The Truth About Chick-Fil-A's Icedream Cone
Chick-fil-A may have built its reputation for having some of the most popular fast food fried chicken around, but that's not all that keeps fans coming back. The chicken giant has also dished out quite an array of frozen sweet treats over the years. Both standard shake flavors like chocolate as well as seasonal shakes such as the peppermint chocolate chip shake have appeared on the menu, but one dessert alone ranks as the most popular — the Icedream cone.
The Icedream cone is not a new entry to Chick-fil-A's menu, but per Chick-fil-A's website, it was one of its best-selling items in 2019. Here's what you should know about this rather simple and popular treat.
It's one of Chick-fil-A's most popular items
The Icedream cone is exactly what it looks like — a vanilla soft-serve cone. That's it, plain and simple. Chick-fil-A describes the cone as, "A frozen dairy treat with an old-fashioned vanilla taste." Old-fashioned vanilla may not be as exciting as peppermint chocolate chip, but according to the International Dairy Foods Asociation, vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor, which explains why Chick-fil-A went with it over something like strawberry.
As for the Icedream itself, it's made primarily with milkfat, nonfat milk, sugar, artificial flavorings, and thickening agents like carrageenan (via Healthline). The cone is available in three sizes: kid's size, small, and large, with a small cone having 170 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. That's actually 30 calories fewer and a whole one and half grams of less fat than McDonald's vanilla cone, in case you were wondering (via McDonald's).
It's pretty cheap but you might be able to score a free one
So what will one of these classic cones set you back? Well, a kid's cone can be yours for just a $1.15, and if you want to splurge for a large that's only $1.79. While that's a pretty good deal for a fast food dessert, getting one for free is that much better. In 2016, the company encouraged families at its restaurants to leave their cell phones in their pockets and enjoy some family bonding time over free Icedream cones (via CNBC).
The promotion doesn't seem to have returned but there may still yet be a way to get a free Icedream. According to The Christian Science Monitor, many Chick-fil-As will offer to swap out the toy in a kids meal for free cone. Now getting your kid to share the Icedream with mom or dad is all up to you.