Dairy Queen Grill & Chill in Courtenay

1030 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7, Canada

★★★★☆
(392 reviews)
Categories: Fast food restaurant Cake shop Dessert shop Ice cream shop

About

Soft-serve ice cream & signature shakes top the menu at this classic burger & fries fast-food chain.

Website
dairyqueen.com
Address
1030 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7, Canada
Plus Code
M2Q3+9X Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
Time Zone
America/Vancouver

Business Hours

Sunday
10 AM–10 PM
Monday
10 AM–10 PM
Tuesday
10 AM–10 PM
Wednesday
10 AM–10 PM
Thursday
10 AM–10 PM
Friday
10 AM–10 PM
Saturday
10 AM–10 PM

Services

From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
No-contact delivery Delivery Drive-through On-site services Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee Late-night food
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Toilets Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Family friendly Groups
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids Good for kids birthday High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot

Reviews

4.0
★★★★☆
392 reviews

Most Mentioned

drive thru (11) hepatitis a (7) ice cream cake (7) sundae (7) price (7) cone (5) birthday cake (4) fudge (4) contamination (2) peanut butter (2)
5 stars
187
4 stars
93
3 stars
63
2 stars
16
1 stars
33
★★★★★
October 23, 2024

This DQ location is clean & comfortable! The customer service provided is exceptional! It is consistent in its product quality & availability. Best fast food cheese burgers by far!

★★★★★
October 20, 2024

Great food and friendly service at Dairy Queen in Courtenay! The atmosphere is inviting, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a meal or a delicious ice cream treat.

★★★★★
October 19, 2024

Love, love, love the owners, locally owned and operated & the staff has always been so great!, For fast food, their burgers are so good. My family loves their Buster Bars, and Ice Cream sandwiches. I love the smiley faces and giggles when I ask for a hot fudge sundae with a shot of extra hot fudge and 2 shots of peanut butter. I got one time, we are sorry that won’t fit in the cup, so I get it on the side 🥰😂 Hmmm now I want a sundae.❤️ Also if you are looking for a fundraising opportunity, they have a great buy one get one free card

★★★★
October 12, 2024

We've gone to this DQ for years, and despite the recent health issue involving Hep A, we've personally never had any problems with it (besides a mini blizzard being over $5). Never got food poisioning and in my experience staff were fine so no complaints

September 20, 2024

Absolutely disgusting, I didn’t know hepatitis A was on the menu. I went to go get a treat after a long day, I asked for a drink on the side but instead they gave me hepatitis along with the rest of the town who ate there. I just wanted a snack, not a public health emergency and my extra time being wasted waiting for hours just to get a shot along with everyone else who probably got the heppy from eating there. The place and the workers are unsanitary, I would only recommend going there if you want another disease to add to your list.

September 19, 2024

I heard about the Hep A outbreak and had to frantically check my online banking to make sure I didn't dine here during the 4 days Island Health advised about. Thank god I missed it by a couple of days, however, I feel for the people that may have gotten contaminated food. I sense a lawsuit coming your way and will never ever eat at your restaurant again! Gross.

July 16, 2024

asked for a print out to confirm the order, and was told that they didn't do that. staff was rude and wouldn't listen to us when we told them we had done so in the past. demanded we pay for it before they would let us see what we were ordering. had to ask for a second tray even tho we had 6 drink/icecream cups. which promptly broke when we lifted them dropping several drinks to the floor of the car.

