Foster’s Freeze Drive-In

Last place known where one can get Taquitos with guacamole and a pinapple shake! Arrived from Las Vegas, they ran out? Who is the manager? Ended up leaving and headed back to vegas, so disappointed did not buying a thing, so stopped at McDonalds.

This place is lousy. I have tried to get ice cream there twice. The first time the line was a block long with only one person ringing up orders so I went to McDonalds. The second time I actually placed the order in a reasonable amount of time, but after 10 minutes waiting for my small ice cream cone, I asked for a refund and left. Guess where I went? McDonalds (in and out in 5 minutes). This Foster Freeze is run down, understaffed, and management doesn’t seem to care at all. I am surprised the owner can afford the franchise fees since they don’t seem to care about cash register sales. I agree with other comments, if not for the location this place would not survive given the slow customer service and lack of on site management. For those folks visiting from out of town, just go to McDonalds or try one of the local eateries on Linden Ave, such as Spot’s, which has great customer service and excellent food at a reasonable price.

I came into this restaurant with my mom a while back and we came here to get a couple ice creams on a hot day. My initial reaction walking into this establishment was like «okay it’s a little run down and dirty looking but it doesn’t seem too bad», so I continued on with ordering even though the way it looked put me off a little bit. While our ice creams were being prepared I stepped in the the bathroom and I had to wait cause all of the stalls were in use. A moment later a girl flushed the toilet and walked out of the stall and through the bathroom exit, as she was walking out I noticed she was wearing the fosters «uniform» and was an employee! She completely ignored the «all employees must wash hands before going back to work» sign. At this point I was absolutely disgusted. I decided not to use the restroom anymore and walked back out and the employee who I just saw walk out of the bathroom was there handing over the ice creams to my mom! I know she didn’t actually touch to food but it was still very unsettling. I’m sure not all of the employees are like this but I’m never coming here again and I recommend that you shouldn’t either.

This place made me sick. Which was a bummer because I took my kids here telling them how much I loved Foster’s Freeze when I was a kid. Then we all got sick.

I was really disappointed mostly with the atmosphere. Apparently if you stop into this establishment after school hours they run an unofficial after school program. Every seat and table inside was taken by young teenagers most of which hadn’t purchased food and we’re just loitering. It was just an overall unpleasant experience with the children yelling profane words and skateboarding around. Nothing like what I’m used to from the Foster Freeze name. The food and ice cream seem to be on par, the establishment is just run very poorly.

I Drive down to Carpinteria from Santa Barbara at least once a week just to get a chocolate malt from Foster’s Freeze. The malt is awesome and consistent every single time without fail. the staff is curious and cares about their customers. Thank you for the quality and consistent service. keep up the good work!

The food was too cold, the worker don’t put much effort into the burgers, too GREASY, PLAIN, and NOT WORTH THE MONEY. Mc Donald’s has better quality I don’t recommend it.

I love the ice cream but this must have been the slowest Fosters in the history of the world. And it was pretty gross inside. Luckily, I don’t have to come back to this one.

So this location is a bit out dated compared to some that I have been too. At ⁹⁄₁₀ pm when we stopped in for ice cream it wasn’t busy. I think if they had a makeover they could earn another star.

Cant never go wrong with this spot! Grew up going to the one in Alameda Ca. Being Im from Oakland. Love the dipped cones and burgers…

Like many of the previous reviews the staff and management of this place does not care. If it weren’t for the location of this place I’m sure it would close down.
When we first walked in Tania (cashier) said hello and continued to text on her cell phone. She continued until I started to order. The other two employees 1 female and 1 male were hidden in the back corner.
It happened so that Tania friends came to visit here at the same time. This also included an older female who I’m assuming might also work there because she walked behind the counter in to the kitchen to tell the staff what she wanted made for her. She walked back around the counter and waited for her comped food. Then I got to here about everyone personal life, loudly in the restaurant. The male employee is hoping to go to Berkeley, and Tania sister is moving in with her tomorrow so if her friend wants to see Tania daughter and sister she should come back and visit her tomorrow.
So unprofessional that along with the fact that the restaurant has not been updated. Sadly it seems no one will ever do anything about it.

