Forget Chunky Monkey, Chubby Hubby and all of that other nonsense. Sure, a half-pint of Ben and Jerry's will suffice if you are vegging out on the couch, but if you want to feel like you're really eating ice cream, go to Need Ice Cream.
The little shop is near Loyola College, over by the other Video Americain location. Although it is close to a college, Need Ice Cream has a very family-oriented atmosphere, with an abundance of nickel candy contributing to the 1950s ice cream parlor feel. Even the tables themselves are quaint - they're actually converted antique sewing machines.
But kids are not the only people who will feel welcome at Need Ice Cream. The lactose-intolerant have several flavors of sorbet and fruit smoothies to choose from, and right next to the register is a container of free Lactaid pills. Vegan? Try one of the egg- and dairy-free cookies.
And what if you just want some ice cream? The flavors, made by locally by Lee's, rotate, but some of the recent flavors include Mud Pie, Kahlua Fudge Swirl, Butterfinger, After Dinner Mint, Blueberry Cheesecake and Mom's Apple Pie. Depending on when you stop by, you might even catch the Berger Cookie ice cream.
For the health-conscious, there are several flavors of fat-free and fat-free/sugar free frozen yogurt. Although the choices are limited, the Oreo flavor - chocolate yogurt infused with pieces of Oreo cookies - is a definite winner if you are cutting back on fat but don't want to sacrifice taste.
A single scoop, in a sugar or waffle cone, costs $1.90, an even $2 after tax. Other prices include $2.57 for an ice cream float or ice cream soda, $3.14 for a milkshake and $5 for a banana split. On a cold day, you can opt for tea, coffee, hot chocolate or even hot cider (but don't forget to put some ice cream in your coffee or hot chocolate). There are also pints and quarts available to go and ice cream cakes and pies for special occasions.
