I've been here many times in my life, from when I was growing up nearby and now, everytime I return home (especially during the summer). This is purely an ice cream review, as after many years, I still have yet to try their burger and fry offerings. But their ice cream? It's truly something special. The Fresh Peach is something that I grew up on and to this day, remains one of the quickest smile-inducers I've ever had. I also love their toasted coconut and peppermint stick. I'll drive an hour out of my way to pick up a few pints. There aren't many foods I'd do that for. And it's always well worth the trip!
(5)
Adriane P.
Very fresh made ice cream in a quaint atmosphere. The chocolate is superb. They serve also food diner stuff with some surprising options if you want some dinner to go with your desert. Additionally, in the cooler are ice cream cakes. I thought the service was friendly and sincere.
(5)
Nick R.
Stopped in for lunch and was pleasantly greeted by a warm and friendly staff. Very comfortable vibe with solid food and great prices. More of a Chicago Style menu. Cheeseburgers hot dogs, Polish sausage pizza puffs did not see italian beef on the menu. Did not get a chance to try the ice cream but saw a great collection. I hope to come back and try it soon.
(4)
Rebecca C.
I'm not much of a fan of Homer's sandwiches, fries, lots of tempting grease options served up in all forms and ways. Too many places have the same shtick going on. However, I'll drive a good 10 miles on almost any given day for their special and seasonal ice cream flavors that are so tempting, so mouth watering, smooth, cool and delicious. It's so worth it to drive to Wilmette just to get an ice cream cone.
(4)
Courtney K.
Some of the best ice cream I've ever had, for a very reasonable price. Came here growing up as a child because my bank (NS Community) used to give out free scoop coupons! The moose tracks is by far my favorite flavor, but mint chocolate chip and cappucino chip are good too (i will usually get those in milkshake format). Also, the food is great! The gyros, chicken sandwich, and cheese fries are bomb and cheap! This place is great for groups and children. They have a few tables outside for the summer which is their most popular season...but honestly this place is great in the winter too. They have sundae specials a lot that are very inventive- i got a peppermint stick one during the winter once and it it had mint ice cream brownie on the bottom, little candy cane bits, and was drizzled in chocolate syrup. Oh.my .god...heavenly!
(5)
Todd P.
Good hamburger and fries. The service could be a little quicker. I am definitely going to try the ice cream next.
(4)
Andrea R.
I've been eyeing Homers for a long time whenever driving along Green Bay. My husband and I were headed home from Evanston last weekend when he asked if there was a place we could stop for ice cream. Finally my chance to try the infamous Homer's! We weren't the only people craving ice cream on this warm 50 degree spring day (note the sarcasm) because there was a line, but it moved very fast. I'm usually a plain fro yo type of girl and perhaps add a few sprinkles if I'm feeling adventurous, but wanted to get the true Homer's experience. And so I ordered one of their sundaes with frozen yogurt. Looking back I probably should have indulged in the ice cream, but next time! The sundae was tasty, but no tastier than sundaes I've had elsewhere. Then again maybe I"d feel different if I had ice cream cause my husband seemed very satisfied with his sundae. I also liked the old school atmosphere. I felt a bit of mom's guilt for going without my ice cream loving kids and so we'll have to make another trip back to Homer's soon.
(4)
Nate D.
Great ice cream, great hot dogs, high prices for the quantity of food. For $5 or $6 my sundae should be bigger than a Dixie cup, c'mon! The french fries are OK, but they don't offer ketchup bottles, so you need a zillion of those messy inconvenient little packages. And the service is inconsistent -- more often slow than not. Great taste but hardly a value. Still cheap tho.
(2)
Michelle K.
Meh! I don't get why this place is so popular, except for the fact that it's pretty much the only ice cream place in town. The ice cream is certainly nothing to write home about. In fact, it's actually pretty bland, and the hot fudge is no better than Dairy Queen's. And it's probably one of the dirtiest establishments I've stepped foot in in a while. I'm not a germ phobic person, but every time my baby dropped his toys on the floor in Homers I quickly confiscated them for fear that he would put them in his mouth after having touched their filthy floor. Yuck!
(2)
Kim G.
Yum! Awesome ice cream shop!
(4)
Tad T.
Many a time I've sat on those red benches on a summer's evening at Homers. Watching the smiling faces of suburban family's enjoy America's other favorite pastime- Shoving ice cream into one's face- well it's...almost Norman Rockwellesque.
(5)
Jeff G.
Homers Ice cream is fantastic, A mom and pop ice cream parlor. Their ice cream is in a class by itself. Every flavor I try is always delicious and they have great burgers and fries too. I tip my hat to the owner of this family run establishment.
(5)
Gspot H.
Apparently they are known for their ice-cream should of tried it. Their food was great for kids, but not so healthy options for adults. The toy coin machines worked about half the time. The soup of the day actually was pretty good.
(3)
Jap S.
the best icecream around here. Good price and filled with north shore kids. The brownie fudge sundae is my usual which they give a generous portion.
(5)
Aaron B.
A little pricey but delicious and quality. It's nice to see a grass fed organic burger on the menu. Ice cream is great quality and they have a large selection of flavors.
(4)
Kat A.
I love, love, love the burgundy cherry ice cream!
(4)
Matt S.
My favorite ice cream in the north suburbs. We will get dinner out somewhere and still go to homers afterward for milkshakes. Nothing has changed about this place in the 20+ years I've been going there. The place is hardly fancy and in the summer is full of little league teams. Seriously though I do love the shakes
(4)
Mancow M.
"Peach peach peach peach... Will they have the peach??!?" Who gives a rats ass?!! It's good but these North Shore folks think it's like SEX or something. They must not know how to "do it" in the burbs because even my worst sex is BETTER than Homer's peach Ice cream. Seriously! Get laid suburbanites! It's ancient and could use a paint job and good cleaning. The old crotchety North Shore customers HATE children. (See there sign! Photo attached. It's like it's by The Child Catcher in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang")Everything but their ice cream looks AWFUL. Having said that... my family goes often. The peach ice cream is good. The marshmallow sundaes better. Not as good as Margie's downtown but slightly better (taste and cost) than Bobtail.
(3)
Foodie A.
Omg! I have been coming here for years. The man child behind the counter was on drugs or something. He asked me ten times what my order was, plus the scoop size is NOT consistent.
(1)
Bart S.
After dinner at Avli in Winnetka, the waiter hands us the dessert menu. When we tell him that dinner was great but we won't be having dessert he says "Does this mean you're going to Homers?" As good as ice cream gets. It is also nice to see it at top Chicago restaurants for dessert.
(5)
Matthew T.
So I have heard about how good Homer's Ice Cream is and I do agree that this is a must see in Evanston. Even if you are in Chicago you need to make a trip to Homer's Ice Cream. What I did not know was that Homer's does serve food it was good, but what I truly came for was the ice cream. So many flavors... I had the cappuccino, and also tried the banana. Yes banana and not the fake banana taste either. it actually tasted like a banana. I will definitely be back to this hidden gem in Evanston.
(5)
Michelle D.
We go here for the waffle fries and cheese! I've only tried the ice cream once, but their seasonal peach was terrific. It had a great natural peach taste and wasn't too sweet. It was just right and incredibly creamy. I tend to get the blue cheese burger, which has a very strong tasting blue cheese, not the bland flavor you can sometimes get at similar cheap-eateries. The food is reliably tasty and simple fare.
(4)
Bennett M.
Love the coffee chocolate chip ice cream.
(4)
Marie D.
I'm usually a fan of Homer's but lately it seems like things are slipping. Tonight I noticed a poster for "Pizza Puffs," an obviously prepackaged processed food of dubious origin. Homer's is a little mom and pop shop with great homemade ice cream - why are they cheating out on food? We had a milkshake, Oreo brownie sundae, a cone, and a hot fudge sundae. The shake was too liquidy, the brownie was dry and tasted like cardboard, and the sugar-free vanilla was bland. We also had a ham and cheese sub, and that was basically more processed meat and cheese product on mass-produced bread. Homer's, please, go back to your roots.
(2)
Bethany A.
I had a blue cheese pretzel bun burger here the other day with a large group of people, and it wasn't bad but not memorable either. The ice cream was good though - I got moose tracks and it was pretty yummy. But I don't really see the fuss about the ice cream... however, cheap and pretty yummy but don't expect great service or anything.
(3)
Eva M.
Yum! So, I came here after my yoga workshop. The organic grass fed burger was delicious. It was a great price for 6 oz bigger and fries $6.50. The best part of this place is that you can have Homer's ice cream for dessert. The peppermint with a side of hot chocolate is awesome.
(5)
Chika S.
Oh wow bad service! I was just told "ok lady, let's get this done" when I asked questions about kids meals.
(1)
Doug R.
Not only did they have good ice cream but they had good regular food also. A local staple in Wilmette that has been here for quite some time now. I like going here in the summer before or after going to the beach.
(3)
Lisa M.
Love the ice cream itself and this place is famous on the North Shore. My only suggestion is that they clean the place more thoroughly and is probably time for some renovations. Literally hundreds of kids a day go there after soccer games and for summer and winter treats and they have really beat up the place. I suppose that interior is considered charming by some. The food is not great there, but the kids love it, so who is going to argue?
(4)
James S.
Ice Cream: Yes Burgers/Fries: Yes Mac & Cheese: Talk them out of it. Don't let anyone order that because if you're eating food-food here, hot dogs and burgers. Ice Cream: Yes, Again. Fresh Strawberry if it's in season. Can't go wrong with Chocolate Chip, or anything, really. Get a taste, if in doubt. 75 years!? Wow!
(4)
Taranika E.
Rewarding your children with a tasty treat is best done at Homer's Ice Cream. The flavors come from natural ingredients and the environment is perfect for a conversation with family. I recommend that you taste the spumoni and the pistachio ice cream. The spumoni pays homage to classic, delicate Italian flavors while the pistachio ice cream is packed full of the nutty crunch that I adults appreciate in ice cream.
(4)
Jack N.
This subpar, so-called ice cream establishment gave me dark chocolate instead of normal, milk, good ass chocolate and frankly I'm pissed tbh.
(2)
Miles D.
We went in and walked right to the counter. Great! No line, so we got there at a good time. There was a young blond girl stacking cones. Although she was standing right in front of us, she did not even look up at my wife and I. We stood there for literally three long minutes before I asked, "What do I need to do to get served here?" This young girl had an extremely unfriendly attitude, as if we were bothering her by being there. She said, "I'm busy." More important to stack cones than greet customers? What kind of service is this?? Another employee then approached us and asked "What do you want?" Instead of "Hello." The blond girl then barked "Next!" to the customer behind us (rather than "Welcome to Homer's how can I help you?"). VERY poor customer service. I can't blame these young employees, as they most definitely were never instructed as to how to greet customers. If I could have fired that young blond girl, she'd have been out on her entitled bum. We will not return here. Instead, we found a marvelous gelato shop in Evanston, just minutes from Homers. It is called Frio and it is at 1701 Simpson. The young gal greeted us warmly, asked if we wanted to taste any of the flavors. In other words, very welcoming and sincerely glad we chose their shop. We have since been back to Frio three times and each time we were warmly greeted and we have enjoyed the BEST ice cream we've ever tasted!! I hope the owner or the manager of Homer's teaches his young staff about customer service. Maybe it's a "Northshore thing" where getting attitude from employees is tolerated? My wife and I have a choice, and we choose not to return to Homer's.
(1)
Eszter H.
This is a local institution definitely worth visiting if you're in the area. My comments are mainly about the ice cream as I've only had a regular meal take-out once. The ice cream is good and they have some interesting flavors. Note that if you get the prepackaged container that is cheaper than having them fill it there by hand so check the freezer first. The downside is that the freezer only has a few of their presumably most popular flavors. This is not the best ice cream I've ever had, but it's certainly yummy. I'd say their best product is the shake with fudge. I don't even much like coffee ice cream, but having it blended with some chocolate fudge into a shake results in quite a drink. If you don't know what to get, I'd go with that.