June 4, 2023

June 4, 2023 - Without question… I have never seen a Dairy Queen Sundae before that was two distinct and individual blobs. One blob was ice cream, and directly beside it was a blob of melted chocolate. We asked them to redo it because the chocolate is actually supposed to go over the top of the ice cream.… And has been that way for decades and decades and decades… But they seem to be confused by this, and they ended up, after about three minutes, returning that exact same Sundae with two distinct blobs. I wished that we would’ve taken a photograph of it to show everybody because clearly they have no idea how to make a Sundae. I mean, how difficult is it to pour chocolate on top of the ice cream? When you are paying five dollars for a Sundae… I kind of want it to be exactly like the Sundays that they’ve been serving for generations. It looked so completely on appetizing and gross that we ended up tossing it out because it was just really disappointing. For the people who are working at the Dairy Queen in Courtenay, here is a photo of what it’s supposed to look like. What was nice though was that the dipped chocolate cone has not changed and that was tasty.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 1, 2024

The Turtle Blizzard is soooooo good! THANK-YOU for the great service, I will be back to try it again!!! Food : 5/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Friendly staff, quick service, and the best food of any DQ Ive visited. I always stop by on my way through town.

Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Unclean

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

This location has consistently been terrific! Good food, clean with quick & friendly customer service!

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Good food with excellent service, and very friendly staff and management. Love this place.

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Wonderful and clean restaurant. The staff go above and beyond!

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Amazing staff! Always great service and a great experience at this location! Amazing place to get a sweet treat and the owners are fantastic people! Food

★★★
September 22, 2024

I don t go to DQ often I normally really like blizzards but this time I got the Reese s pieces cookie dough one DO NOT get it, it s not very good to much cookie dough not enough Reese s it also gave me food poisoning

September 22, 2024

Seriously? Hepatitis A contamination in your food? So one of your employees is infected, and NOT washing their hands after they defecate at their food prep job? Gross yet totally on point for Courtney. Shut it down.

September 22, 2024

Just found out I need to go get a Hepatitis A shot because I ate here. That s just fantastic you guys. I will never go here ever again.

September 22, 2024

If you dont get Hep A, youll get food poisoning. I will NEVER be eating at DQ again and ill be sure to let my family know it is not safe to eat here. Hope its shut down.

September 22, 2024

Thanks for possibly giving all of us hepatitis A great one guys never going here again.

★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

I don t come here often bits been a while. Almost $9 for a medium blizzard!!! When did they get that expensive! HÄAGEN-DAZS is cheaper now!! Guess no more blizzards for me!

August 22, 2024

Didnt give me a drink or fries when we asked for a meal

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

I just want to express my thanks for the wonderful staff. I wish I knew the specific names.I am a business owner and recognize premium service and friendly people.I not the most frequent customer but every time I am greeted and served by exceptional people. In the fast food industry I find this a rarity. Thank you!

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

dairy queen is amazing i love it so much because there food is really good and the employees are really kind Kid-friendliness: they have really nice music

May 22, 2024

Please stop forgetting that I exist when I order these guys keep doing this every time I order. They tell us to pull to the side but completely forget we are here, causing all our ice cream to melt and making us wait half an hour. Not cool.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Very considerate service, the clerk proactively asked to add a birthday message.

★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Great stop. Very helpful with ordering my ice cream cake with a photograph on it.

★★★
December 22, 2023

Every time we order blizzards they barely put any toppings into it. Even if you pay for extra stuff you never get it.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

The food is always super extremely dellicious and the staff are always friendly and effecient. The restaurant are always clean and Candy and Lisa always do a good job at running the restaurant. Peace out and have a good day. Cheers.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I love this location, staff are awesome and the food is great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very quick service and the staff is super friendly. Im visiting from out of town and felt very welcomed. And the churro cone was amazing!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Vegetarian options: Salads Parking: Behind and a few extra spots on each side of the building, but the back of the building is the main parking lot with plenty of space Kid-friendliness: Highchairs and very kid friendly Wheelchair accessibility: Yes

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The service was excellent and the icecream muchly needed today with the heat

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Love taking my nephew to DQ for Blizzards. The says is always friendly and helpful

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

On July 9th we stopped by this location after lunch to get some ice cream. The service was top notch and all 4 requests we made came out quickly and done to perfection. I dont normally leave reviews at fast food places but this DQ was awesome. Thanks very much

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Your cake decorator Lisa went over and beyond for our last minute order. Our 89 year old mother was over the moon to see her personalized ice cream cake with photo and beautiful flowers. Thank you so much Lisa

