Family-run shop named best ice cream in IL (+ our picks for metro-east faves)
A family run business in Mount Prospect was recently named the best ice cream shop in Illinois by one food and drink publication.
The June 13 report by Tasting Table, “The Best Ice Cream Shop In Every State,” named Cap’s Ice Cream No. 1 in Illinois.
Meg Dix, owner of Cap’s Ice Cream, told the News-Democrat in a recent email the staff was “thrilled” to be named the state’s best ice cream shop.
“Cap’s Ice Cream is a family-run business, and after 25 years of my parents, aunt, and uncle running the shop, I purchased the retail side to keep it in the family. Their hard work and dedication over the years have taught me so much about what it means to build something meaningful,” Dix said. “What truly makes Cap’s special is our team of 50 teenage employees and the incredible community we have here in Mount Prospect and the surrounding northwest suburbs. It has been such an honor to work alongside the kids who help make Cap’s a staple in this town.”
Dix added it doesn’t hurt that the shop’s ice cream is “really delicious.”
Pricing and menu items
A single-scoop cup of ice cream is $5, while a double cup is $7 and a kiddie cup is $4. A double kiddie cup costs $5. You can grab a pint of ice cream for $8.75.
Cap’s also serves waffle cones, milkshakes, malts, root beer floats and vegan milkshakes, along with smoothies and sundaes.
There’s even an option for canine customers – you can order the “Doggie Dip” (a scoop of vanilla yogurt ice cream” for $2.50, or a pint for $5.
Ice cream flavor options include:
- Mango sorbet
- Vegan vanilla
- Black raspberry chip
- Chocolate chip
- Peach
- Vanilla
- Java chip
- Orange graham cracker cardamom
- Cosmic cookie
- Cookie dough
The menu is extensive, and other flavor options include cake batter, chocolate hazelnut ganache and more. You can try a sugar cone, cake cone, waffle bowl, waffle cone, chocolate waffle cone or sprinkle waffle cone, and candy toppings such as M&Ms, Oreos, sprinkles and more are also available.
Location and hours
Cap’s Ice Cream is located at 10 S Pine St. in Mount Prospect, Ill. and is open daily from noon to 10 p.m. in the summer.
Local ice cream options
While Tasting Table didn’t name a metro-east spot as the best parlor in the state, southwest Illinois and St. Louis are home to many popular frozen dessert shops.
White Cottage is a Belleville mainstay offering homemade ice cream along with sandwiches and other meals. In addition to regular ice cream cones, White Cottage serves banana splits, a hot fudge waffle sandwich and ice cream pies.
Other popular ice cream shops in the metro-east include Dairy Haven in Caseyville, Happy Days in Millstadt, Walton’s Ice Cream & More in Smithton and Oh Sugar! in Waterloo.
Across the river, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has received many accolades, and The Fountain on Locust is another St. Louis favorite for ice cream, made-by-the-glass soda and floats.
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