(4)
D K.
Great burgers, fries, shakes and ice cream in this classic burger joint. Bare-bones ambiance but a reliable North Shore destination for decades. Such nostalgia, but Homer's still delivers.
(4)
Carrie V.
My husband and I have been going to this place since we were dating 14 years ago, and we still love it and now bring the kids along! The seasonal ice creams such as fresh peach, peppermint stick and pumpkin are amazing!!! The all-year flavors are great as well - favorites are apple cinnamon and prairie berry. The staff is friendly, and you can have a fun dinner before the ice cream as well! Homer's is a treasure!
(5)
Bobette J.
My husband and I enjoy their homemade ice cream. We like to get a banana split and share it and enjoy the flavors. They still make the best butter pecan ice cream. I think they are good with the seasonal pumpkin pie ice cream which is a personal fave of ours and we had to come back later when the ice cream was soft enough to serve. I am not sure what temps their freezers are at, but when you got customers who love the flavors and are willing to come back not to disappoint them and say they cannot scoop out their flavor because the ice cream is too rock hard to carve into. I do like the milk shakes and I enjoy the atmosphere and I hope they keep delivering good flavors. Homers makes delicious ice cream.
(4)
Megan H.
My family enjoys eating at homer's for a special treat. We especially enjoy the hot fudge sundae. It is a little pricey for the home made custard, but worth every penny. It is a good family friendly restaurant.
(3)
Timothy A.
Sorry, I don't get it. I've been coming here off and on since 1977, and admit I've brought my own kids here too over the years as well, but really, folks on the north shore have been deluding themselves about this place for decades and it's about time someone said the emperor has no clothes. The food at Homers is standard north shore fast food fare that's pretty much found everywhere, but the ice cream is just very, very average and I'm basically writing this review because I'm tired of hearing naive people rave about this ice cream. The place is fun and welcoming, but seems to be run by the North Shore version of Macau child workers, with nary an adult in sight. In 36 years of coming here off and on, I don't think I've ever seen anyone above the age of 19, and sometimes the help looks like 7th graders stuffed into paper hats and aprons. Some visible adult leaders walking around would give this place some much needed gravitas. Homers is frequently heralded as a "tradition" - ha!, well ok, but this is only so because all the surrounding villages roll up the sidewalks at night and there is simply no other competition. This is the only place open in the evening if you need an ice cream fix, and yes, your grandma or whoever undoubtedly came to the same conclusion too - so much for tradition. This brings in another factor, you really can't trust north shore resident's reviews when it comes to sweets. These finicky diet-conscious residents starve themselves all day, over-analyze labels and ingredient lists and assiduously avoid all candy and sweets. Then when they DO splurge a bit to go to Homers, the mild sugar content of the ice cream is a shock to their seriously out of whack taste buds, hence all these naive rave reviews. If you doubt me, then try this test: Go eat a couple of spoonfuls of Haagen Das or Graeters Butter Pecan ice cream, then go to Homer's and have a couple of spoonfuls of their Butter Pecan and you will see how truly mediocre this ice cream is. It is made with modest sugar and modest butter fat, and is not premium ice cream by any stretch so everyone, p-l-e-a-s-e stop swooning about how this is the place to go for ice cream. In terms of the environment, this is a great place for kids and the location is handy, especially late at night, but if you think the ice cream here is something special, well, then you need to get out more.
(2)
Howard L.
Nice place to drop in for dessert after visiting Ravinia. That assumes you're headed south from Ravinia afterwards. The ice cream is tasty and rich and not overly sweet. We had peach and coconut. Waffle cone was fresh but more firm/crispy than others. Restaurant feels a bit dated, and it's in a dark, not well lit, area at night (typical of the north shore however).
(3)
Edward W.
North shore classic that is a must stop when the kids are screaming "I scream for ice cream." I tried the peach ice cream yesterday. Great!
(5)
Annn F.
I'm glad i live far away because coffee toffee and fresh peach could be a problem.
(5)
jim a.
one of the all time best. a true classic
(5)
Allan M.
I went here last went, since I wanted a MAJOR change of pace from the places I normally hit up, and since Homer's has been on my list of places to try for quite a while. Definately didn't disappoint me at all, and I was very happy I went here(since I'm still not completely over the recent closure of Petersen's Ice Cream in Oak Park). Got a cone of peppermint ice cream and cookies and cream, and it definately didn't disappoint! Not to mention, I was a little surprised that they have a decent variety of regular food on the grill side of the place, too, which I may try another time I come here. I just wish that since A Taste of Heaven(in Andersonville) used to serve Petersen's Ice Cream, they(Taste...Heaven) could get w/the program of other places serving Homer's(such as one ice cream place in Naperville serving it), and start serving Homer's ice cream, as I suspect that Taste/Heaven no longer serves Petersen's Ice Cream(as the signs indicating this have been taken down for quite some time). Despite that I doubt my personal wish will happen anytime soon, I'm glad that my discovery of Homer's has helped me somewhat get over the closure of Petersen's.
(4)
MARK G.
Oh Homer's! Reviewing you is unfair. You were the place my dad would take me after T-ball and soccer games when I was a little boy. You were the place I finally tried and fell in love with raw onions and mustard on my hot dog. You were my first peach ice cream. And other than loosing the side room were they used to sell hard candy (and other things I hear) back in the 70's, you have not changed one tiny bit. Same freckled face high school kids working the counter, same menu, same exact chairs and tables... same freaking light bulbs... NOTHING has changed. Why can't more things stay exactly the same as they did when we were little kids? OK, one more question. Me and my family and friends ALWAYS go to Homer's after the fireworks at Duke Childs Field every fourth of July. Why doesn't that entire crowd do the same? I am always amazed at how easy and fast it is getting ice cream after the fireworks.
(5)
David B.
Neighborhood ice cream shops in the summertime, marvelous! Homers is a nice throwback. It has the look and feel of a nice rustic ice cream shop/hot dog joint. Great old school menu signs and tables. Families arriving in packs, forming long lines on great summertime nights. Herds of kids coming from some random sporting event. Lots of locals just enjoying the scene. I can't say much about the food portion of Homers as I have only tried the Ice Cream. Homer's specializes in homemade Ice Cream, and they have a lot of it. They have about 20-30 different homemade ice creams and from what I have tried, its all wonderful. I haven't had anything at Homer's that has absolutely blown my mind, but at the same time, nothing has fell short of being very good. Its certainly a must try if you're into homemade ice cream. I'd go elsewhere if you're more into soft serve/gelato/custard styles of ice cream shops.
(3)
Matthew M.
Ordered 9 different flavors to be delivered to my father in FL who loves ice cream. He said it was the best he's ever tasted!! Very friendly customer service as well!
(5)
Scott S.
My mother remembers going here with her father as a child. They've been around for 74 years. and the "homey and quaint" is teetering on the edge of "run down". While some of the employees are helpful when asked, it's not exactly a cheery high customer service environ - the workers seem kind of run down as well. Of course, the important part is the product, their locally-famous ice cream; it was good, sure, but not a 4 or 5 star concoction. The mint chip was pleasant (I hadn't had any for a while) but they definitely had preservatives in it. I couldn't try the hot fudge because it was 85mg sodium for every half tablespoon; that was disappointing, as I sort of had my heart set on a very small hot fudge sundae. Good? Yes. Full of neighborhood character? I'd say so; old Wilmette probably comes out very well. Would I clamor to return? Nah; I'll save my dairy and sodium treats for something else, thanks. I will go with someone if they want to, though. Bonus: ice water with a lid for free. That was a nice touch.
(3)
Yvette F.
Excellent coconut ice cream. Peach ice cream is not very appealing to me, but they won an award for it, so I gave it a try and it is delicious.
(4)
Jennifer B.
This place reminds me of Walt Disney World circa 1985. It's like Americana, but instead of a "vintage" or "historical" Americana...it's kinda like a "run down" Americana atmosphere. For instance, you can hardly read the ice cream menu because it is set back so far. The place just needs some major updating... ....but who the hell cares about that! You're going for the a-MAZING ice cream! It doesn't get any better than Homers. Truly, one of a kind taste that can't be beat. Everytime I have Homers I am reminded that it is truly some of the best ice cream in the country.
(4)
Karen K.
Good ice cream! I can't remember which flavor I got. They have about 1,000. Just kidding, but they do have a lot.
(4)
Fabi R.
LOVE this place! We went there today for lunch. Hub & I had the bacon cheeseburgers with everything and grilled onions. Delish...perfectly charred and not overly huge. Fries were good - better than average. Mozzarella sticks were crunchy on the outside & oozy on the inside, served with a pretty fresh tasting marinara. The kid had the mac and cheese, which he inhaled. I tasted it and it was a little grainy, but they get points for using rotelli pasta and a naturally colored cheese. The ice creM was incredible. The guys had vanilla and choc chip cookie dough - which they both loved. I had the fresh peach, which was pure heaven with juicy chunks of fruit. We left full-but not grossly so-and happy. Big points for being a local joint (been around 75 years!) and the wow factor of having several million dollars of cars (including a rare Ferrari convertible) in their parking lot. Very homey feeling with a smattering of bling!
(5)
Cooper M.
My first experience at Homer's will be my last. The cashier left off my order of fries, the greek salad I ordered was the worst I've seen, and the burger and shake were overpriced. I felt that for what I got, Homer's was incredibly over priced.
(2)
Cynthia E.
The food is okay, but go for the ice cream, the best I have ever had! We served their Peppermint Stick with our wedding cake 20 years ago, and I stalk the place until the fresh peach and rum raisin come on the seasonal menus. Forget your stupid chain ice cream and go get the pure, beautiful thing in your own back yard.
(5)
Jacob K.
Homer's is the epitome of ice cream deliciousness. It has been around since 1935 and I have been going there since I started walking and craving the creamy yummy flavors. The ice cream is all phenomenal. The mint chip, pistachio, cappuccino chip, coffee, seasonal peach and chocolate chocolate chip will leave you craving for more. The Oberweis, Haggen Dazs and Ben and Jerry's doesn't even come close. I often have to get 2 scoops of ice cream because I can't decide what I want and often get a waffle cone because I can't have too much of a good thing. This place also has the best hot fudge sundays with home made hot fudge oozing everywhere. The only thing I would not recommend is the fast food. I only had it once and its nothing spectacular. Better yet skip dinner all together and go wild on the ice cream.
(5)
Megan G.
Having gone to Northwestern and worked in Libertyville I've passed Homer's frequently over the years. Every time I went past it I'd make a mental note try it one day though I never did. "One day" finally came this Friday and I headed to Homer's for dinner and ice cream. The food was fine. I got a bacon cheeseburger with everything and cheese fries. Note that Homer's "everything" includes pickle relish, which I've never seen on a burger before. It was kind of disgusting. Pickles on a burger yes, relish no. I did like that Homer's offers two sizes of fries and that the small is actually reasonably small. The ice cream, however, was a huge disappointment. I got a scoop of Reese's peanut butter cup ice cream and was expecting something transcendent based on all the Homer's buzz I've heard. It was very, very average. I honestly don't think I could have told the difference between Homer's ice cream and Edy's (for a local ice cream chain, I think Oberweis is far superior). The restaurant is cute and family friendly. It was nice to see so many teens and pre-teens willing to join their families for an evening out. Overall, though my Homer's curiosity is sated and I feel no need to return.
(3)
Paul H.
Cappuchino Chip, Peppermint Stick, Triple Berry, Mint Chip...I could go on, but I won't. I've had a serious relationship with Homer's for most of my life. It was the place to go after soccer practice and little league games, after cub scouts, or after just about anything. You really didn't need an excuse to hit up Homer's for a scoop (or two) of their outstanding ice cream. The food side is pretty good too, but it's not the main reason to go. I love the cheddar fries along side a nice, heart-healthy double cheese burger. Homer's draws the local crowd, so be prepared to deal with screaming kids, moms/nannies with double-wide strollers, and pre-teens who are hanging around because there is no other place in the area that's open past 10 pm.
(4)
Annabelle N.
