Tates Original Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop

Best Kept Secret in La Grange IL to anyone who does not live nearby. Every local knows about it because they were all here when I arrived. Quickest moving queue I ever was in. New Yorkers could learn a lesson in service from this place. 1) Awesome home-​made ice cream & they let you sample as many as you want. No problem with me 1^st taste was Coconut and I left with 1 quart-​it was best ice cream I ever had.
2) Candy They have candy that you haven’t seen in a candy store since Roosevelt was President. And I mean Teddy. Dot candy, gourmet licorice in multiple flavors, Nice that an ice cream store still carries what I used to call penny candy.

Excellent and real ice cream! They make it here. Great old-​fashioned ice cream shop. Everything looked good. They even had bubble gum ice cream with the bubble gum pieces. I’ll have to come back and try the shaved ice.

We had a fabulous 4^th birthday party for our daughter at Tate’s! They were so efficient in making the party effortless for the kids and parents to enjoy. Thank you Tate’s for a memorable day celebrating our little girl. Good olé fashioned fun

Best ice cream I’ve had from a family owned shop. The staff was very friendly and tentative. I had the cookies and crème ice cream, best I’ve ever had! Definitely the cutest ice cream shop ever

I was born and raised in La Grange and I remember coming to Tate’s as a little kid. I’m 31 now and whenever I go back to La Grange, I’m always so happy to see that this place hasn’t changed. They even have the same kids table I used to sit at 25 years ago. The ice cream is outstanding (all made from scratch, on-​site) and the service is great too. Never change, Tate’s. You always serve up way more than just amazing ice cream.

Excellent homemade ice cream. Friendly, quick service with a smile. Well worth the time if your out in Lagrange

The lady at the store was amazing. When she found out it was my girlfriend birthday she started playing happy birthday for her. It made her day even better. Great ice cream

The name of this location speaks for itself. This is original ice cream that will satisfy those tastebuds. The owner is very kind and appreciative for your business.
It’s nice when you can walk into one of these small owned businesses and see why it is that they will succeed.
So if your in the neighborhood, stop on by and grab yourself a scoop.

Family owned, lovingly cared for ice cream parlor. They have checkers and games so you can stay for a while. Tons of sundry items for your children to pour over and or purchase. Fun events during the year like during the holidays they have ginger bread house projects for $ 5. They also have events for birthdays and scouts that are great

Absolutely love this place. Even though it was chilly outside the owner and employees make it a very warm experience. The ice cream is so so good. You can tell that it’s homemade and made with love and care. There is a lot of thought put into making this ice cream and the ingredients are top notch. This is the real stuff!!! I had the Frangomint (not exactly sure of name but you get the idea) ice cream. I ate that in record time. My only problem was what there were to many ice creams to choose. I wanted them all. The owner is extremely friendly and so so appreciative of her customers. Even though I am not from this area, you could see that she knows the customers. She asks about them, their family, etc.
Please try this place you will not regret it. Had to get some to go, since they close for a few months for the winter. I am a big believer in supporting local restaurants, etc. You won’t regret a wonderful friendly place with the best ice cream.

Do you remember the TV Show The Time Tunnel. Of course not. Not unless you are my age and still have all your marbles. Marbles? Isn’t that a game they used to play a long time ago?
Tate’s is from a long time ago too. Coincidence?
Think back. Come on! Think longer than that back. A time when you went to the movies to enjoy air conditioning on a hot day. And when you needed personal air conditioning you went to the ice cream parlor and tried to eat your triple dip on a sugar cone faster than it could melt?
Alas! Alas! Humanity moved forward leaving the worst of times behind us and replacing the old analog matrix with our new digitally connected universal instant information, entertainment, and communications matrix. The problem with laying in a new matrix is that the old ways, the old matrix, is completely dug up, uprooted and erased. All of the bad gone. Most of the good translated to digital.
But some things, like ice cream, are stubborn and digital concocted ice cream is only similar to, or reminds one of the ice cream of our youth. Oh yes, the ice cream you eat today has more in common with Dow Chemical than a real cow.
Tate’s is an exception, the entire facility isn’t a throwback to the old ways. It is the actual past living in our time. Not a replica. Not a historical example. Just the past going on day to day as if the present never happened.
Having built this up I’m pretty much going to skip how good the ice cream is here. If you are old, you remember how it was. If you are born say 1965 or later for sure you have no clue and words cannot describe adequately. However I shall try. Imagine your most enjoyable over the top moment. Adults, you know what I’m talking about. Now imagine you have the power to have that moment anytime you wish or even never turn it off. That’s what Tate’s is. But how?
Well you can’t take the molecules of today and bake them into yesterday’s molecules. Molecules just exist in real time. Making Tate’s ice cream a seeming impossibility but the owner, Maria solved the oaradox. You should know Maria holds several Phd’s. MIT, University of Chicago among others. Her specialty is taking extreme theoretical physics and building a bridge across infinite space and time and connect it seamlessly to humanity. For instance cellular phones, computers, television, the Internet would never have existed here if Maria had not been able to hack into time and place and extract these technologies form where they do exist.
Maria is known famously for her many Nobel’s in physics, chemistry, medicine and even the peace prize twice. But none of this was from her passion. And her passion was ice cream. Working to reverse her paradigm she shifted to the past. If she could bring new technology to our time why not the reverse? She first found a building that was constructed in a time ice cream reigned supreme. When it was the first food among equals. Then using the building as a three dimensional screen she rolled the picture reel backwards for lack of a better explanation. Arriving at her destination in the past she bridged that over to the present and opened her doors to us people now living he future.
The ice cream you eat at Tates is literally made by hand in 1945 then sent across the bridge to you. You don’t get ice cream like they used to make. You get ice cream made to order from 1945.
Everything in that store is currently in 1945. Even the employees are actually living in 1945 and while there are former employees still alive many have passed since that time 70 years ago but here they never age, and exhibit the grace and ethic of that time.
If you don’t go to Tate’s at least once in your life then you have lived a life incomplete. Before you dismiss this as the ravings of a man who’s lost his mind and needs to wear a tin foil hat, let me ask What if I’m telling the truth? Well go visit Tate’s for yourself. When you get your change take a look at the bills and coins you get in return…
There is a vast gap between the coldness of modernity and the heat generated by the moon landing apex of the past. A place encompassing not only space, but time itself. A lookout point that renders infinity measurable, and where entire galaxies spontaneously generate out of a speck of dust. There is another dimension and it is occupied by the epic fears of man conquered by man’s infinite imagination to create good works from failures of the past. This is a place we call Tate’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream.
This is my story and I’m sticking it with it.

