Wonderful little ice cream parlor located across from Woodlawn Cemetery in North Riverside, a quiet residential neighborhood. Well kept and definitely some pride of ownership shown here! Super nice spot; clear modern signage , several nice picnic benches all around to enjoy your food and or ice cream treats. Fun menus are posted both inside and outside. Very clean place. Large parking lot for paying customers for free. Additional street parking. Pace bus stops out front. Simple nice exchange. He packed the soft serve well. Definitely good value and the quality is good as well! Thank you.! Definitely recommend them, just West of the North Riverside Mall. Which has a new update movie theater and large indoor shopping space. Nice area to visit and enjoy. read more

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I love Polar Bear Ice Cream, it's one of my favorite summer spots. It has that classic, nostalgic ice cream stand feel and always delivers really good ice cream in a fun, relaxed environment. It's the perfect place to stop on a warm evening, and they even give out little bowls of ice cream for dogs, which is such a sweet touch. Summer in the area just wouldn't feel the same without it. read more

Best soft serve ice cream anywhere. Consistent, great service, and delicious. Just don't get the hot dogs.... thick tough skin. read more

My wife and I spent several days in Valparaiso to both visit her sister and introduce me to the town where both of them went to college. I had always wanted to go there and am very happy to say that I totally enjoyed the visit. While there, we visited a lot of places and ate most meals out. This one was actually on the way back to our flight home. We stopped in Chicago to visit a friend in Forest Park before catching our flight home from Midway. She took us for a nice long walk through some graveyards to get to Polar Bear. It was wonderful weather, and the cemeteries had some interesting things to see such as where the victims of the worst train accident involving a circus are buried. There were also lots of birds taking advantage of the trees and shrubs. By the time we got to Polar Bear, I was ready for something cold. I opted for a vanilla flurry with Heath. It was like a blizzard or concrete. The ice cream was very rich and tasty. It was a lot like frozen custard, but the signs never mentioned that. I would walk over there all the time, if I lived in the area. I would love to try a Chicago style hot dog and some of the other options that were shown in photos. I think in the summertime, it would be best to time it so that shade is on the three tables outside. It would probably be hot eating your ice cream in the sun. read more

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Happy to see that a locally owned ice cream stand is still open. Great soft serve ice cream! read more

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I have been going to Polar Bear since the 80s. Turtle Sunday or a chocolate Boston shake with a side car is one of my favorites . I moved up north and no only get there on occasion. best whip cream in town. have to enjoy the soft serve ice cream experience. read more

Delicious ice cream! Good food, prices are very well valued for what you get. Place has also been around for a while now, family owned, perfect place to grab a cone! read more

Coming here since I was a child hidden gem from my Mom ; then my children now my Grandchildren appreciate the experience and wishing you a lifetime of success. Love those giant cones! read more

First time coming here and I wasn't a fan. Neighborhood ice cream place in North Riverside that serves ice cream, sundaes, float and food items. There is a small parking lot in the back for you to park. The prices are a bit over the top. I ordered a small swirl ice cream cone with chocolate and vanilla. I never tasted ice cream that didn't have any taste to it. When you place your order you have to speak inside this tape down microphone. I won't be screaming for ice cream here at Polar Bear. I recommend you try other places for some real good and tasty homemade ice cream. read more

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Best soft serve one team in the area. My wife turned me on to this place. Only open part of the year but a great place to get a cone and sit outside and enjoy. I have only had ice cream so far but the wife loves their fries on occasion. read more

Twist cone here is fantastically creamy. I got mine dipped. This place looks old school on the outside but clean and put together on the inside. Be prepared to wait in line. read more

Such a cute little neighborhood spot... unassuming,quaint, with soft serve cones that they can dip into your choice of toppings or a hardening chocolate coating. You can also get shakes or funnel cakes. Really happy we tried this place out. Picnic tables outside and a nice clean parking lot! read more

Solid local spot! This is the perfect place to go to get affordable soft serve ice cream. I came here for the first time since I was a teen recently on a particularly hot day after returning from the Brookfield Zoo. This would also be a great stop if you're nearby shopping at the North Riverside Mall. There were three or four picnic tables against a wall in a completely shaded area. If you've never been there, you should know that Polar Bear is a tiny stand, so there's no indoor seating. There is a menu on the outside, as well as on the inside. I didn't remember that Polar Bear also serves savory standard American fare, such as burgers, hotdogs, and fries. We skipped that, however, in favor of the soft serve. You can get your soft serve in three cake cone sizes: small, medium, and large. I opted for a small chocolate-vanilla twist, which was a TON of ice cream for only $2.89. My husband decided to get a peanut butter dip on his cone, which was absolutely delicious. The dip flavor options are peanut butter, chocolate, and cherry. I also tried a sip of the cappuccino freeze, which was excellent. I definitely recommend stopping by, especially in the summer! read more

Polar Bear - Large twist with peanut butter dip - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - North Riverside, Illinois

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Delicious funnel cake and ice cream swirl. Drove 45 minutes to check this place out and it did not disappoint. Beware they do not sell bottled water but they do offer complimentary tap water. They are only open seasonal but definitely worth a try if you are in the neighborhood and in the mood for some delicious funnel cake fun! read more

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We've always enjoyed the ice cream, but we're pleasantly surprised by the food! Great fries!

