Hoover's Dairy, Farm Store, and Restaurant
Fresh Local Milk, Homemade Ice Cream, Lunch and Dinner
During the summer months, a giant cow outside of Hoover’s Restaurant at 6035 Ward Road in Sanborn beckons passing travelers to a photo-op with a frozen treat. It also marks the spot for casual dining or take out, available year-round. Subs, wraps, burgers, and dogs, are offered along with over 30 varieties of Hoover’s Ice Cream, ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes, sundaes, and swirls.
Behind the Ward Road Restaurant, Hoover’s Dairy and Farm Store makes its home at 6030 Hoover Road. Here, bottled milk is available for pick up daily along with quarts of Hoover’s homemade ice cream and an assortment of other grocery items.
I am going to date myself a little here, but I remember when there were milk machines. For the unfamiliar, these were refrigerated vending machines at which one could purchase gallons and half gallons of milk, just out there on the streets. My memory of these are vague, and in fact, I only recall seeing one milk machine which was a short walk from the apartment where I grew up. I think it might have made an impression on me because it was the first thing in my then short life, that existed and then suddenly without explanation, was gone.
As told by my grandmother, before the milk machines there were milk men, delivering dairy to the home in glass bottles. I didn’t know that any type of milk delivery still existed but as it turns out, Hoover’s has most of Niagara Country covered. Check out their delivery zones here. In fact, this 5th generation family business has been bottling and delivering milk for over 100 years (since 1920).
Over a decade past, at a holiday work party, a co-worker introduced us to THE most incredible eggnog I had ever tasted. With a luxurious texture and just the right amount of spice, I was told it was from Hoover’s Dairy. I had forgotten about this treat until recently when I saw the announcement on social media that their Eggnog was officially available for the season. I set my sites on procuring some and decided I’d like to try their milk as well.
Jeff insisted that he does not like eggnog. I assured him that I once felt the same. I suggested the eggnog ice cream and he acquiesced. We also brought home a quart of their chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Both flavors were enjoyed by all parties. The quarts of ice cream each cost $7, the quart of milk, $1.40.
A few tips before you head out:
Pints of flavored milk are available at the restaurant. If you want to purchase white milk or quarts of flavored milk, you need to head over to the dairy on Hoover Road. This is also where you need to go for those quarts of ice cream.
Upon approaching the dairy we discovered both sides on the long driveway lined with cars and additional cars parked along Hoover Road. Alas, we made our way up to the farm store and the long line that awaited us.
Apparently, on the third Saturday of the colder months, Hoover’s cooks up a mighty popular chicken chowder that really draws a crowd. They recommend pre-ordering your chowder by calling (716) 731-3822, but we were able to score a quart despite not being in the know. The next batch will be available for pick up, 11 am - 1pm on Saturday, December 21st, 2024.
Got questions? Check out Hoover’s FAQ here.
I'm gonna need to make a roadtrip just to buy a bathtub full of that chicken chowder. Holy moly, it looks amazing.
Once again this is a great deal of fun to read, and the Small Town Exploration is very enticing. You could definitely market your work to the small newspapers in these towns. Your writing does a good job of evoking Memory. I not only was sent many times to The Milk Machine in the evening because most grocery stores closed at 8! And even growing up right in the City of Buffalo My family had milk delivered in glass bottles by Aurora Dairy. This is the quiet Genius of this Blog: Talking about Great but Obscure Places and Towns while stirring Memories in Your Readership.
As Always, Well Done.