Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop — Restaurant in Chicago

Alright, let's dial back the sugar and get straight to the good stuff about the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop near Trump Tower in Chicago. A Solid Stop for a Sweet Fix If you find yourself on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and a craving for something sweet hits, the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop is a dependable spot. It's right there in the thick of things, making it a convenient stop whether you're taking a break from sightseeing or just need a quick sugar jolt. Stepping inside, the aroma of chocolate is immediate, and the place usually has a good buzz without being overwhelming. I snagged a table upstairs by the window, which offers a pretty decent view of the Chicago River and the surrounding architecture. It's a nice perk to have a bit of a cityscape while you're enjoying your treat. The Dessert Experience My go-to here is always one of their hot fudge sundaes, and it consistently delivers. The ice cream is solid, but the real highlight is their hot fudge. It's rich, authentic, and generously applied – definitely not the thin, watery stuff you sometimes encounter. It's the kind of hot fudge that actually sticks to your spoon and provides that deep, chocolatey warmth. Topped with fresh whipped cream and a cherry, it's a classic done right. Beyond sundaes, they offer a range of shakes, malts, and other dessert options if you're looking for something different. And of course, there's a section dedicated to their various chocolate bars and squares, good for a takeaway or a gift. The Verdict Price-wise, it's what you'd expect for a specialty shop in a prime Chicago location. It's not a budget option, but you're paying for the quality of the ingredients and the prime real estate. Overall, it's a reliable choice for a well-made ice cream treat. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel; it's simply delivering a quality dessert experience in a convenient, pleasant setting. If you appreciate a good hot fudge sundae and a classic chocolate shop vibe, it's worth...

It was one of my biggest dreams to come to Chicago, I have heard so many great things about the city and its people. My first experience as a costumer was at the Ghirardelli store today and I felt so bad I almost cried in disappointment. We went in, wanting to get a hot chocolate, knowing it is probably the best thing to get there. From the beginning we were greeted with the most rude attitude. When we asked for the sizes of the drinks the cashier got upset and pointed at the menu, giving us a nasty look. We went through it, ordered and witnessed how the chocolate machine spilled one of the workers (which was not part of the bad experience, we know inconveniets often happen). My uncle needed to use the bathroom and asked for the code, the cashier again with attitude gave him the code for the lady’s restroom. I went back to ask for the code again, clarifying that I needed the code for the men restroom. Every single question was received with everyone showing the hand (stop) and saying “you gotta wait”. One of cashiers screamed at me “why do you need the code for the other one?!!! You are not a man!” So I told her it was for my uncle. While we were waiting for our coffee we listened to the conversation between the cashier and these tourists, they didn’t speak a lot of English but ordered two beverages. The man kindly asked to see the cup for the small size and again the cashier in a rude and disrespectful tone repeatedly said: “12 ounces!! Why do you need to see it?”. They ordered and left the store. We waited and waited for our hot chocolate, we asked multiple times and we kept hearing “it is not ready”. We had paid tickets for the architecture boat ride, we were late for boarding so we left in complete disbelief about the entire situation. Never again. Not me or my family will ever step a foot on that store. I am sure they have good products but the costumer service needs a thorough review. I gave them one star but it is actually a zero...

DISAPPOINTED! I have been coming to Ghirardelli since I was a kid, first the SF store, then in Chicago. I have been away from the area for a couple years, but visiting the store in Chicago was always a highlight and a memorable experience with my kids. Now on this trip back to Chicago - I had hoped to take my daughter-in-law, who has never been, to build memories with our family. I had high hopes of enjoying your Earthquake Sundae - but to be told it was no longer something you offered (even as a secret menu item). The gentleman at the register gave us some lame excuse about nobody making the plates you used anymore. I call BS. The Earthquake was an iconic menu item and was a fun way for a group of friends or a family to build memories. EVERY time we ordered it, we would see at least one other group order it as well while we were there. On top of the crushing disappointment, the items we did order did not live up to the Iconic name Ghirardelli. The strawberry milkshake I ordered barely tasted of strawberry and the whipped cream on top was flavorless. This is something I would expect from a fast food restaurant, not what used to be a specialty and fun ice cream shop. Unfortunately, the name of Ghirardelli has been forever tarnished in my eyes. Ghirardelli is nothing more than a sellout to the mass market chocolate business. The current offerings feel like a watered-down version of what made Ghirardelli special. It now resembles just another generic dessert stop, rather than the landmark of craftsmanship and tradition it once was. For a brand that built its reputation on excellence, this feels like a...