Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain serving ice cream sodas made from scratch
CHICAGO (WLS) -- With the Fourth of July weekend upon us, you might be in the mood for some ice cream.
A husband-and-wife team have recreated a classic soda fountain near Humboldt Park, where they not only serve shakes and floats, but some interesting pie as well.
The sodas are all natural and everything in the case is made from scratch, because Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain near Humboldt Park is trying to recreate both the mood and feeling, of what a soda fountain should be.
"We had to have pie, because that's what we did before - we had a business where we made pie only - so we wanted to do great baked goods, and great sodas, but we didn't necessarily want to do traditional sodas that used pre-made syrups and artificial dyes," said co-owner Dinah Grossman.
Grossman's husband is a chemist, so his knowledge of botanicals, phosphates and extracts comes in handy. Even something as simple as a soda gets a special vertical ice cube. It's the details, afterall.
But Grossman is the creative force here. Whipping up unique pie flavors, like key lime hibiscus with blueberry compote, or a childhood memory-inducing strawberry rhubarb crumble. There are scones and plenty of other baked goods, as well as a small menu of lunch items. But it's clearly the sweets that bring in customers of all ages...looking for a taste of something familiar in the summertime.
"We make some great molasses spiced cookies - we're making some of those right now in the kitchen," said Grossman. "And we can make some milkshakes, we can make some floats; awesome stuff from the soda fountain."
From the stools, to the counter to the back bar, you really feel like you've stepped back in time here at Spinning J. Isn't that how you're supposed to feel at a real soda fountain anyway?
In this week's extra course, Steve learns how they make their Thai iced tea milkshake.
Spinning J Bakery & Soda Fountain
1000 N California Ave
(872) 829-2793
