The ice cream pictured above is dangerous – it really is! ๐ I can’t remember the last time I had to work so hard to exercise restraint when eating ice cream. In the end, the delicious pint of decadence was gone within an hour – my family and I simply couldn’t resist it.
It all makes sense if I tell you this is strawberry cheesecake ice cream, the mystery flavor which was revealed to the world by Cincinnati-based ice cream maker Graeter’s only a few weeks ago. I got the chance to try this delightful frozen concoction at the newly opened Graeter’s store in Winnetka IL, the second of this kind in the Chicagoland area, and I can confidently say this ice cream was definitely worth the wait… and the hype!
Graeterโs Ice Cream produces craft ice cream and gelato lines using a small batch, artisanal method of production which dates back over a century. The company remains family owned and operated and has more than 55 retail stores nationwide. The Winnetka IL location is the latest addition to the chain.
The store was very busy during the opening weekend. I talked to several customers who told me they had wanted to get out of the house and to get a taste of spring – and what better way to celebrate the spring’s arrival than with handcrafted ice cream?
As with other Graeter’s Ice Cream stores, the Winnetka location offers a full menu of ice cream flavors, sundaes, milkshakes, old-fashioned sodas and candy. Pretzel cone, waffle cone, or chocolate waffle cone? Take your pick:
Graeter’s Ice Cream ships over 300,000 pints annually for online mail order and its products can be found in thousands of grocery stores across the country. You can definitely check out the Winnetka location for the latest – and hottest! – flavors and flavor combinations.
The store also sells candy bars, ice cream toppings and syrups…
… and, of course, seasonal merchandise. I can’t believe Easter is just around the corner!
The affogato on the menu had definitely caught my eye, and I couldn’t leave the store without trying it. I followed the manager’s recommendation and chose Graeter’s mocha ice cream for mine. The espresso was strong and had a wonderful crema, while the ice cream provided deep layers of flavor and complemented the hot coffee perfectly. The Graeter’s affogato was a high quality afternoon treat, and made our visit to the store even more enjoyable.
The new Graeter’s Ice Cream store in Winnetka is the perfect spot to visit if you want to sample decadent treats while watching the world go by. The atmosphere inside the store is friendly and welcoming, and we plan to go back over the next few days, as the weather gets warmer. Travel to Graeter’s, sit down, take a sip of affogato and a spoon of ice cream – and suddenly your life will be flavorful, colorful, delicious ๐
Disclaimer: Graeter’s Ice Cream offered me a complimentary tasting of their products to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
