Sideshow Gelato

"Block Club Chicago has the story on Sideshow Gelato, a frozen treat shop that opened in May with the backing of celebrity magician Penn Jillette. Sideshow failed to find a summer audience in Lincoln Square at 4919 N. Western Avenue. They’ll close at the end of December." - Ashok Selvam

"Like the pumapard or extremely rare wholphin, Sideshow Gelato is a hybrid that’s hard to wrap your mind around. This Lincoln Square gelato spot/magic show venue/dime museum looks like an old-timey circus exploded in an ice cream shop—complete with cars from everyone’s favorite carnival ride (the Scrambler) mounted to walls as seating. Plus, nearly everyone working behind the counter is an amateur magician or performer, so a scoop of gelato will probably come with a sleight-of-hand trick. The gelato itself leans a little icy, but there are lots of unique flavors that are quite tasty, plus a variety of vegan options too." - veda kilaru, adrian kane, john ringor

"Like the liger, pumapard, or extremely rare wholphin, Sideshow Gelato is a hybrid that’s hard to wrap your mind around. This Lincoln Square gelato spot/magic show venue looks like an old-timey circus exploded in an ice cream shop, complete with cars from everyone’s favorite carnival ride—the Scrambler—mounted to walls as seating. Plus, nearly everyone working behind the counter is an amateur magician or performer, so a scoop of gelato may come with a sleight-of-hand trick. The gelato itself leans a little icy, but there are lots of unique flavors (like the bourbon, tobacco, and candied orange combo) that are quite tasty, plus a variety of vegan options too. While it’s unlikely an evil clown will jump out at you while you’re eating, we can’t guarantee you won’t be approached by a roving magician or balloon artist." - Veda Kilaru

"The circus has arrived in Lincoln Square in the form of Sideshow Gelato, a new scoop shop featuring jugglers, magicians, and more at 4819 N. Western Avenue. Founder Jay Bliznick has worked for years to open the quirky business, earning financial backing from celebrity magician Penn Jillette along the way. Unusual flavor options include Prince Randian (bourbon, tobacco herbal tea, candied orange peel), named for a famed sideshow performer with tetra-amelia syndrome who worked at Coney Island for 45 years." - Naomi Waxman

"Sideshow Gelato, a carnival-themed gelato brand from chef Jay Bliznick, will in March 2023 open a permanent location at 4819 N. Western Avenue thanks to an investment from celebrity magician Penn Jillette." - Naomi Waxman