The major draw in my mind with Homers is the nostalgia factor. The food is standard fare, not bad but not outstanding, and the ice cream is very good. As a kid, I loved the root beer floats, now I generally go for a scoop of the apple cinnamon or peppermint stick ice cream. Those two, in my opinion, are really the stand-out flavors that are either hard to find anywhere else or just plain made better. I like finding the little chunks for apple or peppermint, respectively, in each bite. Memory-lane standards include the bubble gum machine that would send your gumball through an obstacle course with all the bells and whistles before it got to your hand and all the post-high school dance gatherings. Seems like I would end up here after field trips in grade school on occasion too. Based on this, chances are that if someone is raving to you about Homer's, there is some kind of emotional connection behind it. If you don't have that, don't go completely out of your way for the experience, the wow-factor probably won't be there. But if you're around, stop by and experience a piece of history and some darn good ice cream.
(3)
Tish N.
Delicious is an understatement. I've sampled everything from the hot dog to the chicken salad. The peach ice cream is so good I can't even start on it. I love the shakes too.
(5)
Joshua N.
Homer's is a really cute little shop with some decent ice cream. Not as amazing as people carry on about. I enjoyed the Moosetracks ice cream and watching awkward teens getting dumped off at Uncle Homer's for a while by Mom and Dad. Seems more like that kind of place than a true contender for the "#1 Tasting Ice Cream in America" that they are claiming. A pint of any given flavor of Ben and Jerry's or a waffle cone full of Coldstone's Birthday Cake Remix easily bests Homer's. Not bad though, give it a shot, but take the "#1" claim with a grain of salt (or some jimmies).
(3)
Brad S.
Best ice cream anywhere
(5)
Stephanie D.
Completely awesome!!!! Love the peppermint ice cream, will be back once the weather warms up just a bit!
(4)
Corey B.
best ice cream in chicagoland. no contest. the store itself is genius. one side for the hot food and the other side for the cold.
(5)
Pete D.
A little overpriced for the food they put out, but hey it's Wilmette. The locals there can afford it. A nice kid friendly place. Is the ice cream any better than Coldstone? Maybe not but it's not a corpo-chain like Coldstone, so I say spend your $$$ here and support the local guy.
(3)
Liz O.
The ice cream is expensive and just okay...not bad, not great. Good place to take group of kids.
(3)
James B.
Four stars - but only for the ice cream. Really folks, would anyone come here for just the food ? (Even if its the only place within three miles to take your Little League team or get a Chicago style dog.) Ice cream is the #1 main attraction - apple pie, fresh peach - a very solid, creamy vanilla. Nothing fancy and vain glorious - just really good ice cream in cup, cake, sugar or waffle cone. Period. I wish they'd stop using in artificial colors / flavors in the ice cream - just goes to show there is room for improvement.
(4)
Kate R.
oh homers. i dream of you when i am out of town and need 1. ice cream. 2. cheese fries. or 3. a milkshake. so damn good it is ridiculous. i have been coming to homers since i was a wee little one and am so happy that little has changed in those 26 years. these are my favorite cheese fries everrrrr. ever! it's not some whimpy-ass nacho cheese or some overly-greasy melted cheese where the grease sits on the top of the cheese. no. they give you something else that i cannot describe. it is absolute heaven. yum. and their ice cream? ohhhh man. it is so creamy and flavorful and yeah....go try some! i love their special flavors (depending on the season) but their vanilla and chocolate ice cream is just sooooo good. and yeah, to this day i still get ice cream cakes from here for my bday (or anyone's bday) whenever i'm in town around that time of year.... this is pure love. l.o.v.e.
(5)
Melissa M.
Pretty much a North Shore institution. Ice cream is great, make sure to try the peppermint, the peanut butter cup, and the unique Prairie Berry. Old fashioned ice cream parlor feel with plenty of good seating for groups. Food? OK, but very much overshadowed by the ice cream. I always did enjoy their grilled cheese though.
(4)
Cookie k.
the ice cream here is the best!!!!!!!! perfect sized portions and bananas are perfect too!!!
(5)
Jess S.
A very popular place with local families. It can get crowded with loud children - but that's just about anywhere. The ice cream is so yummy. My personal faves are peppermint stick and pistaccio. But they are all good. (In fact I think I might go and try to get an egg nog shake when visiting the parents this holiday weekend). They are a North Shore institution (at least in my eyes). They have won [national] awards. And for good reason.
(4)
C R.
Best ice cream sundaes on the north shore and the ice cream is made on premises. The best banana ice cream i ever had.
(4)
Denise B.
Homer's still has just about the best classic ice cream I've ever eaten. It is DELICIOUS in every flavor, and the line usually isn't too long for an ice cream cone. You can also order the ice cream in pints / gallons to take home, although I would get really fat if I bought it by the pint. The interior itself is classic and old fashioned and a fun place for families and adults alike. When I'm back in Wilmette I always come back here for my ice cream fix.
(5)
Alan R.
Although they have a grill, go for the ice cream! Without a doubt, the best in the Chicago area. My wife craves the peppermint stick. One of my biggest High School memories was going to Homer's and getting a Oreo Cookie shake, MMMMMMMMMM. Many restaurants and coffee shops in the Chicago area serve Homer's. Among these are the equally delicious Cookie Dough Creations in far away Naperville.
(5)
ALEXANDRA L.
I would say 3.5 if I could. Good junk food (a la Dairy Queen from youth). Cheese fries, heavy shakes, burgers, etc. Indie fast food as it were. I have yet to try the ice cream although everyone there was eating it happily.
(3)
Rob F.
The ice cream, including the oreo shakes are five star worthy, but the food is unremarkable. The cheeseburgers are a greasy mess! I do remember being able to get a PB&J there long before ay other restaurants were around. Honestly, if you're looking for a quick meal, go to the Chuckwagon, then come here for dessert. While the Wilmette location is a local landmark, I miss their Glenview location.
(3)
Alexis H.
Woot! I love Homer's! Anyone familiar with the North Shore will tell you that Homer's is your quintessential burgers/fries/ice cream joint. Their food is made fresh off the grill and their ice cream cannot be beat. The restaurant is divided into two sections: the food counter & the ice cream counter. Their lunch/dinner menu has all the basics including burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, sandwiches, fries, onion rings, etc. It's greasy American food at its best! The ice cream counter covers any dessert lover's dreams: sundaes, shakes, double scoops... my mouth is watering just thinking about it. They have a huge variety of flavors and you can't go wrong. Their ice cream is such a hit with the masses that you can buy it online and have it shipped, and I've even seen it sold in independent grocery stores down in the city. My favorite Homer's meal: Cheddar grilled cheese, jr. fries, and an oreo milkshake. YUM!
(5)
Alexandra G.
This place is awesome. I grew up in Kenilworth, and this was the only place you could hang out. After Drop In's, Dances, Parties, we went to Homer's. One night Jim Belushi showed up and we all rushed up to him for his autograph. He was pretty pissed and yelled at us and left. That was probably pretty messed up of us. But I would have to say the Ice Cream is the best. I don't eat meat any more, but would love to go back for a plate of fries and a grilled cheese.
(4)
Maria W.
The ice cream is the star and I can't wait to be back - this is a definite higher experience than retail ice cream or other chains. The food is just ok - reminds me of a lunch board at an ice skating rink or something - we had the turkey burger, bacon cheeseburger, and fries.
(4)
Colin D.
The ice cream is good, the food is gross. I tried to get a Chicago-style hot dog here and they said they didn't make them that way. Don't they realize where they are? Hell, I bet I could even get a hot dog Chicago-style at a Dairy Queen around here.
(2)
Soo S.
All time favorite place to go in High School. I would say one of the few good burger joints in the north shore.
(4)
sue g.
This place is phemonenal, best homemade ice cream on the North Shore for sure. It's a good cheesy date place, family place, or just plain carryout, but don't miss the Moose Trax and Cappucino Chip! *Note that if Homers is closed for the night, you can pick up pints at the 7-11 in Hubbard Woods for your late night munchies...
(5)
Lauren D.
I grew up walking to Homer's for lunch, attending basketball reward parties in their scary party room, and using their really small bathroom. But their ice cream is unbeatable. Mint chocolate chip - I'd get two servings. Their greasy food lunch is also unbeatable. Grilled cheese, cheese fries... Amazing!
(5)
Kelly P.
We live down the way from Homers and it is the best place for Ice Cream!! My husband spent a lot of time there in high school and is a HUGE fan. Their grilled cheese is to die for. You can also get Homers at many of the Potbelly's! Only cash or checks are accepted.
(5)
Michael G.
Terribly overpriced for mediocre offerings. Seriously, you just aren't getting the right bang for your buck. I'll take DQ any day.
(2)
Scott V.
Awesome ice cream and they have some really wonderful flavors. If I am ordering ice cream without toppings, their mint chocolate chip is out of this world. Hot fudge sundaes call for coffee toffee ice cream--yum! My only complaint is that their sundae prices and sizes are inconsistent. Sometimes, they give you a huge serving and charge $3.50, other times they charge almost $5.00 for the same size. Also, all of their sundae sizes are served in the same size plastic cup, which sometimes overflows and makes a mess. That keeps me from giving them five-stars
(4)
Laura I.
I know I'm in the minority here but Homer's ice cream just doesn't cut for me for one sole reason: it's too melted. It's served so melty to begin with, by the time I eat it, it becomes soup. I detest ice cream soup. Now don't get me wrong, I like soft ice cream but this is ridiculous soft right off the bat. There's no fun in eating it because you have to rush to finish it before it becomes soup. If I wanted it that melty, I'd stick it in my oven.
(1)
Marissa D.
Being a Kenilworth native, I just have to give Homer's 5 stars. My first boyfriend and I used to walk here after a hard day at New Trier and have grilled cheese and oreo shakes. Amazing. And recently I went on a mint chocolate chip ice cream binge while staying in the burbs for a week... seriously, I maybe ate a pint every night. Definitely ask for a hand-packed pint of it if you go - it's soft and delicious and basically perfection in a pint. Oh, and they also have amazing mozzarella sticks. It's cash or check only, fyi.
(5)
Andrew K.
I love this North Shore favorite. The fresh peach ice cream is superb and they have lots of unhealthy little greasy snacks on the menu that little kids love and get addicted to and adults try to stay away from. The peach ice cream is GRRRREAT.
(4)
Maya P.
i love homer's. the peach flavor is awesome. i hate the food there. it is really bad. they are really know for their peach ice cream.
(5)
Amanda Z.
I have been going to Homer's since I was a little girl. They have the best cheeseburgers and oreo shakes in the entire world! I heart Homer's!
(5)
Dorotka K.
Slow service, mediocre food and the ice cream was good, but did not blow my mind. The food was definitely overpriced for the quality and quantity received.
(3)
Lenny G.
Awesome ice cream with a lot of options. The prices are better than the chain frozen yoghurt places around. Best of all, it's a place with a real community feel. It reminds me of a local hang out from the 70s or 80s. Plenty of seats too.
(4)
Tom H.
A delicious hot fudge sundae--with rich vanilla ice cream, gooey hot fudge, whipped cream, crushed peanuts and a maraschino cherry on top--was my reward for a long bicycle ride on a warm summer evening. If there is a bike rack in the dark parking lot next door, I sure couldn't find it, and there are no parking meters nearby to lock to (I ended up having to use the rack in front of the yoga studio down the block). It's fast-food style counter service, rather than table service, but it's quick and relatively efficient. You tell one of several counter men your order, he makes the sundae and takes your money. No division of labor here. The room itself is a little hard-edged and too-open, no cozy private booths, just a large room full of small marble top tables with wire chairs, divided by a metal fence that channels the order line from the door. This is a place of throw-away clear plastic cups and spoons, not cut glass banana split boats or long-handled metal milkshake spoons, which is sad. Middle aged couples enjoy cones, while sitting on park benches outside. Inside, a baby snoozed contentedly in a stroller, while his slightly older brothers and Dad talked baseball and shared each other's icy choices. Next to them, an older couple continued what was probably a lifelong tradition of ice cream pleasure. Teens circled the room, but caused no trouble or undue noise. Open top convertibles parked out front. It's cold ice cream, on a warm summer night, in small town America.
