Butcher and the Burger
Chef Allen Sternweiler’s house-made custard flavors prove that B&B's name is misleading. Flavors range from old favorites such as cookies ‘n cream, pistachio, and Butterfinger, to the wildly unexpected like peanut butter banana, bacon, goat cheese, and pear mascarpone brulee. Pass up the traditional cone for custard milkshakes that come in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, or the imaginative flavor of the day. 1021 W. Armitage Ave., 773-697-3735

Black Dog Gelato
Gelato guru Jessica Oloroso recently opened a second location of her gourmet parlor in Roscoe Village (1955 W. Belmont Ave., 773-235-3116). Her specialty: flavors you can’t find anywhere else that tend toward savory instead of sweet. The Mexican hot chocolate gelato kicks the tastes buds with a very fiery forwardness, and the goat cheese-cashew caramel is a must-try, too. Mix and match scoops in a dish to sample a few flavors at once. 859 N. Damen Ave., 773-235-3116

South Water Kitchen
Whereas regular red velvet cake is a dyed chocolate, executive chef Roger Waysok makes South Water Kitchen’s with real beets. The ice cream aspect here? A delicious cream cheese ice cream layered between the red cake, sprinkled with shaved dark chocolate. The resto also serves seasonal ice creams and sorbets from its regular dessert menu. 225 N. Wabash Ave., 312-236-9300