Atomic Cow
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This busy little sandwich shop sits right in the heart of town and has a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere and a friendly staff. With oversized deli sandwiches, ice cream, and plenty of other options, it's easy to see why it's so popular. We enjoyed it so much that we ended up stopping by twice during our visit. We ordered the Turkado and the Hot Spicy Italian, and both were outstanding. The second time around, the Italian was loaded with noticeably more meat and toppings than on our first visit, but both sandwiches were packed with incredible flavor. It's always a good sign when a place earns a repeat visit on the same trip, and this one definitely did. Thanks for the delicious sandwiches, we'll be looking forward to stopping by again the next time we're in town!
Fast service and great tasting food at a reasonable cost Nice ambience too Nice burger good size
This spot was a small place but they were pretty solid on treats. We got a chocolate shake, a dole whip and an amazing salted caramel cookie. The chocolate shake was very thick and had to use a spoon. The dole whip was quite impressive. I've had something like it near your home and this pretty much matched it. The price of the doll whip was absolutely shocking for how much they actually give you. I love it so much that I intend to get a bigger on my next visit.
Generous portions and great prices, another good meal at Atomic Cow. Pastrami burger, chopped cheese sub sandwich and onion rings and a toffee sundae
Everything I've tried is excellent and it's always exactly the same. So you always know what you're gonna get.
ATOMIC COW @ IDYLLWILD Parking was super easy, there's free street parking all around the town, and we found a spot within minutes. We visited this town just for the day, and in the afternoon we stumbled upon Atomic Cow. The moment I walked in, I was like wow, their milkshakes looked incredible, and they had some of the craziest, most fun flavor combinations. I saw the strawberry Oreo one, and my boyfriend and I immediately knew we had to try it. The price was unbeatable too: only $4.60 for a small milkshake, which is so reasonable! We had already eaten at another restaurant earlier, so we just grabbed a milkshake. It came out in about 10 minutes, and the flavor was amazing. The strawberries tasted so fresh, the Oreo crunches were delicious, and there were actual pieces mixed in. I also loved the ambiance, there was so much space, and the place felt cozy even as it started getting packed the longer we stayed. They also offer sandwiches, soups, pickles, and scooped ice cream if you're in the mood for something else. Overall, it was an incredible experience. The vibe was cozy, the service was great, and the milkshake was definitely worth the stop.
Atomic cow is an awesome gem in Idyllwild which could be easily missed, but if found, a truly cool place. Pros: I ordered the small strawberry shake here and it was very interesting flavor, but really good flavor and consistency. The shake was very thick and had pieces of Oreo inside. This place also has sandwiches subs and other drink items to choose from. There is plenty seating inside, including a bar area and tables for chairs. I did not try the food, but the food looked really good based on what I saw from other people's orders. The service was also quick and helpful, which was very good to see. Cons: I did not see any bathrooms inside the restaurant. Parking could be very hard to find depending on what what time of the year you visit I was able to find very good parking only because it's the off season and was raining. Verdict: Overall, this place was a real good find when I visited and if I didn't already eat food somewhere else earlier, I would have eaten here. And I will try and do that next time I'm here.
I walked into this place and my first thought was: "Wait... where did I end up?" You know when a restaurant looks like something from the past, not because it's styled that way -- but because it's actually old? Yeah, that vibe. The furniture wasn't fancy, the chairs weren't the most comfortable, space inside was tight, and there was a line like in a small-town grocery store the day before Christmas. Nothing dramatic, just very... real. But the reviews were strong, so I decided not to judge too fast. And honestly -- I'm glad I stayed. The menu here is huge. Burgers, sandwiches, fries, ice cream, shakes, subs, even soup. And the prices? That's the part that really surprised me. In 2025, seeing a full burger meal for the price of two coffees in LA feels unreal. I ordered the Pastrami Burger, Smokey Bear Burger, fries, tomato soup, and a drink. The food didn't just look big -- it felt heavy in a good, old-school way. The kind of burger that doesn't need marketing words, just foil and gravity. First bite and I just sat there like: "Okay... now I get it." Juicy, messy, smoky pastrami, melted cheese stretching like a pizza commercial, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and that soft classic bun. Not a gourmet burger -- just a good one. The kind you remember because it made sense: price, portion, flavor. The tomato soup was simple but warm and comforting -- honestly perfect for this mountain town. Would I call it the best burger of my life? No. But would I come back? Absolutely. Because the food tastes honest. And sometimes that's better than perfect. So yeah -- if you're in Idyllwild and want something real, filling, and priced like it's still 2010 -- this place is worth a stop.
