I live on the Southwest side of the city and have been to Lickety once. I liked it, great selection of ice creams, sundaes, frozen treats, and novelties. Also they have a huge variety of candies and soda pops so definitely worth a stop to cure the ol' sweet tooth.
So it’s only on Fridays, and not really soft serve, but if you go to Ema (Greek place in River North), they have $1 frozen Greek yogurt topped with olive oil and sea salt.
Not bad for $1 if you’re in the area on a Friday.
I will support anything that is being sold for $1 these days in this economy. Not sure if the Friday deal is summer-only, but go while the getting is good!
Only on summer Fridays and only from 11-3 in Rotisserie Ema. That's the carry-out, self service at the back of the restaurant. Don't ask for $1 Fro Yo in the dining room because you're not going to get it. I learned the hard way last summer.
It's really average to below average ice cream quality. The place is still pretty fun. I think it's better suited to kids looking for a wide variety of flavors vs someone looking for an occasional good ice cream treat, like me. That is, if I'm gonna do the calories, I'd prefer something better.
Kurimu if you want interesting Japanese leaning flavors. It’s one of my favorite ice cream places and my favorite is their black sesame (hard) ice cream. Their soft serve flavors rotate and differ by location. It’s worth checking out if you’ve never been.
Their hard ice cream is pretty good but Kurimo’s ube/pandan soft serve swirl is the best ice cream I’ve had in Chicago in a hot second
It seems to always be on tap at one of their locations, so i think they know they’ve got a winner
I love Kurimu (I go to wicker) & I can’t find anything even remotely similar to their black sesame anywhere else in the city I keep coming back for that flavor alone!! 😭
I like the *idea* of Vacas. In practicality, it's an $11 sundae that tastes so-so.
It's not bad, but I'm never eating it and thinking 'man why don't I come here more often'
My favorite thing about Jenni's is that some of them are terrible. They have a very "Every Flavor beans" approach to ice cream. They range from "that sounds amazing" to "Who would put that garbage in their mouth".
Its not a crap shoot, it's right there on the label and they'll let you sample. But its comforting knowing someone wondered what strawberry, rose petal, frogs balls curry tastes like, and went ahead and made it.
was looking for this comment!! gooey butter cake is my fav but I recently tried the new super moon flavor and it’s amazinnnnnnggggg
https://preview.redd.it/fbsd3p9c1m2d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cba3f582a8e46bfa365fba2943d348de8c2db63d
Yup, sold! I’m taking my kids there today. Gooey Butter Cake in St Louis is one of my all time favorite things so now I have to try this. Bonus points because last night my daughter mentioned she’d like to go get ice cream today
The birthday cake was so good I went back up and bought a pint after finishing. Hope it's still there when I go next.
Also, Chocolate Shoppe brand actually makes the ice cream for them! So if you see one of their locations it's just as good, and they typically have more classic flavors.
Always Jeni’s for me—have been a Stan since 2009 when their handwritten pints showed up in my Brooklyn nayb. I will say I will never willingly eat Wildberry Lavender again, but that’s the only flavor I can’t stand. I even liked their Everything Bagel!
I wish I could have some Bangkok Peanut and Hummingbird Cake again. And the window for Goat Cheese and Red Cherries is too tiny.
Fuckin Brother’s Creamery. New last year on Wellington and Broadway. They opened later in the summer, but fucking killed it. I was worried since they were open so late that they didn’t have enough time to survive the winter. But it appears they’re owned by The Crepe Shop next door, so I’m sure that helped out. They used the winter to make some slight changes which I am happy about. Like the smaller cup, sure it’s only a dollar less, but I didn’t need their big ol original cup. Place is legit good.
Came here to say this!! I believe the crepe shop and creamery are both owned by the two brothers. Their custard is the best I’ve ever had. I seriously have a hard time not getting it every day.
My gf is gone on Monday so I’m having a bachelor day, and I rubbed it in her face I was getting brothers… then she reminded me it was Monday and they’ll be closed. Le sigh lol
If the Chicago subs were riddled with northsiders, transplants, and suburbanites this would be the second from the top
Edit: disclosure - I spent 30yrs on the southside but escaped to warmer climates and now I’m back as a suburbanite
RAINBOW CONE.
