This Oklahoma Soda Fountain Heaps Up Old-Fashioned Floats That Keep Locals Coming Back

The Coca-Cola dispenser behind this counter was installed in 1950, and it still pours. Order a float here, and that old machine helps build it.

The tile under the counter is even older. It’s original earth-tone ceramic from 1917, the year a Swiss immigrant started scooping ice cream on this corner.

As it happens, floats here arrive with an extra carafe on the side. I can’t help but think that’s the smartest move in dessert history.

You get the glass, and then you get more of the glass.

I’ve always felt Oklahoma does nostalgia best when it skips the costume and keeps the real stuff. This spot kept the tile, the fountain, and a family name tied to ice cream for over a century.

So what else is still pouring behind that counter?

Floats With A Backup Carafe Are The Whole Point

Two glasses of happiness sit at the center of the menu at Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe. The Root Soda Float and the Cola Float are the classics, and both come with an extra carafe.

That carafe matters more than it sounds. Your scoop of homemade ice cream won’t run out of fizzy company halfway through.

The cola pours from a working Coca-Cola dispenser installed in 1950. So your float comes from a machine older than most of the folks ordering it.

That’s a pretty fun detail to sip on.

Want something beyond the basics? The ice cream sodas go deeper, with names like Black Cow, Brown Cow, Strawberry Blond, Double Chocolate, and Black and White.

Those names alone feel like a trip to an old-time drugstore counter. Picking one becomes half the fun, especially if your group orders different ones to share.

Here’s a practical tip for first-timers. Start with a float to get a feel for the ice cream, then work your way through the sodas on later trips.

A little goal like that turns one visit into a delicious tradition. And honestly, nobody has ever complained about having homework this sweet.

A 1917 Ice Cream Story Still Lives On This Corner

Tony Kaiser, a Swiss immigrant, opened the first Kaiser’s Ice Cream in 1917 at NW 10th and Walker in Oklahoma City. His ice cream earned national attention for being pure and rich.

That’s a big reputation for one neighborhood shop. It also explains why the name still carries weight today.

Tony retired in 1957 and handed the business to his son. The original Kaiser’s closed in 1990, which left a sweet-tooth-sized hole in town.

The building didn’t sit quiet for long, though. The Grateful Bean Cafe operated in the same historic space from 1994 to 2010.

Today, the two names live together as one. Local attorney Peter Schaffer runs the restaurant and soda fountain, keeping the Kaiser ice cream tradition going.

So the name isn’t just a cute mashup. It’s two chapters of the same building’s story stitched together.

Knowing this history makes a scoop taste a little more meaningful. You’re eating ice cream made in a tradition that started more than a century ago, steps from where it all began.

Not many Oklahoma desserts can claim a backstory that long.

Look Down At The Counter Before You Look At The Menu

Most people stare at the menu board first. At this soda fountain, the counter deserves your eyes before anything else.

The earth-tone ceramic tile along the counter is original, dating back to 1917. It’s been there through every owner, every scoop, and every era of this building.

Above you, the details keep going. Recreated early 20th-century lighting fixtures and stained glass add to that historic look.

The soda fountain itself dates to 1950. Put it all together and the room feels like a 1950s soda shop with roots stretching back even further.

Then there’s the jukebox. A vintage Seeburg machine sits inside, and it’s a big part of the room’s personality.

Pressing those buttons and watching a record get picked is oddly satisfying. Kids who’ve only known streaming apps may find it downright magical.

A smart move is to arrive with a few minutes to spare. Take a slow lap with your eyes and spot the old pieces before your food lands.

Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe rewards curious people. The more you notice, the more the place starts telling its own story.

Homemade Scoops That Change With The Calendar

Black licorice ice cream. Yes, really, and it shows up seasonally around Halloween.

That legendary flavor tells you a lot about how this kitchen thinks. The ice cream is homemade in the Kaiser tradition, and the lineup isn’t stuck in one mood.

Flavors have included fruited cheesecake, banana with brown sugar, pistachio, and salted caramel. That’s a fun mix of cozy, nutty, and a little bit fancy.

The texture is described as fluffy, which sets it apart from dense, heavy scoops. It can feel lighter than you’d expect, even with all that richness.

Since flavors rotate, every trip can bring a surprise. Your favorite from last month might be gone, and something new could take its place.

That keeps things interesting for people who live nearby. It also gives visitors a reason to check the case carefully before picking.

A good strategy? Order two different scoops and trade bites with your friend.

You’ll double your flavor adventure without needing a bigger bowl. And if licorice season rolls around, at least try a taste.

