Meet us where award-winning ice cream has been served for a century
Petersen's Ice Cream Shop is an Oak Park institution that needs to be at the top of all ice cream lovers “must-do” lists.
For more than a century, this old-fashioned ice cream parlor has been bringing people together over waffle cones piled high with award-winning super premium ice cream, freshly-griddled waffle cones and delicious toppings.
Petersen's, founded in 1919, makes its ice cream using 16-18% butterfat, packed by hand, resulting in a richer, creamier scoop. The ice cream is so delicious it's won the blue ribbon for best ice cream at the Illinois State Fair a whopping nine times! It also hand packs more ice cream than any other shop in the Midwest.
The beauty of Petersen's extends beyond its perfect ice cream. The ice cream parlor has original tin ceilings and marble counters, making for an architectural and historical, as well as delicious, experience!
Petersen's sells ice cream by the scoop, in sundaes and in floats. You can also pick up a pint or a quart of ice cream to enjoy later.
Petersen’s is open every day from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Petersen's Ice Cream was founded in 1919 by Hans Petersen, who opened the shop in Oak Park after learning that butterfat, the key ingredient in his ice cream, would be rationed in Chicago due to World War I.
Today, Petersen’s still serves that same ice cream recipe.
Petersen’s Ice Cream is located at 1100 Chicago Ave. It’s just over a half-mile walk from the Oak Park Stop on the Green Line of the “L” train.