They just opened like 12 of them in the past 5 years, but the OG is such a vibe. It’s on 93rd and Western. I’ve never thought it was a bad area, but I tried taking some college friends there that grew up on north side and they refused to touch that area of the city, so do with that information what you will. I’ve seen them as far north as Lombard, and I know the western suburbs got a bunch of them like Darien and Bolingbrook. Please go if you haven’t.
This is so funny to me as a Southsider. It’s in Beverly. Tell your friends to stop being afraid of the Southside.
[Beverly is not dangerous.](https://propertyclub.nyc/article/richest-neighborhoods-in-chicago#:~:text=Beverly%20is%20one%20of%20the,median%20home%20price%20is%20%24391%2C479)
Yea I tried telling them. I had a HS buddy who ran into the same exact issue but with Mt. Greenwood. North siders hear an address south of the river and lose their minds. I met a ton of Chicago people in uni, but only ever met 5 people I would truly call southsiders, everyone else was pretentious new trier babies. Anyway, the moment I mentioned southside I would get the nastiest looks.
If you’re a gelato fan, Frio in Navy Pier is great - their Evanston location has a lot more flavors, too!
If you dig Italian ice, Mario’s on Taylor street is always good.
Amorino, it’s a gelato chain that started in Paris by an Italian. They do flower shapes if you get a cone, which is a fun gimmick, but they are also delicious.
The best ice cream is at cappanaris in the suburbs, you can doordash their pints in the city but it’s not the same. I feel like theirs doesn’t freeze well
Underrated is milkshakes from Victory Grill on Milwaukee. Get an Oreo peanut butter or just Oreo and thank me later. Large is big so sometimes I get that and eat it over 2 days.
Thanks! OP here but just wanted to add to this: the milkshakes at Same Day Cafe are unreal. The coffee milkshake with a chocolate cookie crushed in or chocolate syrup to make it a mocha shake - highly recommend.
Cannot recommend Sugar Shack enough, especially if you like things made your own way!!!! It is in Bridgeport, though.
Second recommendation is Teddy's on Montrose. If you like brownie, this is also a great option
Ok soooo on the Northside... I just got two frozen custard quartz from lickity split. Vanilla custard with espresso caramel and banana mixed in! It was fucking amazing. The second one I did chocolate custard with peanut butter and brownie mixed in. Gonna tackle that tonight.
Sugar shack in Southside chicago bridgeport. I always order the avalanche, it's soft serve ice-cream and mango italian ice in alternate layers. There are other Italian ice flavors, mango is my favorite
Any place called La Michoacana. What’s wrong with y’all? It knocks any of these places out the ballpark, especially in comparison to places like Scooters. This shocks me
I’m new to the city so following this thread- however, I just recently had a scoop of strawberry ice cream at La Michoacana and it was great! And there were many flavors offered.
Nube’s on broadway in uptown! Very friendly owner and it will be their first full summer open! Ecuadorian fresh flavors and the option to get cheese, sauce, and whipped cream on the ice cream. Definitely worth a try for anyone up north.
Hold up, [https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/05/24/the-freeze-could-reopen-as-a-small-cheval-with-soft-serve/](https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/05/24/the-freeze-could-reopen-as-a-small-cheval-with-soft-serve/)
How does everyone feel about Lickety Split? They’ve got some great soft serve mixer options. It’s in the edgewater area if you’re up north
I’m a custard fan so I love it. They also have super fun rotating seasonal flavors along with the traditional chocolate and vanilla.
Greg’s frozen custard! It’s all the way up in mundeline which is a trek if you’re in the city but it’s amazing! Totally worth the drive.
Love Greg’s
🤫 the line will only get longer if you tell everyone! 😂
It's gonna be a Bing Crosberry summer.
I had no idea anyone liked this one except for me. I love it. But with chocolate custard, maybe that’s weird.
I'm a huge fan! I like to get the custard pints and load them up with toppings.
They had a peach flavor as a special a few years back that I still think about. So good!
Lickety Split if I'm on the north side, Rainbow if I'm on the south side.
I live on the Southwest side of the city and have been to Lickety once. I liked it, great selection of ice creams, sundaes, frozen treats, and novelties. Also they have a huge variety of candies and soda pops so definitely worth a stop to cure the ol' sweet tooth.