Very friendly workers, and bomb ice cream desserts. The large size is a generous amount, and their soft serve vanilla ice cream was smooth and delicious. The amount of toppings on the sundae was perfect, and it was cool that they checked with us if we wanted whipped cream before putting it on. The peanut butter milkshake, which they advertise to be thick, was in fact a thick malt-like texture. They accidentally remade our order of two brownie sundaes because they forgot to throw out the ticket. But kudos to them because they gave the extras to us instead of throwing them away. My Dad tipped when we bought the milkshake to go because of the kind gesture. They had good indoor seating in a heated area, including a table with a long bench. I would definitely come back to this shop when visiting Idyllwild.
The Virginian is a delightful dinner sandwich Real turkey breast cranberry's stuffing mayonnaise
We enjoyed the ice cream here. Small place but enough seating outside. We had a slight customer service issue; however, they recognized it and solved without us saying anything. That says to me they're focused on customer service and fix an issue. We camp at the Idyllwild Regional Park campground a few times a year, so we'll be back.
Food was good & inexpensive. There were a lot of customers and steady stream of people coming in. Down side was it took 30 minutes for the food. But we were alerted as we.were ordering the food & appreciated the heads up. Not sure if the kitchen is not big enough to accommodate more people to prepare the food or I they were short staffed today. It doesn't seem like it should take that long to cook the sandwiches, burgers & fry tater tots. We walked around with the buzzer and went back before the buzzer went off to wait at a table. I got the grilled cheese with all three types of the cheese they offered & hubby enjoyed his Italian sub. Tater tots were piping hot & crispy. We were too full to try their ice cream but they looked good. We will try other stuff next time we are there.
Don't judge this place by the outside -- it'll honestly surprise you. The inside is super simple and low-key, but the food is totally worth it. Ambience is just usual. What I really liked is how huge their menu is. They've got pretty much everything: burgers, sandwiches, soup, coffee, ice cream -- literally something for any group. Even though it was packed when we came in, the service was pretty fast. They told us it'd be about 30 minutes, but our food showed up in like 20. We ordered the Smokey Bear Burger ($9.75), the Pastrami Burger ($10.5), a soda & fries combo ($5.5), and the tomato soup ($5). Everything was honestly amazing. For the price, you get these giant double burgers with an awesome sauce and super tender meat. They don't skimp on the fries either, but you've gotta grab the sauces yourself. Make sure to ask for their house sauce -- they make it in the kitchen, and both versions are excellent. One thing though -- you probably won't manage to get a refill unless you're willing to wait in line again. And trust me, you likely won't want to, because the stream of customers basically never stops. Highly recommend this spot. Incredible food!