Husband works in the neighborhood and I was on my way over to his job & of course, I took side streets & found Tates ice cream shop. What a find! Ice cream from scratch is so much better than the chain ice cream shops. The owner is great, taking time to talk. Makes you feel at home along with bringing memories of ice cream shops of when I was growing up. As when you walk in, it has that old fashion ice cream shop appeal, along with tables for the kiddies to play games. She also has nice assortment of candies and trinkets. My husband is so happy because they had coconut ice cream when we stopped. He also stopped for a couple quarts for Thanksgiving so we could share it with our company. Company was soo impressed with the ice cream. Thought it was one of best they’ve had. And they frequently visit ice shops so they know their ice cream.

Wonderful ice cream and pumpkin doughnuts. Great ambience, all neighbourhood children were trooping in this friday evening it seemed. The owner is also very nice. Will definitely go back.

Such a tasty, locally-​owned shop!
The ice cream options were plentiful.
The staff were super friendly and helpful.
The prices were affordable.
And most of all — the ice cream was REALLY good.
Know that if you want to use a credit card, there’s a minimum purchase amount (I think it’s $ 10). So have a little cash on hand or splurge and treat yourself!

We ran over here last night after celebrating my sister’s birthday at Kama Indian Bistro a few blocks away. They close at 10pm and we made it in at 9:58 — -I know, I know! It sucks being those people, BUT I haven’t had Tate’s ice cream since we moved from our old apartment and I was craaaaaving it! I was expecting to get mean looks upon entering since they were about to close shop-​the little chairs were already on the tables – but we were instead welcomed with big smiles and there were a few other people getting their orders: PHEW!
We placed our order and paid (cash only). As we were about to head out, the nice woman behind the counter was explaining that they close at 10pm but we should’ve just given them a call and they would’ve waited! That’s where the 5-​star review comes from. Not only do they have delicious ice cream, but amazing customer service! If you’re in the area please stop by! The ice cream is delicious and creamy and the flavors change too!

Just a disappointing trip to Tates. My 2 kids had ordered their ice cream and when I was paying, only then, did I learn that you have to spend $ 10 to use a credit card. I had no cash and had to buy candy on top of the ice cream to pay. I wish there was a sign on the front door when you walked in that said cash only or a minimum of $ 10 for a charge. There are many choices when going out for ice cream and next time we will make a different choice.

We took the grandkids here after an afternoon of fun at the Hodgekins Splash Park nearby. What a cute place. It was like being transported back in time to the way ice cream parlors looked in the 50’s. As we drove up, we noticed an oversized chair and a Romeo and Juliet life size cut out for pictures. The inside has small tables and chairs for little ones and lots of old time candy and toys. Homemade natural ice cream with old fashioned flavors from my childhood. This was a treat in more ways than I can say!

This place is awesome! My kids and I love coming here for an after school treat, their ice cream is delicious!
We’ve also done their ‘craft and scoop’, which my older 2 (4 and 5) really enjoyed– the kids do a seasonal craft and get a scoop of ice cream when they’re done for $ 5!
My only minor complaint is their lack of a bathroom. Sometimes by the time we walk to Tate’s and finish our ice cream, we have to rush home so the kids can use the bathroom there!