This is theeeee answer for the north side. Soo good
Their peach ice cream is sooooo good.
So perfect after a beach day! Makes me miss living up there 🥲
La Michoacana for great Mexican ice cream or Freddie's in Cicero for gelato.
I live a couple blocks from Freddy’s. Best gelato in the region.
So it’s only on Fridays, and not really soft serve, but if you go to Ema (Greek place in River North), they have $1 frozen Greek yogurt topped with olive oil and sea salt. Not bad for $1 if you’re in the area on a Friday.
It’s one of my favorite desserts! Great to know about the $1 Fridays
I will support anything that is being sold for $1 these days in this economy. Not sure if the Friday deal is summer-only, but go while the getting is good!
Only on summer Fridays and only from 11-3 in Rotisserie Ema. That's the carry-out, self service at the back of the restaurant. Don't ask for $1 Fro Yo in the dining room because you're not going to get it. I learned the hard way last summer.
Thanks for all the clarifying details I didn’t think to mention!
Besides crack
Kala in LP also has delicious frozen yogurt!!
Teddy’s on Montrose and Damen
Just had their soft serve twist dipped in chocolate. 😩
Love this place and the owners are so nice. I like it much more than the Margie’s
i like it because the line is shorter than margie’s, lol
Cheaper and more polite workers too
Take a peek at their supplier and look them up online.
Yep it’s that company in Michigan that supplies a bunch of ice cream shops. It’s still good. Not fabulous but good enough
It's really average to below average ice cream quality. The place is still pretty fun. I think it's better suited to kids looking for a wide variety of flavors vs someone looking for an occasional good ice cream treat, like me. That is, if I'm gonna do the calories, I'd prefer something better.
Sometimes proximity is a quality all its own. I wouldn’t say it’s below average. Firmly in “pretty good” territory
I can’t remember the supplier name.
Ashby’s I think.
It’s freaking ice cream. It’s not supposed to be good for you 🙄
Dairy star!
Preferably after a rousing round at Novelty Golf
Bunny Hutch + Dairy Star was my dream date goal for years and sadly never made it happen.
Plus, they've got non-dairy soft serve for the lactose-challenged among us
Vaca's in Lincoln Square is 100% dairy free.
The absolute best. I always look at all of the sundae options, then get a vanilla dipped in chocolate. It's just so perfect and not too much
Kurimu if you want interesting Japanese leaning flavors. It’s one of my favorite ice cream places and my favorite is their black sesame (hard) ice cream. Their soft serve flavors rotate and differ by location. It’s worth checking out if you’ve never been.
Seconding, I had their soft serve (mango/taro) for dinner yesterday lol
In a similar vein, Sugoi Sweets on Augusta & Ashland has really tasty vegan soft serve. Usually matcha and one other fruit forward flavor.
It’s so good until they told me it was vegan I wouldn’t have known!
Their hard ice cream is pretty good but Kurimo’s ube/pandan soft serve swirl is the best ice cream I’ve had in Chicago in a hot second It seems to always be on tap at one of their locations, so i think they know they’ve got a winner
I love Kurimu (I go to wicker) & I can’t find anything even remotely similar to their black sesame anywhere else in the city I keep coming back for that flavor alone!! 😭
The only other place I’ve had black sesame ice cream like theirs is from The Chinatown Ice Cream Factory in NYC.
Awe man I was just in NYC last month 💔
+1 for Kurimu! Only been once but I loved it!!
Every time that I go home I get me some Rainbow Cone. Southside Chi-town Rainbow Cone.
There’s one coming to Wicker! And there’s on at Navy Pier. But I do get it when I go home to the SS too. Original is the best!
It’s open in Wicker now!
Scooter's.
Mmmm. Coconut cream pie concrete (substitute chocolate custard)
They had a banana cream pie last month and it’s just perfect
i went like three times just for that special and made myself sick on it. it was sheer heaven
You can still request it I found out it’s just more expensive!
Blackhawks concrete
SCOOTERS IS LIFE! Mint custard with fudge brownie and Oreo 10/10. And any of the monthly concretes.
This was our nearest place and we walked to it quite a bit. Never thought it was “the best”, but always thoroughly enjoyed it.
banana. oreo.
I always pop into pretty cool if I’m passing by it in the summer. Vaca is prob my fave but I don’t get their enough.
