Been living in Chicago for years and so glad I finally got to try the famous Annette's Italian Ice! We went on a Tuesday evening and I would definitely recommend coming on a weekday when the line isn't as long. Service was quick but I can verify that it is a cash only establishment. Luckily there's an ATM machine right in front of the shop for those who may not have cash on hand. Be mindful that it's a walk up window and there's a couple patio chairs and seating outside, but no indoor seating. We ordered the POG Italian ice froyo and a scoop of the peanut butter chocolate ice cream with Nutella topping. I highly recommend getting a side of froyo on the side with your Italian ice. It isn't too tart but adds a great flavor enhancement to the dessert. They have a wide variety of flavors for both the Italian ice and ice creams so there's something for everyone! Both of the items we ordered were so good and perfect for a summer wind down sweet treat. I can't wait to come back and try their other flavors! read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Passion orange guava Italian ice with froyo on the side Peanut butter chocolate ice cream with Nutella topping - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kari's Rating /10 TLDR: -Line was crazy at 7pm but it was literally 92 degrees -Cash only! -Servers were rushing through the line and made me uncomfortable to ask a flavor question Came with a friend around 7 PM and my goodness, the line was almost around the building. I've never been here before and I had wanted to ask the servers what the favorite flavors were, but they were really busy and we're mostly just yelling and trying to get people up to the register so I almost didn't feel comfortable asking. I do notice the mood of the places I go to and it wasn't very pleasant unfortunately so I was a bit disheartened. I landed on an Italian frozen yogurt with Italian ice, including coconut, ice and vanilla frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries on top. I did say they have a distinction between fresh strawberries, and strawberries and syrup because I didn't want that extra sugary syrup goo. I keep forgetting this was just a window as I was trying to look for seating, but they did have a few tables out, which was nice, but you would not believe how many customers were in line. I know this place is absolutely famous and I wish the servers were a little more personal instead of just rushing to get through order orders because I definitely could tell there was tension back there. I think it would've made the overall experience a little bit more joyous, as this is my first time in the area, but the Italian ice did exactly what it was supposed to and was delicious, light, surprising-it didn't melt like crazy and was light and fluffy! My large was $10.15 and came with a decent amount of cut strawberries. I will definitely be back!! read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came with a friend for an after dinner treat Sunday night around 7:30 pm and the line was around the corner. I think it took around 30 minutes for us to wait in line, order, and get our items. Their menu is super extensive but I recommend the Italian Fro-Yo which is their Italian ice layered with frozen yogurt. I got a medium strawberry Italian ice with vanilla frozen yogurt and my friend got a small dragonfruit pear Italian ice with vanilla frozen yogurt. The total was about $14. Both were fantastic, refreshing and creamy at the same time. Definitely worth the wait. Make sure you bring cash because it's cash only! read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We waited in line for 20 minutes on Saturday afternoon around 2pm. Absolutely worth the wait. Was on the fence about ordering straight froyo but was talked into the Italian froyo instead and skipping it would have been a huge mistake. Ended up with the banana Italian ice + peanut butter froyo combo. Outstanding. read more

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This place does get busy but it moves pretty fast. This is cash only and they had so many flavors of Italian ice or ice cream and toppings you can add as well. Always come back here every summer. read more

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Annette's had a line wrapping around the block when we pulled up around 10PM Friday night. It moved at an okay speed, but I'd be prepared to wait ~30 minutes or more. They have 3-4 small metal tables right in front of their window, but with how many people are around, I wouldn't count on snagging a seat. Pricing wise, Annette's isn't super cheap, but I have to say they do an incredible job. Tried a bunch of fruit flavors and they were all extremely fresh (we found chunks of lychee!), just the right amount of sweetness, and smooth (aka not icy) texture. Absolutely loved the Passionfruit, Blood Orange, Dragonfruit, and Lychee. The Black Cherry was still good, but just a rung below the other flavors. Definitely a spot I'd be a regular at and absolutely worth going out of your way for if you're visiting the city. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ive been meaning to put a review up here and am FINALLY getting around to it!!!! 10/10, recommend! Cute little place where you can order from the window and sit in their patio area. The Italian ice is really amazing. Service was good too. A good summer treat spot! read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Strawberry Italian ice! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing water ice! I got a gelati with vanilla custard and blood orange Italian ice. The jersey girl in me was so happy to find this spot on my trip to Chicago! Line moves super fast and the girls working are so nice. Cash only!! read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Annette's is a neighborhood favorite window stall in Chicago! Serving lots of itlian ice flavors among other frozen treats. I got a large (which was huge for one person!) mango italian ice layered with vanilla froyo - I would definetley recommend layering with froyo if you like a creamier texture / are a bit ice cream fan, I found it also made it less sweet! The mango flavor was also delicious and the italian ice was so refreshing on a hot summer night. Be prepared to wait a bit! We came on a summer monday night and waited about 40 minutes in line. Also to note it is cash only! read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been so eager to try this place and I'm so glad I finally did! I was so excited to try it that I completely forgot to take a picture, but I got a kids size of cookie jar. I hear the lines are usually long but it was short when I went. The service was very fast and they didn't complain when the group asked for samples. Would definitely recommend for a weekday icecream run read more

