Summertime Ain't Here Yet, But We Got Something To Keep You Cool!

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 10, 2005 6:17PM

We have two weeks before summer officially begins and- if this recent run of hot, muggy weather is any indication- we’re in for one uncomfortable season. The Mister Softee trucks have been doing great business this week on our block, but Chicagoist is sometimes a bit too self-conscious to run after the dulcet chimes of the ice cream man with his good lemonade, Dixie Cups, all flavors and Push-ups, too. Instead, we head west down Archer Avenue to Lindy’s Chili/Gertie’s Ice Cream.

Located in the northernmost shadows of the Southwest Side’s beautiful McKinley Park, the Gertie’s half of the company has been making sundaes, malts, floats, sodas, phosphates, and milkshakes since 1901. The “triple thick” milkshake is an understatement; served with both a straw and a spoon the blueberry shake we ordered maintained its consistency for the entire two block walk from Gertie’s to the 35th Street Orange Line station. Another Chicagoist favorite is the “three queens” sundae: three large scoops of ice cream served with fresh strawberries and topped with whipped cream, bananas, Brazil nuts, vanilla wafers, lime and cherry syrups.

You can also get Gertie’s ice cream hand-packed for take-out at reasonable prices- $3.25 for a pint or $4.95 for a quart. Or order a Green River phosphate and enjoy it while a light breeze comes across the McKinley Park lagoon.

Lindy’s Chili/Gertie’s Ice Cream has nine locations throughout the Chicagoland area. The one Chicagoist frequents is located at 3685 S. Archer Avenue- just east of Western Boulevard- and is open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; midnight Friday and Saturday. Do yourself a favor and check it out.