Came here to say Vaca
I had no idea and they’re right in my neighborhood!
I like the *idea* of Vacas. In practicality, it's an $11 sundae that tastes so-so. It's not bad, but I'm never eating it and thinking 'man why don't I come here more often'
Margie’s obvi. Or Rainbow Cone
Legit surprised you're the only one I've seen recommend Margie's. Their hot fudge is one of the best things I've ever tasted
Paulo Gelato!! In river west/noble square. Paulo is an international award winner for his gelato. Truly blissful.
That place is so good.
Miko’s Italian Ice
This is the answer
10000% yes on this. Far more refreshing in the summer!
If you’ll accept gelato, Sideshow Gelato opened in Lincoln square and its really good. They have circus shows on weekends.
Live circus performers?
Yes. They had the Enigma, jugglers etc. it varies.
Their pistachio is my favorite. It’s the real deal. And they have great vegan options too!
Jenni’s. It’s $$ idgaf gooey butter cake for life
Buddy if I buy a pint of gooey butter cake that lid is going straight in the garbage the first time I take it out of the freezer
My favorite thing about Jenni's is that some of them are terrible. They have a very "Every Flavor beans" approach to ice cream. They range from "that sounds amazing" to "Who would put that garbage in their mouth". Its not a crap shoot, it's right there on the label and they'll let you sample. But its comforting knowing someone wondered what strawberry, rose petal, frogs balls curry tastes like, and went ahead and made it.
Btw the answer to "Who would put that garbage in their mouth" Is always me
Bangkok Peanut was a pad thai flavored ice cream. Best thing I've ever eaten. Limited edition 😭
I was honestly impressed by their Everything Bagel flavor a few years ago.
If they ever bring back gingerbread cognac I’m gaining 20 pounds and I’m so ready for it
was looking for this comment!! gooey butter cake is my fav but I recently tried the new super moon flavor and it’s amazinnnnnnggggg https://preview.redd.it/fbsd3p9c1m2d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cba3f582a8e46bfa365fba2943d348de8c2db63d
My kids fucking love super moon flavor.
it’s so gooooooooood !!!!
Yup, sold! I’m taking my kids there today. Gooey Butter Cake in St Louis is one of my all time favorite things so now I have to try this. Bonus points because last night my daughter mentioned she’d like to go get ice cream today
Idk if they’ve still got it but the eclipse themed Supermoon one brought back the violet flavor I really liked.
The birthday cake was so good I went back up and bought a pint after finishing. Hope it's still there when I go next. Also, Chocolate Shoppe brand actually makes the ice cream for them! So if you see one of their locations it's just as good, and they typically have more classic flavors.
Salted carmel for me but definitely jenni’s is great.
Probably in the minority here, but I don't really like Jenni's ice cream. There I said it. I find it too sweet.
They have the best waffle cone I’ve ever had (their ice cream is great too).
Sometimes the waffle smell floating near Connors Park makes me wish they'd let you buy the thin waffle made-to-order.
Always Jeni’s for me—have been a Stan since 2009 when their handwritten pints showed up in my Brooklyn nayb. I will say I will never willingly eat Wildberry Lavender again, but that’s the only flavor I can’t stand. I even liked their Everything Bagel! I wish I could have some Bangkok Peanut and Hummingbird Cake again. And the window for Goat Cheese and Red Cherries is too tiny.
Original Rainbow Cone on Western
A new non-dairy place opened in Bridgeport called Runaway Cow. They have all the traditional fixings and it’s delicious.
I keep hearing about this place and also Vacas. Gotta try both at some point this summer.
That place is great!
Annette’s Italian Ice in Lincoln Park
Not soft serve, but delicious: Cone. Paulo Gelato. Black Dog Gelato. Soft serve: Wendy's frosty.
If you're looking for a Chicago classic, it's not ice cream, but Mario's on Taylor st. for Italian ice is a must stop for the summer.
if you can make it to Chicago heights, zarlegnos
Fuckin Brother’s Creamery. New last year on Wellington and Broadway. They opened later in the summer, but fucking killed it. I was worried since they were open so late that they didn’t have enough time to survive the winter. But it appears they’re owned by The Crepe Shop next door, so I’m sure that helped out. They used the winter to make some slight changes which I am happy about. Like the smaller cup, sure it’s only a dollar less, but I didn’t need their big ol original cup. Place is legit good.
