Best Gelato in Itasca

"If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll want to pay close attention to the next few spots. Just be warned that you will absolutely get a sugar high followed by a hard crash after downing one of these bombos, but at least you’ll die happy."

"Bombo, short for bombolone, is an Italian doughnut filled with jelly or cream. With their cookies and cream bombo, you get the best of both worlds."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Original Rainbow Cone is an iconic seasonal ice cream shop in Chicago that serves a wide array of desserts including banana splits, cones, sundaes, and shakes. This long-standing ice cream parlor offers layers of delectable orange sherbet, pistachio, Palmer House, strawberry, and chocolate flavors in a deliciously looking sugar cone."

"The only thing better than photographing the rainbow is eating the rainbow. This is a Chicago favorite that can always be found at the Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza."

"BucktownFounded in 1921, the original Margie’s Candies comes with tales of visitors like the Beatles and Al Capone (we also named it one of the best ice cream shops in America.) This Bucktown staple has maintained the old-fashioned decor and vibes, as well as a knack for serving handmade confectionery candy, chocolate, and fudge. On the ice cream side, you can go for classic scoops or make room for any of the shop’s famous banana splits. Bring a group for “the world’s largest terrapin,” a gargantuan indulgence featuring 15 scoops of French vanilla ice cream topped with a deluge of hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream, nuts, and banana before being crowned with a cookie.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating."

"Sit in the same chair where gangster Al Capone enjoyed homemade ice cream and toppings. Marshmallow is the best addition to any one of Margie’s 13 ice cream flavors. #SpoonTip: Try to avoid going on weekends where wait times can be over an hour."

"American , Bakery/Cafe"

"Must Try:Wildberry Lavender Jeni’s is always adding new and exciting ice cream flavors to the line-up in their Wicker Park and Lakeview store. From Goat Cheese and Cherry to the Whiskey Bacon Gelato Bar, you will not be short of delicious choices at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. Jeni’s has a unique recipe with a smooth texture and buttercream body."

"Multiple locationsInitially started in 2002 in Columbus, Ohio, this “splendid” venture entered the Chicago market in September 2013 with its first scoop shop on Southport and hasn’t looked back since."

"Jeni’s has expanded to being sold in many grocery stores, but nothing beats enjoying it fresh from the shop. Try one of their specialty treats like their ice cream cookie sandwiches."

"With more than a dozen locations in Illinois, including Evanston, Naperville, Mount Prospect, and Bolingbrook, Andy’s is spreading the love of frozen custard throughout Chicagoland. Frozen custard is creamier than traditional ice cream, with more butterfat and less air. At Andy’s the slow-churned custard is made fresh hourly to maintain the rich texture."

"With five Chicago-land locations, Andy’s is very accessible. The Jackhammer is one of many flavors of concretes. Choose from a list of over 25 seasonal toppings to add to a frozen custard of your choice."

"Classic chocolate and vanilla custard with all the fun mix-ins one could possibly want. From concretes to malts to sundaes, Andy’s offers every possible way for you to enjoy your custard."

"If you judge an ice cream shop solely on how close it looks to a Willy Wonka-type Wonderland, then Windy City Sweets is your golden ticket. This classic Lakeview haunt is chock full of so much Americana sweets and ice cream that you practically get a cavity just by entering the front door. The candy (and fudge!) supply is great, but the ice cream is truly special."

"Another cooling dessert worth highlighting is the gelato at Black Dog Gelato, which the brainchild of crafty pastry chef Jessie Oloroso. Her offbeat gelato flavors are fascinating, not only in surprising ingredient combinations, but in silken texture and illustrious hue. You really can't go wrong with any of the them, from the rich malted vanilla to the goat cheese-cashew-caramel."

"Must Try: Mexican Hot Chocolate Black Dog Gelato has some of the most inventive and interesting ice cream flavors in Chicago. They make their gelato fresh every day in small batches with simple ingredients. They love to create new flavor combinations to keep up with the modern palate."

