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Vegan
Ice cream
Vegan soft serve ice cream walk-up window est. 2021. Offers sundaes, shakes, and toppings. Open Wed-Sun 8:00am-9:00pm.
47 Reviews
First Review by wft
aubreyj27
Points +1776
best vegan soft serve! - Edit
funny story.. i thought i was going to the other location that allowed you inside, got a little confused, and ended up at this location - oops! i was desperate for vaca's delicious vegan soft serve, so me and my fellow ice cream enthusiast hiked through the pouring rain and waited in the doorway for vegan sundaes.
Read morei love the location and the soft serve - it's so cute inside and has really good vibes. the atmosphere is calm and the workers are friendly.
today we got the candy bar sundae and the inner child sundae.. this means i've tried all 4 sundaes! fun, right? the inner child sundae was mine, and it was delicious... definitely worth getting soaked in the rain.
i said it before in my review for the other location and i'll say it again... the soft serve here is practically indiscernible from dairy soft serve, without any of the dairy. 100% recommend trying out a sundae, a pint, a scoop... anything on the menu! just come try vaca's, it's worth a trek in the rain!
*note - they are window-serve only right now. i don't know if they ever let you inside, but when i went on 7/7/24 it was just the window
Pros: realistic soft serve, fun selection/menu
Cons: hard to find parking !!, keep in mind this is window serve ONLY
Guest
ShanahBell
Points +554
Best vegan sundae I've ever had! - Edit
I found this place on the Happy Cow app, and even though it was quite a long walk from where we were, it was well worth it.
Read moreThis place is a well hidden take out window along a row of houses, so it's definitely a well hidden gem.
The whole menu is vegan and most, if not all is also gluten free.
One of my kids got the Strawberry Basil soft serve while I chose to go all in. I got the Candy Bar signature sundae and was more than happy I did. It was phenomenal! I can't remember the last time I had a sundae so flavorful and delicious, and that counts even when I was still vegetarian and ate dairy products.
Kudos to them for great service and vegan products. If only they were closer to us...
Updated from previous review on 2024-06-06
Pros: 100% vegan, Gluten free, Freaking delicious
Cons: Distance from where we were, None in Raleigh
Guest
gizelle617
Points +1580
One of my favorite places on earth - Edit
I’m not exaggerating!
Read moreI don’t know how I haven’t left a review, but Vaca’s is the best soft serve I’ve ever had! I’ve taken all of my friends and family and everyone loves it and goes back without me. Put it on your to do list if you’re vegan, love sweets, and visiting Chicago. You won’t be disappointed. My favorite sundae is CandyBar.
Guest
cjl.023
Points +31
Literally the best vegan soft serve I've ever had - Edit
There's nothing else to say, this is literally the best soft-serve I've ever had. Love the flavors, love the toppings. A little pricey but worth it.
Read moreGuest
unruly_traveller
Points +401
Incredible ice cream 🤤 and amazing service! - Edit
My friend and I went here on a cold day and both got their special which was peanut butter/chocolate ice cream with cookie dough chunks. I added caramel to mine and peanuts. It was drool-worthy, even on a chilly day!
Read moreThe workers were incredibly, friendly, and so nice to be around.
Guest
AtomicFiend
Points +255
A walk up window wonder - Edit
You can't sit down to eat at this location, but if you're near, it's worth the walk, because Vaca's ice cream is delectably creamy, and their toppings are endlessly fun to mix and match, even if the whole affair is very expensive.
Read moreGuest
diannec
Points +780
Worried that I will spend my entire savings here come summer - Edit
I love vacas so much. The ice cream is creamy and delicious, and all the toppings are delicious. I love the chocolate and on shells and the brownie bits especially, but I hope to eventually try everything. Everything is gluten free and safe for those with celiac!!
Read morehannahsf
Seems worthy of your entire savings to me!
Read moreGuest
Trashlord666
Points +453
holy cow! - Edit
amazing lil all vegan ice cream shop. i’m a milkshake fiend and the vanilla w/lavender shake did not disappoint
Read morePros: all vegan , ice cream and milkshakes , nice staff!!!
Guest
Kinetic_Ken
Points +63
Best soft serve! - Edit
Is it ok to say it’s the best? Whatever, I’m saying it. From the ice cream itself, to the literally toasted marshmallows, to the amazing staff - my first time visit to this unassuming window shop couldn’t have been more perfect. I’m not even positive what I had, it was what the guy recommended for me. I think it was the cinnamon toast pumpkin spice something something, lol. I don’t know, but it was enough to have me completely hooked. (I’d include a picture, but I was too excited to eat it after he gave me a sample of that seasonal ice cream)
Read moreWent with my very non-vegan friend who also raved about how good it was. I can’t believe it took me this long to find out about this place. And learning that they take care of their staff just pushes this place over the top.
Updated from previous review on 2023-09-24
Cons: Wish they had a downtown Chicago location.
Guest
Keckelkamp
Points +32
Absolutely delicious! - Edit
So many options and so tasty!! I got chocolate and vanilla swirled with a chocolate shell and sprinkles and bro this was so so so good go there right nowwww eat up!!! It's so worth it!! I think they make it in house and it's with oat milk :)
Read morePros: Fast, Friendly , Allergen friendly!!
