At the end of the rainbow, mounds of golden fried delights and creamy sweet treasures await.
As luck would have it, one of the region’s most highly-anticipated annual spring traditions falls on St. Patrick’s Day this year. On March 17th, the Farmer’s Daughters’ Drive-In will be opening for the 2023 season and celebrating with a $2.23 ice cream special. Open seven days a week from 11 am until 9 pm through the end of October, their first 50 customers will also receive a coupon for a free ice cream redeemable during their next visit.
“So many people just love Farmer’s Daughters and everything about it – there’s so many great memories here,” said owner Annette Osher.
“I love the first day,” added manager Jonelle Reich. “You bite into that ice cream and no matter the weather, it seems like the sun comes out, the birds are chirping, and summertime is here!”
Lucky Lepre-cones
After loading up on the holiday’s usual fare, shamrock your world with Farmer’s Daughters’ 35 varieties of hard ice cream. Go green with decadent Mint Oreo Fudge, and watch as the kids delight in fun flavors like Cookie Brownie Blast, Cookie Monster, Garbage Pail, Banana Cream Pie, and Peanut Butter & Jelly.
Get in on the magic with the Unicorn (or any of their nine soft-serve ice cream options). There’s fresh fruit, candy, and decadent fudge flowing over sundaes, funnel cake covered in mounds of whipped cream, and(milk)shakes things up with chunky flurries.
If your holiday pursuit of happiness leaves you hankering for sustenance in the form of solid food, Farmer’s Daughters’ dinners (which come with fries and a salad for less than $20 each) have you covered.
Devourer chicken wings, hot dogs, sandwiches, and handmade single- or double-100% top sirloin beef burgers. Feeling adventurous? Try their massive Overloaded Burger (topped with cheese, bacon, onion rings, BBQ sauce, and a beefy Michigan meat sauce that’s so good people buy it buy the pint and pour it over everything!)
The Inside Scoop
An iconic piece of local roadside drive-in history, Farmer’s Daughters’ was built in 1969 and still maintains its distinctive country charm. There is plenty of parking, four walk-up windows, an indoor dining room that seats 75, and 35 picnic tables under two outdoor pavilions.
“The building’s shell is older, but everything inside is updated,” explains Annette, who purchased the property in 2006.
With 2022 in the books as their most successful season to date, the goal now is to top it. Annette has invested in new air conditioning and heating units for comfortable temperatures earlier and later into the season. There is a new orange/vanilla soft serve machine, and two new non-dairy machines to keep up with the demand for cow-free creaminess.
There are gluten free cones available and all of their vegan ice cream, dole whip, and almond milk swirl options are made with big chunks of delicious goodies -just like their hard ice cream flavors.
Pistachio has been added to the menu, as has mango and chocolate creamy ices.
“In the middle of summer, when it’s so hot and you need something cold, it’s the spot-hitter,” said Jonelle.
Using only top-of-the-line ingredients, Farmer’s Daughters’ takes pride in their cleanliness and food allergy protocols.
“It’s a big deal and people tell me, ‘This is the only place I come because I feel safe here’,” said Annette.
The Cream of the Crop
Families have been coming to Farmer’s Daughters’ for generations but Schuylerville’s recent growth has led to more people finding it for the first time, which is exciting, too, said Jonelle.
While spring and summer holidays (like Mother’s Day) have always drawn in the crowds, new events including last year’s Trunk & Treat are also catching on quickly. With 30 seasonal employees, Farmer’s Daughters’ is ready for buses and to host larger groups. Like so many others, Annette’s three sons; Billy, Taylor, and Rion, grew up working at Farmer’s Daughters’ and are now prospering young adults.
After 16 years in the business, Annette still lights up when those who worked there in high school, get married, have children, and return with them to share what great memories they made here.
“I feel lucky to have customers who are so loyal, such a faithful staff, and a community that is so great and keeps coming back,” said Annette.
Find the Farmer’s Daughters’ Drive-In, 882 NY RT 29, full menu online at farmersdaughtersdrivein.com
Skip the line by pre-ordering for dine-in or take-out by calling 518-584-8562. Credit cards are accepted. Order ice cream cakes 24-48 hours in advance; specialty pies are available for same day pickup. Follow Farmer’s Daughters’ Drive-In on Facebook and Instagram for updates and specials.
