The Wicker Park Dairy

That this place opened up on July 5, 2012 (yes, I remember the date) across the street from our then-​gym only motivated us to keep up with our training. Mark (the owner) is awesome – he really, really loves ice cream, and it shows. The ice cream (and other products for sale) is reasonably local/​midwest and top-​notch. You get a generously huge serving for your (cash-​only) money – you’d be hard-​pressed to beat the value: deliciousness ratio at any other frozen treat shop in the neighborhood. Having moved over the summer, we still will make at-​least-​weekly pilgrimages to Wicker Park for our Sunday fix. We just wish it were open year-​round.

What a great find! We stumbled upon this cute shop bc Mana had a 45 min wait. The man who welcomed us knew we were just passing time but suggested we try the ice cream. He was so generous and helpful! We ended up getting a regular cup for $ 3.50– BONUS we could get two flavors in one cup. DOUBLE BONUS: it was a huge serving! Delicious ice cream in a cozy friendly ice cream shop is the perfect dinner appetizer. We will be back!

This place is never open!!! We love the caramel corn, but it’s tough to get when they are either not open when their hours say they are or don’t have popcorn each day. I even saw a delivery man for them one day get pissed off because they weren’t there for a delivery. I don’t get it.

Stopped in on a whim for some ice cream. Excellent service! My husband wanted the java chip and I wanted coconut so they gave us half of each in a small cup for 3.50 and it was a generous scoop. What a deal! Also they have fresh popcorn that smelled delish.

This place is great. The service is amazing, they serve what is possibly the best ice cream on earth, and they have other delicious treats!
I’m not sure how anyone could think the ice cream doesn’t have much flavor. I think those reviewers have broken tongues.

Very generous portions, creamy ice cream, but nothing phenomenal or stand out. Solid place for dessert post dinner. A single scoop is actually 3(!!) so I highly suggest sharing!

This is an old style ice cream shop that offers a variety of sundaes, shakes, and floats. They serve traditional ice cream from buckets. And they even have the throwback Superman. I ordered a chocolate peanut butter shake. It was super thick and creamy. The owner was serving us, and you could tell that he really takes pride in his craft.

This place has amazing ice cream. Birthday Cake is right up there with Annette’s Anniversary Cake (clearly i’m a lover of the cake ice cream). I would almost say it’s better, but i would need to do a taste test of the two next to each other. Regardless, very similar wonderful taste. Highly recommend coming here for a sweet treat. Plus, open late night!

My favorite ice cream place in Chicago! The ice cream portions are big, crepes are delicious, and the mint mocha drink is my favorite. I recommend the monster cookie ice cream flavor. The service is very hit or miss unfortunately — it occasionally leads to very long waits.

Formerly known as The Purple Cow Ice Cream Café, I’ve eaten multiple times now and I’m still not a fan. It seems like you get more in the regular serving of ice cream for $ 3.50 since they first opened (when it was $ 3.25), but I just don’t feel like it has that much flavor, which is surprising for an ice cream shop. I’m not sure if they make the ice cream themselves, but I’ve heard them talk about «getting a new shipment of ice cream in», so you be the judge. So far I’ve had:
Java Chip — Nice and creamy.
Mackinac Island Fudge — Not fudgy enough for my taste.
Strawberry Cheesecake — Slight cheesecake flavor with barely a hint of strawberry.
Birthday Cake — Flavorless.
That said, the server is very friendly and the outdoor seating area is comfortable, but it’s just not worth the calories. I won’t be back.

YUM! (Un)fortunately, we just moved 2 blocks from this little piece of heaven. Just walking buy you smell the most delicious aroma and it always makes me want to go in. all of the ice creams are wonderful– birthday cake may well be my favorite! butter pecan is awesome and chocolate– yum! i never know when it’s going to be open however so that would be the only complaint!

There is a long line for a good reason. This place is some of the best ice cream you can get in Chicago. I have Black Dog across the street, yet I would rather walk a few blocks to this place.
FYI– cash only.

Yes Yes Yes
The service in here is warm and friendly.
Free samples are ample
All the prices include tax
There ATM has only a 1 dollar fee
The ice cream is delicious
Despite being a cash only joint this place has the charm and personality enough to warrant multiple re-​visits.

This place is so cute and I really do hope it survives! Most ice cream places do not have a high success rate in the city. I am a kid at heart, and I love going to the ice cream shop. Please do not direct me to that gross place on Western and Armitage!
This place has a nice, cozy feel to it, and the staff is really sweet.
I came here with my husband for some ice cream and coffee. The cappuccino was very good and the cookie dough ice cream was tasty.
It felt so relaxing to just t sit down and eat your ice cream in a cute little shop. Yeah, I know there are other coffee shops/​bakeries around where you can sit, but this place makes you feel you are in a small town and not in busy, Wicker Park.
4 stars because they only take cash for now.

They get five stars for their caramel cheese popcorn mix. Equal to if not better than Garrett’s!
I knock it down to four stars because they are an ice cream parlor and I would never choose them over Obwerweiss or I Cream in that department. To be fair I only tried one flavor.
Reasonably priced chocolate candy deliciousness too.

The mackinac island fudge is some of the best ice cream I’ve had in the states. Just freaking perfect. Owner is wonderful and obviously passionate about his work. Super cute shop, open late, cash only!

Used to be «Purple Cow» and now they changed their name apparently.
Great ice cream and now they serve crepes.
Cash only! C’mon guys!

Ice cream is for happy people. that said come and get ice cream at The Wicker Park Dairy… delicious flavors and the Popcorn is amazing! Best of luck!

I just absolutely love this place. The owner always makes you feel super welcome. The popcorn is amazing and does actually give Garrett’s a run for their money. I typically get a scoop with Cookies and Cream and Cookie Dough. If I need something super special, I’ll get hot fudge on top. The portions are huge!
Wicker Park Dairy is really the best place to go when you want to reward yourself, need a pick-​me-​up, or just want something sweet.

It’s totally not cool they had to change their name from The Purple Cow, but I still love this place. It’s the same great people and the same great products — the most important elements.
My favorite flavor is definitely the Mackinac Island Fudge. It’s creamy vanilla yumminess with fudge swirled into every bite. Just writing this review makes me crave it, even when it’s cold outside! I also love the caramel corn, which gives Garrett’s a run for their money. It’s so melt-​in-​your-​mouth sweet and delicious without being too sticky. And you can get it mixed with cheesy corn too if you dig that.
Leave your card at home because they are cash only.