I stopped by one afternoon for a late lunch and ordered a chili cheeseburger. The meat was way overcooked and the bun had been toasted until it was burned around the edges. They weren’t busy, so don’t know why they couldn’t pay attention to cooking my burger. The chili tasted like it came out of a can. At least they put pickles on this (but no onions).
The dining room also needs a good cleaning. The tables were smeared off, rather than wiped clean.

Well, to be honest, I was under-​impressed. I loved Fosters Freeze when I was little. My mom would take me to the old Santa Barbara Mesa location and I would always order a caramel shake. I went to this location in Carpenteria and it was a disappointment. The service was bad and when I finally got to order, they got the order wrong. It was so hot out I didn’t call them on there mistake of giving me a vanilla shake when I ordered a caramel. I am truly disappointed. I still might have to return in the future for that caramel shake.

This review is less about the food and more about the attitude. For such an established brand this place is just coasting. I don’t expect much from an ice cream spot so consistency is a bigger test. The staff was friendly and responsive. The menu seems to have a bit of franchise creep in it that takes away from the originality but seems to be decent quality.
My gripe is with the condition of the restaurant, particularly the restrooms and seating. The restrooms were in worse shape than most public restrooms along the coast. It reminded me of a public pool changing room. (funk and all) The dining room was old and dated (not in a cool vintage way either). The booths are chipped up and in need of attention. I realize these places aren’t rolling in it but it seems like Ownership has given up. There are plenty of places along the coast that take the effort and this place appears to be relying on everyone’s childhood memories.
probably a better spot for drive thru or pick up.

Great food especially the patty melt! Delicious ice cream sundaes too!
This is NOT a drive in!

I love fosters freeze. It tastes even better by the beach. Their food is pretty good. My must have items are their blizzards and cream cones, not at the same time :) The employees are friendly and fast. There’s little to no parking especially on the wkends so park where you can.

Carpinteria is a great beach town. With great weather year round what better way to cool off than with some Foster’s freeze?

Any trip to Carpinteria is bound to have a nostalgic feel to it. Carp is the epitome of the west coast beach town. Part of the experience is visiting some of the local joints that have been around for decades and Foster’s Freeze has to be near the top of that list. Now I understand that most of us have a Foster’s Freeze in our neighborhoods back home and they do have the same product at each location, but there is something about taking the walk from your campsite on the beach and getting a chocolate dipped cone that makes it taste just a little better.
The ice cream treats that Foster’s turn out are an excellent quality product. My personal favorite is the chocolate/​vanilla soft serve dipped in chocolate while my wife prefers the caramel hot fudge parfait. We’re both creatures of habit when it comes to out ice cream, but when we do try other things on the menu we are never disappointed. The service at the Carp location is always fast and the store is clean with plenty of tables both inside and out.
If you’re spending a day or weekend at the beach in Carpinteria make sure to check out Foster’s Freeze. It is truly part of the fabric of the town.

$ 4.98 for a medium size cone and a small sundae. That would have been an acceptable price had the small sundae been bigger! The display of cone, drink and sundae sizes behind the counter was misleading.
The small sundae was very small. It was more like a kid size and it didn’t have very much soft serve in it. The medium size cone had more! Sure, you’re paying for the hot fudge, whipped cream, peanuts and the cherry, but I expect more soft serve!

I’ve run into a Fosters Freeze from time to time and I will check them out. We even have one in Ventura!
So I’m cruising thru Carp. avoiding the weekend traffic on the 101 south when hunger set in. So I decide to stop by that good ol’ Foster Freeze I’ve passed by so many times before.
I mean nothing hits the spot like one of their fried burritos and a kids hamburger with secret sauce aka 1000 isld & pickle when done right. At this location it was done right. Although I do prefer crinkle cut fries that some locations serve, theirs were hot and not over done.
The corn dog wasn’t too greasy either… as far as corn dogs go that is. The service was festive and friendly. The counters clean but the floor very dirty. There were plenty of ppl enjoying their food the evening I was there.
If in Carp. and want a cheap meal on the way outta town south bound then try Fosters Freeze for good old fashioned drive in food.