Guest
jetrek
Points +42
Absolutely decadent and delicious, creamy and creative oat-based delights! - Edit
A really cute shop in upscale Lincoln Square. A second location is in Wicker Park. Live music on Thursday evenings in front of the store. We made a trip in from the burbs and it was so worth it! Tahini and strawberry olive oil swirl soft serve was wow. Hopefully they will branch out to the NW suburbs.
Read morePros: 100% vegan, Cute apparel options , Multiple locations (Lincoln Square)
Cons: A little pricey but worth it
Guest
gravelj2
Points +65
I don't know how they do it - Edit
There's no way this is vegan (but it is)
Read morePros: Delicious
Cons: Looooooong lines
Guest
XoxoVeganGirl
Points +154
Where has this been all my life - Edit
As a nearly decade long vegan, my only “miss” has been soft serve ice cream. Not anymore!!! Hubby and I went here even though it was 50 degrees out, and were delighted with the cute little window cafe, the charming staff, and the delicious ice cream! I got a vanilla large cup with peanut butter shell, and hubby got chocolate vanilla swirl regular cup with toasted marshmallows. The ice cream was super cold and held its shape for almost the entire time we ate it! The peanut butter shell was soooo tasty and salty, and my husband said the marshmallows reminded him of a gummy bear texture - which he loves!
Read moreI love that this place doesn’t accept tips as they pay their workers at least a living wage- um, awesome!!! They have so many choices, I can’t wait to come back. The ice cream was SUPER cold, so I’m definitely going to wait until it warms up a bit to come back, but I’m excited nonetheless!!
Pros: Charming staff, Amazing choices, Delicious soft serve!!
Guest
peteycards
Points +1821
everything is great! - Edit
I've had a few things here--different flavors of ice cream and different toppings mixed in--everything is delicious. The waffle cone is what I dream about most!
Read moreGuest
trenityw
Points +847
Cute place - Edit
The ice cream was good, nothing spectacular but definitely worth checking out and supporting.
Read moreGuest
ajaff
Points +216
Top notch vegan froyo - Edit
This place is amazing! The seasonal flavors are great (especially the pistachio) and the toppings are too. One of the best vegan froyo places I’ve been to
Read morePros: Great taste, Cool toppings
Cons: Kinda pricey, Somewhat secluded
Guest
Plantbasedwanderer
Points +643
Amazing ice cream - Edit
I tried one of the peanut butter flavors. They have a creative selection of combinations, fresh ingredients, and kids-sized cups. The real deal!! I highly recommend it.
Read moreCons: No parking available
Guest
Supreme
Points +162
Great vegan ice cream. - Edit
Went there the first time today and I am happy I did. It’s up there with some of the best.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-09-25
Pros: 100% vegan
Cons: Expensive
Guest
kayleeo
Points +245
Delicious - Edit
One of my favorite spots to go to when I go into the city! Really great options and staff is great. Even my non vegan friends love their ice cream!
Read moreGuest
Veggie46
Points +120
Vegan soft serve, yes please - Edit
Vegan ice cream, so delicious. You need to go here now!
Read moreGuest
beanbeenben
Points +421
SO GOODDDD - Edit
their seasonal option (strawberry olive oil) was so satisfying and changed my opinion on soy based iced cream. great stuff!!!
Read morePros: perfect
Cons: waffle cones ain't cheap
Guest
greciar36
Points +26
Inner Child Happiness - Edit
I was never a fan or regular dairy ice cream in pints or gallons but loved having a turtle soft serve sundae. When I went vegan I only ever had a craving for soft serve and this is it! I had the candy bar sandae and added chocolate cake pieces and it was divine. Happy danced the whole time eating it. My inner child was so happy. They have different flavors every month besides the regular chocolate or vanilla. Must try!
Read morePros: Lots of toppings and sauces, Gluten free options, Drinks and pastries
Cons: Pricey but worth it for the treat
Guest
imanderine
Points +26
Yum - Edit
Texture is on point and I really enjoyed the flavors. Took a pint home.
Read moreGuest
jbartorilla
Points +26
Nice but too sweet - Edit
The staff is super friendly, and the ice cream seems to be fresh. If you like sugary chocolate and vanilla, you might love it, but it was too sweet and big for my taste. They sometimes offer a special flavor like black tea, which is very creative. You can try a sample before ordering it.
Read morePros: Fresh, Offers one special creative flavor
Cons: Too much sugar, Few flavors to choose
Guest
madoublethew
Points +296
My gosh - Edit
For me, this was a dream come true. I had the candy bar sundae, and it’s a good job I don’t live in Chicago, cos I think I’d end up fat and poor. I will say that the star here was probably the toppings over the ice cream (I had the vanilla/chocolate swirl), but I’m not complaining. So good.
Read moreGuest
NicolePlunkett
Points +558
Delicious 😋 - Edit
The cookie crumble / peanut butter / caramel toppings were so good!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-06-23
Guest
Vegan Vagabond
Points +3474
This! - Edit
Waffle cones, soft serve, and lots of tasty toppings. I’ve been many times and they never disappoint. Bring your wallet, you’re going to need lots of cash. Not cheap, but worth it.
Read moreGuest
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