Ice cream fans won’t have to wait much longer as a new Dairy Queen prepares to open its doors in Ithaca.
The new DQ restaurant will open Jan. 5 at 407 Elmira Road, next to Buttermilk Falls, bringing the popular chain to Tompkins County for the first time.
The restaurant is owned and operated by local entrepreneur Milan Patel, who also owns the Dairy Queen location in Elmira. The Ithaca store marks Patel’s second DQ since opening his first restaurant in August 2023.
“I’ve always aspired to be an entrepreneur and build something of my own,” Patel said. “For more than 85 years, Dairy Queen has been a place where families gather and memories are made. Opening a DQ in Ithaca allows me to bring that tradition to life for this community.”
Patel comes from a background in hospitality, starting in hotels during high school before working with a hotel management and ownership group. That experience, he said, shaped his focus on operations and guest service as he expands the Dairy Queen brand in upstate New York.
Community involvement will play a central role at the new restaurant. The team plans to partner with local schools, engage Ithaca’s college community, and take part in local events, in addition to Dairy Queen’s national partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The Ithaca Dairy Queen will serve hot food and treats, including Signature Stackburgers, Chicken Strip Baskets, and classic DQ soft serve in cones, sundaes, shakes, and Blizzard Treats.
The restaurant features a modern design with large booths, community tables, a mobile order pick-up counter, drive-thru lanes, and an outdoor patio.
The Ithaca location will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., starting on opening day.
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