Classic smash burger with a small town diner/ice cream store vibe. Get a scoop, a shake, or a side of fries. Nothing fancy, just good old American classics. The meals are affordable and pretty quick from order to pick up. It definitely hit the spot after a day of exploring Idyllwild! read more
16 days ago
We arrived at peak lunch hour and the line was out the door. The staff was clearly doing their best to work through the crowd, as there were multiple groups of 5+ parties. They handled everything as expeditiously as one could hope in this situation, and kept a positive attitude. There was an issue with our order, and when I brought it to their attention, they immediately took ownership and responsibility, apologized, and took steps to correct the situation. Once remedied, they proceeded to go above and beyond to treat our family of 4 and really show us that the issue was a fluke and to earn back our good graces. It was incredibly refreshing to see how they handled this issue, and their response was all voluntary, I only showed them the issue and they went all out to make it right. The food was amazing, the ice cream is some of the best I've had, highly recommend chocolate and cookies and cream, daughter loved the root beer float. The chopped cheese was fantastic and I crushed my patty melt. We look forward to returning upon our next visit and appreciate the potentially sour experience turned sweet. read more
26 days ago
3 days ago
2 months ago
This busy little sandwich shop sits right in the heart of town and has a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere and a friendly staff. With oversized deli sandwiches, ice cream, and plenty of other options, it's easy to see why it's so popular. We enjoyed it so much that we ended up stopping by twice during our visit. We ordered the Turkado and the Hot Spicy Italian, and both were outstanding. The second time around, the Italian was loaded with noticeably more meat and toppings than on our first visit, but both sandwiches were packed with incredible flavor. It's always a good sign when a place earns a repeat visit on the same trip, and this one definitely did. Thanks for the delicious sandwiches, we'll be looking forward to stopping by again the next time we're in town! read more
2 months ago
This spot was a small place but they were pretty solid on treats. We got a chocolate shake, a dole whip and an amazing salted caramel cookie. The chocolate shake was very thick and had to use a spoon. The dole whip was quite impressive. I've had something like it near your home and this pretty much matched it. The price of the doll whip was absolutely shocking for how much they actually give you. I love it so much that I intend to get a bigger on my next visit. read more
2 months ago
Generous portions and great prices, another good meal at Atomic Cow. Pastrami burger, chopped cheese sub sandwich and onion rings and a toffee sundae read more
2 months ago
Everything I've tried is excellent and it's always exactly the same. So you always know what you're gonna get. read more
ATOMIC COW @ IDYLLWILD Parking was super easy, there's free street parking all around the town, and we found a spot within minutes. We visited this town just for the day, and in the afternoon we stumbled upon Atomic Cow. The moment I walked in, I was like wow, their milkshakes looked incredible, and they had some of the craziest, most fun flavor combinations. I saw the strawberry Oreo one, and my boyfriend and I immediately knew we had to try it. The price was unbeatable too: only $4.60 for a small milkshake, which is so reasonable! We had already eaten at another restaurant earlier, so we just grabbed a milkshake. It came out in about 10 minutes, and the flavor was amazing. The strawberries tasted so fresh, the Oreo crunches were delicious, and there were actual pieces mixed in. I also loved the ambiance, there was so much space, and the place felt cozy even as it started getting packed the longer we stayed. They also offer sandwiches, soups, pickles, and scooped ice cream if you're in the mood for something else. Overall, it was an incredible experience. The vibe was cozy, the service was great, and the milkshake was definitely worth the stop. read more
Atomic cow is an awesome gem in Idyllwild which could be easily missed, but if found, a truly cool place. Pros: I ordered the small strawberry shake here and it was very interesting flavor, but really good flavor and consistency. The shake was very thick and had pieces of Oreo inside. This place also has sandwiches subs and other drink items to choose from. There is plenty seating inside, including a bar area and tables for chairs. I did not try the food, but the food looked really good based on what I saw from other people's orders. The service was also quick and helpful, which was very good to see. Cons: I did not see any bathrooms inside the restaurant. Parking could be very hard to find depending on what what time of the year you visit I was able to find very good parking only because it's the off season and was raining. Verdict: Overall, this place was a real good find when I visited and if I didn't already eat food somewhere else earlier, I would have eaten here. And I will try and do that next time I'm here. read more
