This South Portland, Maine Ice Cream Shop Has Served Soft Serve Since 1952

Red's Dairy Freeze has been a staple of southern Maine summers for generations. Since opening in 1952, it’s been the kind of place locals grow up with and visitors discover once, and then make part of their routine every year. There’s something about walking up to that window, hearing your number called, and grabbing a cone that just feels like Maine.

What really stands out is how little it’s changed. That kind of consistency is rare, and it’s part of why Red’s is often considered one of the older, classic ice cream stands in southern Maine.

Hard-Serve or Soft-Serve?

The focus has always been on what they do best: soft-serve cones, over-the-top sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, and what feels like an endless list of milkshake flavors. Whether you’re in the mood for something simple or something loaded with toppings, it always delivers that nostalgic, summer-night kind of satisfaction.

For me, it’s one of those places that just feels personal, like a small tradition that somehow never gets old no matter how many times you go.

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In a state full of great ice cream spots, Red’s stands out for one reason: it’s timeless, and it still feels like summer every single time.