The diverse neighborhoods of Chicago provide a large variety of frozen sweet treats to cool yourself down during a hot summer day. Check out these five treats from five neighborhoods.
5 Treats
Mario’s Italian Lemonade
Open only during the warmer months, Mario’s Italian Lemonade is a Chicago classic in Little Italy on 1068 W. Taylor St. The long, but efficient, lines lead to a sea of lemonade flavors that have real chunks of fruit and aren’t overwhelmingly sweet. This hole-in-the-wall shop has no seating but provides a great opportunity to walk around the neighborhood. A 12-ounce medium ice is $6.
La Michoacana Premium
“If it’s not premium, it’s not Michoacana!” is the slogan, written in Spanish, printed on every popsicle stick in this Chicago-based paletaria, La Michoacana Premium . Selling incredible paletas, mangonadas, ice cream, agua frescas, chocolate-covered bananas and more, the slogan delivers and the shop, located at 1855 S. Blue Island Ave., is a staple in Pilsen with fresh ingredients and great service. A standard paleta is $4.75
An employee rolls ice cream at Legend Tasty House at 2242 S. Wentworth Ave. The restaurant specializes is a Thai-inspired rolled ice cream and is located in Chinatown. (
Layla Flowers )
Legend Tasty House
Located in Chinatown at 2242 S. Wentworth Ave., Legend Tasty House is a rolled ice cream shop that lives up to its “legendary” name. The Thai-inspired dessert is customizable in flavor and toppings, made to order in front of customers and a yummy way to cool off this summer. Open every day and all year round, this ice cream shop can satisfy your sweet tooth even after summer. A standard cup of rolled ice cream is $6.30.
Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream
From classics like cookies and cream to fun flavors like honey cinnamon graham cracker, Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream , a Black-owned business located in Bronzeville at 46 E. 47th St., has perfected its flavor combinations with creamy ice cream. A labor of love, Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream is a must try on the South Side. One scoop of ice cream is $5.99.
Brothers Creamery
Handcrafted with local ingredients, Brothers Creamery at 2928 N. Broadway in the Lake View neighborhood knows how to make a good cup or cone of frozen custard. The texture, smooth yet dense, paired with their delicious flavors is a combo to not miss out on this summer. Their secret method is sourcing their ingredients from local farmers and sustainable practices.
