Beat the heat with this Northern Star guide to cold treats in DeKalb

By Northern Star staff

A cool treat like ice cream, a smoothie or juice is just the thing on a sunny DeKalb day.

Here’s a guide to where to grab a cold treat in DeKalb. Scroll down for photos, hours and locations, or check out this interactive map.


Aspen Leaf Yogurt

Aspen Leaf Frozen Yogurt, 1015 W. Lincoln Highway, serves frozen yogurt with a variety of flavor and topping options.

“We strive [for] excellence in customer service,” said manager Melanie Bowling. “We definitely give our guests opportunity and choices.”

Aspen Leaf offers 16 flavors and 70 toppings and smoothies are “coming soon,” Bowling said.

Where: 1015 W. Lincoln Highway

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday


Baskin-Robbins

Want something more than a scoop of vanilla? You can head to Baskin-Robbins to grab an ice cream cake or specialty sundae.

Where: 1101 W. Lincoln Highway

Hours: All day, every day


Culver’s

Culver’s, 1262 W. Lincoln Highway, is known for its Concrete Mixers and thick custard.

“I like how we have all these fabulous mix-ins to put in” the custard, said Culver’s employee Alex Schnabel.

Where: 1262 W. Lincoln Highway

Hours: 10 a.m. to midnight Monday through Sunday


Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen, 1780 Sycamore Road, serves Blizzards, Arctic Rushes and classic ice cream choices.

Dairy Queen manager Crystal Judkins has been manager for 10 years.

“I’m old fashioned. My favorite is the Arctic Rush Float, which is not on the menu anymore,” Judkins said.

Where: 1780 Sycamore Road

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day


Flamingo Ice Cream

You can grab some authentic Mexican cuisine and follow it up with a variety of ice cream flavors at Flamingo Ice Cream.

Where: 1029 Pleasant St.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday


Grassroots Juicery and Cafe

Grassroots Juicery and Cafe, 2180 Oakland Drive, Unit B in Sycamore, offers fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

Grassroots owner Dan Pojar said his whole concept is to provide the healthiest drinks and foods around. Grassroots has 12 juices, all of which are raw, and smoothies that are dairy-free, Pojar said.

Where: 2180 Oakland Drive in Sycamore

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday


Happy Wok

Happy Wok, 1190 W. Lincoln Highway, is a Chinese restaurant that just so happens to serve delicious smoothies.

Happy Wok employee Deanna Aguilera said her favorite smoothie flavor is strawberry banana.

“Everything is so fresh,” Aguilera said.

Where: 1190 W. Lincoln Highway

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday


La Michoacana

La Michoacana offers something truly magical: paletas, or fruit-filled popsicles.

Where: 162 W. Lincoln Highway

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday


McDonald’s

You can grab a vanilla cone, hot fudge sundae or a chocolate shake from McDonald’s to cool down in hot weather.

Where: 805 W. Lincoln Highway

Hours: All day, every day


Ollie’s Frozen Custard

Ollie’s Frozen Custard, 2290 Oakland Drive in Sycamore, serves frozen custard and sundaes.

“I love, love strawberry fudge truffle sundae,” said Ollie’s employee Erin West.

Where: 2290 Oakland Drive in Sycamore

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday


Sunshine Scoop Shoppe and Bakery

Sunshine Scoop Shoppe and Bakery, 818 W. Lincoln Highway, sells ice cream and other sweet treats.

”My husband and I are from DeKalb,” said Carole Fawaz, owner of Sunshine Scoop. “We have been in business four years and we make everything from fresh fruit. We have a variety of baked goods from pies, cookies to cupcakes, rock candy, cookie dough with no eggs that’s safe to eat. We also make our own popcorn Chicago style.”

Where: 818 W. Lincoln Highway

Hours: Closed Monday, 3-10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday


Think we missed something? Tweet @NIUNorthernStar with your favorite DeKalb spot to grab a cold treat during the summer or tell us in the comments.