Best Italian ice in the city! They offer a wide variety of flavors, and the service is phenomenal. The ambiance is simple--mainly a to-go spot--but they do have outdoor seating where you can enjoy a nice sweet treat. Located in the Lincoln Park area, it's definitely worth stopping by. Don't hesitate to grab a couple of Italian ices--it's well worth it. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Exterior of establishment - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here on a Saturday after a street fair. The line was around the block. They had a lot of different flavors to choose from. I'd never had Italian ice before so I tried the lemon flavored Italian ice. It was refreshing but I think if I go back I would want to try an ice cream instead. It is a bummer they only take cash but there is an ATM right next to the window. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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There's always a line whenever I pass by but it moves pretty fast. They're cash only but there is a ATM on site. My friend got the raspberry Italian ice and that was super flavorful and refreshing. I got the banana pudding ice cream. Flavor wise, it was on point but it was super sweet! I got a kids scoop and I wasn't able to finish it due to the sweetness. They have seatings along the wall but it's normally blocked by the line. They also had like 2 tables if you want to sit down to eat. read more

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The line was long, but honestly, it was worth the wait, and it went by pretty quickly. There's a variety of flavors to choose from, and I went with the anniversary flavor, which I enjoyed quite a lot. Make sure to bring cash since they don't accept card, but there is also an ATM right next to it. It seems like it's everyone's go-to spot for dessert after dinner. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Line - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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CASH ONLY They have fun, wide menu of ice cream and desserts. I had gotten their May sundae special. Nothing to rave about but definitely satisfy the sweet tooth read more

Annette's Italian Ice - May special - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A popular spot for a reason!! The Italian ice and frozen yogurt is fantastic. Cash only but nbd, its so good. Its a walk up counter with some outdoor seating, perfect for summer. Great spot and nice people running it! read more

I can see why this place is talked about. Great Italian Ice and other frozen treats. The only downside is they only accept cash, otherwise the rest is great! I tried the dragonfruit pear and was delighted. read more

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Friend and I shared: 1. Italian Fro-Yo - (mango) Italian ice layered in (raspberry) frozen yogurt 2. Puppy Chow ice cream topped with marshmallow sauce & mini m&ms I love the concept of Italian ice layered (not just topped ) with frozen yogurt. Both elements were good. Italian ice was not too sweet and didn't taste terribly artificial. Frozen yogurt and ice cream were creamy and tasty. No issues with service. There's a few tables in front of the order window. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Annette's Italian Ice is easily in the top two Italian ice places I've had in the city. It would easily be five stars but the older lady who took our order had a really nasty, rude energy (definitely gave off hostile, racist, unwelcoming vibes) when we were placing our order and that put off my friend from ever coming back here. The other girl working the counter definitely seemed nice but we were unlucky to have this woman who is hopefully not The Annette take our order. However, the Italian ice was so good that I was able to still have a delightful time (my friend not so much, sadly). I got the Italian froyo, which was the Italian ice mixed with the froyo. I got vanilla froyo (yum), dragonfruit-pear flavor (super yum), and the lychee (solid but I could skip this flavor). read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Italian froyo (vanilla froyo, dragonfruit-pear, lychee) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Superb, fresh and delicious. On a hot summer day, nothing better. The fro-yo is the go to selection. Lines unfortunately can get a bit ridiculous, so plan accordingly. A regular staple for us in the summer! read more

Their dessert is to die for! My girlfriend loves going here, so we've already gone twice in such a short period. My favorite thing to get here is the Italian ice with froyo. It gives it such a nice texture, and you get a mix of flavors. My personal favorite is the banana with vanilla froyo. The service was quick and very good. They only take cash, so I'd recommend bringing some on hand. There is an atm there if needed. Theres usually a line when we go, but it moves relatively quick. The ambiance is outdoors, and there's a few seats. However, I noticed that majority of people just take it to-go since it's just a small window to order. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Italian ice spot in the Lincoln Park area. They have a lot of interesting ice flavors and I liked it mixed with the Italian froyo. The lady serving the ice was a bit rude. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - BlackBerry lime & froyo - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I can't stop thinking about this Italian ice, as an out of town guest, I can't remember the last time I had real Italian ice. I mean I've had it from the freezer section but this place was the real deal. I ordered a small size (wish I had ordered a large) and got two flavors, pomegranate, and mango. The Italian ice had real chunks of fruit, bursting with flavor and an amazing texture. One thing to note is it's cash only. Service was quick, you order and pay at the window. They have picnic tables you can sit at or take your Italian ice to go. I hope one day I can go back and order the entire menu. Such a sweet and refreshing treat on a 95 degree day. read more