Bold flavors deserve a fair shot.

Save Room For A Burger, Because The Menu Gets Serious

Ice cream may get the headlines, but lunch here holds its own. The savory menu covers burgers, salads, soups, and sandwiches.

The burger list has range. You can choose beef, buffalo, or salmon, which is a nice twist for a soda fountain.

Sandwich fans have options too. Pastrami and reuben both appear on the menu, along with build-your-own choices.

That flexibility helps when your group can’t agree. Someone gets a buffalo burger, someone builds a sandwich, and everyone still ends with a float.

Timing matters, though, so plan ahead. The kitchen closes at 4:00 PM even though the doors stay open later for treats.

Arrive in the late afternoon wanting a burger, and you could miss out. A lunchtime visit gives you the full menu without any rush.

Here’s a sneaky bonus. Pairing a savory lunch with dessert turns a quick stop into a real outing.

Burgers and ice cream at the same counter is a combo that has worked for generations. Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe simply keeps that classic deal alive.

The Sourdough Deserves Its Own Fan Club

Bread at an ice cream shop sounds like a side note. Here, it’s closer to a headliner.

The cafe bakes its own artisan sourdough breads using a sour starter. The grains include ancient whole grains, hard red spring wheat, and organic whole wheat.

That’s a lot of care for something that holds a sandwich together. Rye is noted as a favorite, and it shows up in the deli-style sandwiches.

The best part is that you can take it home. Loaves are available for purchase, so your dinner table can borrow a little soda fountain magic.

Think about grabbing one on your way out. A loaf of rye or sourdough makes great toast, sandwiches, or a thoughtful gift for a bread-loving neighbor.

Supplies can be limited, so don’t count on a huge stack waiting for you. Asking early in your visit is a smart move.

It’s a quiet detail that says a lot about the kitchen. A place willing to work with sour starter and ancient grains clearly isn’t cutting corners on the basics.

Second Chances Are Part Of The Recipe

Owner Peter Schaffer runs this cafe with a clear mission. He employs people who have been incarcerated, giving them a real shot at a fresh start.

That turns a simple float order into something bigger. Your treat helps support a workplace built around opportunity.

The team made history too. In March 2023, employees unionized with the support of management and the owner.

They formed the Kaiser’s Bean Family Union. Their goals included benefits like paid vacation, sick leave, and insurance.

A full-service restaurant unionizing in Oklahoma with management backing is rare. That makes this little soda fountain stand out in a way no menu can.

The staff is known for friendly, welcoming service. It fits nicely with a business that puts its people first.

Plenty of restaurants talk about feeling like family. Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe actually put the word family right into its union name.

So when you tip and say thanks, it lands somewhere meaningful. A kind word to the folks behind the counter goes a long way here.

Midtown Makes The Perfect Backdrop For A Sweet Stop

Location is a big perk here. The cafe sits at 1039 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, in the lively Midtown area.

More specifically, it’s in the St. Anthony District. That puts it in a busy, walkable part of Oklahoma City.

The building has a patio too. On a nice day, a float tastes even better with a little fresh air.

Driving an electric car? The cafe offers a free, public Level 2 EV charging station with a two-hour limit.

That’s a handy setup for a lunch stop. Plug in, grab a burger, and finish with dessert while your battery gets a boost.

Two hours is plenty of time for a relaxed meal. Just keep an eye on the clock so the next driver gets a turn.

Being in Midtown also makes this easy to fit into a bigger day out. It works as a lunch spot, a dessert stop, or a quick break between errands.

For a place with so much history, it sure fits into modern life nicely.

Check The Clock Before You Chase That Float

Nothing stings like showing up hungry to a locked door. A little planning saves you from that sad moment.

Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe closes on Sundays and Mondays. Tuesday through Saturday, the doors open at 11:00 AM.

Closing time is generally 7:00 PM on weekdays. Some sources list later Saturday hours, so checking before a weekend evening trip is wise.

The big one to remember is the kitchen. Food service wraps up at 4:00 PM, while ice cream and floats keep going later.

That creates two easy game plans. Come for lunch if you want a burger or sandwich, or swing by later for a dessert-only treat.

Evening float runs can be a great way to cap off a day. A cold glass with an extra carafe is a pretty fine ending.

This stop is worth working into any visit to Oklahoma. Few places mix century-old history, homemade ice cream, and a working 1950 fountain this well.

Bring a friend, pick a float, and let that vintage dispenser do its thing. Some traditions just deserve to keep pouring.