Bobtail, We're Sweet On You!!
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Feb 16, 2006 4:22PM
Like the fizz in a root beer float, Bobtail Soda Fountain is bubbling with charm and nostalgia. With its colorful, striped awning and bright, cheery interior, the shop channels 1950s appeal. However, with features like free WiFi access, it is complete with modern style.
Jeff Wilcoxon and Chris Hill opened the soda fountain at 2951 N. Broadway with the belief that ice cream should be made fresh and served by a soda jerk. The first location opened in 2004, while the second location – which opened last month – is at 3425 N. Southport. True to its principles, Bobtail’s ice cream is made daily on site, and patrons watch the creation of the creamy confections through a small glass-encased factory.
More than just an ice cream parlor, Bobtail’s young and fresh-faced staff also serves coffee drinks, sandwiches and pastries. If you’re tired of standard coffee chain brews, Bobtail opens at 7 a.m. to give you a morning jolt. For early risers, Bobtail offers an assortment of breakfast sandwiches, muffins, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Serving Intelligentsia coffee and espresso drinks, Bobtail brews up conventional cappuccinos and lattes, as well as specialty drinks like ice cream lattes and peppermint hot chocolate.
The extensive ice cream menu features single and double scoops, as well as malts, milkshakes, ice cream sodas and smoothies. If you’re looking to O.D. on sweet, syrupy goodness, try a hot chocolate chip cookie sundae or banana split on for size. Chicagoist has a strong penchant for desserts, and struggled to narrow down an ice cream flavor. Would we go the traditionalist route of Triple Vanilla Bean, Fresh Strawberry or Vanilla Chocolate Chip, or pursue more adventurous flavors such as Lakeview Bourbon Barhopper and White Chocolate Winter Commute. We went with the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, which was chunky, rich and creamy.
Open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday, Bobtail is the place to indulge in any late-night cravings. And, good neighbor that it is, Bobtail annually makes donations to local schools and organizations – making the sweet spot even easier to love.
Thank You, Hanna.