Big Soft serve ice cream
This is an original Twistee Treat ice cream stand, one of the chain’s iconic cone-shaped buildings that became a Florida roadside landmark in the early 1980s.
Designed to resemble a giant soft-serve ice cream cone, the building features a yellow waffle cone base topped with a towering white swirl.
It’s a classic example of programmatic architecture, in which the building’s shape reflects what it sells. While many original Twistee Treat stands have disappeared, several have been restored or rebuilt and continue serving ice cream today.
Visiting a Twistee Treat stand offers more than just a tasty ice cream experience—it’s a nostalgic journey back to Americana’s golden era of roadside attractions. The playful design instantly grabs attention and sparks curiosity, making it a favored spot for families and ice cream lovers. Many people remember stopping at these stands during summer road trips, creating lasting memories over cones piled high with creamy soft serve. The architectural concept, programmatic architecture, cleverly turns the building into an advertisement itself by embodying the product it sells. This not only draws customers in but also celebrates a fun, whimsical design philosophy that’s rare in modern commercial architecture. In addition to the impressive exterior, Twistee Treat locations typically offer a variety of shakes, sundaes, and classic soft serve flavors. The mention of “SHAKE S SUNDAES” on signs reminds visitors of the wide range of frozen treats available beyond just soft serve cones. These sweet extras make each visit feel like a full dessert outing. For those who appreciate retro roadside culture or unique architectural styles, seeking out a restored or rebuilt Twistee Treat stand is highly rewarding. It’s a great way to support preservation of quirky landmarks while indulging your sweet tooth. Whether you’re a local Floridian or a tourist, grabbing a cone at this towering ice cream cone building is as much about the experience as it is about the taste.