I walked into this place and my first thought was: "Wait... where did I end up?" You know when a restaurant looks like something from the past, not because it's styled that way -- but because it's actually old? Yeah, that vibe. The furniture wasn't fancy, the chairs weren't the most comfortable, space inside was tight, and there was a line like in a small-town grocery store the day before Christmas. Nothing dramatic, just very... real. But the reviews were strong, so I decided not to judge too fast. And honestly -- I'm glad I stayed. The menu here is huge. Burgers, sandwiches, fries, ice cream, shakes, subs, even soup. And the prices? That's the part that really surprised me. In 2025, seeing a full burger meal for the price of two coffees in LA feels unreal. I ordered the Pastrami Burger, Smokey Bear Burger, fries, tomato soup, and a drink. The food didn't just look big -- it felt heavy in a good, old-school way. The kind of burger that doesn't need marketing words, just foil and gravity. First bite and I just sat there like: "Okay... now I get it." Juicy, messy, smoky pastrami, melted cheese stretching like a pizza commercial, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and that soft classic bun. Not a gourmet burger -- just a good one. The kind you remember because it made sense: price, portion, flavor. The tomato soup was simple but warm and comforting -- honestly perfect for this mountain town. Would I call it the best burger of my life? No. But would I come back? Absolutely. Because the food tastes honest. And sometimes that's better than perfect. So yeah -- if you're in Idyllwild and want something real, filling, and priced like it's still 2010 -- this place is worth a stop. read more
Very friendly workers, and bomb ice cream desserts. The large size is a generous amount, and their soft serve vanilla ice cream was smooth and delicious. The amount of toppings on the sundae was perfect, and it was cool that they checked with us if we wanted whipped cream before putting it on. The peanut butter milkshake, which they advertise to be thick, was in fact a thick malt-like texture. They accidentally remade our order of two brownie sundaes because they forgot to throw out the ticket. But kudos to them because they gave the extras to us instead of throwing them away. My Dad tipped when we bought the milkshake to go because of the kind gesture. They had good indoor seating in a heated area, including a table with a long bench. I would definitely come back to this shop when visiting Idyllwild. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
We enjoyed the ice cream here. Small place but enough seating outside. We had a slight customer service issue; however, they recognized it and solved without us saying anything. That says to me they're focused on customer service and fix an issue. We camp at the Idyllwild Regional Park campground a few times a year, so we'll be back. read more
Food was good & inexpensive. There were a lot of customers and steady stream of people coming in. Down side was it took 30 minutes for the food. But we were alerted as we.were ordering the food & appreciated the heads up. Not sure if the kitchen is not big enough to accommodate more people to prepare the food or I they were short staffed today. It doesn't seem like it should take that long to cook the sandwiches, burgers & fry tater tots. We walked around with the buzzer and went back before the buzzer went off to wait at a table. I got the grilled cheese with all three types of the cheese they offered & hubby enjoyed his Italian sub. Tater tots were piping hot & crispy. We were too full to try their ice cream but they looked good. We will try other stuff next time we are there. read more
Don't judge this place by the outside -- it'll honestly surprise you. The inside is super simple and low-key, but the food is totally worth it. Ambience is just usual. What I really liked is how huge their menu is. They've got pretty much everything: burgers, sandwiches, soup, coffee, ice cream -- literally something for any group. Even though it was packed when we came in, the service was pretty fast. They told us it'd be about 30 minutes, but our food showed up in like 20. We ordered the Smokey Bear Burger ($9.75), the Pastrami Burger ($10.5), a soda & fries combo ($5.5), and the tomato soup ($5). Everything was honestly amazing. For the price, you get these giant double burgers with an awesome sauce and super tender meat. They don't skimp on the fries either, but you've gotta grab the sauces yourself. Make sure to ask for their house sauce -- they make it in the kitchen, and both versions are excellent. One thing though -- you probably won't manage to get a refill unless you're willing to wait in line again. And trust me, you likely won't want to, because the stream of customers basically never stops. Highly recommend this spot. Incredible food! read more
4 months ago
5 months ago
Uploaded pic of recent menu. Clean store with friendly staff. Easy to walk to from center of town. read more
Randomly chose this spot for lunch. I went for the chopped cheese. It was really good and flavorful! The bread was awesome. I would highly recommend it just based off my choice. Can't wait to go back and try something else. Oooh the strawberry milkshake was ridiculous! It's a must. read more
Seriously - there's a reason they have a line out their door! When you walk in, the vibe pulls you into an era and place you may have never been - think of a combination of a little surf town meets the comfort and innocence of a skating rink. Tiki and vintage decor adorns the walls and music for the 40's to the 60's fills the place. So many kids meeting up for food before heading out to wherever. Prices are outstanding! I ordered the basic atomic burger and hubbs for the Smokey Bear double burger, we shared tots and a Coke. All for $22. Smash burgers! Fresh, hot and delicious. (I love shredded lettuce on a burger!) the person who took the order smiled despite the nonstop line. We didn't feel rushed at all. I'm only bummed we were too full for ice cream. They have plenty to choose from. The Dole Whip would've been amazing, but the burgers are plentiful and on this hot day, the ice cream area did not lack business. Good stuff! read more