(4)
Cristina C.
This place is awesome! I love the fact that they give big scoops and I love their special flavor ice creams. It is also very affordable. And it's a nice cute date place if you ask me.
(4)
Luke S.
Homers is the old school! The place has not changed in decades, but their product is consistently good. They have above average grill food at reasonable prices. What sets them apart is their ice cream. They have the best ice cream in the Chicagoland area! Ever since I was informed that a patty melt, large cheese fries, and strawberry shake is not good for me I try to stay away from here, but it is hard to resist!
(4)
Dana M.
Last year I won a year's supply of Homer's ice cream at a breast cancer charity raffle. That's what got me going to Homer's. If you are like me and not from Wilmette, you might not have heard of this place and you're missing out! I've been here every month for 10 months to claim my free 1/2 gallon of ice cream. I've never actually eaten here or tried any other flavor besides the limited varieties that are prepacked but I don't care... the Oreos & Cream is so awesome... I always wonder why it is so good! I love digging for the big chunks of Oreos.
(5)
Jenny F.
The food is ok. You come here for ice cream, especially their seasonal flavors! Anyone for peach ice cream? Yum, yum! The ambiance of the place is reminiscent of a beach community.
(4)
Elle B.
Their ice cream is the best--flavors and variety of options. I realize this is a nostalgic place for many and that is why the food has survived. The burgers are cooked in whatever was on the grill before--sometimes a gyro flavor and the fries are pretty lame. Skip the food and go for the ice cream. I think Buffalo Joe's on Greenbay has a far better product all around, burger, bun, meat, and fries.
(3)
Keith A.
straight up, homer's is a north shore classic that just never gets old. I've been going here off and on for the last 20odd years of my life. This was where we all went after little league games and where I would drop in during high school and afterwards. It had been a while since I've been here, but with all of the flooding a few weeks back, some sort of relief (however small it may be) was needed and homer's stepped right up to the plate. I stuck with ice cream as that was the mood (though their food is always pretty damn good as well). I got both mint chip and cookie dough to bring back to my parents. And of course, time stood still and all of those fun young memories came rushing back in delicious frozen cream form. While change on the whole is a good thing, little has changed here and it is a big positive that it hasn't. Only a few additions to the ice cream lineup and nothing really new fangled, just really good ice cream and flavors that you remember from your youth. Thank you homer's, keep being as great as you always have been
(4)
Caroline M.
Obviously the best ice cream, ever. The food is alright, good enough, but the ice cream is just downright incredible.
(5)
Brian K.
FAMOUS FOR - Ice Cream (duh) I TRIED - Oreo Cookies & Cream (10/10) - Raspberry Choc. Chip (4/10) Hanging out in the Glenview area, some friends were going to celebrate my friend's and my birthdays. He chose Walker Brothers to eat, and then they kept hassling me for a dessert location. Sigh...I told them I don't care and that I'd go anywhere, but they kept insisting. So, to show them never to ask me to pick a place to go, I made them go on a risky adventure with me far away. Drive all the way to Green Bay Rd for ice cream! We go, and there's a line. DOH! The line moves quickly. YES! The place has a billion flavors of ice cream. DOH! Well, thanks to my trusty dusty iPhone and Yelp app, I started reading what's popular 'round these parts. Turns out a lotta people like the Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream and Oreo Shake. I decided to go with both, in ice cream format. RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP I've only had this flavor once before. See, I hate chocolate chips in ice cream. A Hershey's chocolate bar is great at room temperature, but then when you put it in ice cream, it hardens, and then it snaps, and then you really have to chew it, because every time it tries to melt, it touches ice cream and re-hardens. I'm a little OCD like that and get annoyed, especially as it liquifies, makes a molding of your teeth, and then hardens there. To date, there is only 1 place that escapes this phenomenon and is the only other place I've had this flavor: Grater's Confectionary which is sprinkled all around Cincinnati, OH. In any case, for Homer, the chocolate chips suffered the same fate as so many others. The other problem I had with this is that the raspberry flavoring was a little too subtle. After a few bites, it just sorta tasted like vanilla. It's still ice cream, none the less, but the raspberry flavoring is lost. OREO COOKIES & CREAM Jackpot! Cookies & Cream is my go to flavor. If I ever want to judge an ice cream shop, I get cookies and cream. This is by far the best cookies and cream I've ever tasted! I could probably eat a half gallon myself! See, where a lot of cookies and cream fail is that they have the crushed Oreos, but the rest is just vanilla ice cream. What this one does, though, is that you get a lot of that sugary cream filling in the Oreo all over the ice cream. THAT's what made this the best Oreo Cookies & Cream ever!
(4)
Angelica S.
When you walk in the counter is separated into two sections. The food line, and the packed ice cream line. Things are a little rushed, but it's being run by teenagers for the most part so I am not surprised. The ice cream is amazing. I tried these flavors: Peach (seasonal): Nice and creamy with bits of peach. Not an overwhelming flavor. Definitely a good choice. Oreo: Taste like the expected Oreo goodness. YUMMM. P.S You can also grab a tub of some of the flavors. There is a freezer with varied sized containers with some of the top ice cream flavors to take home. Food wise I have only tried the cheese fries. The fries are very good, the cheese is strange. Like said before it is a bit tangy and has a weird texture, almost gritty? It wasn't bad but I could only eat so much of it. The rest of the menu is your typical diner food.
(4)
Amy L.
I always stop here on my way to the beach. Love their peach ice cream. They do fruit-flavored ice cream right! Love getting bits of fruit in every bite.
(4)
Rodger W.
The spumoni was one of the best ice cream flavors I have ever tasted. Period. Excellent burger and fries. Hot Dogs? They were tasty, but had, sit down, ketchup on them. I have never seen a Chicago dog with ketchup.
(4)
C T.
I think this place is over-rated! They have lots of flavor choices, but I still prefer Hartigan's in Evanston.
(3)
Delaware F.
Fresh peach ice cream! Fresh peach ice cream! Hopefully that gets in the yelp highlights. Most of Homer's business, I think, comes from the meals following kids' soccer games. It's probably not the most discriminating clientele, but the fresh peach ice cream is perhaps the best ice cream I've ever eaten.
(5)
Nancy L.
A Wilmette institution. If you grow up in Wilmette chances are you went here after a sporting event or on a date. The ice cream is awesome and the only reason to go to Homer's. Other food is mediocre at best. The environment looks like they want to be an old school ice cream shop but looks like an unskilled do it yourself carpenter created the place without the help of a designer to tie everything together. The cheap lights and menu signs really make it seem like a cheaply put together place. With a little investment in good interior design and construction they could increase satisfaction and be worthy of the magical moments that kids and families try to have here. The food would probably even seem to taste better. Please give the place a facelift so you are a worthy representation of a great community.
(4)
Laura S.
Excellent ice cream! I loved the peach flavor. I am looking forward to trying others!
(5)
Yanyao N.
I stared at a Homer's advertisement all through dinner and decided, okay, let's get some ice cream for dessert after dinner. The sad thing is, the ice cream wasn't that great. It wasn't bad by any means, but I can get pretty similar things in tubs at the grocery store. Maybe I've been spoiled by the lovely folks at Nicecream or the geniuses (geniuii?) at Jeni's in Columbus...but I don't think it was worth the drive. I'd much rather go to Ben and Jerry's or even Coldstone in Evanston. The other half of the restaurant has food. It has a grilled cheese on their menu that is apparently available cold (?!) which I didn't really understand. Maybe this is ice cream mecca if you are a suburban teenager, because that's pretty much all the people that were in the store. They were funny to watch but annoying at the same time.
(3)
Rick R.
OMG, I thought I loved Haagen Daz but this place is ice cream heaven! nuff said.
(5)
Alice M.
I really can't believe that Homer's doesn't have all 4 or 5 star reviews. Seriously, what is possibly bad about this place? Good fast food and great ice cream. Never had a better milkshake in my life. And definitely within my budget. This place has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years.
(5)
Mrs. K.
I consider myself somewhat of a french-fry connoisseur, due to my long-term relationship with fries dating back to my childhood. Recently, I've been trying to cut back on my sodium intake, so whenever I order fries, I asked for no salt. This ensures the fries are made fresh (because the ones that are ready are sitting in salt) and allows me to control how much salt is added. I usually don't add any more, since ketchup has enough sodium as it is. (And having fries without ketchup is not a viable option for me.) At the recommendation of my boyfriend, we stopped at Homer's and the fries (without salt) were amazing. It was the ideal combo of crunchy exterior and hot, soft middle. No salt was necessary, and I'll definitely be back again!
(5)
John R.
Love the ice cream. No fuss and it's premium. The prices are still reasonable and it hits the spot. The food is good too, and it's what you'd expect, burgers, fries, gyros etc. Clean place, good quick service.
(5)
Ed M.
I love this place, I've been going here since i was a little kid and they've been around since my grandmother was a kid. They all make their own ice-cream and it all tastes amazing. While they do have a hamburger stand next to the their ice-cream counter, I've never had food there.
(4)
Amanda B.
Delicious ice cream served with a side of a snobby ice cream girl. Thanks for asking me and my friends FOUR+ TIMES if we were ready! I'm pretty sure if I was ready I would, you know...tell you my order. I don't appreciate my ice cream choice being rushed. Relax, North Shore. Minus one star. I tried their vanilla ice cream, cookie dough ice cream and Oreo milk shake. YUM. Very rich and creamy. They also serve food. Quick, diner-like food...burgers, fries, etc. I've tried their cheese fries (I think they use cheddar cheese as opposed to the neon yellow-orange nacho cheese sauce, so it is tangier and different) and the chicken stir-fry.
(4)
Scott H.
A sentimental old-timey favorite for ice cream on the North Shore. Coming here on a muggy summer evening is like a rite of passage for any new area resident. While the restaurant itself is no frills and even a little rough around the edges, it's all about the hand-packed ice cream and service is always prompt and cheery. Feels like the kind of place you'd visit while vacationing in Door County or perhaps the SW Michigan lakeshore. I'm a chocolate malt junkie myself so I rarely try one of the better than two dozen varieties of ice cream, but my companions are always quite happy with their selections. Prices are moderate (definitely not cheap) with cones and shakes averaging $3-4, but I'll happily pay a little more for higher quality. I've never tried the food, but you'll find the typical summer favorites like chili dogs, burgers and all kinds of nice-looking fried delights.
(4)
J. S.
They are open late, which is nice (because my older kids always seem hungry when it's too late to cook). It seems every time we stop in for food or ice cream, we run into other people we know from the area. The staff behind the food counter could be a little more pleasant. They act annoyed when we order and seem to just want us to move along. The food is great. I love their bacon burger and fries, and their ice cream is awesome. They have a large space, so it is common to have local kids' sports teams hanging out and celebrating a win or end of season game.
(4)
David R.
I've been eating Homer's ice cream about once or twice a year since the late 90's. The last few times, I've noticed that it's not as awesome as I remember. Has their quality degraded or have my tastes changed? Unknown. I do know that in general, I don't care for their version of my favorite flavor (mint chocolate chip), so I usually go for the moose tracks. Last night my lady friend and I tried their hot food for the first time. It's just your standard burgers/dogs/etc. I went with a turkey burger and onion rings. One good thing about their setup is that you can get whatever toppings you want on your sandwich. The guy didn't even blink when I asked for barbecue sauce, onions, and pickles. On the other hand, the food is mediocre. There is nothing to set it apart from the usual hot-dog stand fare. I also hate how there is no "combo" option. You have to order your sandwich, fries, and drink a la carte, to the tune of (in our case) twenty bones for two burgers, two drinks, an onion rings, and a junior cheese fries. Oh, and I finished my meal with a chocolate malt, which wasn't that good either. I don't know how they screwed it up because I watched the kid make it--ice cream, chocolate syrup, malt powder, milk. The only possibility is the quality of the ice cream and/or syrup, or the proportions. Oh well, I still drank it. A bad malt is sort of like a bad blow job, I guess.