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Huge shout out to Julian who was working the drive thru tonight. Most quick service restaurant employees sound miserable and worn out. Julian wad so much fun to interact with in a short period at the speaker. Im hoping this is a sign that your employees are appreciated and happy and if not, please take the time to give this staff member some extra love. A free meal, an extra paid break, a raise, or whatever it takes to retain this employee so you can retain us as customers.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Ordered a specific cake with lots of alterations for my husbands bday. Ariel was absolutely wonderful to help guide me in building the perfect cake for him and coming up with great ideas for design as well! Super professional and clearly happy to help me find the best things. Thanks so much Ariel for helping make my hubbys bday great!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great location that cares about its customers. Had a great time especially thanks to Candy who put in the extra effort to make our holiday special.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Its so good

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great food and staff

★★★★
December 22, 2022

Was much better than the first time. Not everyone likes sour pickles, and yet you do not put relish on your burgers and no onions now that is not good and please do not put so much ketchup and mustard on them.

Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Absolutely the worst Blizzard I have ever had! Showed the manager that there was absolutely no filling in the blizzard and she says oh well. Threw it in the garbage and went to M for a Mcflurry. Tragic.

Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Waiting for 15min for a small coffee because you forgot you pulled us up to serve the next vehicle

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Icecream is the only thing saving it.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Was great took it to go

★★
December 22, 2022

Got one 6 piece chicken strip meal and one 4 piece chicken strip meal and only got 2 dips.. we asked for all honey mustard and got one honey mustard and one sweet n sour. No napkins or ketchup. Im disappointed dairy queen. 2 sauces for 10 strips is just sad..

December 22, 2022

They lock their doors at 9pm unless you re a doordash driver. Enjoy waiting in line around the restaurant if you want anything.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Friendly staff with prompt service. Fries were fresh and hot Parking: Lots of parking on site Wheelchair accessibility: First floor fast food with ease of entry for wheelchairs.

★★★
December 22, 2022

Went at night time around 8:30 pm. Went through drive thru. The speed was reasonable (5-10 mins). Ordered 2 meals and what I received was correct. I ordered a 1/3 lb bacon deluxe w/combo, they lost a star on this part as they boxed and correctly labelled the burger but the display inside was shabby and thrown together by what seems like a 12 year old having a bad day. The lettuce was mostly in the box with mayo and ketchup spread across the lettuce. The second lost star was my fry s being tossed into the takeout bag on there side leaving them scattered around. I got a dipping side of gravy also, it was warm and full of flavour. The quality of all the food was good however besides the small mishap with the burger. Overall experience: 3.5

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

They always give my dogs dog treats when I come through and always ask if i want whip cream or not :) they fixed an order for me today that accidentally left out an ingredient due to the confusion of me asking for less syrup. Never had a bad experience there, my whole life, they have wonderful staff!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Friendly staffs, burger is actually better than I thought it would be.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Good

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Excellent service! Friendly staff!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

The place to go for a quick ice cream fix! Never been disappointed at this location and service as always been good.

December 22, 2021

Ordered chicken strips though the skip the dishes app and they sent 3 uncooked strips with the order. After calling to talk to the store about sending out uncooked chicken I was informed that I should contact skip the dishes. I was mortified that she would try to deflect the stores responsibility about potential food poisoning onto a delivery service. Im absolutely disgusted that a store would think that this is okay customer service and best practices.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Quick n yummy

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Drive through was a bit slow. Food is pretty much as expected for a DQ

December 22, 2021

Received half of order that was placed and what was received contained less than 1/4 of what was previously put in box. 4 Piece crispy chicken had what looked to be the scrapings from the chicken and fryer cooker. Totally disgusted with DQ. Recommend anyone buying their food to check value for money before leaving their takeout window and if not satisfied return it for a refund.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

The D.Q in Courtenay was incredibly busy. The staff were amazing. They stayed focused...thorough...and happy. Customer service Saturday May 1 st...amazing. Thank you.

