For my four siblings and me, freshly-made frozen custard and steamed hot dogs smell like home. The Original ScoopDog — founded by our parents, Joe and Kim Yanosick — has been serving Central Arkansas nostalgia with a side of family tradition since 1999.
“We want people to get gourmet for under $15,” Joe says. “I want every customer to get the freshest custard in the world, right out of the machine, and a plump and juicy pure beef hot dog from the steamer.”
Pulling up to the drive-thru, customers are greeted by wooden menu signs painted by employees and family friends. Elvis memorabilia and vintage decor adorn the modest yet mighty building, which is surrounded by outdoor seating and an awning built by Joe himself. Booming 60s tunes add just the right touch.
The menu features dog-themed sundaes like the Good Ole Beagle, topped with roasted pecans, hot fudge and caramel, or the Golden Retriever, layered with homemade bread pudding and butterscotch.
Beyond the dog sundaes, customers can choose from dozens of concretes — chocolate or vanilla custard lightly blended with a topping, as well as shakes, malts, banana splits and even customizable cakes (available by preorder).
The hot dogs are named after cities like Detroit, Atlanta and the iconic Chicago dog, with tomatoes, pickles and onions hand-cut daily by Kim.
Other concrete mix-ins, such as brownies, bread pudding, oatmeal cookie dough, sugar cookie dough and cheesecake, are also made from scratch by Kim and her children.
Each Yanosick kid grew up learning how to operate the register, take orders and make them.
“We're a small family business, but everything you learn at that store can be taken to any other business,” Joe says.
Kim adds, “The best thing about owning our own business is our family. I've never been without you guys ever, and I've never been without Joe.”
Love at first bite
Joe and Kim’s story began in 1987 at a Holiday Inn in Augusta, Georgia. Joe was the restaurant manager, and Kim, who was finishing beauty school, applied to work the morning buffet.
Joe muses, “I thought, ‘Oh my, she’s so good-looking, she’s not gonna show up.’”
But he ate those words. Kim says she was on time for every single shift.
After spending several shifts together, the two fell in love and married in 1990. They welcomed their first son two years later and relocated to Little Rock, where Joe was the general manager of the Riverfront Hilton and helped open a Benihana.
In 1999, Joe left hotel management and partnered with a high school friend from Fort Smith Southside to franchise several Shakey’s Frozen Custard locations.
“I wanted to work for myself, and I discovered frozen custard,” Joe says. “I thought, ‘This is the way.’”
Joe and Kim eventually chose to branch off and open The Original ScoopDog in 2009. The name originated from Joe’s stock market username, inspired by a time when he day-traded to help support the family. The iconic logo was inspired by the family’s dog Baxter and was sketched by Joe’s best friend, Dave Wilson.
Today, after 35 years of marriage, Joe and Kim have carved a sweet path for my siblings and me to follow, sprinkled with invaluable lessons in running a business and providing authentic customer service.
For more information, visit thescoopdog.com.