David Z.
I've been here many times in my life, from when I was growing up nearby and now, everytime I return home (especially during the summer). This is purely an ice cream review, as after many years, I still have yet to try their burger and fry offerings. But their ice cream? It's truly something special. The Fresh Peach is something that I grew up on and to this day, remains one of the quickest smile-inducers I've ever had. I also love their toasted coconut and peppermint stick. I'll drive an hour out of my way to pick up a few pints. There aren't many foods I'd do that for. And it's always well worth the trip!
(5)Adriane P.
Very fresh made ice cream in a quaint atmosphere. The chocolate is superb. They serve also food diner stuff with some surprising options if you want some dinner to go with your desert. Additionally, in the cooler are ice cream cakes. I thought the service was friendly and sincere.
(5)Nick R.
Stopped in for lunch and was pleasantly greeted by a warm and friendly staff. Very comfortable vibe with solid food and great prices. More of a Chicago Style menu. Cheeseburgers hot dogs, Polish sausage pizza puffs did not see italian beef on the menu. Did not get a chance to try the ice cream but saw a great collection. I hope to come back and try it soon.
(4)Rebecca C.
I'm not much of a fan of Homer's sandwiches, fries, lots of tempting grease options served up in all forms and ways. Too many places have the same shtick going on. However, I'll drive a good 10 miles on almost any given day for their special and seasonal ice cream flavors that are so tempting, so mouth watering, smooth, cool and delicious. It's so worth it to drive to Wilmette just to get an ice cream cone.
(4)Courtney K.
Some of the best ice cream I've ever had, for a very reasonable price. Came here growing up as a child because my bank (NS Community) used to give out free scoop coupons! The moose tracks is by far my favorite flavor, but mint chocolate chip and cappucino chip are good too (i will usually get those in milkshake format). Also, the food is great! The gyros, chicken sandwich, and cheese fries are bomb and cheap! This place is great for groups and children. They have a few tables outside for the summer which is their most popular season...but honestly this place is great in the winter too. They have sundae specials a lot that are very inventive- i got a peppermint stick one during the winter once and it it had mint ice cream brownie on the bottom, little candy cane bits, and was drizzled in chocolate syrup. Oh.my .god...heavenly!
(5)Todd P.
Good hamburger and fries. The service could be a little quicker. I am definitely going to try the ice cream next.
(4)Andrea R.
I've been eyeing Homers for a long time whenever driving along Green Bay. My husband and I were headed home from Evanston last weekend when he asked if there was a place we could stop for ice cream. Finally my chance to try the infamous Homer's! We weren't the only people craving ice cream on this warm 50 degree spring day (note the sarcasm) because there was a line, but it moved very fast. I'm usually a plain fro yo type of girl and perhaps add a few sprinkles if I'm feeling adventurous, but wanted to get the true Homer's experience. And so I ordered one of their sundaes with frozen yogurt. Looking back I probably should have indulged in the ice cream, but next time! The sundae was tasty, but no tastier than sundaes I've had elsewhere. Then again maybe I"d feel different if I had ice cream cause my husband seemed very satisfied with his sundae. I also liked the old school atmosphere. I felt a bit of mom's guilt for going without my ice cream loving kids and so we'll have to make another trip back to Homer's soon.
(4)Nate D.
Great ice cream, great hot dogs, high prices for the quantity of food. For $5 or $6 my sundae should be bigger than a Dixie cup, c'mon! The french fries are OK, but they don't offer ketchup bottles, so you need a zillion of those messy inconvenient little packages. And the service is inconsistent -- more often slow than not. Great taste but hardly a value. Still cheap tho.
(2)Michelle K.
Meh! I don't get why this place is so popular, except for the fact that it's pretty much the only ice cream place in town. The ice cream is certainly nothing to write home about. In fact, it's actually pretty bland, and the hot fudge is no better than Dairy Queen's. And it's probably one of the dirtiest establishments I've stepped foot in in a while. I'm not a germ phobic person, but every time my baby dropped his toys on the floor in Homers I quickly confiscated them for fear that he would put them in his mouth after having touched their filthy floor. Yuck!
(2)Kim G.
Yum! Awesome ice cream shop!
(4)Tad T.
Many a time I've sat on those red benches on a summer's evening at Homers. Watching the smiling faces of suburban family's enjoy America's other favorite pastime- Shoving ice cream into one's face- well it's...almost Norman Rockwellesque.
(5)Jeff G.
Homers Ice cream is fantastic, A mom and pop ice cream parlor. Their ice cream is in a class by itself. Every flavor I try is always delicious and they have great burgers and fries too. I tip my hat to the owner of this family run establishment.
(5)Gspot H.
Apparently they are known for their ice-cream should of tried it. Their food was great for kids, but not so healthy options for adults. The toy coin machines worked about half the time. The soup of the day actually was pretty good.
(3)Jap S.
the best icecream around here. Good price and filled with north shore kids. The brownie fudge sundae is my usual which they give a generous portion.
(5)Aaron B.
A little pricey but delicious and quality. It's nice to see a grass fed organic burger on the menu. Ice cream is great quality and they have a large selection of flavors.
(4)Kat A.
I love, love, love the burgundy cherry ice cream!
(4)Matt S.
My favorite ice cream in the north suburbs. We will get dinner out somewhere and still go to homers afterward for milkshakes. Nothing has changed about this place in the 20+ years I've been going there. The place is hardly fancy and in the summer is full of little league teams. Seriously though I do love the shakes
(4)Mancow M.
"Peach peach peach peach... Will they have the peach??!?" Who gives a rats ass?!! It's good but these North Shore folks think it's like SEX or something. They must not know how to "do it" in the burbs because even my worst sex is BETTER than Homer's peach Ice cream. Seriously! Get laid suburbanites! It's ancient and could use a paint job and good cleaning. The old crotchety North Shore customers HATE children. (See there sign! Photo attached. It's like it's by The Child Catcher in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang")Everything but their ice cream looks AWFUL. Having said that... my family goes often. The peach ice cream is good. The marshmallow sundaes better. Not as good as Margie's downtown but slightly better (taste and cost) than Bobtail.
(3)Foodie A.
Omg! I have been coming here for years. The man child behind the counter was on drugs or something. He asked me ten times what my order was, plus the scoop size is NOT consistent.
(1)Bart S.
After dinner at Avli in Winnetka, the waiter hands us the dessert menu. When we tell him that dinner was great but we won't be having dessert he says "Does this mean you're going to Homers?" As good as ice cream gets. It is also nice to see it at top Chicago restaurants for dessert.
(5)Matthew T.
So I have heard about how good Homer's Ice Cream is and I do agree that this is a must see in Evanston. Even if you are in Chicago you need to make a trip to Homer's Ice Cream. What I did not know was that Homer's does serve food it was good, but what I truly came for was the ice cream. So many flavors... I had the cappuccino, and also tried the banana. Yes banana and not the fake banana taste either. it actually tasted like a banana. I will definitely be back to this hidden gem in Evanston.
(5)Michelle D.
We go here for the waffle fries and cheese! I've only tried the ice cream once, but their seasonal peach was terrific. It had a great natural peach taste and wasn't too sweet. It was just right and incredibly creamy. I tend to get the blue cheese burger, which has a very strong tasting blue cheese, not the bland flavor you can sometimes get at similar cheap-eateries. The food is reliably tasty and simple fare.
(4)Bennett M.
Love the coffee chocolate chip ice cream.
(4)Marie D.
I'm usually a fan of Homer's but lately it seems like things are slipping. Tonight I noticed a poster for "Pizza Puffs," an obviously prepackaged processed food of dubious origin. Homer's is a little mom and pop shop with great homemade ice cream - why are they cheating out on food? We had a milkshake, Oreo brownie sundae, a cone, and a hot fudge sundae. The shake was too liquidy, the brownie was dry and tasted like cardboard, and the sugar-free vanilla was bland. We also had a ham and cheese sub, and that was basically more processed meat and cheese product on mass-produced bread. Homer's, please, go back to your roots.
(2)Bethany A.
I had a blue cheese pretzel bun burger here the other day with a large group of people, and it wasn't bad but not memorable either. The ice cream was good though - I got moose tracks and it was pretty yummy. But I don't really see the fuss about the ice cream... however, cheap and pretty yummy but don't expect great service or anything.
(3)Eva M.
Yum! So, I came here after my yoga workshop. The organic grass fed burger was delicious. It was a great price for 6 oz bigger and fries $6.50. The best part of this place is that you can have Homer's ice cream for dessert. The peppermint with a side of hot chocolate is awesome.
(5)Chika S.
Oh wow bad service! I was just told "ok lady, let's get this done" when I asked questions about kids meals.
(1)Doug R.
Not only did they have good ice cream but they had good regular food also. A local staple in Wilmette that has been here for quite some time now. I like going here in the summer before or after going to the beach.
(3)Lisa M.
Love the ice cream itself and this place is famous on the North Shore. My only suggestion is that they clean the place more thoroughly and is probably time for some renovations. Literally hundreds of kids a day go there after soccer games and for summer and winter treats and they have really beat up the place. I suppose that interior is considered charming by some. The food is not great there, but the kids love it, so who is going to argue?
(4)James S.
Ice Cream: Yes Burgers/Fries: Yes Mac & Cheese: Talk them out of it. Don't let anyone order that because if you're eating food-food here, hot dogs and burgers. Ice Cream: Yes, Again. Fresh Strawberry if it's in season. Can't go wrong with Chocolate Chip, or anything, really. Get a taste, if in doubt. 75 years!? Wow!
(4)Taranika E.
Rewarding your children with a tasty treat is best done at Homer's Ice Cream. The flavors come from natural ingredients and the environment is perfect for a conversation with family. I recommend that you taste the spumoni and the pistachio ice cream. The spumoni pays homage to classic, delicate Italian flavors while the pistachio ice cream is packed full of the nutty crunch that I adults appreciate in ice cream.
(4)Jack N.
This subpar, so-called ice cream establishment gave me dark chocolate instead of normal, milk, good ass chocolate and frankly I'm pissed tbh.
(2)Miles D.
We went in and walked right to the counter. Great! No line, so we got there at a good time. There was a young blond girl stacking cones. Although she was standing right in front of us, she did not even look up at my wife and I. We stood there for literally three long minutes before I asked, "What do I need to do to get served here?" This young girl had an extremely unfriendly attitude, as if we were bothering her by being there. She said, "I'm busy." More important to stack cones than greet customers? What kind of service is this?? Another employee then approached us and asked "What do you want?" Instead of "Hello." The blond girl then barked "Next!" to the customer behind us (rather than "Welcome to Homer's how can I help you?"). VERY poor customer service. I can't blame these young employees, as they most definitely were never instructed as to how to greet customers. If I could have fired that young blond girl, she'd have been out on her entitled bum. We will not return here. Instead, we found a marvelous gelato shop in Evanston, just minutes from Homers. It is called Frio and it is at 1701 Simpson. The young gal greeted us warmly, asked if we wanted to taste any of the flavors. In other words, very welcoming and sincerely glad we chose their shop. We have since been back to Frio three times and each time we were warmly greeted and we have enjoyed the BEST ice cream we've ever tasted!! I hope the owner or the manager of Homer's teaches his young staff about customer service. Maybe it's a "Northshore thing" where getting attitude from employees is tolerated? My wife and I have a choice, and we choose not to return to Homer's.
(1)Eszter H.
This is a local institution definitely worth visiting if you're in the area. My comments are mainly about the ice cream as I've only had a regular meal take-out once. The ice cream is good and they have some interesting flavors. Note that if you get the prepackaged container that is cheaper than having them fill it there by hand so check the freezer first. The downside is that the freezer only has a few of their presumably most popular flavors. This is not the best ice cream I've ever had, but it's certainly yummy. I'd say their best product is the shake with fudge. I don't even much like coffee ice cream, but having it blended with some chocolate fudge into a shake results in quite a drink. If you don't know what to get, I'd go with that.
