Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard at Seaside Heights: A Shore Tradition Since 1923

You can walk the entire Seaside Heights boardwalk and make a hundred decisions about what to eat. But there’s one stop that’s not really a decision at all. Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard is just where you go — maybe every night, if you’re doing it right. My kids figured this out on their first boardwalk walk and have never looked back.

If you’ve never had frozen custard before, or you’ve only ever grabbed one on the way back to the car, this is your sign to stop, order a twist, and actually sit down and enjoy it. And if you want to know the full story behind those orange-and-white cones — the one that started on a beach in Brooklyn in 1919 and somehow ended up on the Seaside Heights boardwalk a hundred-plus years later.

Archie, Elton, and Lester Kohr grew up farming in Pennsylvania. Their uncle Sylvester pushed them to take their new soft-serve machine — one that could continuously churn a frozen dessert — and set up at the beach. They landed on Coney Island in the summer of 1919.

That first weekend, they sold over 18,000 cones at a nickel each. Not a bad start.

The one problem they kept running into: at the beach, in the heat, ice cream melts fast. So they tinkered with the recipe and landed on something that changed everything — they added egg yolks. The custard got thicker, stayed colder, and held its shape in the salt air. That’s still the formula. A hundred-plus years later, the recipe hasn’t changed.

By 1923, Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard had come to the Seaside Heights boardwalk. Which means the stand was here before half the current boardwalk existed.

Since then, the frozen custard market has grown to $1.31 Billion globally. That is slightly larger than what the brothers sold on their first weekend in Coney Island.

Frozen Custard vs. Ice Cream: What’s Actually Different

People ask this all the time, usually while standing in line deciding what to order. So here’s the honest answer.

Both ice cream and frozen custard start from the same base: milk, cream, and sugar. The difference is eggs. Frozen custard requires at least 1.4% egg yolk content. That’s not a lot, but it makes a real difference in texture — custard is denser, silkier, and slower to melt. On a July boardwalk in New Jersey, that last part matters more than you’d think.

The other difference is how much air gets churned in. Ice cream can have significant air incorporated (called “overrun”), which is part of what makes it lighter and fluffier. Custard is churned with minimal air, so what you’re eating is mostly the actual product. That’s why a cup of custard feels more substantial than the same size cup of soft-serve ice cream.

The Three Kohrs (Yes, There Are Three Separate Chains)

This is where it gets a little confusing, and we’d rather explain it now so you’re not standing on the boardwalk wondering why two different stands have slightly different signs.

The Kohr family eventually split, and three separate businesses use variations of the Kohr name today. They’re not the same company, but they all descend from the same original recipe and the same 1919 origin story.

Kohr’s Frozen Custard, The Original

This is the chain with locations on the Seaside Heights boardwalk. It’s run by Greg Kohr, whose grandfather was Elton Kohr. They still use the machine that Elton patented, and as of our last visit, the stands in Seaside have been running this way since 1923.

This is the one most people picture when they hear “Kohr Brothers.” If you’re staying in Seaside Heights, this is your Kohr Brothers.

Seaside Heights and nearby locations:

• 301 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ
• 800 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ
• 1107 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ
• 1817 Boardwalk, Seaside Park, NJ
• 1956 Route 35 N, Ortley Beach, NJ
• 507B Grand Central Ave, Lavallette, NJ

Three stands on the Seaside boardwalk means you’re never more than a few blocks away from custard, which is exactly the right number.

Kohr’s Frozen Custard (Point Pleasant Beach)

This branch is operated by Bruce Kohr’s side of the family — specifically descended from Elton Kohr via his daughter Miriam. One NJ location:

• 409 Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

If you’re doing a day trip to Point Pleasant Beach, you’ll find this location on the boardwalk there.

Kohr Bros Frozen Custard

This one is the chain descended from Archie Kohr’s side of the family. These locations carry only frozen custard (no hard ice cream) and are spread across New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. New Jersey locations include Ocean City, Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Cape May, and Beach Haven.

The Kohr’s Menu: What to Order

If it’s your first time, go straight for the twist. The classic is vanilla and orange cream, and it is exactly as good as everyone who’s ever had it will tell you. It’s a little creamy, a little citrusy, and it tastes like summer at the Jersey Shore. We get this every single visit without any regret.

Kohr’s Frozen Custard Flavors

Kohr’s rotates flavors seasonally, but the standard lineup at the Seaside Heights locations typically includes:

Soft Frozen Custard:

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Strawberry
• Raspberry
• Bubblegum
• Butterscotch
• Butter Pecan
• Mint
• Cotton Candy
• Black Cherry
• Orange Cream (the one you want)

Flavors can vary by location and by day, and they do change seasonally — so if there’s one you’re particularly set on, call ahead or plan to be flexible. The orange and vanilla twist has never let us down and is always available.