SINCE 1948! Their soft serve has a silky texture. Classic Americana type drive-in. Love the interior aesthetic; tons of neon, and lots of space around the shop to sit and enjoy your treats. read more

Best ice cream and worth the drive! We've been going here for years and it's amazing. Cash only, small ice cream parlor with picnic benches outside! Prices are very reasonable and literally everything is amazing! They have some hot food but haven't tried it, mostly burgers and hot dogs etc. Can't wait to come back before the season is over! read more

Suuuuuuper cute little shop. I got the funnel cake sundae and some vanilla milk shakes. Everything was up quick and tasted amazing. They serve definitely an array of foods and desserts. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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Definitely a locals place. I'm giving it a star up from what I think it deserves because I feel every neighborhood deserves a place like this and this is as community-oriented as it gets. People are faithful to joints like this, and I dig it. Got a chili dog and it was the standard skinny, cheap dog, with can chili. The bun was soft. The chicken tenders my wife got were fairly good. The soft-served ice cream is where it's at though! read more

Polar Bear - Ice cream cone dipped in PB and Chocolate - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - North Riverside, Illinois

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It's one of these old-time ice cream shops that's been around for ages. After a trip to Brookfield Zoo, I said we'd stop by for a treat. Despite not passing through the area for nearly 10 years, I was happy to see the little hut with the fading sign of a relaxed polar bear licking a cone. It's a pretty small interior with just an order & pickup counter and no place to sit inside. There's some wooden picnic tables for eating outside, both by the street and next to the parking lot. While ice cream is their main draw, they also have burgers, hot dogs, and brats, along with fries and funnel cakes too. How's this for old school? Their carbonated drink fountain selection consists of Diet Rite, Green River, Splice, and root beer. They have soft-serve chocolate, vanilla, or twist, served in cones or in waffle dishes if you order a sundae. I went for a smoothie - the "Bear Special" which is strawberry-banana. My wife and both kids had choc-vanilla twist ice cream. Total order was under $8. Beat that, DQ or Baskin-Robbins! It's only about a 5-minute drive from the zoo, so it's a great place to stop on the way back. If you come with kids, I recommend sitting on the tables on the side closer to the residential street and not in the parking lot, since cars come racing in from Cermak. read more

Polar Bear - Polar bear in front - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - North Riverside, Illinois

I've been coming here since I was 5 years old. Ah the memories. I think that's why I love it so much... Yes the soft serve is the bomb dot com but we all know memories attached to outings make a place even better. The second I got picked up from the airport I asked my dad if the Polar Bear was still open and he said "we can go tomorrow" yes! I felt like a kid again just with that answer!! I love the soft serve cone dipped in chocolate- the crunchy shell over the velvety ice cream is perfect. I set aside the fact that I'm lactose intolerant for this place. I took one for the team, being me, ha ha. My parents even ordered something! They never get dessert let alone ice cream. My mom upgraded from the small to medium sundae; the small is very small. 1 hygiene issue: the employee who made our desserts also handled the cash - he did not put on new gloves for our order & he didn't trash them after we paid. Yuck. For this I deducted a star. read more

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Classic ice cream shop ala softy serve, though they do have a hand packed option on their menu - maybe I'll check it out next time. I ordered an XL chocolate malt - one of two sizes on the menu. It was huge and a great value at $5.35 including tax. Now, I have had more robust malts, but this one was pretty good. Student staff that was attentive and nice - I'm sure it's a great summer job for them. Four stars overall - when I think of five star ice cream joints, I think of Dairy Bar in Glenview. But this one isn't too far behind. read more

This place was an awesome find when leaving Brookfield Zoo! It will definitely be a regular stop for us after zoo trips, I'll tell you why. It's an original stand since 1948, no bells and whistles, just an indoor counter and outdoor picnic tables (clean)! They have regular hot dog stand fare, and their frozen yogurt is great (no hard scoop ice cream here). I had a craving for a pizza puff (which is very unlike me because they're usually flat and greasy), not this one! Thick and not soaked in grease (I posted a picture). I had a chocolate malt there, which was made really well. Smooth, thick and malty! My sister ordered a turtle sundae (pic posted, but taken after she started eating it!), that was tasty and average, but loaded with toppings. The french fries are really good! They are all natural, hand cut fries, a big plus in my book! The staff is friendly and patient. Cons: My mom ordered a chocolate soda. It was literally a cup of plain seltzer water top with a small amount of chocolate fro-yo. Very upsetting. I took it back to the counter and asked them to add the chocolate syrup, they were very accommodating! read more

