Five great reasons to love The Original Rainbow Cone

There are a million reasons to head to Chicago’s Beverly-Mt. Greenwood neighborhood, the best of them being chocolate, pistachio, strawberry, Palmer House and orange sherbet.

Those are the five flavors of ice cream that make up a Rainbow Cone, the wonderfully delicious treat invented by Joseph Sapp in 1926. The Original Rainbow Cone can only be found at The Original Rainbow Cone location on South Western Avenue on the city’s far Southwest side.

And it is so worth the trip.

This cone gets its name from the way the five flavors are applied to the cone. Each is layered on an angle with a large spatula. The end result is a towering, rainbow cone that even tastes grander than it looks. Rainbow makes its own ice cream and the Palmer House flavor is a cherry-nut blend, named after the city’s famous Loop hotel.

In addition to the cones (they come in large and small) Rainbow offers sundae’s, floats, shakes, malts and some lunch items during the day. A large cone is under $5. Rainbow Cone hand-packed ice-cream as well as cakes can be purchased on-site. There are 17 other flavors on the menu in addition to the rainbow-five.

Few old ice cream parlors remain in this city and The Original Rainbow Cone is as authentic as they come. Its location has been the same for decades—an art deco building crowned with a Spanish tile roof, topped off with a giant Rainbow Cone. Loved by many from far and wide, rainbow cone attracts large crowds. Service is swift and incredibly friendly.

A canopied outdoor area with picnic benches is set up right behind the shop. But the best way to enjoy your rainbow cone is the Southwest Side way—sitting in your parked car with the doors flung open or taking a seat on its hood.

 This is a true old Chicago neighborhood where family generations remain living. If you’re from the North Side, it might seem like a long trip for an ice cream cone. But remember, this isn’t just any cone in a strip-mall shop. You’re bound for a good bit of history and a scoop of nostalgia at The Original Rainbow Cone.

ice cream dessert restaurant