You might come across a place like Cameron's Delight on a strip of souvenir shops in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin or St. Augustine, Florida. This tiny ice cream shop with a grill trades in the seashell-shop neighbors you'd find in such family-retreat towns for apartment buildings and condos in Lincoln Park.
Bikers headed toward the lake may make a rest stop here and cool off with a couple scoops of Italian ice ($3). A stroller-laden family making the same pilgrimage, may choose from a selection of sundaes at an average price of $4.85; the hot apple-dumpling sundae with graham cracker crumbs and vanilla ice cream will likely be everyone's favorite.
Mustard and pastel-yellow walls give the eat-and-go spot its summer retreat-shop look; white tiling, small chairs and tiny-marble tables enhance this feel. The space also has a sort of '50s vibe, thanks to churning-bucket knickknacks placed around the room. Not every touch is in sync; a giant portrait of an empty Parisian square would make more sense in a bread shop.
Lunch crowds likely come from the few storefront shops on the same block. Passersby make up a decent portion of the clientele, though area condo-dwellers (and their renting counterparts) serve as the bulk of this establishment's customer base.
You'll be floating on clouds after a soda-flavored float ($4.25) and the range of ice creams will have you coming back for more. While ice cream is the specialty, it proves a hard sell in winter. During colder months, sample a Philly cheese steak sandwich at $5.99; make it a combo for an additional $2.25 and receive fries and a medium soda. The grill menu offers a selection of other sandwiches and treats ($2.89-$5.99).
Average cost: <$10
Centerstage Reviewer: David-Anthony Gonzalez