December 22, 2021

Really dissappointing asking twice for no nuts in a dish, only to get home and its full of nuts.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

The staff are nice, the food was good. An above average Dairy Queen for sure.

December 22, 2021

Slow and dumb!!!

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

No dining in but thought there would be an outside patio. Very disappointing .

★★★
December 22, 2021

Staff very helpful with the need for a birthday cake.

Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Dear dq do you actually know how to make warm/hot food? Sadly just 1 star as i used to like this place

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Ordered a birthday cake here (with a printable cake topper) and the staff (Mary especially) couldnt have been nicer or more helpful. And the ice cream cake turned out great!

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Drive Thur to get two large raspberry fudge blizzards . I live 5 minutes away and by the time I got home I could drink these blizzards , there was unmixed ice cream in the bottom . Blizzards are made to be eaten by spoons and not a straw . We buy blizzards at this location all the time and this is the 2nd time we have had a issue with the product . Some quality control is in order !

Local Guide
December 22, 2021

I freely admit my error in this situation. I was driving along the main road and decided on getting a burger. I was smoking and as I turned into their parking lot to go through the Drive Thru I chipped my smoke (knocked off and put out the cherry) as I know it is illegal to smoke within 6 feet of the window. What I did not know is part of my smoke was still burning. And the gentleman at window made blunt, rude and snide comments. That is where my one star comes in as I admit my fault in this but there is no excuse for the way he treated and spoke to me. I did then fully put it out (as I thought I had) and my issue was the unprofessional manner in which he handled the situation. I am sorry for my part but that does give you the right to speak to me in the manner that you did.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

I love dq but you forgot my honey mustard :(

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Awesome value and great food!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Best place ever!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

The people working here are awesome, so is the food

Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Went through the drive through tonight. Got home to find the order was wrong. Went back and was assured the replacement would be done, plus a coupon was given. That order was wrong too. Wont be ordering from them again soon if at all.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Great people working there

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

dear dairy queen, you are my queen, your delicious ice cream, food, and your pretzel sticks. ohhh your pretzel sticks. you rock my world , sincerely your one and only.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

dairy queen is a very nice fast food chain. There food has delicious flavor but in my opinion there desserts is really what makes them stand out they have delicious blizzards and ice cream cake. Another thing i love about dairy queen is the price of there food and dessert you can get small bilzzard(which in my opion isnhuge they should call it extra large not small) for super cheap and you only have to pay like a dollar more to make it a medium which is like double the size.I really like dairy queen and if you want go to any fast food place i would suggest dairy queen for you.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Ive always had a good experience with this particular DQ. Drive through staff communicates effectively and can handle sudden changes of order on the fly. Food has always been hot, fresh and right to order. Grabbed a couple of blizzards the other day and was happy to see staff members wearing masks and gloves for safety.

December 22, 2020

drive thru lady was disrespectful, asked for a minute to look at menu as we obviously cannot walk in and look, rushed us and couldnt even get the order right. Not really impressed after waiting over 15 minutes for our order and with the treatment for food that wasnt even good. Its a pandemic. Common guys. So disappointing

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Ordered a cake for a friends birthday and as always was nicely decorated and delicious.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

The best fast food in courtenay

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

You are allowed to enter the Dairy Queen from the drive thru order your food and exit the other door. This is much better than sitting in a hot vehicle the only thing is some people cant read and enter the exit door which made me feel and others doing the right thing a little nervous, but they also have but in front of the people using the proper way. I know how hard it is to control situations but I was a mamager at a Dairy Queen many years ago and still like your products. Staff are very courteous.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Good service

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Fast and courteous service, great blizzards!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Great mudslide

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Always great service and tasty food. Always a line up of cars in the drive-thru.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Fresh crispy fries and tasty burger. Probably best fast food chain burger imo.

Local Guide
December 22, 2020

The guy that brought our food out to parking lot(twice) was fantastic. That is not the case with the person taking orders in drive through,she couldnt seem to hear much as she was too busy having social hour with her fellowworker. First order was wrong,had to get back in line to reorder. The second burger that was fresh was room temperature. Waste of time & money. Save yourself the aggravation & go to fatburger

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

I love the $7 value meal

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Love my ice cream cakes

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Love me DQ.... The staff in Courtenay and Cranbrook are amazing!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Efficient staff

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

What can I say, its Dairy Queen...