(4)D K.
Great burgers, fries, shakes and ice cream in this classic burger joint. Bare-bones ambiance but a reliable North Shore destination for decades. Such nostalgia, but Homer's still delivers.
(4)Carrie V.
My husband and I have been going to this place since we were dating 14 years ago, and we still love it and now bring the kids along! The seasonal ice creams such as fresh peach, peppermint stick and pumpkin are amazing!!! The all-year flavors are great as well - favorites are apple cinnamon and prairie berry. The staff is friendly, and you can have a fun dinner before the ice cream as well! Homer's is a treasure!
(5)Bobette J.
My husband and I enjoy their homemade ice cream. We like to get a banana split and share it and enjoy the flavors. They still make the best butter pecan ice cream. I think they are good with the seasonal pumpkin pie ice cream which is a personal fave of ours and we had to come back later when the ice cream was soft enough to serve. I am not sure what temps their freezers are at, but when you got customers who love the flavors and are willing to come back not to disappoint them and say they cannot scoop out their flavor because the ice cream is too rock hard to carve into. I do like the milk shakes and I enjoy the atmosphere and I hope they keep delivering good flavors. Homers makes delicious ice cream.
(4)Megan H.
My family enjoys eating at homer's for a special treat. We especially enjoy the hot fudge sundae. It is a little pricey for the home made custard, but worth every penny. It is a good family friendly restaurant.
(3)Timothy A.
Sorry, I don't get it. I've been coming here off and on since 1977, and admit I've brought my own kids here too over the years as well, but really, folks on the north shore have been deluding themselves about this place for decades and it's about time someone said the emperor has no clothes. The food at Homers is standard north shore fast food fare that's pretty much found everywhere, but the ice cream is just very, very average and I'm basically writing this review because I'm tired of hearing naive people rave about this ice cream. The place is fun and welcoming, but seems to be run by the North Shore version of Macau child workers, with nary an adult in sight. In 36 years of coming here off and on, I don't think I've ever seen anyone above the age of 19, and sometimes the help looks like 7th graders stuffed into paper hats and aprons. Some visible adult leaders walking around would give this place some much needed gravitas. Homers is frequently heralded as a "tradition" - ha!, well ok, but this is only so because all the surrounding villages roll up the sidewalks at night and there is simply no other competition. This is the only place open in the evening if you need an ice cream fix, and yes, your grandma or whoever undoubtedly came to the same conclusion too - so much for tradition. This brings in another factor, you really can't trust north shore resident's reviews when it comes to sweets. These finicky diet-conscious residents starve themselves all day, over-analyze labels and ingredient lists and assiduously avoid all candy and sweets. Then when they DO splurge a bit to go to Homers, the mild sugar content of the ice cream is a shock to their seriously out of whack taste buds, hence all these naive rave reviews. If you doubt me, then try this test: Go eat a couple of spoonfuls of Haagen Das or Graeters Butter Pecan ice cream, then go to Homer's and have a couple of spoonfuls of their Butter Pecan and you will see how truly mediocre this ice cream is. It is made with modest sugar and modest butter fat, and is not premium ice cream by any stretch so everyone, p-l-e-a-s-e stop swooning about how this is the place to go for ice cream. In terms of the environment, this is a great place for kids and the location is handy, especially late at night, but if you think the ice cream here is something special, well, then you need to get out more.
(2)Howard L.
Nice place to drop in for dessert after visiting Ravinia. That assumes you're headed south from Ravinia afterwards. The ice cream is tasty and rich and not overly sweet. We had peach and coconut. Waffle cone was fresh but more firm/crispy than others. Restaurant feels a bit dated, and it's in a dark, not well lit, area at night (typical of the north shore however).
(3)Edward W.
North shore classic that is a must stop when the kids are screaming "I scream for ice cream." I tried the peach ice cream yesterday. Great!
(5)Annn F.
I'm glad i live far away because coffee toffee and fresh peach could be a problem.
(5)jim a.
one of the all time best. a true classic
(5)Allan M.
I went here last went, since I wanted a MAJOR change of pace from the places I normally hit up, and since Homer's has been on my list of places to try for quite a while. Definately didn't disappoint me at all, and I was very happy I went here(since I'm still not completely over the recent closure of Petersen's Ice Cream in Oak Park). Got a cone of peppermint ice cream and cookies and cream, and it definately didn't disappoint! Not to mention, I was a little surprised that they have a decent variety of regular food on the grill side of the place, too, which I may try another time I come here. I just wish that since A Taste of Heaven(in Andersonville) used to serve Petersen's Ice Cream, they(Taste...Heaven) could get w/the program of other places serving Homer's(such as one ice cream place in Naperville serving it), and start serving Homer's ice cream, as I suspect that Taste/Heaven no longer serves Petersen's Ice Cream(as the signs indicating this have been taken down for quite some time). Despite that I doubt my personal wish will happen anytime soon, I'm glad that my discovery of Homer's has helped me somewhat get over the closure of Petersen's.
(4)MARK G.
Oh Homer's! Reviewing you is unfair. You were the place my dad would take me after T-ball and soccer games when I was a little boy. You were the place I finally tried and fell in love with raw onions and mustard on my hot dog. You were my first peach ice cream. And other than loosing the side room were they used to sell hard candy (and other things I hear) back in the 70's, you have not changed one tiny bit. Same freckled face high school kids working the counter, same menu, same exact chairs and tables... same freaking light bulbs... NOTHING has changed. Why can't more things stay exactly the same as they did when we were little kids? OK, one more question. Me and my family and friends ALWAYS go to Homer's after the fireworks at Duke Childs Field every fourth of July. Why doesn't that entire crowd do the same? I am always amazed at how easy and fast it is getting ice cream after the fireworks.
(5)David B.
Neighborhood ice cream shops in the summertime, marvelous! Homers is a nice throwback. It has the look and feel of a nice rustic ice cream shop/hot dog joint. Great old school menu signs and tables. Families arriving in packs, forming long lines on great summertime nights. Herds of kids coming from some random sporting event. Lots of locals just enjoying the scene. I can't say much about the food portion of Homers as I have only tried the Ice Cream. Homer's specializes in homemade Ice Cream, and they have a lot of it. They have about 20-30 different homemade ice creams and from what I have tried, its all wonderful. I haven't had anything at Homer's that has absolutely blown my mind, but at the same time, nothing has fell short of being very good. Its certainly a must try if you're into homemade ice cream. I'd go elsewhere if you're more into soft serve/gelato/custard styles of ice cream shops.
(3)Matthew M.
Ordered 9 different flavors to be delivered to my father in FL who loves ice cream. He said it was the best he's ever tasted!! Very friendly customer service as well!
(5)Scott S.
My mother remembers going here with her father as a child. They've been around for 74 years. and the "homey and quaint" is teetering on the edge of "run down". While some of the employees are helpful when asked, it's not exactly a cheery high customer service environ - the workers seem kind of run down as well. Of course, the important part is the product, their locally-famous ice cream; it was good, sure, but not a 4 or 5 star concoction. The mint chip was pleasant (I hadn't had any for a while) but they definitely had preservatives in it. I couldn't try the hot fudge because it was 85mg sodium for every half tablespoon; that was disappointing, as I sort of had my heart set on a very small hot fudge sundae. Good? Yes. Full of neighborhood character? I'd say so; old Wilmette probably comes out very well. Would I clamor to return? Nah; I'll save my dairy and sodium treats for something else, thanks. I will go with someone if they want to, though. Bonus: ice water with a lid for free. That was a nice touch.
(3)Yvette F.
Excellent coconut ice cream. Peach ice cream is not very appealing to me, but they won an award for it, so I gave it a try and it is delicious.
(4)Jennifer B.
This place reminds me of Walt Disney World circa 1985. It's like Americana, but instead of a "vintage" or "historical" Americana...it's kinda like a "run down" Americana atmosphere. For instance, you can hardly read the ice cream menu because it is set back so far. The place just needs some major updating... ....but who the hell cares about that! You're going for the a-MAZING ice cream! It doesn't get any better than Homers. Truly, one of a kind taste that can't be beat. Everytime I have Homers I am reminded that it is truly some of the best ice cream in the country.
(4)Karen K.
Good ice cream! I can't remember which flavor I got. They have about 1,000. Just kidding, but they do have a lot.
(4)Fabi R.
LOVE this place! We went there today for lunch. Hub & I had the bacon cheeseburgers with everything and grilled onions. Delish...perfectly charred and not overly huge. Fries were good - better than average. Mozzarella sticks were crunchy on the outside & oozy on the inside, served with a pretty fresh tasting marinara. The kid had the mac and cheese, which he inhaled. I tasted it and it was a little grainy, but they get points for using rotelli pasta and a naturally colored cheese. The ice creM was incredible. The guys had vanilla and choc chip cookie dough - which they both loved. I had the fresh peach, which was pure heaven with juicy chunks of fruit. We left full-but not grossly so-and happy. Big points for being a local joint (been around 75 years!) and the wow factor of having several million dollars of cars (including a rare Ferrari convertible) in their parking lot. Very homey feeling with a smattering of bling!
(5)Cooper M.
My first experience at Homer's will be my last. The cashier left off my order of fries, the greek salad I ordered was the worst I've seen, and the burger and shake were overpriced. I felt that for what I got, Homer's was incredibly over priced.
(2)Cynthia E.
The food is okay, but go for the ice cream, the best I have ever had! We served their Peppermint Stick with our wedding cake 20 years ago, and I stalk the place until the fresh peach and rum raisin come on the seasonal menus. Forget your stupid chain ice cream and go get the pure, beautiful thing in your own back yard.
(5)Jacob K.
Homer's is the epitome of ice cream deliciousness. It has been around since 1935 and I have been going there since I started walking and craving the creamy yummy flavors. The ice cream is all phenomenal. The mint chip, pistachio, cappuccino chip, coffee, seasonal peach and chocolate chocolate chip will leave you craving for more. The Oberweis, Haggen Dazs and Ben and Jerry's doesn't even come close. I often have to get 2 scoops of ice cream because I can't decide what I want and often get a waffle cone because I can't have too much of a good thing. This place also has the best hot fudge sundays with home made hot fudge oozing everywhere. The only thing I would not recommend is the fast food. I only had it once and its nothing spectacular. Better yet skip dinner all together and go wild on the ice cream.
(5)Megan G.
Having gone to Northwestern and worked in Libertyville I've passed Homer's frequently over the years. Every time I went past it I'd make a mental note try it one day though I never did. "One day" finally came this Friday and I headed to Homer's for dinner and ice cream. The food was fine. I got a bacon cheeseburger with everything and cheese fries. Note that Homer's "everything" includes pickle relish, which I've never seen on a burger before. It was kind of disgusting. Pickles on a burger yes, relish no. I did like that Homer's offers two sizes of fries and that the small is actually reasonably small. The ice cream, however, was a huge disappointment. I got a scoop of Reese's peanut butter cup ice cream and was expecting something transcendent based on all the Homer's buzz I've heard. It was very, very average. I honestly don't think I could have told the difference between Homer's ice cream and Edy's (for a local ice cream chain, I think Oberweis is far superior). The restaurant is cute and family friendly. It was nice to see so many teens and pre-teens willing to join their families for an evening out. Overall, though my Homer's curiosity is sated and I feel no need to return.
(3)Paul H.
Cappuchino Chip, Peppermint Stick, Triple Berry, Mint Chip...I could go on, but I won't. I've had a serious relationship with Homer's for most of my life. It was the place to go after soccer practice and little league games, after cub scouts, or after just about anything. You really didn't need an excuse to hit up Homer's for a scoop (or two) of their outstanding ice cream. The food side is pretty good too, but it's not the main reason to go. I love the cheddar fries along side a nice, heart-healthy double cheese burger. Homer's draws the local crowd, so be prepared to deal with screaming kids, moms/nannies with double-wide strollers, and pre-teens who are hanging around because there is no other place in the area that's open past 10 pm.
(4)Annabelle N.