LOVE their chocolate shake (made with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup)
Such a treat and the owner Maria couldn’t be nicer if she tried! Highly recommend!

Awesome homemade Ice cream. i always get the Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Peach, or Fudge ripple. Would give 5 stars but it is so expensive for over 4 $ for a double scoop. Unfortunate that all these chain frozen yogurt/​ice scream places keep opening up in town, taking business away from this classic mom and pop ice cream shop that ive been going to since i was a kid

It is the bomb. Best place for ice cream. We need to support more authentic businesses like this. Love iit.

Tates is an ideal ‘mom and pop’ stop for splendid, local, and old-​fashioned ice cream in La Grange. The ice cream is neither too hard nor too soft but will melt quickly if you don’t act fast, (which might mean that few, if any, preservatives are used in the ice cream). It should be noted that for debit or credit card purchases, a minimum order of $ 10 is required but if you go here with more than one person you might want to spend [or maybe will end up spending] at least that much if you don’t have any cash on you. Keep up the support of local business that has kept Tates open for so long!
Tates gets 5 stars (I’m rounding up from 4.5) for:
-‘down home’, local feel
–friendly service
–reasonable prices
–high quality, interesting ice cream flavors
–an interesting additional array of candy, soda, and toys that makes it a must-​go special treat option for children

I’ve never had someone so excited to serve me ice cream! I think the woman working there is adorable, and I think she thought me and my beau are, too. :) We stopped here on a date night for a sweet treat and a walk downtown La Grange. I can’t believe I hadn’t gone earlier. Choose this place over Coldstone, please! Much better tasting and a great locally owned place.

So good! La Grange has changed over the years. Tate’s has been in downtown La Grange for many years but it hasn’t changed at all! THE BEST homemade ice cream you will find in the Chicago area. They also employee local high school kids, friendly service, and it not a chain. What’s not to love?

AWESOME ice cream! Love that it’s homemade on the premises, love the location, love the old-​fashioned feel, love the cutie pies that work there, LOVE the butter pecan… my husband loves the peach, daughters had cookies and cream, and cookie dough. I wish calories didn’t matter cuz I wanted to get another cone with a different flavor to try too. Overall great summer night experience!!! :)

–Very tasty (homemade) ice cream
–Excellent location in downtown La Grange
–Friendly service
–Great variety of yummy flavors
Can’t wait to go back!

This was my first job ever, and I will stand by its quality! All the ice cream is made in the back. There are tons of flavors, and the scoops are huge. Chocolate peanut butter was always a personal favorite. They offer shakes, sundaes, and huge banana splits. They also have frozen yogurt. They have all the toppings you need to make a perfect cone or sundae! They have kids-​sized scoops too for those who don’t need that much sugar! People that come here are faithful for a lifetime. It may not be right on LaGrange Road, but its only 2 blocks back, so you should try it on a warm evening! (they are closed during the winter)

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Duh.
Who doesn’t love ice cream? No one I know. Now add in fun, funky, season flavors, happy & friendly staff, and a cute little ice cream parlor. Perfection.
I’ve only been to Tate’s a couple of times, but have managed to sample quite a few of their rich and decadent flavors. Some personal favorites: pistachio, pumpkin pie and red velvet. Mmmmm… creamy…velvety…and full of flavor.
Each visit I became more and more impressed with Tate’s flavors and their service. The owner is always in the shop and makes a huge effort to spend time and converse with the customers.
Even though Tate’s might be one of the most decadent and indulgent treats — I’m here to validate that each bite is worth every single calorie.

I’m sorry to give a semi-​bad review, and it’s not about the ice cream. The ice cream is great. It’s about the service.
So we visited for the first time last Friday evening. The place was busy when we arrived by bike. It’s a 3 mile trip for us, with 2 babies in the Burley trailer. There were 3 people (kids, really) behind the counter getting the ice cream out fast. We had to walk our ice cream down the block a bit, since the inside was brutally hot, and the sidewalk in front was already crowded.
2 minutes after we sat down on a grassy patch, our just potty-​trained 2-​year-​old tells us she’s gotta go. I had seen the sign that said «no public restrooms», but I thought, «who’s going to deny a newly potty-​trained two-​year-​old a potty?» Well, Tate’s will. They suggested we walk the 7 blocks to McDonald’s for the potty. Even after explaining that this would assuredly end in an accident, we were still denied potty privileges.
There are certain reasons people choose to support local businesses over chains. I know, I’ve run 3 of them. One of the big ones is that a small business is not beholden to corporate rules. They can bend them when they deem appropriate. They can do things that break the «rules» to keep a customer happy. But Tate’s employees chose not to. So our poor daughter had to pee in an alley and be changed into fresh clothes in public.
Unfortunately, this place lost our family’s business for the foreseeable future. We’ll be heading to Cold Stone, where they let our two-​year-​old go potty.