Ice Cream In Season Again at Parlor on Central

For decades, Central Street has been home to ice cream,  fitting for a town that claims to have invented the sundae. Hartigan's at 2909 Central, a must-stop at least once a summer for every youth sports family, has been dishing it out since 1996, and old-timers will remember when it was a Baskin-Robbins before that. However, the sweet cold stuff has also often been available further east; Linz & Vail offered gelatos and ice cream for many years next to Tag's Bakery, and way back in the day, you could get a scoop near the old Evanston Theatre.

Sadly, there was a void after Linz & Vail closed. But a year ago, Parlor on Central opened at 2002 Central St., the former home of two toy stores and, long ago, Beadazzled. The Parlor folks offer about 20 premium flavors from Chocolate Shoppe, a family-owned ice cream maker in Wisconsin that sources milk from Sassy Cow Creamery.

Parlor was closed during the cold months but has reopened for spring, currently on a Fri.-Sun. basis, expected to become more fulltime as temperatures rise. Central Street over the years has established a reputation as a place to placate your palate, whether for purchase or dining, and Parlor makes a sweet addition to that lineup! Check their website, www.parloroncentral.com, for latest updates to hours.