Paciugo Gelato - new in Forest Park

I heard about this place a few days ago and went for the first time yesterday. It's in a small space on Madison St in downtown Forest Park. Very cozy and warm ambiance, a table and chair outside for good weather. I'm not sure when it opened, as I didn't have much time to linger and ask questions, but their grand opening is scheduled for next weekend.

Paciugo is part of a chain that is expanding pretty quickly, from the looks of their website. New locations will be coming to both Chicago and Bolingbrook as well as places around the US.

About the gelato - there are 32 flavors on offer, and they have 200 flavors to rotate through. With a cranky baby, I wasn't able to try all the flavors that sounded intriguing (black pepper & olive oil, ginger-vanilla, green tea), but I did come away with a small cup (maximum of 3 flavors in a small, 4 in a medium, and I think 5 in a large) of amarena (black cherry), strawberry cookies 'n milk, and double fior di latte. The texture was lighter and airier than some gelati that I've tried (reminded me more of Vivoli's rather than Perche No in Florence, if you've ever been), but had a creamy mouthfeel and quite enjoyable. The flavors were intense, particularly the strawberry (although the cookies 'n milk were not pronounced). They offer a selection of water-based sorbetti, soy-based gelato, and sugar-free gelato. Paciugo also offers to-go packs - I presume hand-packed to order, as all of the sizes are marked with maximum number of flavors per box (again, 3 for a small, etc).

I'll definitely be heading back next weekend, armed with the 20% Grand Opening coupon that they handed me along with my gelato. I'll be going earlier, before the baby starts fussing for naptime, and hopefully tasting my way through as many flavors as they'll allow. Unlike Gelato Uno, they don't (yet) have a sign limiting the number of tastes.

Paciugo Gelato
7510 Madison St
Forest Park, Illinois 60130

Store Hours:
M- Th: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
F-Sat: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Su: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Very intriguing flavors listed on their site:

Pink Grapefruit sorbetto blended with a subtle touch of fresh sage leaves.

Green apple arugula coriander.

Our three-alarm gelato: rich chocolate gelato mixed with spicy fresh jalapeño.

The Wife and I will try to stop by tonight.

David "The best places to eat in Oak Park are in Forest Park" Hammond

I've tried them in their Madison, WI location. As much as I am loath to like any thing shipped in, I've found their stuff quite good.

Stopped by tonight for a few gelati, and liked 'em pretty well, though I must admit, I have a hard time distinguishing degrees of quality with gelato. Most gelato I have, I like pretty well; I just don't know how to decide which is better or worse...unless we're just talking about flavors.

I sampled the Gold Fish, and thought it challenging: salty fish crackers and three vanilla gelato, not so good.

The Rose gelato I liked a lot, thought I know some people have a very bad reaction to the flavor of rose in food.

This place is still in soft opening mode, though it was quite crowded for a Sunday afternoon; and the young people behind the counter seem totally into their jobs, which helps.