A Lafayette Stop for Big Borden’s Sundaes and Retro Comfort

A Royal banana split is not a modest afternoon snack. At Borden’s Ice Cream Shop in Lafayette, the larger creations arrive with serious amounts of ice cream and toppings, the sort of order that can turn a quick stop into time spent lingering over spoons, napkins and the question of who gets the last bite.

The shop carries the visual language of a 1950s diner: bar seating, tables and booths, with a tidy, well-kept room that gives ice cream a little ceremony. You choose from flavors, toppings and combination desserts at the counter, then settle in with a cone, a malt or a towering sundae.

Borden’s holds an unusual place in Lafayette. It is widely regarded as the only remaining Borden’s ice-cream shop in the United States, and it has been woven into local family routines for generations. One account dates the business to 1940, while many Lafayette families remember it as a childhood treat and a familiar stop when returning home.

That continuity shows up in the flavors people remember ordering together: chocolate, chocolate chip, pistachio and strawberry. The appeal is not complicated. A longtime ice-cream counter, a favorite flavor, and enough room for several generations to sit down together still go a long way.

The specialty desserts are where Borden’s can become gloriously excessive. Banana splits and similar large orders are notably generous, built with substantial scoops and plenty of toppings. The Royal banana split is especially large, making it a sensible shared order for a couple of people—or a very committed individual.

There are smaller ways to make a cone feel special, too. Gold brick, also called gold dip, is available as a topping, including on a moose-tracks cone. Sprinkles and other add-ons give younger diners plenty of decisions to make before the order is finally handed across the counter.

Not every visit needs to become a full sundae undertaking. Waffle cones, shakes, malts, cookies, puddings and lemon sorbet freezes give the menu a broad old-fashioned dessert-counter range. A chocolate malt or strawberry shake can be just the right answer when a banana split sounds a little too ambitious.

Borden’s also keeps a short savory side to the menu, with hot dogs, chili pie and nachos. That makes an easy family stop: one person can have a hot dog, another can go straight for a shake, and dessert does not have to wait until after the meal.

Puddings and ice cream are also available in unusually large multi-gallon quantities for groups or extended use at home. Availability can vary, but it is a useful reminder that this is not only a place for an after-school cone or a roadside dessert run.

Inside, the choices are pleasantly straightforward: take a spot at the counter, slide into a booth, or use one of the tables. The diner-style layout suits the menu, especially when several people are comparing flavors or passing around a large dessert.

Outdoor seating offers another option when the weather cooperates, with a roadside view for those who would rather eat their treats outside. The scale remains that of a small ice-cream destination, not a large dining complex, which is part of its easygoing charm.

The shop has an on-site lot with free parking, along with dine-in seating and a drive-through. That gives the visit two distinct moods: stay for the booths and the full counter experience, or pick up a shake and keep the day moving.

An old Borden’s double-cone arrangement—with two side-by-side cups—remains a fond memory for longtime customers, though it is best regarded as a piece of the shop’s history rather than a promise on today’s menu. The current pleasures are plenty tangible: a cold malt, a cone with gold dip, or a split big enough to put several spoons to work.