Polar Bear - Turtle sundae... my sister couldn't wait for me to take this photo before she took a few bites! :) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - North Riverside, Illinois

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Love Polar Bear! The best soft serve ice cream ever! Parking is limited but it's a quick little get in, get out joint. Always look forward to when they open for the warm seasons! read more

This place is a hidden gem. We drove all the way from Chicago to come here. Their funnel cakes and nachos are the best and the people who work here are super friendly. Garret took care of us and he was very knowledgeable on the menu and suggesting items and explaining them. We can't wait to come back!!! read more

Polar Bear - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - North Riverside, Illinois

This place had all the goods and sweets.. Ice cream treats. Italian beefs. Hot dogs and burgers and chili cheese fries. Great place to bring the kiddies. And classic drinks like green river read more

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Never tried it, I think they keep changing their hours?? sign in front says open but they're closed. They clearly don't want business.

A taste little treat in the middle of the south west. They have Green River on TAP! The best Smoothies in a tri state area. Good soft serve and the BEST Chicken Strips from a stand ever! read more

Local staple been around forever and always manned by local teens. My family and my dog think they have great soft serve and sundaes!

I have been frequenting Polar Bear for over 30 years. My earliest memories involved summer night quick trips there in my dad's convertible to get hot fudge sundaes to go. As I got older, I drove myself, my friends, my husband, and now my kids. It's a summer tradition. The best thing there, hands down, is the soft serve, especially if you get it dipped in chocolate shell. I mean, best. stuff. ever. The kids working there are making just as many summer memories as we are slipping out as the sun sets for an old school treat. I love seeing them work hard and handle the responsibility of real life customer service. Hasn't changed since 1980! One other note: by the pickup window is a pitcher of ice water and cups. It is the best ice water in the history of the universe. I know, super weird thing to say, but it's true. Always take a cup of ice water with our cone. Life-changing. read more

Well...hmmm...I prefer places like this to just about any other kind of "hot dog" joint - places that brag of having a high percentage of cream in their icecream and being owned by a person - I like that. That said, the fries were pretty soggy and the place you walk in to order looked like it hadn't been swept in a week (or maybe longer), and that kinda wigs me out at a food joint. Lots of potential! read more

nostalgia and great ice cream. been bringing my kids here since they were old enough for solid food. what a great little custard stand! they do have food (burgers, funnel cakes, etc.), but the custard steals the show. read more

Polar Bear - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - North Riverside, Illinois

Funnel cake!!! I found it very difficult to find a location that sold funnel cakes besides a carnival or Six Flags (and that's close to home). So I was astounded to hear that I could get a funnel cake at Polar Bear, my funnel cake was great, it was topped with strawberries and powdered sugar. I'm sure they have other options as well. It's a small setting, with friendly staff and cash only. read more

Started going here a few years ago, and the ice cream is to die for. Once I had it, I actually craved it. Now, I live a few blocks away, so I can satisfy my craving anytime during their open season. As mentioned in other reviews, they also sell burgers, hot dogs, etc. The burgers are actually pretty good too. Just be prepared to wait a while if you order one, since they only make them to order. read more

There isn't much on the menu here but the soft serve is THE best! If you don't live close take a drive, maybe on your way home from the city or Brookfield Zoo. The soft serve is creamy and dreamy! And I believe they still have the namesake polar bear on the sign. read more

Great old fashion cheese burger yum yum the food is always fresh and hot it's worth the wait read more

Polar Bear - A great old fashion cheese burger yum yum - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - North Riverside, Illinois

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Best ice cream & smoothies I've had in the area. Definitely need to stop by if you're around North Riverside. A summertime staple! read more

Polar Bear - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - North Riverside, Illinois

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Mmmm... it's worth it. Pros: Fast food that's not too fast Tall ice cream cones Diet Rite & RC (benefit of the doubt on this one) Outdoor benches Cons: Food coma! Small local shack with floats, dogs, and sandwiches. Service was expedient, fries were plenty, pizza puff is ok enough (not overcooked so that's a plus), chicken sandwich was decent enough to order again. read more

I love to frequent and support local business. We live a couple of blocks away so on nice summer evenings we treat the kiddos to ice cream at the Polar Bear. Its always full of locals and young kids working there are very nice. The ice cream soft serve is a favorite. Love this place! There are picnic tables around the place and in the parking lot, so be careful with the cars read more

This place is better than your average ice cream/fast food joints and better priced. Their funnel cakes and french fries is why I frequent place, or used to frequent the place back when I lived in the area. FYI - This place is only open during spring/summer months read more