As summer arrives, so does the extremely warm weather. In case you are worried about staying cool this season, look no further, here are some must-have sweet treat locations in the area to stop at this summer.
Located at 3319 W. Elm Street in McHenry, Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard is a town favorite. After only being in place for about a year, Rita’s sits with a perfect 5 stars on google and a wonderful reputation within the community. Rita’s is open to the public every day of the week from noon to 9 p.m., and the business also participates in carry out options such as DoorDash, UberEats, and GrubHub.
If you are searching for a fun and healthy option, Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen custard is the place to be this summer.
“We make our italian ices fresh everyday with real fruit and our custard is the real deal.” explains Cathy Levatino, owner and operator of the McHenry Rita’s.
Current and new guests of Rita’s have something to look forward to, this season — Rita’s has a new outdoor seating in the back, along with the picnic tables already accounted for up front. After purchasing a sweet treat, guests are more than welcome to head outside, walk around back, and take a seat at the new sitting and hosting space.
Giving opportunities to students in the community, Levatino makes sure guests can also count on a friendly staff encounter at every visit. “Our staff is awesome, we have a lot of kids from McHenry High School.”
Meeting all kinds of new guests, Levatino and her staff want to make Rita’s a new adventure for everyone. “It is not just eating a treat, it is like coming into someone’s house, having a conversation AND eating a treat,” said Levatino.
With new ice and custard flavors rotating in and out every week, be sure to download Rita’s app, available on both Google Play and the Apple Store. Rita’s is also active on Instagram, Facebook, and X for all social media users. For more information be sure to check out ritasice.com
The second stop on the sweet treat must-have locations in the area, SweetPeas Emporium, located at 4817 W Crystal Lake Rd in McHenry. SweetPeas often grasps much traction from high schoolers during their off periods as it resides directly across from the McHenry High School.
For all first-time guests, walking into SweetPeas Emporium can be an overwhelming feeling as there is so much to look at. From freshly baked goods and icey cold treats all the way to retro games and unique decor, SweetPeas has so much more to offer than a sugar rush. The experience itself is one someone can not forget.
Looking around the shop, colors galore fill the room. A common theme of retro throwbacks excites guests when looking through the shop. Items featured all around include an original sorry board game hung on the wall, classic stuffed characters inviting guests in, and even a miniature drive-in scene showcasing original candy boxes.
Catching up with a guest, SweetPeas supporter and local, Sydnie Innis, expresses her liking for the homemade cookies. “The cookies just seem more natural, more fresh, makes me feel lighter when I eat it versus going to Crumbl or anywhere else.”
No matter who walks into SweetPeas, the best part is there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a cold treat, a fresh-out-the-oven treat, something sour, or even something healthy dipped in chocolate, it is impossible for anyone to walk out empty handed. For more backround or information, follow SweetPeas on Instagram or visit sweetpeasemporium.com
Third stop on the sweet-treat must-haves in the area, community members have only great things to say about a local favorite, the Riverside Chocolate Factory, located at 2102 W. IL Rte 120 in McHenry.
Established in 1986, Riverside Chocolate Factory continues to go above and beyond to produce outstanding products for their guests. As people from all over come to see Riverside, walking into the cone-shaped building feels a lot like walking into SweetPeas, there is so much to look at.
Some of the most popular items within Riverside include their many styles of serving ice cream, chocolate covered fruit, and their classic but original fudge. Along the walls when guests first walk in, candy filled buckets wait to be picked from as the selection is endless. Another perk within the Chocolate Factory, this shop makes gifting easy. Considering their local guests, Riverside is open year long to make gifting for any occasion and season special for everyone, as the shop currently themes graduation.
With much to look forward to, Riverside has just recently joined in on the crazed trend surfacing social media on trying Dubai Chocolate and fruit covered in it. Putting notice to the public, guests begin filing in to try the glorious treat. Local customer Ally Spencer tries Dubai Chocolate strawberries for the first time, “I have never tried the Dubai chocolate before so I was really excited and it ended up being really good.”
Entering the establishment, staff members are extremely friendly and quite attentive, no guests were waiting for help and even those still deciding, were checked in on. Spencer expresses a five star review for Riverside, “I would definitely recommend Riverside Chocolate Factory to my friends, it’s filled with so many fun memories and excellent treats for whatever I am feeling.”
For more information or online order, visit riversidechocolatefactory.com.
So many sweet treats to get, not nearly enough time to cover them all. It is important to relish in the gems of McHenry County and support all local businesses. This summer, get a sweet treat and try something new.
