A Covid Success story- Rainbow Cone expands!

[rating=5]For ninety five years plus, people have gone to Beverly ( South side of Chicago on Western Avenue) to partake of an amazing ice cream cone called “The Rainbow Cone”. I remember our visits there in my youth. It was always a “reward” for doing something special. We would get in the car and make the trip. We did this from Austin ( the west side), from Rogers park (the north side) and from Evanston. Mom and dad used this special treat to get my brothers and I to cooperate or do something special at school. It was a great reward

Started by “Grandpa Joe” Sapp the Rainbow Cone was developed using five flavors of ice cream. The flavors are chocolate, strawberry, orange sherbet, pistachio and Palmer House ( named after the famous landmark hotel downtown). Blended together in slices over scoops they blend to perfection and have a flavor and taste that should satisfy everyone. I have never heard a complaint over this Chicago treat. It can be enjoyed in a regular cone, a waffle cone, a dish or even made into a cake ( for that special occasion.

During the pandemic, their customers made sure that Rainbow Cone thrived and survived. During this period, the Sapp family also became friends with the Buonavlanto family, owners of Buona Beef ( another great Chicago treat) and have added outlets in many of the beef restaurants. Today, Frank and I went to the Skokie location of Buona Beef located at 3754 W. Touhy Avenue ( just west of McCormick on the North Side of the street/behind the gas station). While it is not easy to get into their lot, it is well worth the navigation. We arrived early as we thought they opened at 11 a.m. They open daily at noon . As it turned out the manager, Giovanni wanted to assist us so he made each of us a cone. I had the real Rainbow Cone and Frank, who is always on a diet, the junior. What a treat! I believe the last time I had a Rainbow Cone was over 40 years ago and biting into the cone many great memories went through my mind. Thank you Rainbow Cone for bringing back some smiles and wonderful memories.

The expansion of Rainbow Cone is amazing and more than anything, this means that many more families will be able to have the experiences that we had back in the day. As I watched Frank bite into his, I knew he was hooked. He will be back ( many times for sure).

To learn more about the fabulous treat visit www.rainbowcone.com

To learn more about Buona Beef, visit www.buona.com

If you have an opportunity, tune in to WCPT820 am radio on Sunday, August 14th at 2 p.m. and hear Frank and I discuss our visit and later, at 3:15, stay tuned for Around The Town with Al Bresloff and Doris Davenport where we will meet and talk with Lynn Sapp ( third generation of this family). We will find out more about Palmer House and its exact flavor!