"It’s incredibly smooth, and there are a variety of interesting flavors, like pretzel Nutella and olive-oil almond (our absolute favorite is the goat cheese cashew caramel). Just keep in mind that since everything is made fresh daily, they might run out of what you’re looking for."

"Little ItalyThis Japanese-influenced dessert destination brings pillowy soft serve adorned with edible gold and silver leaf, colorful flavored cones, and crave-worthy boba and milk tea to the heart of Little Italy. And the cozy, sundrenched scoop shop is as slickly decorated as the ice cream it dishes up, with large-scale cartoon sketches lining the white walls and brilliant neon illuminating the front window. Keep an eye on their social media channels for news on the forthcoming Wicker Park spot, too.How to book: Stop by for counter service, order take-out online, or get delivery via Caviar."

"This new spot in Mckinley Park has incredibly creamy soft serve, ice cream, melon pan ice cream sandwiches, and boba tea. The flavors change, but you’ll find not-too-sweet varieties like taro, red bean, sesame, milk tea, and earl grey. And one of our favorite things here is the messy boba - your choice of soft serve topped with boba in a cup."

"Temperance Beer Co. prides itself on doing things differently. That includes offering Temperance Trikonasana, a yoga series that takes place in the brewery that gives 100% of its proceeds to a different nonprofit organization each month. Temperance’s taproom offers flights of five-ounce tasters, half and full pints, 64-ounce growlers and 32-ounce howlers."

"Temperance has never been interested in keeping up with the Joneses and has been creating a whole new neighborhood with their award-winning beers and supporting the community since 2013. The Tap Room is now fully open and the best place to quaff their approachable and delicious beers."

"High up there on the other end of the Chicago spectrum, Old Irving resides just east of Portage Park and offers plenty of beers for all kinds of hops lovers. Favorites include the Being Ernest, a Hemingway-inspired Belgian tripel made in collaboration with Forbidden Fruit, Marz, Maplewood, and Off Color, and ‘Til Death, a Pilsner worthy of wedding bells. It’s homey and delightful and a perfect hideaway spot."

"The food is often very kid-friendly, and parents can kick back with a few craft beers. Old Irving is no exception. It’s bright and spacious with plenty of room for squirmy little ones."

"Indoor seating is available at Old Irving, stop by and grab a burger and brew,  or snag a growler to-go!. Place an order for pick-up."

"Sandy Chen has been keeping Evanston well-sated with her Chinese cuisine for over 20 years. In addition to the expansive a la carte menu, she’s doing some specials for the Chinese New Year that are filled with auspiciously lucky foods like Spring Rolls and Dumplings (wealth), Peanuts (long life), Fish and Rice Cakes (increased prosperity), and Lychee (close family ties). You won’t want to miss those Seafood Pan-Fried Noodles (Happiness and Longevity)!"

"The eponymous founder of the Monique Meloche Gallery worked at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Rhona Hoffman Gallery and the Kavi Gupta Gallery before hosting her first exhibition in her home, which she called Homewrecker. Since then, Meloche’s established space in West Town has featured work by hundreds of emerging artists from across the globe. The gallery focuses on conceptually challenging installations, with an emphasis on curatorial and institutional outreach."

"The founder of Monique Meloche gallery focuses on emerging artists, and prides its foundation on conceptually challenging installations with an emphasis on curatorial and institutional outreach. The founder herself Monique Meloche worked at many other major museums, exhibitions and galleries before hosting her first exhibition in her own home, aptly titled Homewrecker."

"If you're interested in glass as expressive art, check out this gallery, which is home to the city's largest glass art display. Marx-Saunders represents both world-renowned artists and newcomers, and its staff can provide insight into the techniques used to produce art glass. A member of the Chicago Art Dealers' Association."

"One of the world’s largest contemporary art museums, the MCA is full of modern and contemporary works. This includes pieces by Arthur Jafa and Kerry James Marshall. Famous artists like Frida Kahlo and Jeff Koons held their earliest exhibitions at the museum, which regularly runs curated exhibitions throughout the year."