2 months ago
Haven't gotten my food yet but it's so awesome here I'm already going to make this place one of the favorite spots! The service is incredible even though it's insanely busy! The vibes are amazing! Ali is such a sweetheart! She's the one with our hair and piercings. She is just wow so much love and good service and good vibes it just made the whole trip! Going to get the pastrami burger with french fries and I was able to substitute my soda for a coffee. I got the Huckleberry scoop of ice cream and I wanted to try the cinnamon so they gave me a scoop since I had to wait and somebody kept running in front of me all the time. Tourist lol but yeah this was amazing! Two minutes later ... the food is really good oh my gosh! The french fries I think they're McDonald's lol very good! OK hands-down best latte in town. read more
i had their pastrami sandwich, it was fantastic. we also had their burgers and it was super tasty. got it to go, so i can't speak on the ambience but it seemed super cute. i want to go back to try their sweet items! service was friendly and fast read more
1 year ago
Lots of food for the price! Sandwiches are huge, dining room is small but clean, and they provide wonderful customer service. Great for snacks, lunch, and dessert! read more
My favorite icecream shop in Idyllwild! Because it is the only place that has soft serve! And, their soft serve is the most creamy and delicious you will get! Not the icy water down fake tasting icecream like other places! It reminds me of the high quality Japanese soft serve in Japan! When I went they only had Dole Whip and vanilla and since I'm not a pineapple icecream person, I went with vanilla! They also serve normal scoop icecream but come try the soft serve! They also have sandwiches and other snacks but COME FOR THE SOFT SERVE! You will thank me :) read more
29 days ago
2 months ago
5 months ago
I honestly wish I would have visited this place on an empty stomach because everything on the menu sounded so delicious. They have a wide variety of sandwiches and burgers. We stopped here for dessert and we all enjoyed ice cream and root beer floats. We sat outside they have seating inside as well but it was such a beautiful day we enjoyed our ice cream outside. The employees work well and fast to get their orders ready for customers. We will definitely go back and have lunch here. read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
Got myself a refreshing root beer float.my son got himself a dole whip float. There's a seating area inside and outside the store. read more
7 months ago
2 years ago
I always ask my husband for his Yelp review and this time he said "two words: come here." Honestly, yeah. This was our first visit to Idyllwild and we came here for lunch at the recommendation of Susan, a very friendly lady at the visitor center. He got the chopped cheese sub and I got the pastrami burger. Food came out piping hot in a greasy paper bag, the first sign things are going well. Portions were enormous for the price. Especially the burger! TWO smashed patties, pastrami, shredded lettuce, house made sauce, and grilled onions for only $10.50. Are you kidding me?! I could barely fit my mouth around the tall stack. We loved the food so much that we came back for dinner... and the same cashier took our order... I convinced my husband to let me upgrade our hot honey chicken sub to a combo this time, which includes fries and a 12oz shake for only $6! Worth it. The shake was so thick that he could barely generate enough inspiration force to suck it through the straw. He had to use the straw as a spoon until it melted a little HAHAHA. And the shoestring fries were nicely salted, a good amount to share between two people. I actually wanted to order another pastrami burger but we were too embarrassed to place a third order on the same day with the same cashier... Of the 3 sandwiches we had (pastrami burger, chopped cheese sub, and hot honey chicken), the burger won hands down. Tasted amazing and great value. The subs have a nice chewy bread but flavor wise could not compare with the burger. The interior was warm, with limited seating. Very clean. Counter service. One hundred percent would return. May return to Idyllwild just for Atomic Cow. read more
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More info about Atomic Cow
54200 N Circle Dr
Idyllwild, CA 92549
Directions
(951) 468-4363
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http://www.atomiccowcreamery.com
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Ask the Community - Atomic Cow
My son has a peanut allergy and I see there is peanut ice cream on the menu. Do you use safe cross-contamination practices so that he can order a non-peanut ice cream? Some shops will take a scoop from a new batch or sanitize the scoopers for example
Yes we sterilize the scoops after every use. We recommend people with severe peanut allergies to get our soft serve or dole whip ice cream because it never gets close to any of the ice creams with nuts.
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