The major draw in my mind with Homers is the nostalgia factor. The food is standard fare, not bad but not outstanding, and the ice cream is very good. As a kid, I loved the root beer floats, now I generally go for a scoop of the apple cinnamon or peppermint stick ice cream. Those two, in my opinion, are really the stand-out flavors that are either hard to find anywhere else or just plain made better. I like finding the little chunks for apple or peppermint, respectively, in each bite. Memory-lane standards include the bubble gum machine that would send your gumball through an obstacle course with all the bells and whistles before it got to your hand and all the post-high school dance gatherings. Seems like I would end up here after field trips in grade school on occasion too. Based on this, chances are that if someone is raving to you about Homer's, there is some kind of emotional connection behind it. If you don't have that, don't go completely out of your way for the experience, the wow-factor probably won't be there. But if you're around, stop by and experience a piece of history and some darn good ice cream.
(3)Tish N.
Delicious is an understatement. I've sampled everything from the hot dog to the chicken salad. The peach ice cream is so good I can't even start on it. I love the shakes too.
(5)Joshua N.
Homer's is a really cute little shop with some decent ice cream. Not as amazing as people carry on about. I enjoyed the Moosetracks ice cream and watching awkward teens getting dumped off at Uncle Homer's for a while by Mom and Dad. Seems more like that kind of place than a true contender for the "#1 Tasting Ice Cream in America" that they are claiming. A pint of any given flavor of Ben and Jerry's or a waffle cone full of Coldstone's Birthday Cake Remix easily bests Homer's. Not bad though, give it a shot, but take the "#1" claim with a grain of salt (or some jimmies).
(3)Brad S.
Best ice cream anywhere
(5)Stephanie D.
Completely awesome!!!! Love the peppermint ice cream, will be back once the weather warms up just a bit!
(4)Corey B.
best ice cream in chicagoland. no contest. the store itself is genius. one side for the hot food and the other side for the cold.
(5)Pete D.
A little overpriced for the food they put out, but hey it's Wilmette. The locals there can afford it. A nice kid friendly place. Is the ice cream any better than Coldstone? Maybe not but it's not a corpo-chain like Coldstone, so I say spend your $$$ here and support the local guy.
(3)Liz O.
The ice cream is expensive and just okay...not bad, not great. Good place to take group of kids.
(3)James B.
Four stars - but only for the ice cream. Really folks, would anyone come here for just the food ? (Even if its the only place within three miles to take your Little League team or get a Chicago style dog.) Ice cream is the #1 main attraction - apple pie, fresh peach - a very solid, creamy vanilla. Nothing fancy and vain glorious - just really good ice cream in cup, cake, sugar or waffle cone. Period. I wish they'd stop using in artificial colors / flavors in the ice cream - just goes to show there is room for improvement.
(4)Kate R.
oh homers. i dream of you when i am out of town and need 1. ice cream. 2. cheese fries. or 3. a milkshake. so damn good it is ridiculous. i have been coming to homers since i was a wee little one and am so happy that little has changed in those 26 years. these are my favorite cheese fries everrrrr. ever! it's not some whimpy-ass nacho cheese or some overly-greasy melted cheese where the grease sits on the top of the cheese. no. they give you something else that i cannot describe. it is absolute heaven. yum. and their ice cream? ohhhh man. it is so creamy and flavorful and yeah....go try some! i love their special flavors (depending on the season) but their vanilla and chocolate ice cream is just sooooo good. and yeah, to this day i still get ice cream cakes from here for my bday (or anyone's bday) whenever i'm in town around that time of year.... this is pure love. l.o.v.e.
(5)Melissa M.
Pretty much a North Shore institution. Ice cream is great, make sure to try the peppermint, the peanut butter cup, and the unique Prairie Berry. Old fashioned ice cream parlor feel with plenty of good seating for groups. Food? OK, but very much overshadowed by the ice cream. I always did enjoy their grilled cheese though.
(4)Cookie k.
the ice cream here is the best!!!!!!!! perfect sized portions and bananas are perfect too!!!
(5)Jess S.
A very popular place with local families. It can get crowded with loud children - but that's just about anywhere. The ice cream is so yummy. My personal faves are peppermint stick and pistaccio. But they are all good. (In fact I think I might go and try to get an egg nog shake when visiting the parents this holiday weekend). They are a North Shore institution (at least in my eyes). They have won [national] awards. And for good reason.
(4)C R.
Best ice cream sundaes on the north shore and the ice cream is made on premises. The best banana ice cream i ever had.
(4)Denise B.
Homer's still has just about the best classic ice cream I've ever eaten. It is DELICIOUS in every flavor, and the line usually isn't too long for an ice cream cone. You can also order the ice cream in pints / gallons to take home, although I would get really fat if I bought it by the pint. The interior itself is classic and old fashioned and a fun place for families and adults alike. When I'm back in Wilmette I always come back here for my ice cream fix.
(5)Alan R.
Although they have a grill, go for the ice cream! Without a doubt, the best in the Chicago area. My wife craves the peppermint stick. One of my biggest High School memories was going to Homer's and getting a Oreo Cookie shake, MMMMMMMMMM. Many restaurants and coffee shops in the Chicago area serve Homer's. Among these are the equally delicious Cookie Dough Creations in far away Naperville.
(5)ALEXANDRA L.
I would say 3.5 if I could. Good junk food (a la Dairy Queen from youth). Cheese fries, heavy shakes, burgers, etc. Indie fast food as it were. I have yet to try the ice cream although everyone there was eating it happily.
(3)Rob F.
The ice cream, including the oreo shakes are five star worthy, but the food is unremarkable. The cheeseburgers are a greasy mess! I do remember being able to get a PB&J there long before ay other restaurants were around. Honestly, if you're looking for a quick meal, go to the Chuckwagon, then come here for dessert. While the Wilmette location is a local landmark, I miss their Glenview location.
(3)Alexis H.
Woot! I love Homer's! Anyone familiar with the North Shore will tell you that Homer's is your quintessential burgers/fries/ice cream joint. Their food is made fresh off the grill and their ice cream cannot be beat. The restaurant is divided into two sections: the food counter & the ice cream counter. Their lunch/dinner menu has all the basics including burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, sandwiches, fries, onion rings, etc. It's greasy American food at its best! The ice cream counter covers any dessert lover's dreams: sundaes, shakes, double scoops... my mouth is watering just thinking about it. They have a huge variety of flavors and you can't go wrong. Their ice cream is such a hit with the masses that you can buy it online and have it shipped, and I've even seen it sold in independent grocery stores down in the city. My favorite Homer's meal: Cheddar grilled cheese, jr. fries, and an oreo milkshake. YUM!
(5)Alexandra G.
This place is awesome. I grew up in Kenilworth, and this was the only place you could hang out. After Drop In's, Dances, Parties, we went to Homer's. One night Jim Belushi showed up and we all rushed up to him for his autograph. He was pretty pissed and yelled at us and left. That was probably pretty messed up of us. But I would have to say the Ice Cream is the best. I don't eat meat any more, but would love to go back for a plate of fries and a grilled cheese.
(4)Maria W.
The ice cream is the star and I can't wait to be back - this is a definite higher experience than retail ice cream or other chains. The food is just ok - reminds me of a lunch board at an ice skating rink or something - we had the turkey burger, bacon cheeseburger, and fries.
(4)Colin D.
The ice cream is good, the food is gross. I tried to get a Chicago-style hot dog here and they said they didn't make them that way. Don't they realize where they are? Hell, I bet I could even get a hot dog Chicago-style at a Dairy Queen around here.
(2)Soo S.
All time favorite place to go in High School. I would say one of the few good burger joints in the north shore.
(4)sue g.
This place is phemonenal, best homemade ice cream on the North Shore for sure. It's a good cheesy date place, family place, or just plain carryout, but don't miss the Moose Trax and Cappucino Chip! *Note that if Homers is closed for the night, you can pick up pints at the 7-11 in Hubbard Woods for your late night munchies...
(5)Lauren D.
I grew up walking to Homer's for lunch, attending basketball reward parties in their scary party room, and using their really small bathroom. But their ice cream is unbeatable. Mint chocolate chip - I'd get two servings. Their greasy food lunch is also unbeatable. Grilled cheese, cheese fries... Amazing!
(5)Kelly P.
We live down the way from Homers and it is the best place for Ice Cream!! My husband spent a lot of time there in high school and is a HUGE fan. Their grilled cheese is to die for. You can also get Homers at many of the Potbelly's! Only cash or checks are accepted.
(5)Michael G.
Terribly overpriced for mediocre offerings. Seriously, you just aren't getting the right bang for your buck. I'll take DQ any day.
(2)Scott V.
Awesome ice cream and they have some really wonderful flavors. If I am ordering ice cream without toppings, their mint chocolate chip is out of this world. Hot fudge sundaes call for coffee toffee ice cream--yum! My only complaint is that their sundae prices and sizes are inconsistent. Sometimes, they give you a huge serving and charge $3.50, other times they charge almost $5.00 for the same size. Also, all of their sundae sizes are served in the same size plastic cup, which sometimes overflows and makes a mess. That keeps me from giving them five-stars
(4)Laura I.
I know I'm in the minority here but Homer's ice cream just doesn't cut for me for one sole reason: it's too melted. It's served so melty to begin with, by the time I eat it, it becomes soup. I detest ice cream soup. Now don't get me wrong, I like soft ice cream but this is ridiculous soft right off the bat. There's no fun in eating it because you have to rush to finish it before it becomes soup. If I wanted it that melty, I'd stick it in my oven.
(1)Marissa D.
Being a Kenilworth native, I just have to give Homer's 5 stars. My first boyfriend and I used to walk here after a hard day at New Trier and have grilled cheese and oreo shakes. Amazing. And recently I went on a mint chocolate chip ice cream binge while staying in the burbs for a week... seriously, I maybe ate a pint every night. Definitely ask for a hand-packed pint of it if you go - it's soft and delicious and basically perfection in a pint. Oh, and they also have amazing mozzarella sticks. It's cash or check only, fyi.
(5)Andrew K.
I love this North Shore favorite. The fresh peach ice cream is superb and they have lots of unhealthy little greasy snacks on the menu that little kids love and get addicted to and adults try to stay away from. The peach ice cream is GRRRREAT.
(4)Maya P.
i love homer's. the peach flavor is awesome. i hate the food there. it is really bad. they are really know for their peach ice cream.
(5)Amanda Z.
I have been going to Homer's since I was a little girl. They have the best cheeseburgers and oreo shakes in the entire world! I heart Homer's!
(5)Dorotka K.
Slow service, mediocre food and the ice cream was good, but did not blow my mind. The food was definitely overpriced for the quality and quantity received.
(3)Lenny G.
Awesome ice cream with a lot of options. The prices are better than the chain frozen yoghurt places around. Best of all, it's a place with a real community feel. It reminds me of a local hang out from the 70s or 80s. Plenty of seats too.
(4)Tom H.
A delicious hot fudge sundae--with rich vanilla ice cream, gooey hot fudge, whipped cream, crushed peanuts and a maraschino cherry on top--was my reward for a long bicycle ride on a warm summer evening. If there is a bike rack in the dark parking lot next door, I sure couldn't find it, and there are no parking meters nearby to lock to (I ended up having to use the rack in front of the yoga studio down the block). It's fast-food style counter service, rather than table service, but it's quick and relatively efficient. You tell one of several counter men your order, he makes the sundae and takes your money. No division of labor here. The room itself is a little hard-edged and too-open, no cozy private booths, just a large room full of small marble top tables with wire chairs, divided by a metal fence that channels the order line from the door. This is a place of throw-away clear plastic cups and spoons, not cut glass banana split boats or long-handled metal milkshake spoons, which is sad. Middle aged couples enjoy cones, while sitting on park benches outside. Inside, a baby snoozed contentedly in a stroller, while his slightly older brothers and Dad talked baseball and shared each other's icy choices. Next to them, an older couple continued what was probably a lifelong tradition of ice cream pleasure. Teens circled the room, but caused no trouble or undue noise. Open top convertibles parked out front. It's cold ice cream, on a warm summer night, in small town America.
