A charming window-service gem, this spot specializes in delicious homemade vegan ice cream served with gluten-free waffle cones that everyone raves about.
"Does vegan soft serve taste just like cow’s milk soft serve? No, and we’re not going to pretend it does. But it can still be rich and delicious, as proven by Vaca’s Creamery in Bucktown. This vegan ice cream shop’s oat milk-based soft serve is a smooth and creamy base for their plant-friendly sundaes, like the s’mores sundae topped with cinnamon cookie crumble, toasted marshmallows, and fudge sauce. But one of the best things here is their housemade gluten-free waffle cone. It has a light cinnamon flavor, and manages to stay magically crispy no matter how much soft serve is dripping over the sides and onto your hands." - adrian kane, veda kilaru
"Does vegan soft serve taste just like cow’s milk soft serve? No, and we’re not going to pretend it does. But it can still be rich and delicious, as proven by Vaca’s Creamery in Bucktown. This vegan ice cream shop’s oat milk-based soft serve is smooth, creamy, and a perfect base for their plant-friendly sundaes—like the s’mores sundae topped with cinnamon cookie crumble, toasted marshmallows, and fudge sauce. But one of the best things about this small, walk-up window-only operation is their housemade gluten-free waffle cone. It has a light cinnamon flavor, and manages to stay magically crispy no matter how much soft serve is dripping over the sides and onto your hands." - Veda Kilaru
"There’s a new vegan soft serve shop opening Friday in Wicker Park. Vaca’s ice cream is made from oat milk, and they’ll have shakes and sundaes with toppings like confetti cookie dough and dulce de leche with a candy shell. Check out their website for more information." - adrian kane
"A cozy spot for dairy-free soft serve and allergen-free cones, opened in May by ex-employees of Sweet Ritual." - Naomi Waxman
"Vaca’s Creamery, Chicago’s first all-vegan ice cream shop, debuted in late May with oat-based soft serve ice cream. They feature cups and cones of vanilla, chocolate, and swirl; sundaes like Inner Child; and Handshakes with mix-ins. Open 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday." - aimee.levitt
