Baskin-Robbins

My friends and I came in to get ice cream for her birthday party. We not only waited 15 – 20 minutes but they served customers that had come in after we did. I could clearly hear the 3 girls working speaking about me and calling me an «impatient bitch». Other customers did too. I never complained about the slow service and I wasn’t being rude to them. Not very happy with their service!!! I definitely won’t be coming back.

I read on Unilocal Talk this week that the Hillsdale Baskin-​Robbins shop was closing. It was one of the original B-​R shops and sort of the Salt and Straw of the time. Time moves on, of course, so it felt like a little celebration to stop in and have some pink peppermint ice cream in this longtime B-​R shop after hearing about the Hillsdale shop’s demise. Service was fast and friendly, and the ice cream as good as ever. I will return and enjoy whenever needed.

I don’t remember the last time I went to a Baskin Robbins… seriously. Junior high? I’ve had ice cream… I seem to recall a Carvel’s being part of my upbringing (where else did you get your father’s day cakes with the chocolate crunchies inside?), and I know that DQ was big throughout my high school years and even in my 20s, I used to be a big fan of the blizzards. But a Baskin Robbins? Who the hell remembers…
But my friend started talking about ice cream sundaes two days ago, posted pics on facebook, and basically made it impossible to not want a sundae. So where to go locally? We St Johnsians (St Johnsotes?) don’t like to leave our hood too too often. Well there’s Affogatto in St Johns, which seems cool, but apparently they don’t have hot fudge…
Then someone remembered BR on Lombard. I have driven by there so many times, but it still took me a moment to place… oh yeah, right there near the Papa Murphy’s and across from the flea market… I remember. As I drove down Lombard, the BR sign and colors popped out and I swear, I let out a childish squeal when I saw them!
Maia and I each tried 5 little pink spoonfulls of flavors. Jamoca Almond Fudge, Pralines & cream, Winter White Chocolate, Movie Theater Popcorn, and… and… I forget the 5^th. Then my other friend showed with her 3 kids. Five of us tried the new Popcorn ice cream, I’m the only one who actually liked it. Even the counter girl couldnt hide her disgust. In the end, I forget what flavors I actually chose, maybe winter white & pralines & cream in a two scoop sundae with hot fudge, marshmallow, almonds and whipped cream. All for $ 4.25 — not bad at all. It was too much to even finish it all. The pints cost $ 5, which seems kinda silly when I can get Ben & Jerry’s for $ 3 on sale.
The counter woman (and her co-​worker) were helpful and nice. The place was clean, bare bones and fairly dead, but at least 3 groups of people came in during the almost 2 hours we were there, eating and chatting. They have a freezer with cakes and to-​go ice cream, a display of candles, a water fountain and that’s about it. There are 4 small tables (3 chairs each, so we all piled around one table). The menu is a little confusing (it’s not clear what comes with a make-​your own sundae… do I have to pay for fudge?) — I asked a lot of questions.
The ice cream is good and reliable. Not fancy, but so very reminiscent of days gone by and my childhood — and just being there prompts discussion about favorite childhood flavors, how your siblings hated you for eating slow enough to still have some when they were long done, and the like. The kids all tried or had peppermint and bubblegum — and flavors I have always generally detested. But we did enjoy our ice cream social at BR! I wish there was a cool vibe, but there really is no vibe at all inside the store. A cool vibe and better signage might have warrented a 4 stars — but it’s still a great place to go for a sundae… and there don’t seem to be too many of those around!

Pink bubble gum… YUM!

Another long-​time survivor in the No-​Po game…
You go for the strength of their selection, but you STAY a customer, for the skill and accommodating service. Their ice-​cream cakes are superb, and reasonably priced.
Biggups to the 31 on Lombard. May they continue to be a pillar in the community for decades more to come!!!