There are few things about living in Dallas-Fort Worth that make me feel smug. It’s hot as hell here, there’s too much concrete, and the traffic is miserable. My city doesn’t boast the stunning natural beauty of San Francisco, or the hallowed cultural institutions of New York City. But it is, at least, home to a location of Braum’s, the best American fast-food chain that I’d wager most Americans have never heard of.
Founded in Oklahoma City in 1968, Braum’s is a decidedly unique concept. It’s equal parts burger joint, ice cream shop, and small grocery store, all tucked under one roof. The menu is classic American comfort food — think burgers, fries, a chicken strip dinner served with a side of chocolate pudding. The burgers are solid, but the real star of the show is the full line-up of ice cream in classic flavors like peanut butter cup and mint chip, made with milk sourced from cows at the chain’s own creamery in Tuttle, Oklahoma, and all of which taste perfect by themselves, or scooped into a hot-fudge-drenched sundae.
And although it is small, the grocery section at any Braum’s location punches well above its weight. After eating a cheeseburger and slurping down a chocolate malt, you can stock up on eggs, butter, bacon, and fresh produce staples, but the real allure is the chain’s milk. Growing up in small-town northeast Texas, there were plenty of folks I knew that made the special trip to Braum’s to buy a gallon of milk instead of the grocery store. It’s hard to explain, but there really is a difference — Braum’s milk tastes creamier and fresher than the typical gallon of milk, especially those that have been ultra-pasteurized to maximize their shelf life at the expense of flavor.
In fact, the milk — and the company-owned creamery where it is produced — is the cornerstone of the Braum’s business model. The chain makes and produces all of its dairy products and bakes its own burger buns, and as such, Braum’s only opens locations within a 330-mile radius of its production facility in Tuttle. From there, refrigerated trucks are dispatched every other day to make deliveries to its more than 300 stores scattered across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.
In a time when many fast-food chains are chasing every trend and trying to keep up with the times, Braum’s is almost aggressively the same as it’s ever been. Its pink-and-navy color scheme makes dining inside one of the restaurants feel like a brief trip back in time, and who doesn’t love the child-like appeal of choosing an ice cream from among a vast array of flavors and seeing it hand-scooped into a crunchy waffle cone? The prices also feel nostalgic, at only around $2 for a double-dip, especially in an era where some swanky pints are selling at the supermarket for upwards of $9.
Most of those 300 locations are in small towns, which means that Braum’s is a bit of a well-kept secret, especially for folks who don’t often find themselves vacationing in Branson or road-tripping to Oklahoma City. But if you’ve got one within 100 or so miles of where you live, it’s definitely worth making the drive to experience the surreal, of-another-time vibe — and excellent ice cream — that only Braum’s can offer.
FAQs
How does Braum's do it? We naturally fortify and condense the milk by removing part of the milk's natural water during processing. This increases the milk's nutrient levels dramatically – by up to 50%. This also affects the milk's look and taste.
What are some fun facts about Braum's? ›
The Braum's Dairy Farm in Tuttle is one of the largest dairy operations in the world. Each day, we are milking thousands of cows an hour, providing enough fresh raw milk for more than one million glasses! We are also the only major ice cream maker in the country to milk our own cows.
Does Braum's use real meat? ›
100% Pure Beef Patties
A juicy Braum's burger and fries leave you happy and satisfied. Add one of our signature shakes to your burger meal. Now that's what lunch dreams are made of.
Is Braums only in Texas? ›
Where are Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores located? Braum's stores are located in Oklahoma and parts of Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri. Use our Store Locator to find a store near you in one of these states.
What makes Braum's milk different? ›
Braum's A2 fresh milk still has the same great taste that our customers have come to love over the years. We process our fat-free using a mechanical vapor recompression evaporator. It eliminates more water giving you milk that has more calcium and protein. It also produces richer, creamier milk.
Does Braum's use real ice cream? ›
Braum's Famous Ice Cream
We are famous for our ice cream, and that's for a reason. Braum's ice cream is ice cream like it should be: Based on rich, A2 fresh milk – from our very own cows.
What does Braum's put on their burgers? ›
We start with a 100% pure beef patty. Then we load it with lots of real dairy cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, mayonnaise, and special sauce. All this is piled high on a sesame seed bun baked fresh in Braum's own bakery!
Who owns Braums now? ›
Celebrating over 50 years! As you can tell, the roots of our business were laid in the 1930s. However, we officially became the Braum's you know today in 1968 when Bill and Mary Braum opened their first store in Oklahoma City. The company continues to be family-owned and operated.
Is braums a southern thing? ›
Based in Oklahoma City, Braum's was founded in 1968 by William Henry "Bill" Braum in Oklahoma City. The company operates over 300 restaurants in 5 states, primarily in the Southern United States, namely the West South Central states of Oklahoma and Texas.
Does Braum's use real chicken? ›
At Braum's, we strive to only offer the best when it comes to the food we serve. We know it's important to know where your food is coming from. That's why we use chicken raised right, right here in the U-S. Braum's chicken is sourced from farmers that are committed to animal care and raising wholesome food.
Braum's was known for their 1/3 pound hamburgers, but now they're 1/4 pound. News 9 checked and the change is official on their menu.
Is Braum's milk raw? ›
Every day we're milking 10,000 cows several times per day on the Braum Family Farm. This farm fresh raw milk is then processed and bottled at our plant also located on the farm. It takes only about 24-36 hours for the milk to go from the cow to the carton to your neighborhood store! Now that's fresh!
Does Braum's milk have hormones? ›
Our milk is produced from Braum's private dairy herd in Tuttle, Oklahoma and 100 percent natural and growth hormone-free. We're very proud of our milk and hope you'll read more about it here!
How much does Braum's pay per hour in Texas? ›
Average Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores Team Member hourly pay in Texas is approximately $10.52, which is 20% below the national average.
Who is the CEO of Braum's? ›
Drew Braum the CEO of Braum's received an average score of 62 from Braum's employees. Male employees at Braum's rate the CEO the highest.
Does Braum's raise their own chickens? ›
That's why we use chicken raised right, right here in the U-S. Braum's chicken is sourced from farmers that are committed to animal care and raising wholesome food. The chickens live on cage-free farms; are fed a 100-percent vegetarian diet, and are NEVER given antibiotics, hormones, or steroids (ever).
How many cows does Braum's milk each day? ›
Every day we're milking 10,000 cows several times per day on the Braum Family Farm. This farm fresh raw milk is then processed and bottled at our plant also located on the farm. It takes only about 24-36 hours for the milk to go from the cow to the carton to your neighborhood store!
How do braums make their shakes? ›
Watch the magic happen as we blend the ice cream with fresh milk that has been condensed, and you can even add in toppings to make it extra sweet. We've been told we have the best malts and shakes in town! Try one and see for yourself!
