For the past 12 years, the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill in Oakland has been one of the area’s most popular spots for fast, casual food. Although the Dairy Queen line of products has been around for over 80 years, the company often updates the menu and food options. Managers frequently undergo training to keep the customer service experience as positive as possible.

The Oakland DQ Grill & Chill opened in June 2010, and Managers Greta Taylor and Melissa Mitchell have been with the company since day one. Both had an extensive background in restaurant service and management, and the team they assembled is one of the reasons this Dairy Queen location has been so successful.

Because of Covid-19 and the supply shortage it has caused, many menu items were no longer available. At their annual conference, which took place this year in Hawaii, the corporate offices unveiled their newest offerings, the new DQ® Signature Stackburgers®. According to General Manager Greta Taylor, the Stackburgers® will replace the current 1/4 lb and 1/2 lb Grillburgers.

These new sandwiches feature a higher quality, deliciously seasoned 100% ground beef patty, and five new sandwiches will offer a variety of flavors for every palette. All Stackburgers® are available as either a 1/3 pound burger with two beef patties or as a 1/2 pound burger with three patties.

The Bacon Two Cheese Deluxe comes with thick-cut Applewood Smoked Bacon and DQ’s new Melty Sharp American and White Cheddar cheeses. For those craving a steak burger, the Loaded A.1. Stackburger® comes with A.1. Steak Sauce, as well as a creamy peppercorn sauce and is topped with Applewood Smoked Bacon. Cheese lovers will love the two-cheese deluxe burger and those who like it spicy will want to try the FlameThrower Stackburger®, which comes with a deliciously spicy sauce, Jalapeno Bacon and Pepper Jack Cheese. Of course, you can still purchase the original DQ cheeseburger, topped with Melty Sharp American cheese. All burgers come served on fresh buns and crisp produce.

In addition to delicious burgers, you can also enjoy a crispy or grilled chicken sandwich, chili dog or the popular chicken basket with delicious chicken tenders, gravy, and Texas Toast. Other sides include DQ’s famous Onion Rings, or delicious fried Cheese Curds. For a healthier option, try the new Rotisserie-style chicken. You can enjoy it as a side, on a salad, or in a basket with fries.

Of course, one of the most popular things about any Dairy Queen restaurant is their treats! Since The Blizzard® was rolled out in 1985, it has become their best-selling ice cream treat. Thicker than a milkshake, more flavorful than a cone, DQ Blizzards are full of delicious goodies like brownies, chocolate chip cookie dough, Oreo cookies, and favorite candies like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Heath Bars, Butterfingers and more. New flavors are offered each season so there is always something new to try.

Of course, DQ still offers their classic ice cream treats, including cones, regular or dipped, delicious Sundaes, as well as Banana Splits, Peanut Buster Parfaits, and their ever-popular novelty treats like chocolate-covered Dilly and Buster Bars.

Don’t forget, DQ offers delicious ice cream cakes for birthdays, holidays, or just because. These cakes make any occasion special with offerings like Choco Brownie, Oreos, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and more. They come in different sizes, including their signature Treatzza Pizzas, and can be decorated in your favorite color, theme, or character. Cakes here are decorated by Janice Childers, who has also been with the restaurant since it opened and is well known for her creativity and talent. While ice cream cakes are always available, 72-hour advance notice is required for decoration. You can call ahead or go to dqcakes.com and order yours online. While there, you can also download the DQ app onto your phone for mobile ordering to earn points and other promotions.

DQ Grill & Chill has always been family and budget friendly. Try one of their $6 Meal Deals which includes a Bacon or Original Cheeseburger, french fries, soft drink along with a DQ Sundae. For $1 additional, enjoy the three-piece chicken strip meal.

Be sure to join them on Monday, March 21, for Free Cone Day. All customers will receive a free vanilla cone (one per person) to celebrate DQ’s favored charity, the Children’s Miracle Network. For a $1 donation, guests can dip their cone in their choice of toppings, including their new Fruit flavored dip, soon to be a favorite. All donations will go to the Children’s Miracle Network office in Pittsburgh.

“Although we are a quick-serve restaurant, it’s still a restaurant, and customer service is our top priority,” says Greta. She was proud to be voted as a Fan Favorite Fast Food Restaurant in The Republican’s Best of Contest for two years in a row.

The new summer Blizzard Menu will also be announced this month, and Greta is hoping the dining room will be able to reopen as well. As with most area restaurants, Covid-19 has presented a unique set of challenges. From shortages in food and help to mandated closings, Greta is proud of her fantastic crew members and management team, who have helped keep things at the restaurant flowing. She and Melissa are hiring and training new staff and are accepting applications for team members.

The restaurant is located along Rt. 219 in Oakland. The drive-through remains open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM. They still offer curbside pickup and hope to offer delivery through Uber Eats or Door Dash later this year. You can also like Oakland’s DQ Grill & Chill on Facebook for updates on hours open and more. Stop by soon for your favorite treat…or maybe try something new!

Written by Linda Carr