Hard Ice Cream: Beyond the soft custard, Kohr’s also serves hard ice cream in a long list of flavors including Oreo Smash, Butter Pecan, Strawberry, Cherry Vanilla, Raspberry Vanilla, Vanilla Fudge, Blueberry Ripple, Butterscotch Ripple, Peanut Butter Ripple, Banana, Black Raspberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Coffee, and Chocolate Chip Mint.

The hard ice cream is good, but if it’s your first time? Do the custard. That’s the whole point.

Kohr Brothers at Seaside Heights: What to Know Before You Go

A few practical things that’ll make your custard stop smoother.

There’s always a line, and it always moves. Don’t let a line at Kohr’s discourage you. The line moves fast because the operation is efficient — it’s been 100 years of practice. Peak times are evenings after dinner, especially on weekends in July and August. If you want to avoid the longest waits, go right after the beach closes (before the dinner rush) or later in the evening after 9 PM when families with young kids have headed in.

Three boardwalk locations means options. If 301 Boardwalk has a massive line, check the one at 800 or 1107. In our experience, the lines aren’t always the same at all three at the same time. Worth the extra walk.

Cash or card? Kohr’s accepts cards, but cash is always faster at boardwalk stands. The Seaside Heights boardwalk has ATMs if you need them.

It melts. This is beach custard, not a lab-tested temperature-resistant dessert. It melts slower than soft-serve ice cream, but on a 95-degree July day, you still want to eat it on the move. Don’t sit down with it for twenty minutes and then complain that it dripped.

Kids under a certain age will be very opinionated about the cone vs. cup question. Cups are easier for small kids. Cones taste better. Your call.

Why Kohr Brothers Is a Seaside Heights Ritual (Not Just a Snack)

There’s something about the Kohr’s stands on the boardwalk that feels different from a chain dessert stop. Part of it is that the stands look basically the same as they’ve looked for decades. Part of it is that you’ll watch three generations of the same family in line at the same time — a grandparent who’s been getting custard here since the 1970s, a parent who grew up doing it, a kid who just had their first taste.

We’ve owned our place in Seaside Heights since 2012, and Kohr Brothers has been part of every single summer. It’s one of those things that feels completely ordinary until you’re not doing it. Then you miss it.

If you’re staying at our Seaside Heights rental, the boardwalk is a short walk away, and the Kohr’s at 301 Boardwalk is a natural stop on your first evening walk. Consider it required orientation.

Frequently Asked Questions: Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard

Are there Kohr Brothers locations near Seaside Heights?

Yes, several. Beyond the three stands on the Seaside Heights boardwalk itself, there’s a location in Seaside Park at 1817 Boardwalk, one in Ortley Beach at 1956 Route 35 North, and one in Lavallette at 507B Grand Central Ave.

What’s the difference between Kohr Brothers, Kohr’s Frozen Custard, and Kohr Bros?

Three separate businesses, all descended from the original Kohr family that invented frozen custard in 1919. The chain with Seaside Heights boardwalk locations is Kohr’s Frozen Custard, The Original, owned by Greg Kohr. They’re all making frozen custard from essentially the same origin recipe, but they operate independently.

What time does Kohr’s open?

Hours vary seasonally — they’re typically open from around noon through late evening during peak summer, with shorter hours in shoulder season. Check current hours directly with the Seaside Heights locations before heading out, especially if you’re planning an off-peak visit.

Is the orange cream twist really that good?

Yes. Get it. Trust us on this one.

Is Kohr Brothers frozen custard gluten-free?

The custard itself is gluten-free, but the cones are not. If gluten is a concern, get a cup. We’d recommend confirming with the stand directly if cross-contamination is a factor for your family.

Are You Hungry Yet?

There is no doubt that Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard stands as a timeless delight in the world of frozen desserts! Anyone who has ever tried it once will keep going back year after year. Three generations later, the frozen custard also creates a sense of nostalgia for many beach goers who experienced Kohrs as a child and have since introduced it to their own children.

After you’ve done Kohr Brothers, the Seaside Heights boardwalk has plenty left to explore — Casino Pier for rides, the arcades for the kids, and a solid lineup of restaurants if you haven’t eaten yet. The custard makes a good punctuation mark at the end of a full boardwalk night.

And if you’re still planning your trip, check our things to do in Seaside Heights page — there’s more to the town than most people expect from a shore weekend.