Chili and burgers and ice cream, oh my! If that previous sentence made you drool, even a little, Lindy’s Chili and Gertie’s Ice Cream is sure to delight. With plenty of tasty options to try, you will have a great time here.
Whether you are trying a sweet treat to share with your sweetheart, or looking to spice up your taste buds with a little chili on a cold day, Lindy’s Chili and Gertie’s Ice Cream has it.
I first tried Lindy’s Chili and Gertie’s Ice Cream as a girl whenever my family would visit my grandmother in Bridgeview. It was a favorite of my dad and my mom for date nights, and they even tell a story about a young teenager attempting to impress his date with a “tummy buster”. (A tummy buster is a monster-sized ice cream sundae.)
Needless to say, Lindy’s specializes in chili for an entrée or with another item such as their chili cheese fries, or their chili cheese hot dogs. I am not the biggest fan of chili in the world, but Lindy’s usually hits the spot.
It is not too spicy, but it does have a bite to it. It also comes with or without beans, which you would specify upon ordering.
Gertie’s takes care of dessert. Ice cream full of flavor and melt-in-your-mouth goodness; I am getting hungry just thinking about it!
Lindy’s Chili and Gertie’s Ice Cream has a few different locations, and each one having slight variations in menu and major variations in décor.
For example, the Bridgeview location is decorated with stuffed animals and carnival prizes, and is home to “The Beast”. (“The Beast” is a $50.00 sundae, featuring 18 scoops of ice cream, apples, brownies, hot fudge, whipped cream, and much, much more.
I have tried the beast, before. It took me and four of my friends two hours to get half way through.) The location on 111th and Kedzie, the one I went to for this review, is a little cozier in size and décor.
It does not have that loud, eccentric, and bright feeling that the Bridgeview location has; it has more of a 1950’s diner feeling. It is definitely a smaller location, but it has a certain small-town charm to it.
Unfortunately, if you are looking to try your stomach against “The Beast”, you will have to do a bit of traveling, because this massive creation is not available at the 111th and Kedzie location. However, do not let this lack of novelty deter you from giving the 111th and Kedzie location a try. It is just as good, just as much food and the staff is just as friendly.
Upon receiving our food, it smelled so good, that my friend and photographer had to remind me that pictures had to be taken first. I ordered the barbeque beef sandwich. Although the beef itself was a little stringy, the sauce and flavor more than made up for it. The barbeque sauce was tangy and sweet, and oh-so delicious. When my friend took a bite, he said that he, as a big fan of barbeque, approved.
My friend ordered the hamburger. He loved every bite. One specialty that Lindy’s features, is the root beer. Filbert’s root beer is a classic Chicago brand, and is extraordinarily creamy with the right amount of spice.
If you are looking to do that whole, cliché “two straws in a milkshake” scene with your special someone, or if you want something different to surprise your significant other, I definitely recommend Lindy’s Chili and Gertie’s Ice Cream.
Lindy’s and Gertie’s is truly a match made in foodie-heaven. Cupid must have been hungry for chili and ice cream, because he certainly struck gold with this combination.
You can go to any of Lindy’s Chili and Gertie’s Ice Cream locations, or visit them online at lindyschili.com. The closest location to campus, though, is at 11009 S. Kedzie.
Sam Cutogno
Features Correspondent