Ruthie's Frozen Custard is on its way to the Freret corridor in New Orleans, with plans for a compact walk-up shop near the corner of Jena and Freret streets and an opening window that stretches from spring into summer. The tiny storefront is set to sling scoops, sundaes and milkshakes, plus a rotating "flavor of the day" and a vegan option, using custard made fresh each day. The footprint is small, but it fits neatly into Freret's tight, pedestrian-heavy restaurant strip.
Those menu and timing details come from NOLA.com, which reports that Ruthie's plans to offer scoops, sundaes and milkshakes with a daily changing flavor alongside vanilla, chocolate and a vegan choice. The outlet also notes that the custard is slated to be produced on-site and that soft-opening details will go first to newsletter subscribers before the broader public gets word. Local property records and permit filings line up with those plans and confirm the location.
Where it will be
The new shop is planned for 2506 Jena St., a roughly 1,300-square-foot space just off Freret that listings describe as retail ready, with a small backyard and an ADA ramp already in place. LoopNet lays out the basic retail configuration, while What Now New Orleans cites permit filings that call for a walk-up window, banquette seating and a back patio as part of the buildout. Taken together, those documents put Ruthie's just steps from the cafes and bars that keep Freret on many locals' regular rotation.
What to expect
Frozen custard differs from standard ice cream because its base includes egg yolks and it is churned with less air, which yields a denser, creamier scoop that hangs on to toppings and mix-ins. As Britannica explains, that richer composition is why frozen custard typically tastes more luxurious than ordinary soft-serve. Ruthie's plan to lean on classic flavors plus a daily special is built around that texture-driven appeal.
Soft opening and timing
According to NOLA.com, Ruthie's is targeting a spring or summer debut and will tip off newsletter subscribers first about soft-opening dates before the wider public opening. Local reporting also notes that owner Adam Gerber has shared updates about the buildout on social media, and that permit paperwork sketches out the interior layout and walk-up window setup. If previous Freret openings are any indication, neighbors can probably expect a short soft-opening run before full hours settle in.
Freret's sweet stretch
Freret already has its fair share of dessert and coffee stops, and Ruthie's would plug into a corridor that reliably sees both afternoon strolls and late-night crowds. NewOrleans.com and other local guides have pointed to the Jena and Freret intersection as prime territory for small walk-up dessert spots that can quickly build a loyal following. For now, property listings and permit records remain the clearest public signs of progress, and the exact opening date will depend on how quickly the buildout wraps and final approvals come through.