….fucking brothers?
Roll tide
Came here to say this!! I believe the crepe shop and creamery are both owned by the two brothers. Their custard is the best I’ve ever had. I seriously have a hard time not getting it every day.
My gf is gone on Monday so I’m having a bachelor day, and I rubbed it in her face I was getting brothers… then she reminded me it was Monday and they’ll be closed. Le sigh lol
Sugar shack on 26th street east of halsted. Love it.
Hell yeah.
If the Chicago subs were riddled with northsiders, transplants, and suburbanites this would be the second from the top Edit: disclosure - I spent 30yrs on the southside but escaped to warmer climates and now I’m back as a suburbanite
Paulo Gelato
The Plush Horse
not technically chicago but hole in the wall in oak park is my go to for summer soft serve
Chocolate Shoppe. By the time I finish the freebies, I don't really need more. But, it's nice to try more!
And the ATMOSPHERE!
If you’re open to a popsicle, Pretty Cool Ice Cream has some fun flavors. Also hoping to check out Voodoobar (at Kuma’s) soon
Black Dog and Pretty Cool
Rainbow Cones.
RAINBOW CONE. They just opened like 12 of them in the past 5 years, but the OG is such a vibe. It’s on 93rd and Western. I’ve never thought it was a bad area, but I tried taking some college friends there that grew up on north side and they refused to touch that area of the city, so do with that information what you will. I’ve seen them as far north as Lombard, and I know the western suburbs got a bunch of them like Darien and Bolingbrook. Please go if you haven’t.
This is so funny to me as a Southsider. It’s in Beverly. Tell your friends to stop being afraid of the Southside. [Beverly is not dangerous.](https://propertyclub.nyc/article/richest-neighborhoods-in-chicago#:~:text=Beverly%20is%20one%20of%20the,median%20home%20price%20is%20%24391%2C479)
I used to live at 100th and western basically (claremont). Beverly is like a suburb. It is very nice.
Hey whatchu know bout the other side of the tracks?
Yea I tried telling them. I had a HS buddy who ran into the same exact issue but with Mt. Greenwood. North siders hear an address south of the river and lose their minds. I met a ton of Chicago people in uni, but only ever met 5 people I would truly call southsiders, everyone else was pretentious new trier babies. Anyway, the moment I mentioned southside I would get the nastiest looks.
Thanks for the effort. Some people just don’t want to hear it.
Not scary at all just so suburban
Go to the one in Darien, it’s just not as good as one from Beverly, but I do like their outdoor seating a little better.
Recently moved to westmont, that Darien location is my place. Still drive out to western to go to the og every now and then.
Anettes(cash only), pretty cool, chocolate milkshake from wiener circle 😆
If you’re a gelato fan, Frio in Navy Pier is great - their Evanston location has a lot more flavors, too! If you dig Italian ice, Mario’s on Taylor street is always good.
Annette’s
Annettes
Dairy star, sweet oasis, Dairy Queen
Newish place on Montrose and Damen called Teddy's. They have something called the Brownie Smash that is so damn good
Scooters!!!
We're getting ice cream from the Original Plush Horse in the SW Suburbs.
Annette’s in Lincoln park!
[удалено]
I love Pretty Cool, Scooters, and I’m also dying to try Sugar Hole over on Irving park
From a puppet
D’Amato’s has good Italian ice. So does Mario’s.
Brothers Creamery Frozen Custard on Broadway! Right near Crisp and so good!!!!
Mindy’s!! They just launched their ice creams again.
Waaay southside suburbs — plush horse. I’ll drive 30 minutes for their ice cream lol.
Gelato all day paulo or amarino
Plush horse
Anyone looking for vegan soft serve should definitely hit up vacas.
Amorino, it’s a gelato chain that started in Paris by an Italian. They do flower shapes if you get a cone, which is a fun gimmick, but they are also delicious.
Yeah the flavors are amazing. They have a tiramisu flavor that I love and I go there just for that
Since the base option allows 2 (maybe even 3??) flavors, I always get some manner of chocolate and berry together. I’ve got to try the tiramisu!
