
Funnel Cake Fries Belong On Every Snack Wish List
County fair snacks without the county fair. That’s basically the vibe when funnel cake fries land on your tray.
These crispy sticks bring the sweet, fried taste of funnel cake in an easy-to-share shape. They’re a fun middle ground between a side dish and a dessert.
The snack lineup goes well beyond that, though. Corn dogs, cheese fries, nachos, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks all sit on the menu. Crinkle-cut fries smothered in cheese make a messy, happy choice.
Corn dogs are a smart pick for younger kids. They’re easy to hold, simple to eat, and don’t need much explaining. Picky eaters usually say yes to them.
For a group, try ordering a few sides to split instead of full meals. You’ll get to sample more of the menu without overdoing it. Plus, everyone gets a little bit of everything.
Save the funnel cake fries for last if you can. They work beautifully as a bridge between salty snacks and ice cream. Then again, nobody will judge you for eating dessert first at a dairy bar.
Snow Cones Keep The Cool Treats Coming
Not every frozen treat here starts with cream. Snow cones give Mensi’s Dairy Bar another way to beat the Tennessee heat.
These icy treats come in bright, syrupy colors that look like summer itself. They’re lighter than a shake and a nice choice on a sticky afternoon.
Snow cones here lean toward the classic icy style. If you prefer a softer, fluffier shave, that’s good to know before you order. Fans of crunchy ice will feel right at home.
Kids tend to love snow cones for the colors alone. Mixing two flavors can turn a simple cup into a rainbow. Just expect a few tinted tongues on the ride home.
A snow cone also makes sense when you’re already full. It’s refreshing without feeling heavy after a burger and fries. That makes it a great choice for a final cool-down.
Bring a few extra napkins for little ones. Melting syrup can travel fast down small hands and arms. A quick wipe beats a sticky car seat any day, and you’ll be glad you planned ahead.
Sundaes Turn A Simple Stop Into Dessert Time
A cone is quick, but a sundae says you’re staying a while. Mensi’s offers several ways to dress up its soft serve with extra toppings.
Brownie sundaes, Oreo sundaes, and banana splits all appear on the dessert side of the menu. Each brings a different twist to the same creamy base.
Brownie sundaes feel rich and cozy, almost like a bakery treat. Oreo sundaes add that cookie crunch. A banana split is the full old-fashioned show for anyone who wants the classic experience.
Sundae sizes can feel modest, so think about your appetite before you order. Hungry dessert fans might want to go up a size. Light eaters will probably be happy with the smaller cup.
Pairing a sundae with a flavored soft serve makes it more interesting. Picture peach ice cream with a brownie, or chocolate with cookie pieces. Mixing and matching keeps every visit fresh.
Sundaes also travel well to the patio. Find a seat, grab a spoon, and slow down for a few minutes. Dessert tastes better when nobody’s rushing you out the door.
Order At The Window And Grab A Patio Seat
No dining room, no problem. Mensi’s Dairy Bar keeps things old-school with a walk-up window and outdoor patio seating.
You step up, place your order outside, and wait for your name or number. It’s a simple system that feels like a visit to a classic roadside stand.
The concrete patio gives you a place to sit and enjoy your food. It’s a relaxed setup where families can spread out and kids can wiggle a bit. Nobody expects quiet, polished dining here.
Weather matters, of course. Since seating is outdoors, sunny days feel ideal. On chilly or rainy days, eating in the car becomes a cozy little tradition of its own.
Lines can form at busy times, especially in the evening. Have your order ready before you reach the window to keep things moving. Your fellow ice cream fans will appreciate it.
The building itself looks proudly vintage. That old-fashioned look is part of the charm. In a world full of shiny new chains, a spot like this feels refreshingly honest about what it is.
A Quick Stroll Puts You Right On The Historic Square
Location is a big bonus here. You’ll find Mensi’s Dairy Bar at 162 Washington St, Collierville, TN 38017, just off the historic Collierville Town Square.
That means your treat can easily become part of a longer outing. Grab a cone, then wander over to explore the square and its shops.
The square is one of the most charming spots in this part of Tennessee. Brick storefronts and a leafy park give it a small-town feel. It’s an easy place to stroll with a waffle cone in hand.
Parking can fill up fast during busy times. If the lot is crowded, check nearby parking across the street. A short walk is a small price to pay for soft serve.
This stop also works nicely for families visiting the Memphis area. Collierville sits just east of the city. It makes a fun change of pace from busier spots downtown.
Plan to pair your visit with a square event or a simple evening walk. Ice cream and a historic town center make a winning team. Few desserts come with a better view.
Know The Hours Before Your Sweet Tooth Takes Over
Nothing stings like showing up for a shake and finding the window closed. A little planning keeps your Mensi’s Dairy Bar trip on track.
The stand opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday. It closes at 7:30 p.m. most days, with later hours until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
Sunday is the day off. If a Sunday afternoon craving hits, you’ll have to wait until Monday morning. That’s a hard lesson for any ice cream fan.
Those morning hours open up fun possibilities. A late-morning burger beats the evening rush. An afternoon cone makes a great reward after school or errands.
Thursday and Friday evenings give you a bit more time after dinner. That extra hour is perfect for a family dessert run. Just remember the line might be longer then too.
This Collierville classic has earned its spot as a local favorite in Tennessee. Simple food, lots of flavors, and an old-fashioned setup keep the window busy. Time your trip right, and your only tough decision will be which flavor comes first.
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