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Very clean. Freshly made as you order. Friendly staffs. Excellent

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Delicious Food!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

I really like the chicken strips here

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Quick, friendly and speedy service, always delish, plus Candy and Lisa are amazing ladies!!!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Always fast and quality is usually good.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Addictive

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

The best tasting poutine in town. I recommend the large size. You gotta try it.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Great place

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Yummy

★★★★
December 22, 2019

Didnt have what I wanted but I made do with an old standard lol

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Mmmmmmmm blizzardddddd

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Great service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Money

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Lvoe the speed and service always good time for dq

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Favorite fast food place in town for its cheerful staff and awesome service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Very friendly staff

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Very chill.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

A dairy Queen is a dairy Queen. Having said that, the service and quality of product has always been spot on.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Love the DQ! There is always time for ice cream!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Soft ice cream cone. Hit the spot on a hot day.

★★★★
December 22, 2019

Services was quick and the Blizzard was delicious!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Always a great place to take the kids for dessert!! Super Awesome!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

The fastest service at a Dairy Queen ever! I really enjoyed the friendly staff here! Good job guys!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

D-licious

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Excellent cake service!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Their $7 meals are fantastic, you cant beat the price or the quality. Plus it comes with a sundae. No other fast food restaurant offers all that for that price.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Great food, good service. Great ice cream.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

I bought a cone and a strawberry sundae which were very good

Local Guide
December 22, 2019

My order was done incorrectly. Employees seem to not care. Would not recommend

★★★★
December 22, 2019

Busy place enjoyed a vanilla cone very good

December 22, 2019

Management is well trained but the staff have noooooo customer service what so ever

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Last night the trainees were left unsupervised at the ice cream bar and the sundaes looked pretty awful. I would have had mine remade but the trainee was a nice kid and I didnt want to make an issues for her. Maybe time to supervise trainees to keep up to DQs standards? I posted the picture of my sundae.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Quick service, friendly staff!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Good location, typical Dairy Queen. Its always consistent and fairly fast. Would come back here again.

December 22, 2019

Very understaffed and my meal didnt include gravy when they say it did, got very minimal fries compared to what i get at every other location!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Best place in town to get an ice cream cake! This Dairy Queen has been here for so long is fabulous. Great place to enjoy a meal with friends & great customer service.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Very confused staff Sunday. Orders all mixed up and no numbers proving you ordered and paid for your items. Also very long line ups for waiting.For ice cream and what not will probably go else where.from now on.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Great place for ice cream

December 22, 2018

Very difficult to get a free dilly bar by reviewing. Not worth writing a review if your just doing it for the free icecream

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Made us miss DQ even more - we live where there isnt one.... was very nice to visit one!!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2018

Fast and tasty

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Average dq

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Everyone loves DQ

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Its good fast food clean and organized

★★★★★
December 22, 2018

Friendly staff and good food as usual.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Good location and discounts. Definitely greasier than other DQ locations, staff seemed a bit unorganized.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Every year i get my birthday cake here and it is always amazing because there ice cream is to die for

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Its fast food....and though I never expect to have my mind blown, it seems like the quality of food has been declining steadily while the prices have crept up....its a once or twice a year stop for us...the treats are nice though

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

I ordered a birthday cake and it was done in the colors I wanted and it was beautiful job well done thanks

★★★★★
December 22, 2018

Strawberry an hot fudge sundays followed up with double cheese burgers

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

Blizzards!!! Need I say more?

★★★★
December 22, 2018

Guy offered me suggestions and alterations to make it better :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

I went in for burgers and ended up buying an ice cream cake because it was a superman ice cream cake.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2018

perfect peanut butter

★★★★
December 22, 2018

DQ has above average fast food. Its great if youre in a rush.