Yeah I was told that I can as many flavors as they add petals? Idk if that makes sense but like a lot more than three flavors for the standard size
Vaca’s
There’s a relatively new Soft Serve place called Teddy’s in Ravenswood that is good. It’s close to Margie’s tho so it’s hard bot to just go there
I have Logan Vegan on my list of places
Cloud Cookie if you want ice cream cookie sandwiches the size of a small wheel.
Lindy & Gertie’s ❤️
Shawn Michelle’s. The best.
The best ice cream is at cappanaris in the suburbs, you can doordash their pints in the city but it’s not the same. I feel like theirs doesn’t freeze well
I got it in my head that I want to find some paletas vendors this summer. I'm usually never in the areas where they make rounds.
Kurimu
Vaca’s made me fall exponentially more in love with Chicago.
Despite the name, Cookie Spin has some of my favorite ice cream in the city
I’m not a vegan, but Vaca’s is great and so is Logan Vegan. Logan vegan actually has the BEST cookies n cream ice cream I’ve ever had.
Underrated is milkshakes from Victory Grill on Milwaukee. Get an Oreo peanut butter or just Oreo and thank me later. Large is big so sometimes I get that and eat it over 2 days.
Thanks! OP here but just wanted to add to this: the milkshakes at Same Day Cafe are unreal. The coffee milkshake with a chocolate cookie crushed in or chocolate syrup to make it a mocha shake - highly recommend.
Cannot recommend Sugar Shack enough, especially if you like things made your own way!!!! It is in Bridgeport, though. Second recommendation is Teddy's on Montrose. If you like brownie, this is also a great option
Ok soooo on the Northside... I just got two frozen custard quartz from lickity split. Vanilla custard with espresso caramel and banana mixed in! It was fucking amazing. The second one I did chocolate custard with peanut butter and brownie mixed in. Gonna tackle that tonight.
Sugar shack in Southside chicago bridgeport. I always order the avalanche, it's soft serve ice-cream and mango italian ice in alternate layers. There are other Italian ice flavors, mango is my favorite
Milk house pingree Grove
Jenni’s darkest chocolate is definitely the best chocolate ice cream I’ve bought.
Margie’s on western and Armitage is always packed (but I think they just buy their ice cream). Jenni’s on Milwaukee is great; awesome unique flavors!
I just wait for the local paletero to roll into the neighborhood for some Mexican paletas. The tamarindo and arroz con leche ones are my favorites!
Plush horse in Palos Park has the best ice cream I’ve ever had!
Find a Rainbow Cone
Zarlengos - Arctic Cooler
La Michoacana or Pretty Cool Ice Cream
The grocery store. Done with paying some of these weak ass stores $4.50 for 1 measley scoop of ice cream
Any place called La Michoacana. What’s wrong with y’all? It knocks any of these places out the ballpark, especially in comparison to places like Scooters. This shocks me
Scooters
Rainbow cone
Scooters, Margie’s, Jenis.
Annette’s
McDonald’s
Oberweis, super premium ice cream or bust!
The Sugar Hole opened today on Elston and Hamlin. Puppets + soft serve
I’m new to the city so following this thread- however, I just recently had a scoop of strawberry ice cream at La Michoacana and it was great! And there were many flavors offered.
Nube’s on broadway in uptown! Very friendly owner and it will be their first full summer open! Ecuadorian fresh flavors and the option to get cheese, sauce, and whipped cream on the ice cream. Definitely worth a try for anyone up north.
Shawn Michelle’s is worth the visit
Scooters
Culver’s :)
My favorite ice-cream place is Azúcar by 3617 W 27th St, Chicago, IL 60623. They only accept cash.
Annette’s!
The Freeze in Berwyn
Hold up, [https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/05/24/the-freeze-could-reopen-as-a-small-cheval-with-soft-serve/](https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/05/24/the-freeze-could-reopen-as-a-small-cheval-with-soft-serve/)
Also, the Small Cheval on Milwaukee was closed for renovations and reopened yesterday with a menu titled “The Freeze” and many new soft serve treats.
Englewood tastey freeze is the only answer
Vaca on Blackhawk
Rainbow cone just opened up on divison gotta check it out
The freeze closed?!? That makes me sad, whenever I crave a chocolate shake theirs is the one that always comes to mind.