Review Visit: September 17th, 2014…read more Pop. Pop. Get your popcorn here! Popcorn is like a burger sandwich or pizza. You can get your basic form of the food but the sky is the limit on the various ways to prepare it. Pizzas, sandwiches and popcorn are one of the many foods that comes in a million different flavors and combinations. Maybe not everyone loves popcorn (do these people even exist?) but places like Holland's Caramelcorn can offer popcorn lovers a seemingly endless variety to pick from. Having been through the Washington Square a few times, I noticed there were some cool and interesting shops to check out. So, I planned a day to explore the town's square and see what the local community has to offer. Upon finding a parking spot and entering the store, I knew I liked the place. It had this welcoming feeling to it and the person behind the counter was super friendly. The store was wide open and kept the merchandise against the walls. This allowed my friend and I an easy way to browse their wares. If you came here expecting to get much beyond the popcorn and soda, you will be disappointed. This store specializes in the popcorn and random sodas you've never heard of before. Luckily, there is a shop next door called Holland's Mercantile. But that's for another blog post. While we wandered the store, I managed to accumulate a handful of popcorn and sodas to take home with me to enjoy at my leisure. I don't remember how much everything cost but I wasn't worried about spending a few extra bucks to support local businesses. I will be honest, I may not have waited to get home before sampling some of the goods. The soda was a root beer variety and was bubbly and good. The popcorn, which the flavor escapes me, was good, tasted fresh, and had a bit of that grandma's love put in to it. Overall, it was a nice stop to pick up some goodies and to support a local business. If you happen to need some need for gourmet popcorn and odd ball sodas, you can't go wrong at Holland's. I believe they even do bulk orders for businesses. Remember, try to support those local businesses around you if at all possible.

Great old fashion shop, however they only pop once a week per the owner and the prices are higher…read morethan other small midwestern popcorn shops.

Chili dogs are always top on my list. Best to pass on the cheese. Service is hit and miss.read more

Great ice cream! I got the smores wizard and it hit the spot. Highly recommend this place for all…read moreyour ice cream needs

Any time I am in the Downtown Bloomington area, I make a point to stop at Gene's Dairy Delight…read more Its a 50+ year landmark business in the Bloomington area, not just for amazing soft serve custard but for friendly fast service. You can walk up or hit the drive thru but always the same great service and wonderful soft serve. They have an extensive menu with something for everyone in your group! I especially recommend the strawberry lemon twist soft serve. Delicious and refreshing on a hot summer day. Highly recommend this business for yummy treats in the heart of Bloomington! Cash only so hit the ATM before you stop by and tell them Kate sent you!

We did not realize they did not serve frozen custard. Their dairy delight just does not compare to…read moreTed Drewes or Andy's frozen custard.

Just took the kids here today for the first time in years, and it was just the same as always -…read moretotally awesome! The soft serve is delicious, and they serve the cones with little edible eyes, which the kids go nuts for. Of course, we all ended up wearing more cone than we ate, because it was a little toasty outside, but it was fun to sit there and commune with our fellow humans over entirely too much sugar.

The best ice cream in Pekin, if you can get past the attitudes. After going to the Funeral home, to…read moremake arrangements to bury her father, we thought we would go here to get away from the craziness in our lives the past few days. When we arrived, the attitudes were short wicked and it looks like everyone hated their job. My wife was made out to be a dumb*** in front of everyone because she accidentally grabbed someone's Strawberry Shake instead of her Strawberry Shortcake. I won't be back, that was very embarrassing for my wife and put her in tears, she just can't get away from all this cruel crap. She just lost her father and just can't get a break

Super good Ice Cream. Always packed on the weekdays so it's best to find a good time that works for…read moreyou. I personally enjoy swinging by here during the night time, looks really nice later in the day and the stuff are pretty cool. Very nice interior and they let you sample before you buy.

Enjoyed the chocolate milk ice cream with the chocolate sugar cone :) $7 something for 1 scoop.read more

Nice coffee shop with delicious cookies. I like the peanut butter. Hot coffee comes in a ceramic…read moremug, which is nice, ceramic plates for the cookies. Nice young man at the cash register who did NOT say "have a nice rest of your day" making my visit perfect.

Absolutely the best cinnamon roll and sugar cookie in town. It's my favorite spot to get a treat. I…read morelove the seasonal, rotating decor inside, the prices are great, and the employees are always really nice.

Stopped in with the kids for the first time and was treated very nicely by the staff. They had a…read morebig selection for the size of the store and had things I haven't seen offered at other ice cream shops. The kids loved it and I'll go back. Cute little shop b

Front Street Creamery in El Paso, Illinois, is a nostalgia-packed " cool place" that'll transport…read moreyou straight back to the Clarissa Explains It All era. Owned by Matt & Kerri Kaps and (who've nailed the "cool local hang" vibe), this spot serves up frozen custards and sorbets with a side of 1990s whimsy. Let's break it down, Saved by the Bell-style: Waffle Tacos & Kid-Approved Hits Their waffle tacos are the stuff of lunchbox legends are made from. For the under-12 crowd, banana pudding custard reigns supreme, blending Nilla wafer nostalgia with silky texture. Parents, prepare for repeat requests. Grown-Up Flavors with Flair Champagne sorbet? Absolutely Fabulous. This bubbly-inspired treat dances between sweet and tart, while pistachio custard delivers a nutty richness that'll make you rethink every '90s "low-fat" trend. Blood orange sorbet steals the show with its zesty punch-perfect for and weather. Retro Candy & Hy-Vee Collab The attached candy shop is a time capsule of Dunkaroos-era snacks, from Warheads to Fruit by the Foot. Pro tip: Grab a tub of their vanilla bean custard at Bloomington's Hy-Vee for home-based nostalgia trips. Why It's All That With its converted grocery store aesthetic and Friends-level hangout energy, Front Street Creamery is the Midwest's answer to 1995. Culinary Chronicles approves-this spot's got more flavor layers than a Lisa Frank trapper keeper.

Don't miss out on these amazing cookies! I'll be back tonight for some! I'm excited for the…read moreflavors they have this week!

HAIRY SITUATION. Cookies are good I can't finish half one one on my own tho lol. Walked in, wasn't…read moregreeted, stood there for 20 minutes without hearing anything, was given my cookies, got home and cut into them and there was a hair in it so I just didn't eat them. Hair was strategically extracted and can be seen in the photo by the cookie. Nobody inside had their hair fully covered by a net. Was very awkward standing there in silence while 3 of us waited to hear something and get our cookies