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Best Italian ice you'll ever have. They're open seasonally and take cash only. I've been coming here for ever and I cannot wait for each winter to be over to come back. They have so many flavors (too many to count), ice cream and items on the menu for your pup! Thank you Annette's l! read more

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A Chicago summer staple!! Don't be fooled by the long line- it moves quickly. They have a huge selection of ice cream flavors and Italian ice. I really like the piña colada Italian ice, but there are so many good options. Definitely make sure to come here before the end of summer!! read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love annette's so much. The service is good. The icecream and italian ice is amazing. The seasonal acai bowl was so good. Its such a lincoln park local spot and whenever its open i only go there. the lines an be long but it honestly goes by fast. Love this place pls go. read more

I've always believed that a line out the door is a sign a place is worth it. That rule doesn't just apply to restaurants--it holds true for ice cream and Italian ice spots too. And Annette's in Chicago proves it. My daughter lives just a block away, and somehow we still haven't managed to go together. But on Airshow weekend, I joined some family members and made the trek over. We hit the line at 3:30 on a scorching August afternoon and didn't reach the order window until about 30 minutes later. Honestly, the wait felt like part of the experience--the buzz, the anticipation, the smell of fresh waffle cones drifting from the window. Thankfully, I'd been tipped off on what to order: the Banana Pudding ice cream and the POG Italian Ice (Passionfruit, Orange, Guava). Without that advice, I could have spent five minutes just staring at the board trying to decide. I went all in--two large cups of each. Back at our condo, I finally dug into the Banana Pudding. Wow. Creamy, decadent, and loaded with flavor. You get the richness of banana custard with swirls of cookie crumbles and just the right balance of sweetness. It's one of those flavors you don't forget. My daughter said the POG Italian Ice was equally refreshing--bright, tropical, and perfect for a 95-degree day. What blows me away is the price. $7.45 for 12 ounces of premium ice cream that tastes this good feels like a steal in Chicago. No wonder Annette's has lines wrapped around the block all day long--the proof really is in the product. A couple of quirks: it's cash only (everyone seems to accept this as part of the charm), and the ordering process could move faster. Having the same one or two staffers handle orders, make change, and then scoop every single cup feels like a bottleneck. With a couple more hands behind the window, the line might move at a clip that matches the demand. Bottom line: Annette's is worth the wait. The ice cream is incredible, the Italian ice is spot-on, and I can't wait to stand in line again to try new flavors next time I'm in town. read more

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My goal is to try 50 new Chicago restaurants in 2025! Restaurant: 45/50 Month tried: August Favorite dish: Lemon Italian Ice I've been too scared of the line for years to try Annette's, but had to check it off the list before I left Lincoln Park. I had Chicago Pothole ice cream and my husband had Lemon Italian Ice with tajin. They were light on the tajin, but I thought the Italian ice quality was still better than the ice cream. Also it's cash only!! Is it worth the line? I mean, probably, if you love a good dessert and love to feel like you're part of something. There was comradery around being in line on a beautiful summer evening. And lots of dogs! read more

Didn't come for the Italian ice, came for the Superman ice cream! IYKYK Quick, friendly counter service from the window. Def a must try in L.P. Pro Tip: located right off the Brown line Armitage stop! Also cash only! read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Superman Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Annette's serves up that comforting, no-frills, super solid kind of treat, whether you're in the mood for ice cream, Italian ice, gelato, a sundae, or their magical Italian frozen yogurt. Honestly, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Highly recommend the Italian fro-yo, it's the best of both worlds. Fro-yo on the top and bottom, with Italian ice sandwiched in the middle, so every bite gives you a perfectly curated mix of creamy and refreshing. The Italian ice itself isn't overly sweet, scoops beautifully, and comes in an amazing variety of flavors, not too wild, but enough to make everyone happy. As for the ice cream, I'm obsessed with the amaretto cherry. My boyfriend swears by the red raspberry Italian ice, and to be fair, he hasn't disliked a single flavor yet. Heads up: It's cash only! And yes, the line gets long, especially during peak hours BUT the staff is fast and efficient, so the wait moves quickly. Take it as a chance to chat and soak in the neighborhood vibe. Conclusion: Annette's is the definition of a comfort spot. It's the kind of place you end up going to religiously (like I did all through college and still do now). It's literally a hole in the wall, small and run by an older woman who's been there forever. She's got a no-nonsense vibe that honestly intimidated me at first (I was too scared to ask for a second sample lol), but that's part of the charm now. This place is an institution and it never disappoints. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Memu - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The line is always insane but a summertime Chicago staple! Cash only but there is an ATM right next to the order window. Tons of ice cream and Italian ice flavors! They also have froyo and soft serve. We tried the Eskimo kisses and moose tracks ice cream which were delicious but I definitely want to come back to try the Italian ice and soft serve! Totally worth the hype. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Eskimo Kisses Moosetracks - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cash only!!! There was only one person working at around 3pm (Annette possibly??) so the line was pretty long, but it went quickly. They have a ton of flavors of Italian ice as well as ice cream. I got strawberry and POG ice with vanilla soft serve. It was a perfect warm afternoon treat. Hubby was obsessed with the ice cream scoop he got. I'm sure this place is hoppin' in the summer! read more