(4)Cristina C.
This place is awesome! I love the fact that they give big scoops and I love their special flavor ice creams. It is also very affordable. And it's a nice cute date place if you ask me.
(4)Luke S.
Homers is the old school! The place has not changed in decades, but their product is consistently good. They have above average grill food at reasonable prices. What sets them apart is their ice cream. They have the best ice cream in the Chicagoland area! Ever since I was informed that a patty melt, large cheese fries, and strawberry shake is not good for me I try to stay away from here, but it is hard to resist!
(4)Dana M.
Last year I won a year's supply of Homer's ice cream at a breast cancer charity raffle. That's what got me going to Homer's. If you are like me and not from Wilmette, you might not have heard of this place and you're missing out! I've been here every month for 10 months to claim my free 1/2 gallon of ice cream. I've never actually eaten here or tried any other flavor besides the limited varieties that are prepacked but I don't care... the Oreos & Cream is so awesome... I always wonder why it is so good! I love digging for the big chunks of Oreos.
(5)Jenny F.
The food is ok. You come here for ice cream, especially their seasonal flavors! Anyone for peach ice cream? Yum, yum! The ambiance of the place is reminiscent of a beach community.
(4)Elle B.
Their ice cream is the best--flavors and variety of options. I realize this is a nostalgic place for many and that is why the food has survived. The burgers are cooked in whatever was on the grill before--sometimes a gyro flavor and the fries are pretty lame. Skip the food and go for the ice cream. I think Buffalo Joe's on Greenbay has a far better product all around, burger, bun, meat, and fries.
(3)Keith A.
straight up, homer's is a north shore classic that just never gets old. I've been going here off and on for the last 20odd years of my life. This was where we all went after little league games and where I would drop in during high school and afterwards. It had been a while since I've been here, but with all of the flooding a few weeks back, some sort of relief (however small it may be) was needed and homer's stepped right up to the plate. I stuck with ice cream as that was the mood (though their food is always pretty damn good as well). I got both mint chip and cookie dough to bring back to my parents. And of course, time stood still and all of those fun young memories came rushing back in delicious frozen cream form. While change on the whole is a good thing, little has changed here and it is a big positive that it hasn't. Only a few additions to the ice cream lineup and nothing really new fangled, just really good ice cream and flavors that you remember from your youth. Thank you homer's, keep being as great as you always have been
(4)Caroline M.
Obviously the best ice cream, ever. The food is alright, good enough, but the ice cream is just downright incredible.
(5)Brian K.
FAMOUS FOR - Ice Cream (duh) I TRIED - Oreo Cookies & Cream (10/10) - Raspberry Choc. Chip (4/10) Hanging out in the Glenview area, some friends were going to celebrate my friend's and my birthdays. He chose Walker Brothers to eat, and then they kept hassling me for a dessert location. Sigh...I told them I don't care and that I'd go anywhere, but they kept insisting. So, to show them never to ask me to pick a place to go, I made them go on a risky adventure with me far away. Drive all the way to Green Bay Rd for ice cream! We go, and there's a line. DOH! The line moves quickly. YES! The place has a billion flavors of ice cream. DOH! Well, thanks to my trusty dusty iPhone and Yelp app, I started reading what's popular 'round these parts. Turns out a lotta people like the Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream and Oreo Shake. I decided to go with both, in ice cream format. RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP I've only had this flavor once before. See, I hate chocolate chips in ice cream. A Hershey's chocolate bar is great at room temperature, but then when you put it in ice cream, it hardens, and then it snaps, and then you really have to chew it, because every time it tries to melt, it touches ice cream and re-hardens. I'm a little OCD like that and get annoyed, especially as it liquifies, makes a molding of your teeth, and then hardens there. To date, there is only 1 place that escapes this phenomenon and is the only other place I've had this flavor: Grater's Confectionary which is sprinkled all around Cincinnati, OH. In any case, for Homer, the chocolate chips suffered the same fate as so many others. The other problem I had with this is that the raspberry flavoring was a little too subtle. After a few bites, it just sorta tasted like vanilla. It's still ice cream, none the less, but the raspberry flavoring is lost. OREO COOKIES & CREAM Jackpot! Cookies & Cream is my go to flavor. If I ever want to judge an ice cream shop, I get cookies and cream. This is by far the best cookies and cream I've ever tasted! I could probably eat a half gallon myself! See, where a lot of cookies and cream fail is that they have the crushed Oreos, but the rest is just vanilla ice cream. What this one does, though, is that you get a lot of that sugary cream filling in the Oreo all over the ice cream. THAT's what made this the best Oreo Cookies & Cream ever!
(4)Angelica S.
When you walk in the counter is separated into two sections. The food line, and the packed ice cream line. Things are a little rushed, but it's being run by teenagers for the most part so I am not surprised. The ice cream is amazing. I tried these flavors: Peach (seasonal): Nice and creamy with bits of peach. Not an overwhelming flavor. Definitely a good choice. Oreo: Taste like the expected Oreo goodness. YUMMM. P.S You can also grab a tub of some of the flavors. There is a freezer with varied sized containers with some of the top ice cream flavors to take home. Food wise I have only tried the cheese fries. The fries are very good, the cheese is strange. Like said before it is a bit tangy and has a weird texture, almost gritty? It wasn't bad but I could only eat so much of it. The rest of the menu is your typical diner food.
(4)Amy L.
I always stop here on my way to the beach. Love their peach ice cream. They do fruit-flavored ice cream right! Love getting bits of fruit in every bite.
(4)Rodger W.
The spumoni was one of the best ice cream flavors I have ever tasted. Period. Excellent burger and fries. Hot Dogs? They were tasty, but had, sit down, ketchup on them. I have never seen a Chicago dog with ketchup.
(4)C T.
I think this place is over-rated! They have lots of flavor choices, but I still prefer Hartigan's in Evanston.
(3)Delaware F.
Fresh peach ice cream! Fresh peach ice cream! Hopefully that gets in the yelp highlights. Most of Homer's business, I think, comes from the meals following kids' soccer games. It's probably not the most discriminating clientele, but the fresh peach ice cream is perhaps the best ice cream I've ever eaten.
(5)Nancy L.
A Wilmette institution. If you grow up in Wilmette chances are you went here after a sporting event or on a date. The ice cream is awesome and the only reason to go to Homer's. Other food is mediocre at best. The environment looks like they want to be an old school ice cream shop but looks like an unskilled do it yourself carpenter created the place without the help of a designer to tie everything together. The cheap lights and menu signs really make it seem like a cheaply put together place. With a little investment in good interior design and construction they could increase satisfaction and be worthy of the magical moments that kids and families try to have here. The food would probably even seem to taste better. Please give the place a facelift so you are a worthy representation of a great community.
(4)Laura S.
Excellent ice cream! I loved the peach flavor. I am looking forward to trying others!
(5)Yanyao N.
I stared at a Homer's advertisement all through dinner and decided, okay, let's get some ice cream for dessert after dinner. The sad thing is, the ice cream wasn't that great. It wasn't bad by any means, but I can get pretty similar things in tubs at the grocery store. Maybe I've been spoiled by the lovely folks at Nicecream or the geniuses (geniuii?) at Jeni's in Columbus...but I don't think it was worth the drive. I'd much rather go to Ben and Jerry's or even Coldstone in Evanston. The other half of the restaurant has food. It has a grilled cheese on their menu that is apparently available cold (?!) which I didn't really understand. Maybe this is ice cream mecca if you are a suburban teenager, because that's pretty much all the people that were in the store. They were funny to watch but annoying at the same time.
(3)Rick R.
OMG, I thought I loved Haagen Daz but this place is ice cream heaven! nuff said.
(5)Alice M.
I really can't believe that Homer's doesn't have all 4 or 5 star reviews. Seriously, what is possibly bad about this place? Good fast food and great ice cream. Never had a better milkshake in my life. And definitely within my budget. This place has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years.
(5)Mrs. K.
I consider myself somewhat of a french-fry connoisseur, due to my long-term relationship with fries dating back to my childhood. Recently, I've been trying to cut back on my sodium intake, so whenever I order fries, I asked for no salt. This ensures the fries are made fresh (because the ones that are ready are sitting in salt) and allows me to control how much salt is added. I usually don't add any more, since ketchup has enough sodium as it is. (And having fries without ketchup is not a viable option for me.) At the recommendation of my boyfriend, we stopped at Homer's and the fries (without salt) were amazing. It was the ideal combo of crunchy exterior and hot, soft middle. No salt was necessary, and I'll definitely be back again!
(5)John R.
Love the ice cream. No fuss and it's premium. The prices are still reasonable and it hits the spot. The food is good too, and it's what you'd expect, burgers, fries, gyros etc. Clean place, good quick service.
(5)Ed M.
I love this place, I've been going here since i was a little kid and they've been around since my grandmother was a kid. They all make their own ice-cream and it all tastes amazing. While they do have a hamburger stand next to the their ice-cream counter, I've never had food there.
(4)Amanda B.
Delicious ice cream served with a side of a snobby ice cream girl. Thanks for asking me and my friends FOUR+ TIMES if we were ready! I'm pretty sure if I was ready I would, you know...tell you my order. I don't appreciate my ice cream choice being rushed. Relax, North Shore. Minus one star. I tried their vanilla ice cream, cookie dough ice cream and Oreo milk shake. YUM. Very rich and creamy. They also serve food. Quick, diner-like food...burgers, fries, etc. I've tried their cheese fries (I think they use cheddar cheese as opposed to the neon yellow-orange nacho cheese sauce, so it is tangier and different) and the chicken stir-fry.
(4)Scott H.
A sentimental old-timey favorite for ice cream on the North Shore. Coming here on a muggy summer evening is like a rite of passage for any new area resident. While the restaurant itself is no frills and even a little rough around the edges, it's all about the hand-packed ice cream and service is always prompt and cheery. Feels like the kind of place you'd visit while vacationing in Door County or perhaps the SW Michigan lakeshore. I'm a chocolate malt junkie myself so I rarely try one of the better than two dozen varieties of ice cream, but my companions are always quite happy with their selections. Prices are moderate (definitely not cheap) with cones and shakes averaging $3-4, but I'll happily pay a little more for higher quality. I've never tried the food, but you'll find the typical summer favorites like chili dogs, burgers and all kinds of nice-looking fried delights.
(4)J. S.
They are open late, which is nice (because my older kids always seem hungry when it's too late to cook). It seems every time we stop in for food or ice cream, we run into other people we know from the area. The staff behind the food counter could be a little more pleasant. They act annoyed when we order and seem to just want us to move along. The food is great. I love their bacon burger and fries, and their ice cream is awesome. They have a large space, so it is common to have local kids' sports teams hanging out and celebrating a win or end of season game.
(4)David R.
I've been eating Homer's ice cream about once or twice a year since the late 90's. The last few times, I've noticed that it's not as awesome as I remember. Has their quality degraded or have my tastes changed? Unknown. I do know that in general, I don't care for their version of my favorite flavor (mint chocolate chip), so I usually go for the moose tracks. Last night my lady friend and I tried their hot food for the first time. It's just your standard burgers/dogs/etc. I went with a turkey burger and onion rings. One good thing about their setup is that you can get whatever toppings you want on your sandwich. The guy didn't even blink when I asked for barbecue sauce, onions, and pickles. On the other hand, the food is mediocre. There is nothing to set it apart from the usual hot-dog stand fare. I also hate how there is no "combo" option. You have to order your sandwich, fries, and drink a la carte, to the tune of (in our case) twenty bones for two burgers, two drinks, an onion rings, and a junior cheese fries. Oh, and I finished my meal with a chocolate malt, which wasn't that good either. I don't know how they screwed it up because I watched the kid make it--ice cream, chocolate syrup, malt powder, milk. The only possibility is the quality of the ice cream and/or syrup, or the proportions. Oh well, I still drank it. A bad malt is sort of like a bad blow job, I guess.
(3)