Human hand holding cone with twisted ice cream from machine
I’ll admit, I used to be an ice cream snob. I wanted it scooped, and aside from the slighter softer Italian gelato, I turned my nose up at soft serve. My kids however love soft serve and all the combinations: Dip! Sprinkles! Swirl!
Dairy Dream of Libertyville
Since having to give up almost all dairy due to high cholesterol I’m discovering soft serve again for it’s dairy free options. These are our favorite soft serve ice cream locales, all locally owned right here in Northern Lake County.
Suzy’s Swirl
6310 Grand Ave, Ste 300, Gurnee AND 703 W. Rockland Rd. Lake Bluff
Since I mentioned that I’m on a non-dairy diet now, I have to start with Suzy’s Swirl. Suzy’s serves soft serve frozen yogurt, gelato and sorbetto. Think of sorbetto as a very grown up and matured Icee.
The way Suzy’s works, and why my kids love it, is you serve and choose toppings yourself and then pay by weight. Each location features different and rotating flavors and options for swirling together. This past week I had a Pink Lemonade sorbetto that, honestly, I want to live on all summer long. The toppings bar has more than 50 different toppings, from fresh fruit to crushed candy and sprinkles. There is literally something for everyone at Suzy’s. On Wednesdays, kids (6 and under) eat free with a paid adult cup and on Father’s Day dad can get his swirl for free! Follow them on Facebook for updates on flavors and new toppings.
The Freeze
131 Hawley St., Grayslake
Formerly Tastee-Freeze, this joint has a new name but the same local owners as it’s always had and the same great soft serve flavors. Located in downtown Grayslake, it’s a perfect stop during summer festivals and farmers markets. My husband gets a slushie float (slushie and ice cream), which I have only seen at The Freeze. My kids’ favorite thing to do is to watch the dip. There is a viewing platform to watch the cones be covered in sprinkles or dipped in various toppings.
Dairy Dream of Libertyville
1229 W. Park Ave., Libertyville
Located just off the North Shore Bike path and situated right between Libertyville and Mundelein, this is a popular stop for families on the go and sports teams celebrating a win. They offer 28 different flavors of soft serve and a dozen different dips and toppings. While it is located on a busy street, there is a nice area behind the shop and right off the bike path that is filled with picnic tables and benches, and is totally shaded. They also offer a dairy-free vegan sorbet in changing flavors and will swirl or mix in any flavors. Blue Moon is a local favorite.
What’s your preference: ice cream or soft serve? And where’s your favorite soft serve location?
