Zarlengo's Italian Ice

While I have sung the praises of Zarlengo's during a couple of ice-cream-athons over the past few years, I realized there is no thread devoted to their italian ice and gelato.

About four years ago, we stopped at Zarlengo's early in the season and had some fabulous italian fig ice. This stuff was so good, that I went back for it almost daily until it disappeared from the menu. Ever since that time, I've been harassing the owner to please bring it back. Every year he laughs and tells me maybe next year.

We showed up on opening day and the son of the owner was manning the window. I again begged for fig ice this season and he told me he had the figs and was working on a new recipe. Last night after dinner, my husband proposed a trip to Zarlengo's. I went up to the window, looked at the menu and started jumping up and down. The fig ice is back!

I got a small fig ice, and my husband got a fig ice cooler, which is half italian ice, half soft-serve ice cream. The owner told me he was talking about me while they made it, and hoping I would come in while it was still on the menu. We brought our desserts home and dug in. It was even better than I remembered, with an intense fig flavor and a honey aftertaste. I don't know what else is in there, but this recipe is terrific. I hope it stays on their menu for a good long time.

In addition to the fig ice, they also had some really interesting flavors, including an aztec chocolate ice, a sweet basil gelato, a sweet corn gelato and pumpkin gelato. The fruit flavors are made from fresh fruit and can't be beat. Gelato comes in a variety of flavors. They also have a nice selection of other ice cream treats. I never get tired of this place, and the prices are ridiculously reasonable.

It's worth the drive. Really.

Suzy


Zarlengo's
257 W. Joe Orr Rd.
Chicago Heights, IL 60411-1744
708-754-9080

Zarlengo's is open for the season. I saw the owner's son, thanked him for keeping the fig on the menu (as well as some of my other favorites), and asked if he was working on any new recipes for the coming season. He told me that they have been slammed with business since they opened, and also that they will be selling their products at all the White Sox home games -- I'm very excited for them. They will continue to make the flavors I know and love, but there might not be many surprise flavors this season as they figure out how to keep up with the demand for their product.

Suzy

The boy and I went on a drive today and decided that we would try out Zarlengo's as it wasn't too far out of the way...well because of a bridge being out on Dixie Highway it added a bit of extra time to the visit, but it was well worth it. The Italian Ice is excellent, not of the Mario's style, but very finely textured and no actual fruit...but the fruit flavor (watermelon this time) shine through! However, even better was the gelato...which the 8 year old scarfed down so quickly I only had a chance to steal two bites...but this peanut butter-chocolate chip was fantastic! I'm no gelato expert by any means, but it was thick, creamy, with the best peanut butter flavor of any icecream I've had. After that he had to have some ice as well...and chose "Hawaiian Punch"...but he's a kid. Oh, and it does taste just like Hawaiian Punch by the way.

I had the 2 scoop serving of Pistachio gelato today. Having never indulged in gelato before and also being a first time customer here all I can say is "What the hell took me so long"?? A smooth creamy delight.

Now I can scratch two more "to do's" off my bucket list,but you can be sure I'll be back. There's a whole of of other flavors to explore.

It's too funny that I logged on today and read this. We just returned to the Chicago area after being gone for 4 years (Florida and Memphis) and my son is getting free Zarlengo Italian Ice this coming Friday at school. Why? His teacher, Miss Zarlengo, is part of the family.

What a lucky first grade class My first grader has had many types of Italian ice so I'll be intersted to hear what he says about it.

My daughter called us Sunday night to say she drove by and saw it was open -- so she stopped for something, even though she had just eaten dessert at home.

I came home from a late night at work to find a fig ice in the freezer on Monday. My husband had the sweet basil gelato and said it was as good as ever! I look forward to Zarlengo's opening every spring and no doubt will be there on a regular basis until they close in the fall.

Suzy

I was on a rare visit to Chicago Heights last night so took the opportunity to visit Zarlengo's for the first time. The fig and the mango Italian ice were great, and I like the sweet basil gelato though it was a little too sweet for my taste. I'm going to try get back there again soon for a grapefruit ice/grapefruit gelato taste-off.

Sun-Times readers’ top 10 best ice cream spots in the Chicago area

Chicago, you nominated your favorites and for one week, you voted for whom you rank as the best ice cream in Chicago. The winner? Zarlengo’s Italian Ice and Gelato (257 W. Joe Orr Rd., Chicago Heights, 708-754-9080, zarlengositalianice.com).

Since 1983, the Zarlengo family has served Chicago Heights with unique recipes and fresh ingredients. With more than 40 flavors of handmade frozen treats all produced in-house, the family, which makes up the majority of the restaurant’s staff, stays busy churning out quality treats to loyal customers.

The spot to be at in Da Heights on a hot summer day


From Left: Blueberry, apricot, pink grapefruit

As always all were great but the apricot was amazing.

I've had carry-out from Zarlengo's several times this year since they opened, but my kids always seemed to be going out for it and they never brought me back what I requested. Last night, my husband and I went by ourselves on an ice cream date. While they were out of my beloved fig ice, I was happy to see they had the almond joy gelato I have requested several times (and never got). As I was ready to order, another flavor caught my eye -- mascarpone gelato. In order to satisfy my craving, I asked for a scoop of both. While I love the almond joy, the mascarpone flavor was heavenly -- so much so that I'm thinking of getting back in line this evening for more.

The husband tried a new flavor (at least new to us), sicilian hazelnut. This was another big winner. I hope they keep it on the menu.

The funniest part of our ice cream adventure was when the owner looked at my husband, seemed puzzled, and asked him if he had been there before. I peeked around him and waved -- and he smiled broadly and said, "Oh yeah, I know you -- the fig girl." I fought hard (three years!) to get it back on the menu and it's become a neighborhood favorite. Sometimes it pays to be persistent!


Suzy

I had the chance to try Zarlengo's gelato at the Nosh food festival in Wicker Park today and I was very impressed. I tried the salted caramel and the nutella and both were very good. The salted caramel could have used a bit more salt, but it was still quite good and I was very impressed with the very smooth texture of both flavors. I look forward to trying some more of their flavors when they start selling them at Baker & Nosh in Uptown.