1658 W. Belmont

Ahh, frozen custardy goodness!  Really!  Really!  Really!  "YOUR MOM & POP CUSTARD SHOP" - right off the website and it's absolutely 100% true!

Our celebratory event started not that far away A Related Article, and we were always going to end at Scooters*.  Should anyone's post 10K (or beyond!) race meal not include some form of Frozen Custard from Scooters?  We think not!

Although we've been in quite a few times since for a treat or two, it was this time last year A Previous Visit when we were celebrating the success of this same event and post event belly filling.  I really feel like I want to say exactly the same thing, but I'll try not to.

We're still a little bummed that they didn't open up closer to us but only a little.  It's not hard to get to.  It's certainly not hard to find, especially during the rush when the seats outside are jammed and there's a line at the express window.  There are seats inside too, and if you sit still just a little bit too long you'll almost certainly have one of the owners come and visit - and that's a good thing.

Our dessert went exactly like this:

• Frozen Chocolate Custard Pie - with Chocolate Chunks and Chocolate Brownies and Chocolate Frosting (and a pretty message for our celebration - thanks!). Yes, it was all about the chocolate!  A challenge to stop at just 2 pieces each. 

We often take home some of their packed goodness (and getting the leftover pie home was a challenge on a day where hot and really sweaty was the norm - but we made it and managed to make it last for 2 more desserts), but it never lasts long (that's a good thing!), and have become big fans of the Pies for special events - get your order in early for your Thanksgiving Pumpkin Custard Pie!

Stay JOLLY!
D

* The disclaimer is that we do know the owners, for longer than they've known that they can make the best frozen custard treats in Chicago.  But, if Scooters was in walking distance and if someone we didn't know owned it was putting out the same great stuff, we'd be there often, and probably a little bit too often.

1658 W. Belmont

Ahh, frozen custardy goodness!

Our celebratory event started here A Related Article but no matter where we started, we were always going to end at Scooters.

A Mom & Pop store that sadly is outside our range of getting to it as often as we'd like.  Usually it's spur of the moment as we're mostly in the location doing something else, but this day it was to be a scheduled stop as part of our Celebratory Lunch.  Ultimately it's a simple looking store run by 2 people (and their team) who care A LOT about the product they are putting out. 

It's a welcoming store with seats in front, out back and even outside if you feel the urge to linger - we always do because there's always a high probability one of us (ok, more likely me) will want a second treat.  It's always a happy place.  If you have time, sit back and just watch the smiles of the customers (and yourself!) as their treat is announced - not many people (if any) come in grumpy, but there's no way they could still be grumpy once the treat is in their hands.

We often take home some of their packed goodness, but it never lasts long (that's a good thing!), and have become big fans of the Pies for special events - get your order in early for your Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie!

Our dessert went exactly like this:

• Frozen Custard Pie - with Chocolate Chunks and Chocolate Frosting (and a pretty message for our celebration). Yes, it was all about the chocolate!

Although pies marching out the door are a common occurrence, it's probably not too often one is enjoyed in the store.  I did ask if it would be ok in advance as part of placing the special order and we did get the ok, but we did feel a little 'different' and noticed a few of the other customers comparing their treats to ours.  We do think our treat was better than theirs, but next time back almost certainly will choose off the regular menu.

The disclaimer is that we do know the owners, for longer than they've known that they can make the best frozen custard treats in Chicago.  But, if Scooters was in walking distance and someone we didn't know owned it was putting out the same great stuff, we'd be there often, and probably a little bit too often.

Stay JOLLY!
D

7000 North Glenwood

Our Dinner started here A Related Article and finished up with Dessert at the Heartland. Something that is kind of a little bit surprising that we've never actually done before. Especially since our visits to Heartland are mostly spur of the moment events that usually (but not quite always!) start with "feel like a drink and something to eat?" as we're walking down the stairs off the el.

We actually sat outside, something we quite often avoid due to the probable annoying street noise, smells and distractions.  But this neighborhood restaurant mostly avoids the parts of sitting outside we prefer not to be a part of so when the weather co-operates it's a pleasant change.

Our Server was double extra perky, so perky that she'd managed to tell us all about the specials and ask if we'd like a drink before we were able to confess we were only there for Dessert.  And even with this 'bad' news, she remained just as perky.  I can't decide if this would have annoyed us had we been there for a complete meal, but as it was no dramas this night.

Our Dessert went a little something like this:

• Mojito - not quite the same as others we've had in appearance, but hit the spot just fine.
• Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream - warm, but not hot and not overly sweet.
• Chocolate Stout Cake with Chocolate Ice Cream - quite rich, but chocolaty goodness compensated.

For a Dinner event that started so very early for us, a nice pleasant low key way to finish up.  The next time we're just a little bit too full for Dessert or can't find something we really want and the el is our ride home there's a good chance we'll stop by the Heartland again.

Stay JOLLY!
D