Mmmh mmmh mmmh! Been coming to this place since I was a kid. A little crazy to get used to the lines now, but it really is worth it. Closest Italian ice to Tom and Wendy's that closed yearsssss ago and was also on Armitage. I love getting the Italian froyo! Such a complementary combo, both flavor- and texture-wise. read more

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Annette's Italian Homemade Ice Cream on Armitage has quickly become one of my favorite stops whenever I'm on this shopping street. The line is often long, but don't let that scare you--the service is quick, and it moves faster than expected. They offer such a wide variety of flavors that it's hard to choose, but I went with the vegan raspberry frozen yogurt. It was incredibly soft, smooth, and refreshing--perfect for the heat. My friends picked different flavors, and I sampled a bit of theirs too; every single one was delicious. There isn't an indoor shop here--you just order from the window--but they do have patio seating, which makes it fun to sit outside and enjoy your treat. The service is friendly and efficient, keeping the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. With the sizzling Chicago weather right now, there's no better time to grab a scoop (or two) from Annette's. A must-stop spot when you're in the neighborhood! read more

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They only take cash (just fyi)!! AMAZING Italian ice and perfect for the summer:) would highly recommend the ice and custard swirl combo read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Passion Fruit-Red Raspberry / vanilla custard combo - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Must try Annette's as it was very delicious and a great summer treat that is light. I wanted to try a few flavors so I ordered a large with Lychee, Raspberry, and Guava-Orange-Passionfruit. They were all delicious! It is a cash only spot, but there is an ATM. There's some tables outside if you're lucky to stay and eat your dessert. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Large (12 oz for $7.65) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The italian ice here is definitely creamier, which isn't really my preference. The orange guava passionfruit was a lot more flavorful than the mango. Overall, tons of flavors to choose from. Be prepared for a long line that moves pretty quickly. Be aware this place is CASH ONLY!! There is an ATM thankfully :) It's a super cute place and i'm looking forward to trying their ice cream. read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Exterior - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Might be one of the best Italian ice I've had! They are cash only and only have a window front. I love the wide variety of flavors they offer and their fro-yo is soo soft and creamy. The combo is a great mix of textures. Highly recommend trying out! read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Felt super weird going to a place with "Italian ice" in the name and getting ice cream, but I swear they are known for that too - if you're someone who suffers from decision fatigue this may not be the spot for you. there were so many ice cream flavors. not to mention Italian ice, frozen yogurt, milkshake, sundae options! - I got the anniversary cake ice cream with marshmallow sauce. the pairing was killer, the sauce was oddly flavorful without being sickly sweet. the ice cream had full chunks of vanilla cake in it, but unfortunately, the ice cream itself did not have that much flavor. it was very subtle. you could've told me it was a vanilla ice cream with cake chunks. - the mint cookie was the opposite! super minty ice cream with chunks of oreo. we got "oreo crumbs" on this one and these were certainly more CHUNKY than crumby. super yummy - the ice cream was thick and had that stretchy texture as you pulled your spoon away - it's just a window to order but luckily had a few outdoor dining tables. the place is cash only which I despise with my whole chest read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Menu - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A line that was around the block the whole evening! So worth the wait some of the best flavors i've had. How ice can be this creamy, i do not know. I got the blueberry lemon, passionfruit raspberry (my favorite), and pomegranate. Didn't taste artificial or syrupy, but the blueberry lemon was a bit blander than the other two. I loved the real fruit chunks, it didn't take away from the consistency. My friend did get lychee which had a slight artificial flavor, but thats lychee for ya. Would stand in line everytime. Remember ONLY CASH, but they do have an atm :) read more

Annette's Italian Ice - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois