ok so we finally went here this past Friday night for the first time in person. So the ice cream gets a solid 5 stars. and we had bought a $20 groupon for $12. there were 5 of us and well all ordered the medium cups of ice cream which was more than plenty and we still had almost $5 to spend so we ordered 2 soft drinks and still had money leftover and finally I just told the lady to keep the rest. So that groupon was a super value. So here is the ugly stuff that I did not like about this visit. you must pay for parking! They have no inside seating which I did not know. And I am not sure if there was a special event or if this place is normally this chaotic but it was like a mini carnival all around them. Some horrible karaoke singing. And they do have outdoor tables but people were camped out at them for the duration and were not even eating anything. so we had to go down the street and eat our ice cream on the sidewalk in the blazing heat. I enjoyed my Chocolate Moose ice cream so much better at the drive in theater where they sell it by the pint. People had dogs everywhere and lots of huge dogs who were growling at people which made me uncomfortable with a small 4yr old with me. So if this is how it normally goes down we will just get our ice cream at the Starlight Drive-In next time. And just think college is not even in session right now. then there was the issue of which way the line was to form. people who just walked up after we had been waiting 15 minutes thinking they were going to get in front of us. that didn't happen. Great ice cream, not worth the drama we had to go through to get it. So 5 stars for the ice cream 0 stars for the atmosphere and execution of their services.
(5)
Bre R.
The Chocolate Moose is a Bloomington staple, so much so, that it's hard to find a time in the warmer months when the line isn't discouraging. However, if you're willing to wait through the line (it usually goes pretty quickly), and if you like ice cream, it is likely that you won't be disappointed. I always get the Oreo Blizz - a way better version of a commercial ice cream company's Blizzard.
(4)
Iris T.
I got the chance to visit this place as a quick dessert after brunch. I was on a trip and I wanted to enjoy a little. :) I saw that this place was a place you had to go while in town, so why not? First of all, it's a cute little, old fashioned stand. It doesn't look particularly clean from the outside but the inside looked all right (from what I could see). You walk up to the counter and there are signs with the menu. We got there around noon on a Saturday and there was only one person ahead of us. I sort of wanted to try to cinnamon but my husband didn't really like the idea so we compromised on the Brown County Coffee in a waffle cone (an extra $1) just for that special something. It was pretty big so I'm glad we shared, especially after the meal we had. The ice cream itself was creamy and there was a definite coffee taste. It melted a little fast though, since within 4 steps away, a drop of it dripped on hubby's shoe. The waffle cone was good - not all that sweet and I do love waffle cones. Is it really special? I'm still not sure. It's neat how it keeps that classic feel but I imagine with the lack of seating (especially with how they also serve hot food) and no AC in the summer months, there are some downsides. It does come with a small parking lot, though! The lady behind the counter was nice enough but nothing out there. I felt like she was just doing her job. I may schedule in a second visit to finally try the cinnamon flavor and maybe one other one. My first impression was decent, but no 'wow' factor. I am also intrigued with the Blue Moon but was iffy on the crazy coloring (I'm not all that into artificial colors... or flavors, for that matter). ...But if I'm feeling particularly spontaneous on my next trip, I may add that in as well! After all, I'm on my trip and I don't often get ice cream in a strange shade of bright blue.
(4)
Allison F.
As a huge fan of cinnamon ice cream, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat and evaluate the cinnamon flavor The Chocolate Moose produces. On the car ride over, I asked myself: Would it be sweet, sugary, and loaded with spice? Would it taste better than the milk leftover from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Would this rich, milky frozen confection quickly run down my waffle cone and continue onto my hand, leaving the best kind of sticky mess? Would I find this splurge worth the run I was going to have to do afterwards? Good news, Yelpers: the answer is YES to all the above. (PS - If you want to enhance your ice creaming-eating experience, add a scoop of chocolate for a Mexican hot chocolate-inspired ice cream. Perhaps The Chocolate Moose might want to experiment with that flavor next?)
(4)
Sue Y.
A b-town tradition. Love the grasshopper on waffle cone. The icecream place to go every summer. When I graduate next May, I know I will miss you T-T
(5)
Jillian R.
I absolutely love this place. The homemade ice cream is the best I have ever had! I have tried grasshopper, sweet cinnamon, Brown County coffee, cheesecake, cookie dough and the chocolate peanut butter flavor and they were all amazing. My new favorite go to is the brunette ice cream sandwhich. Two homemade chocolate, chocolate chip cookies with chocolate and vanilla ice cream in between. Huge and delicious. There are so many options and the prices are fair, right on par with Dairy Queen and Jiffy Treat. Every single time I pass this place I have to stop. The long line is always worth the wait!
(5)
Lauren H.
I expected better since this place has a good rating, , but I was incredibly disappointed. Ordered the lemon custard flavor of ice cream. It came out an artificial bright yellow color that looked worse than a highlighter. Since it says "homemade", I might guess that they use turmeric for the coloring, but I couldn't taste anything like that over the horrible flavor. Do you remember powdered Gatorade in the 90's? That's what it tastes like, gross artificial powder. I ended up just throwing it away, caution it stains your lips. I talked to the girl at the counter to see what's up with that wack flavor and she couldn't tell me anything about the recipe. She said she doesn't know anything about it. Having ignorant servers can get you into trouble if someone has a food allergy. Don't believe the hype.
(1)
Charcy L.
their ice cream is reasonable priced, and taste very well, but cookie one is a little bit sweet, so order something else, I think lemon and blue-moon one are the most popular one. Be careful for the wait, they always have long line no matter what the weather is...
(4)
Jamie S.
Best ice cream in Bloomington. You can tell that the ice cream is homemade because it is very creamy and delicious! I recommend getting grasshopper in a waffle cone. Be careful though, once you go here you'll be tempted to come back on a daily basis!
(5)
Jason D.
This place is certainly a Bloomington icon. Not many ice cream places can beat its originality, traditional-feel, and delicious treats of course! There is always a long line, no matter the time (but especially late at night). Their flavors are exceptional, and definitely taste as they are presented. Their pumpkin in the Fall is fantastic- along with all the other seasonal flavors. The place is also much cheaper than your bigger, well-known chains. Give it a chance, and you'll come back for more.
(5)
Sharon P.
This is a great local ice cream place. It's a wonderful place to go on a mild Friday when all of the food wagons are there. You're downtown and usually there is a line.
(3)
Alex S.
The moose horns are delicious (frozen chocolate covered banana, with or without nuts)! Wonderful ice cream. Vegan ice cream is offered as well.
(4)
Lindsey E.
Heard about the place from a few local and decide to check it out. Was not not expecting it to be outside but it was still a pretty nice place. We had the soft serve and will next time get the homemade. The ice cream was creamy and delicious. There was no place to sit but a concrete ledge. The place was very loud and crowded because everyone in town know that the ice cream there is the best. And they will see my face again.
(4)
mike s.
It was ok, but the homeless asking me and my wife for handouts was annoying. I would never go to the place after dark. Crime in that area has gotten worse thanks to the homeless running the community
(2)
Lauren J.
A Bloomington fave for your aching sweet tooth. Fair warning, if you get a classic banana split (my personal pick!) you might be subject to an employee sundae build-off!! Note: this is NEVER a bad thing, who wouldn't want a sky high split??
(5)
Robin K.
Prices are perfect and the perfect place to go with children this summer. So cheap for a meal! Also love that this place is a local establishment.
(4)
Mister M.
You go get your deliciousness and move one with your life. What's not to love about this place?
(5)
Jess M.
Best Frank (that's a hotdog people) in town. Topped with jalapenos, mustard, ketchup and onions for no upcharge. Add a frenchie , basically a sloppy Joe, and medium strawberry cone.. For 6.50$.. Also best in town. No seating is always annoying... But speedy fast even with long lines. Full on 6.50? Great Sunday spot to munch.
(4)
Clare L.
Maybe it was because it was a warm day, but the scoop of grasshopper ice cream I had here was the best ice cream I've ever had. Probably a good thing for my waist line I don't live close to this place. Hidden gem of Bloomington.
(5)
Samantha V.
Seriously the best ice cream in Bloomington. The building may seem dirty or whatever these other reviews say but isn't it better that they pay more attention to their food? I always get a strawberry malt but I've tried almost every homemade flavor and they are all golden. My husband loves the grasshopper ice cream. If you get a cone, get it dipped in chocolate, mmmmmm.
(5)
Jill R.
This little place should be a Bloomington treasure, but the service there just isn't up to par. Everytime I've been there they've either forgotten my order, gotten it wrong, or I've waited 20 minutes for a single scoop of ice cream. That being said - the cookie dough ice cream is pretty good.
(3)
Andrew M.
My favorite Bloomington ice cream place. I remember being a small kid (1970's) and mom taking me here for ice cream. I still love it! Prices are in line with other shops and portions are fair. Skip the chain ice creams and go here.
(5)
Steve S.
How can you not love this place on a Bloomington summer night? An authentic little local place serving great ice cream in seemingly endless forms and varieties.
(5)
Varun C.
It is an awesome place to fulfill your late night sweet tooth cravings. They have a good selection of homemade icecreams which were delicious. The portion sizes for the icecreams were also amazing. Really good value for your money. I just wished they had more flavors. Also the menu was quite confusing we had to keep asking what each item meant.
(4)
Terri W.
We're here from out of town, and spotted Chocolate Moose. Thought it would be great because it looks kind of homey and old-fashioned. Plus, it was busy, which is usually a good sign. I'm sorry to say that my experience was pretty bad, but my husband seemed okay with his. I got a scoop of lemon custard and a scoop of sweet cinnamon in a cup. The cinnamon was good. But that lemon custard? Good gracious, that was nasty, nasty stuff! It tasted EXACTLY like Lemon Pledge furniture polish (or at least, it tasted the way Pledge smells). And the texture was bizarre. Kinda slick, and hard to describe. Plasticky? Teflon-ish? I don't know how to describe it, but it was unlike anything I've ever felt. And that color! There is NO WAY that color occurs naturally. It has to be artificially colored. I didn't see it before it was served to me, otherwise I would have never ordered anything that obviously contains so many chemicals and artificial ingredients. I can only assume that the artificial and chemical ingredients are responsible for that odd texture, too. My husband got a soft-serve style with crushed peanuts. He said it was "fine" (not exactly high praise), but the peanuts were kind of stale. Anyway, although we are here for a week, we won't be back to Chocolate Moose. :-(
(2)
Anna L.
A lit-up shack in a tiny parking lot amidst the construction stands the Chocolate Moose. Clue #1, there's a line outside = it must be good or it's just a hype. Night #1, 2nd after to the "last in line" sign at 9pm - drats I missed out by a millisecond! See, I walk too slow - better off running over there like a kid. I'm pretty sure they'd put a sign that says "No running in the parking lot" after that. Sulking all the way home with no dessert...try again, Day #2 - while everyone's getting lunch, I'm ruining my appetite by getting ice cream. Lovely surprise...the Dole Whip machine is out of order. Compromised and went with a neon yellow lemon custard on a "torch" cone. Ok, I felt stupid - it's not soft serve, and I thought the cup cone was a torch. I think I need a Cone 101 lesson or rather a Chocolate Moose terminology crash course. Blizz, whip, shake, freeze, sundae...torch, sugar, waffle...ahh! Talkiing about brain freeze... Coming out as a C student at the Chocolate Moose, I'll make sure to return for their unique ice cream flavors in a cup cone next time!
(4)
C D.
We stopped by after a day at Monroe Lake and I must say that it was definitely worth the drive! The Chocolate Moose is an ice cream stand - just walk up to the window and order your favorite treat. There is a parking lot beside the building. The staff was very friendly and there were lots of options in the menu (including hot food items, but we were here for the ice cream). They make several flavors each day and were featuring their homemade key lime pie ice cream. Key line pie? In an ice cream? Yes, please! They suggested adding graham cracker crumbs. I also added whipped cream, to get the complete pie treatment. It was amazing! Creamy, tangy, and oh so refreshing. The graham crackers and whipped cream worked well and it highly recommend adding them. Another person ordered a "Blizz" - a thick ice cream with Oreos blended into it, with soft serve as the base (you can choose soft serve, yogurt, or homemade ice cream). He proclaimed it delicious. The final item ordered was a "Blizz" with chocolate homemade ice cream and cookie dough. It had a rich chocolate taste and nice thick consistency. Whenever we can make it to Bloomington, we will definitely stop there again!
(5)
Stephanie C.
The only place I know of that has ice cream which is vegan (and great)! I might be biased just because I like coconut though. My boyfriend and I went there during the summer to get a parfait and a blizz. Almost everything on the menu can be made vegan (and I think there are 4 vegan flavors?), so that was awesome since we could try out more things. The menu is kind of confusing but you can just ask them and they will gladly explain it to you and show you how it will look like. Although, I still think that their menu can be improved on ( maybe using pictures) so it'll be easier for people to order delivery if they didn't know what they were. We had to walk quite a distance to get there but I think that it was worth it in the end!
(4)
Kyle M.
The Moose has been a Bloomington landmark for a long time. Many of us set our calendars by when the Moose opens and closes. Whether that's pm a daily basis or seasonal. Note: limited parking. There has been a lot (A LOT) of construction in the area in recent months (years?) so plan on being a bit away when you park. There is a private lot, but on balmy summer evenings, the line fills the lot, so parking there is a bit of a chore. But for an evening out, a nice stroll, a sweet treat, the Moose can't be beat!
(4)
Aaron W.
In a dusty, construction-ridden corridor of Bloomington lies this steepled oasis. The homemade ice cream is the way to go. Every "ice cream" place has soft serve. This place has the real deal. And it is fantastic. The flavors are imaginative and rich. Everyone seems to like the lemon custard. To me, it tastes like what Lysol smells like. Very fake lemon cleaning solution. Wait, wait! Sorry. Keep reading!! Everything else is spot on and delicious. There, forget what I said about the lemon custard. Everyone else really loves it!
(5)
Nicole W.
New review because this place has changed a lot since a couple years ago. This used to be my all-time favorite ice cream place in Bloomington and with the addition of the yummy vegan options seemed to be on the up-and-up. However, the last few times I've been there, the following things have occurred: - took 20 minutes to receive a Moose Horn (aka chocolate covered banana ... maybe they had to grow the banana?) - received 2 wrong orders - been out of multiple things folks in my party ordered, multiple times - overall abysmal, incompetent service I don't know what happened to the service here but it's gotten REALLY bad. I don't mind waiting in a line if, at the end of it, I receive some ice cream, but strangely enough that keeps not happening here these days.
(2)
Danielle G.
Yum! Local ice cream shop with really good homemade flavors. I love grasshopper (it tastes like a thin mint) on a cone with chocolate cone dip. It's an outdoor stand that doesn't have great seating, but is still a fun place to walk/bike/drive to to grab some ice cream. Support them! :-)
(4)
Joshua C.
I love The Moose! They have wonderful ice cream. I particularly like a Blizz with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream mixed with fresh Bananas. They also have a great Cinnamon flavor. They have some great non-dairy options too. My wife really likes their vegan flavors and enjoy the Dole Whip from time-to-time.
(4)
Mikki L.
A Bloomington classic. I have been coming here since I was a kid. I remember sitting in the back of my Dad's truck on hot summer nights, eating the Moose's bubblegum ice cream while my black lab Lily chowed down on a Frenchie. Although the place has definitely changed over the years and my palate has out outgrown bubblegum ice-cream, the Chocolate Moose remains hands-down the best ice cream place in Bloomington!
(5)
J G.
I had to come back on Sunday because my kids did not want to wait in the 25-30 person line on Sat. night. We all had the homemade ice cream and it was excellent. The cinnamon was especially pungent. The ice cream pricing was reasonable, though the shakes and blizz's are another story. I'll definitely return on my next trip to Bloomington.
(5)
Ōnglaà W.
Great local ice cream shop! Coffee flavor (made with Brown County coffee) is my favorite!
(5)
Jessika G.
So very good. Their vegan ice cream is to die for (except nothing has to die to make vegan ice cream, win win!)
(5)
Shelly V.
Vegan ice cream!!! And it's actually good. I'm not sure how they make it creamy but it is. The only problem here is that the place is painfully slow. I'm not sure if it always is but it was the day we were there and the line wasn't very long.
(4)
Andrea L.
Terrible service. I don't get what all the hype is. It's a dirty little hut that tries to cater to Bloomington's eclectic and veggie side. Are you serious? The wait is usually atrocious. Oh.. And no seating! Not to mention you're right on top of the ghetto. Gross.
(1)
Melinda S.
I have yet to have an ice cream cone, sundae, malt, shake or blizz that I dislike at the Moose. The coneys and spanish burgers are yummy and the prices are great. My favorite flavor is probably the Brown County Coffee, but when they have Peanut Butter Yogurt on tap, it's a close second. I love that old building and standing in line with my dog on a summer night is a family tradition that never gets old, I'm so glad this place is still around!
(5)
Carl G.
The grasshopper ice cream is delicious! Oreo meets mint. The ice cream is pretty good, but I gave it an extra half-star for the ambiance. The perfect small town summer ice cream spot.
(4)
Jon F.
Extremely good ice cream. My dad has been bringing me here since I was very young. My favorites are: Black bean burger Frenchie Chocolate Malt Blizz with carmel, fudge, and M&Ms You can't go wrong. Best ice cream place in the midwest. Easily.
(5)
Jarrod R.
Just visited Chocolate Moose last night with my cousin (who's teaching and working on a Doctorate at IU), better half and my two "blond girls." While I went to school in Bloomington and worked there for a while, Chocolate Moose, sadly, wasn't on my radar like another ice cream place in Bloomington. And while I do love that other place, Chocolate Moose now has a special place in my heart. This is the kind of place I would open were I to have the guts to open an ice cream treat shop. Walk up, order and leave with a delicious frozen treat. And that distinctive, if not a little wacky, pink, brown, white color scheme just adds to the charm of the place. Many happy returns to the Chocolate Moose. As others have said - a Bloomington Institution.
(5)
Andrew R.
Great homemade ice cream! The Chocolate Moose is a nice little place to grab some ice cream. I had the cheesecake and black raspberry ice cream, and it was fantastic. It's not the best ice cream I've ever had in my life, but it's pretty darn good. The people were friendly and helpful. When I went around 9:30pm there was a wait but it was worth it! If you go here, get the homemade ice cream!
(4)
J O.
$5:08 for a small blizzard with stale Oreo's................
This is an ice cream stand with many of their own, home made offerings. You can also get some of the most addicting granola ever made there. Drinks made from ice cream (floats, shakes) are really good. It's a tiny place, and sometimes-- because of its popularity, the lines are long. They have many flavors (try them first if you'd like) and it's a high calorie experience. Bring cash as in dollars & cents, and be prepared to wait. Limited outdoor seating. Very good value and flavors.
(4)
Nancy Q.
Always like support the homemade foods. Certainly no exception for Chocolate Moose. Best sweet treat in Bloomington ~ Romantic in the night .
(5)
David O.
This is the best ice cream place. They've just rolled out a new flavor called Moose Dream and it is LIGHTS OUT. Peanut butter, Moose chocolate, and peanut butter cups. Worth the long lines, worth waiting for the newbs to figure out what to order, worth the road construction on Walnut. LIGHTS OUT MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. Lights. Out.
(5)
Caitlin P.
I'd have a scoop of the grasshopper any day of the week.
(4)
MsAnthro P.
I feel like chiming in to obscure the prior review saying this ice cream doesn't taste good. Because, yes, it does. At least the handmade ice cream, which is all I ever order, is fantastic. I've tried several flavors and it's delicious REAL ice cream. I still have nostalgia for CM's days as the Penguin. Is it worth the often crazy wait in line required to get it? I'm not so sure. But I'd go here before I'd go to any other local ice cream shop. (And Charlton C.: Just because it's an A-frame doesn't mean it was ever a Weinerschnitzel. It's been an ice cream stand since 1933.)
(4)
Jonny S.
This is a B-town institution. Thanks to the folks who bought it from the previous owners and saved it from closing down. The homemade ice-cream is the best. The service is always friendly and fun. You can't beat the atmosphere. They do accept plastic now, and are making some other changes like ice-cream cakes and are building some indoor seating in the building next door. Noticed they were open for the season last week and had to stop, and even though it was freezing we weren't the only ones who had the same idea. Oh, and fun fact, they catered the ice at our wedding ;) Everytime I pass Dairy Queen on my way home from The Chocolate Moose I want to stop and ask the customers what the heck they were thinking?
(5)
David V.
I love this place and the variety of their menu. Its also a plus that its locally owned. It actually closed down a few years ago but someone missed it enough to buy it and reopen it. The only downside is there is almost always a HUGE line. Little kids can get a torch cone with candy eyeballs for $0.50. During the summer they often have a movie projected on the building next door which gives you something to do during your wait. I also suggest walking over to 3rd st. park after you get your favorite treat.
(4)
Jenn H.
Excellent homemade ice cream. I had the Chocolate Dream and my hubby got the black raspberry and both were delicious. Prices are reasonable for the size of scoop we received. How had I not discovered this ice cream stand in my previous trips to bloomington?
(4)
Jeff L.
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream...and at the Chocolate Moose, you'll find that EVERYONE gives it five stars. It's a Bloomington tradition that one must experience to understand. TCM is a shack - actually an itty-bitty shack with a walk-up window and they only take cash. On a warm evening, the line stretches thru the parking lot - but it moves fast and everyone waits with happy anticipation. It's small-town goodness in every way. You'll not find a menu with 700 flavors and toppings - this isn't Baskin Robbins. The traditional favorites are available, and it's all you need because they're so good. Mix the great treats with the ambiance (yes I choose to use the word ambiance to describe a parking lot and melting ice cream dripping on your hands) - and it's a perfect combo. Might a recommend the soft-serve swirl cone? Go here. Wait in the parking lot. You'll find it worth the effort!!!!
(5)
Jon A.
Drenched in sweat I was transported to Swiss lake-side pastures on one hot summer night in Indiana, and it was due to the Chocolate Moose (oh and that being transported thing...is a really, really good thing). Note: Cash Only Note: Window service guy made me feel really good about my order (key part of serving up indulgent treats). I don't mind the challenge of eating my ice cream cone quickly because it's melting in the summer heat; at least a Chocolate Moose cone because it's daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn good, damn relentless, damn dream-y. My lemon custard was brighter than your little brother's neon flannel. No joke (check the photos). Don't ask me, or them, how it got that bright (if you do ask...you'll have a good laugh with them about it though). The brightness of the custard was just representative to how bright my insides felt that I was taking in such goodness. The Chocolate Moose is a revival of childhood. Every Day. For Everyone. O, if you're suffering from Choice Fatigue..yeah they have chocolate or vanilla but man, the choices here are beautiful, and interesting (grasshopper milkshake?). OK!
(5)
Anna W.
I usually don't like to like places that everyone else likes. I admitted it. But, I actually do like chocolate moose. Their black raspberry ice cream is really, really good, which always wins my heart. I was a little bummed the vegan grasshopper and peanut butter flavors were out, but I guess I'll just have to go back.
(5)
KJ M.
... AND I've just found out that the "eyeballs" you can get added to your cone are vegan! #isitcreepytobeveganandeatsomethingwitheyes #noooooo
(5)
Bri C.
I mostly love chocolate moose! My favorite homemades are cinnamon and grasshopper! I tend to get a blizz and mix in some items as well. The lines can be a huge turn off and it's a bit expensive-overall a good place to try!
(4)
Amanda F.
The best hand dipped ice cream I've ever eaten. The grasshopper anything is the way to go if you like mint chocolate chip!!!
(5)
Katie B.
They have vegan ice cream now - kudos to the management for that addition!
(5)
Ellie C.
Their homemade ice cream is the best in town, rich and creamy and well, kind of like the ice cream that you dream about. When you're waiting in the line, which can get a little bit long, even at night or when the weather is long, you know that it is always worth it. The other treats are nice-- dole whip is worth a try, and kudos for all the vegan options. Also, I'm pretty sure the whipped cream is homemade, and if that's not reason enough to go there... well, I don't know what is.
(5)
Barbie W.
Best Ice Cream in town!! The line is usually long but it's worth the wait!!
(5)
Jennifer P.
Good ol' soft serve ice cream. It is real ice cream. It's simple, classic. I love it, and always have to go when I am home visiting. I now live in the San Francisco area and my boyfriend and I are known to bitch among ourselves that there are no ice cream places out here like in the Midwest...like The Chocolate Moose. The lines can get crazy long, but the service is fast and friendly. The only time I didn't like it was when I ordered a cherry chip milk shake and the cherry chips were a little waxy and overwhelming. Just a matter of personal preference. I moved to Bloomington in 1977, and never remember this place being anything but ice cream stand. But, I think it might have been called The Penguin until the 1980s, maybe? Maybe not.
(5)
Katie B.
Pretty good homemade ice cream but the long wait in a parking lot just wasn't worth it to me. The best flavor I've tried is vanilla. Cookie dough was so-so. The key lime pie ice cream was way too sour.
(3)
Kira B.
What's with all these reviews? Sure, the place is cute and retro, and it's fun to watch the old kids' movies they project on the wall, but guys? The ice cream doesn't taste good! Sure, mediocre ice cream is better than no ice cream, and I've made my share of trips here in the summer heat. But why not just go to Hartzell's? Much tastier.
(2)
Charlton C.
Yep this is some good ice cream. Best in Bloomington for sure. Run out of an old Wienerschnitzel building (look it up) it serves good ice cream to the queuing masses. Come there on a Friday or Saturday you can watch a movie on the wall across from the order window. Last time they had WALL-E and I swear I saw a few fraternity guys crying. Go, it's pretty cheap and ice cream is always good. PS: They serve food, though I'm somewhat dubious about that.
(4)
Whryne R.
I generally avoid ice cream shops. I'm a big girl. I don't need the drama. So admittedly Chocolate Moose hasn't seen much of me. But they have this one treat...the dole whip. It usually comes in fruity flavors and my fave is the pineapple. One day one of my favorite children is going to be just about to fall down a flight of stairs and on the other side will be someone holding out a delicious mound of that delicious pineapple dole whip and I'm sorry to say that I'll be pushing my child in a wheelchair for eight weeks because that stuff is just *that* good. The lines outside this place can get cray cray especially during the HEAT of the summer. The insane construction on Walnut makes it difficult to just *pop* into but there are sneaky ninja ways of getting your fix. I recommend that you do!
(5)
Karli S.
This place is amazing....amazing. Default orders: Oreo blizz with extra Oreo and a top off Grasshopper Blizz with extra Oreo and a top off
(5)
Chris W.
One word: "Amazing" Their homemade ice cream is better than any other shoppe I've been at!
(5)
Justin O.
The vegan ice cream here is the best, strawberry in a waffle cone after a veggie bean burger... Mmmmmmmmm.
(5)
Pamela S.
It wasn't till my Junior year that I uncover one of Bloomington's gem *drumrolls* Chocolate Moose! I admit, I was a little slow... but trust me all the reviews of being transported and the stories of floating on clouds are true, esp on a hot summer day! My favorite flavor is Black Raspberry!!! Everyone I introduced the flavor to, loves it, even my mom who is from the 2 continents away :) Although there is no designated sitting place, its nice to sit at one of the stone benches and dog/people watch while experiencing the bliss of cold ice cream in 90 degrees heat! Btw, I am not too sure that it is cash only, as I always used my credit card to pay. However, there are a couple of visits where their credit card machine was down.
(5)
Roy H.
The homemade flavors are delicious and the portions are large. There is always a good variety and the friendly staff is happy to let you try flavors until you find what you like.
(5)
Dea A.
I adore this place. It's so uniquely Midwestern. The grasshopper milkshakes are really tasty. And the dipped in chocolate cone is on par with Dairy Queen -- neither good nor bad, but who cares? It's satisfying! CASH ONLY!
(4)
Alyce M.
Vegan ice "cream" rocks big time! It is so delicious. Thank you, Chocolate Moose. It's why I (and my dog) keep coming back. I hope even non-vegans will try it, and see there are delicious alternatives to dairy products.
(5)
Becky R.
All my love! No Bloomington summer is complete without the Chocolate Moose. Try a chocolate milkshake (I get mine with peanut butter in it)!
(5)
Bloom B.
SO in love with this place! The Moose Horn - a frozen banana dipped in chocolate - and the freezes - ice cream blended with soda - are both absolute perfection. Seriously impressed by the Moose, and the projected movies on the weekends are a cute bonus.
(5)
Bobby S.
Great Ice Cream (and VEGAN option :)) but crappy service. Maybe it was just the night, but just be nice.
(2)
L'Raughn H.
Everything is AWESOME. Best chocolate malts ever.
(5)
Leigh H.
Really gone down hill this season. Whipped creme machine gone. Really bad service.... got orders all wrong. Seems like the ingredients are a really low quality. Not the same for sure. So sad.
(2)
Angela M.
Great variety of flavors and toppings. The twinkle coat is to die for! The owner and staff was very friendly and I'll definitely visit again!
(5)
Matt F.
Get the Moose Horn.
(4)
Colleen M.
Good local ice-cream, but try to go when there's not a line... almost impossible, but it's crazy!!! I mean I think this is good ice cream and its a fun random place, but seriously not sure its worth quite the crowd it gets... I know all of you are going to hate me for saying so, but its seriously long!!
(4)
elizabeth b.
How do I love thee? Let me count the blizzes. GOD, I love the Moose. Please may it remain open forever so that we may have the ice cream we crave. This year my biggest delight was the homemade peanut butter frozen yogurt with a brownie stir-in. OK, I'm salivating. But the main things you need to know if you haven't been here are: if it's warm weather, you should spend some time watching the people. This is a classic joint, and it's fun to listen to the radio and watch the college kids and the little kids and the random biker and whoever else shows up. And the other main thing is: ditch your diet. Oh, and try the rotating flavors of homemade ice cream and/or yogurt. (You can always take a cookie-and-ice-cream sandwich home for second dessert--c'mon, you deserve it.)
(5)
Emily W.
Best ice cream ever. My favorite is lemon custard. So delicious.
(5)
Ryan B.
Only been here once, but I thought it was good. They have alot of flavors, and the vibe is A+.
(4)
Neena S.
The Chocolate Moose is a very special place. Owner Tim's homemade Moose Chocolate is an exceptional ice cream: soft, rich, lots of flavor, comparable to gelati found in expensive big city boutique ice cream stores. Other fine flavors are Italian Lemon Ice and Grasshopper. Then there are all the soft-serve possible combinations and the sprinkles and dips and eyes. The Moose just does it right, which is maybe why the line is across the parking lot on summer evenings.
(4)
Kerry T.
Only one word can describe this place. AWESOME. Great prices and great milk shakes. After flying to Indiana from California, my friend took us to this great place. Who'd thought that such a little place can bring so many ice cream options and people(long lines). If anyone has chance, visit this place and have have an AWESOME time and make sure to order a milkshake.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dessert Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
John W.
ok so we finally went here this past Friday night for the first time in person. So the ice cream gets a solid 5 stars. and we had bought a $20 groupon for $12. there were 5 of us and well all ordered the medium cups of ice cream which was more than plenty and we still had almost $5 to spend so we ordered 2 soft drinks and still had money leftover and finally I just told the lady to keep the rest. So that groupon was a super value. So here is the ugly stuff that I did not like about this visit. you must pay for parking! They have no inside seating which I did not know. And I am not sure if there was a special event or if this place is normally this chaotic but it was like a mini carnival all around them. Some horrible karaoke singing. And they do have outdoor tables but people were camped out at them for the duration and were not even eating anything. so we had to go down the street and eat our ice cream on the sidewalk in the blazing heat. I enjoyed my Chocolate Moose ice cream so much better at the drive in theater where they sell it by the pint. People had dogs everywhere and lots of huge dogs who were growling at people which made me uncomfortable with a small 4yr old with me. So if this is how it normally goes down we will just get our ice cream at the Starlight Drive-In next time. And just think college is not even in session right now. then there was the issue of which way the line was to form. people who just walked up after we had been waiting 15 minutes thinking they were going to get in front of us. that didn't happen. Great ice cream, not worth the drama we had to go through to get it. So 5 stars for the ice cream 0 stars for the atmosphere and execution of their services.
(5)Bre R.
The Chocolate Moose is a Bloomington staple, so much so, that it's hard to find a time in the warmer months when the line isn't discouraging. However, if you're willing to wait through the line (it usually goes pretty quickly), and if you like ice cream, it is likely that you won't be disappointed. I always get the Oreo Blizz - a way better version of a commercial ice cream company's Blizzard.
(4)Iris T.
I got the chance to visit this place as a quick dessert after brunch. I was on a trip and I wanted to enjoy a little. :) I saw that this place was a place you had to go while in town, so why not? First of all, it's a cute little, old fashioned stand. It doesn't look particularly clean from the outside but the inside looked all right (from what I could see). You walk up to the counter and there are signs with the menu. We got there around noon on a Saturday and there was only one person ahead of us. I sort of wanted to try to cinnamon but my husband didn't really like the idea so we compromised on the Brown County Coffee in a waffle cone (an extra $1) just for that special something. It was pretty big so I'm glad we shared, especially after the meal we had. The ice cream itself was creamy and there was a definite coffee taste. It melted a little fast though, since within 4 steps away, a drop of it dripped on hubby's shoe. The waffle cone was good - not all that sweet and I do love waffle cones. Is it really special? I'm still not sure. It's neat how it keeps that classic feel but I imagine with the lack of seating (especially with how they also serve hot food) and no AC in the summer months, there are some downsides. It does come with a small parking lot, though! The lady behind the counter was nice enough but nothing out there. I felt like she was just doing her job. I may schedule in a second visit to finally try the cinnamon flavor and maybe one other one. My first impression was decent, but no 'wow' factor. I am also intrigued with the Blue Moon but was iffy on the crazy coloring (I'm not all that into artificial colors... or flavors, for that matter). ...But if I'm feeling particularly spontaneous on my next trip, I may add that in as well! After all, I'm on my trip and I don't often get ice cream in a strange shade of bright blue.
(4)Allison F.
As a huge fan of cinnamon ice cream, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat and evaluate the cinnamon flavor The Chocolate Moose produces. On the car ride over, I asked myself: Would it be sweet, sugary, and loaded with spice? Would it taste better than the milk leftover from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Would this rich, milky frozen confection quickly run down my waffle cone and continue onto my hand, leaving the best kind of sticky mess? Would I find this splurge worth the run I was going to have to do afterwards? Good news, Yelpers: the answer is YES to all the above. (PS - If you want to enhance your ice creaming-eating experience, add a scoop of chocolate for a Mexican hot chocolate-inspired ice cream. Perhaps The Chocolate Moose might want to experiment with that flavor next?)
(4)Sue Y.
A b-town tradition. Love the grasshopper on waffle cone. The icecream place to go every summer. When I graduate next May, I know I will miss you T-T
(5)Jillian R.
I absolutely love this place. The homemade ice cream is the best I have ever had! I have tried grasshopper, sweet cinnamon, Brown County coffee, cheesecake, cookie dough and the chocolate peanut butter flavor and they were all amazing. My new favorite go to is the brunette ice cream sandwhich. Two homemade chocolate, chocolate chip cookies with chocolate and vanilla ice cream in between. Huge and delicious. There are so many options and the prices are fair, right on par with Dairy Queen and Jiffy Treat. Every single time I pass this place I have to stop. The long line is always worth the wait!
(5)Lauren H.
I expected better since this place has a good rating, , but I was incredibly disappointed. Ordered the lemon custard flavor of ice cream. It came out an artificial bright yellow color that looked worse than a highlighter. Since it says "homemade", I might guess that they use turmeric for the coloring, but I couldn't taste anything like that over the horrible flavor. Do you remember powdered Gatorade in the 90's? That's what it tastes like, gross artificial powder. I ended up just throwing it away, caution it stains your lips. I talked to the girl at the counter to see what's up with that wack flavor and she couldn't tell me anything about the recipe. She said she doesn't know anything about it. Having ignorant servers can get you into trouble if someone has a food allergy. Don't believe the hype.
(1)Charcy L.
their ice cream is reasonable priced, and taste very well, but cookie one is a little bit sweet, so order something else, I think lemon and blue-moon one are the most popular one. Be careful for the wait, they always have long line no matter what the weather is...
(4)Jamie S.
Best ice cream in Bloomington. You can tell that the ice cream is homemade because it is very creamy and delicious! I recommend getting grasshopper in a waffle cone. Be careful though, once you go here you'll be tempted to come back on a daily basis!
(5)Jason D.
This place is certainly a Bloomington icon. Not many ice cream places can beat its originality, traditional-feel, and delicious treats of course! There is always a long line, no matter the time (but especially late at night). Their flavors are exceptional, and definitely taste as they are presented. Their pumpkin in the Fall is fantastic- along with all the other seasonal flavors. The place is also much cheaper than your bigger, well-known chains. Give it a chance, and you'll come back for more.
(5)Sharon P.
This is a great local ice cream place. It's a wonderful place to go on a mild Friday when all of the food wagons are there. You're downtown and usually there is a line.
(3)Alex S.
The moose horns are delicious (frozen chocolate covered banana, with or without nuts)! Wonderful ice cream. Vegan ice cream is offered as well.
(4)Lindsey E.
Heard about the place from a few local and decide to check it out. Was not not expecting it to be outside but it was still a pretty nice place. We had the soft serve and will next time get the homemade. The ice cream was creamy and delicious. There was no place to sit but a concrete ledge. The place was very loud and crowded because everyone in town know that the ice cream there is the best. And they will see my face again.
(4)mike s.
It was ok, but the homeless asking me and my wife for handouts was annoying. I would never go to the place after dark. Crime in that area has gotten worse thanks to the homeless running the community
(2)Lauren J.
A Bloomington fave for your aching sweet tooth. Fair warning, if you get a classic banana split (my personal pick!) you might be subject to an employee sundae build-off!! Note: this is NEVER a bad thing, who wouldn't want a sky high split??
(5)Robin K.
Prices are perfect and the perfect place to go with children this summer. So cheap for a meal! Also love that this place is a local establishment.
(4)Mister M.
You go get your deliciousness and move one with your life. What's not to love about this place?
(5)Jess M.
Best Frank (that's a hotdog people) in town. Topped with jalapenos, mustard, ketchup and onions for no upcharge. Add a frenchie , basically a sloppy Joe, and medium strawberry cone.. For 6.50$.. Also best in town. No seating is always annoying... But speedy fast even with long lines. Full on 6.50? Great Sunday spot to munch.
(4)Clare L.
Maybe it was because it was a warm day, but the scoop of grasshopper ice cream I had here was the best ice cream I've ever had. Probably a good thing for my waist line I don't live close to this place. Hidden gem of Bloomington.
(5)Samantha V.
Seriously the best ice cream in Bloomington. The building may seem dirty or whatever these other reviews say but isn't it better that they pay more attention to their food? I always get a strawberry malt but I've tried almost every homemade flavor and they are all golden. My husband loves the grasshopper ice cream. If you get a cone, get it dipped in chocolate, mmmmmm.
(5)Jill R.
This little place should be a Bloomington treasure, but the service there just isn't up to par. Everytime I've been there they've either forgotten my order, gotten it wrong, or I've waited 20 minutes for a single scoop of ice cream. That being said - the cookie dough ice cream is pretty good.
(3)Andrew M.
My favorite Bloomington ice cream place. I remember being a small kid (1970's) and mom taking me here for ice cream. I still love it! Prices are in line with other shops and portions are fair. Skip the chain ice creams and go here.
(5)Steve S.
How can you not love this place on a Bloomington summer night? An authentic little local place serving great ice cream in seemingly endless forms and varieties.
(5)Varun C.
It is an awesome place to fulfill your late night sweet tooth cravings. They have a good selection of homemade icecreams which were delicious. The portion sizes for the icecreams were also amazing. Really good value for your money. I just wished they had more flavors. Also the menu was quite confusing we had to keep asking what each item meant.
(4)Terri W.
We're here from out of town, and spotted Chocolate Moose. Thought it would be great because it looks kind of homey and old-fashioned. Plus, it was busy, which is usually a good sign. I'm sorry to say that my experience was pretty bad, but my husband seemed okay with his. I got a scoop of lemon custard and a scoop of sweet cinnamon in a cup. The cinnamon was good. But that lemon custard? Good gracious, that was nasty, nasty stuff! It tasted EXACTLY like Lemon Pledge furniture polish (or at least, it tasted the way Pledge smells). And the texture was bizarre. Kinda slick, and hard to describe. Plasticky? Teflon-ish? I don't know how to describe it, but it was unlike anything I've ever felt. And that color! There is NO WAY that color occurs naturally. It has to be artificially colored. I didn't see it before it was served to me, otherwise I would have never ordered anything that obviously contains so many chemicals and artificial ingredients. I can only assume that the artificial and chemical ingredients are responsible for that odd texture, too. My husband got a soft-serve style with crushed peanuts. He said it was "fine" (not exactly high praise), but the peanuts were kind of stale. Anyway, although we are here for a week, we won't be back to Chocolate Moose. :-(
(2)Anna L.
A lit-up shack in a tiny parking lot amidst the construction stands the Chocolate Moose. Clue #1, there's a line outside = it must be good or it's just a hype. Night #1, 2nd after to the "last in line" sign at 9pm - drats I missed out by a millisecond! See, I walk too slow - better off running over there like a kid. I'm pretty sure they'd put a sign that says "No running in the parking lot" after that. Sulking all the way home with no dessert...try again, Day #2 - while everyone's getting lunch, I'm ruining my appetite by getting ice cream. Lovely surprise...the Dole Whip machine is out of order. Compromised and went with a neon yellow lemon custard on a "torch" cone. Ok, I felt stupid - it's not soft serve, and I thought the cup cone was a torch. I think I need a Cone 101 lesson or rather a Chocolate Moose terminology crash course. Blizz, whip, shake, freeze, sundae...torch, sugar, waffle...ahh! Talkiing about brain freeze... Coming out as a C student at the Chocolate Moose, I'll make sure to return for their unique ice cream flavors in a cup cone next time!
(4)C D.
We stopped by after a day at Monroe Lake and I must say that it was definitely worth the drive! The Chocolate Moose is an ice cream stand - just walk up to the window and order your favorite treat. There is a parking lot beside the building. The staff was very friendly and there were lots of options in the menu (including hot food items, but we were here for the ice cream). They make several flavors each day and were featuring their homemade key lime pie ice cream. Key line pie? In an ice cream? Yes, please! They suggested adding graham cracker crumbs. I also added whipped cream, to get the complete pie treatment. It was amazing! Creamy, tangy, and oh so refreshing. The graham crackers and whipped cream worked well and it highly recommend adding them. Another person ordered a "Blizz" - a thick ice cream with Oreos blended into it, with soft serve as the base (you can choose soft serve, yogurt, or homemade ice cream). He proclaimed it delicious. The final item ordered was a "Blizz" with chocolate homemade ice cream and cookie dough. It had a rich chocolate taste and nice thick consistency. Whenever we can make it to Bloomington, we will definitely stop there again!
(5)Stephanie C.
The only place I know of that has ice cream which is vegan (and great)! I might be biased just because I like coconut though. My boyfriend and I went there during the summer to get a parfait and a blizz. Almost everything on the menu can be made vegan (and I think there are 4 vegan flavors?), so that was awesome since we could try out more things. The menu is kind of confusing but you can just ask them and they will gladly explain it to you and show you how it will look like. Although, I still think that their menu can be improved on ( maybe using pictures) so it'll be easier for people to order delivery if they didn't know what they were. We had to walk quite a distance to get there but I think that it was worth it in the end!
(4)Kyle M.
The Moose has been a Bloomington landmark for a long time. Many of us set our calendars by when the Moose opens and closes. Whether that's pm a daily basis or seasonal. Note: limited parking. There has been a lot (A LOT) of construction in the area in recent months (years?) so plan on being a bit away when you park. There is a private lot, but on balmy summer evenings, the line fills the lot, so parking there is a bit of a chore. But for an evening out, a nice stroll, a sweet treat, the Moose can't be beat!
(4)Aaron W.
In a dusty, construction-ridden corridor of Bloomington lies this steepled oasis. The homemade ice cream is the way to go. Every "ice cream" place has soft serve. This place has the real deal. And it is fantastic. The flavors are imaginative and rich. Everyone seems to like the lemon custard. To me, it tastes like what Lysol smells like. Very fake lemon cleaning solution. Wait, wait! Sorry. Keep reading!! Everything else is spot on and delicious. There, forget what I said about the lemon custard. Everyone else really loves it!
(5)Nicole W.
New review because this place has changed a lot since a couple years ago. This used to be my all-time favorite ice cream place in Bloomington and with the addition of the yummy vegan options seemed to be on the up-and-up. However, the last few times I've been there, the following things have occurred: - took 20 minutes to receive a Moose Horn (aka chocolate covered banana ... maybe they had to grow the banana?) - received 2 wrong orders - been out of multiple things folks in my party ordered, multiple times - overall abysmal, incompetent service I don't know what happened to the service here but it's gotten REALLY bad. I don't mind waiting in a line if, at the end of it, I receive some ice cream, but strangely enough that keeps not happening here these days.
(2)Danielle G.
Yum! Local ice cream shop with really good homemade flavors. I love grasshopper (it tastes like a thin mint) on a cone with chocolate cone dip. It's an outdoor stand that doesn't have great seating, but is still a fun place to walk/bike/drive to to grab some ice cream. Support them! :-)
(4)Joshua C.
I love The Moose! They have wonderful ice cream. I particularly like a Blizz with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream mixed with fresh Bananas. They also have a great Cinnamon flavor. They have some great non-dairy options too. My wife really likes their vegan flavors and enjoy the Dole Whip from time-to-time.
(4)Mikki L.
A Bloomington classic. I have been coming here since I was a kid. I remember sitting in the back of my Dad's truck on hot summer nights, eating the Moose's bubblegum ice cream while my black lab Lily chowed down on a Frenchie. Although the place has definitely changed over the years and my palate has out outgrown bubblegum ice-cream, the Chocolate Moose remains hands-down the best ice cream place in Bloomington!
(5)J G.
I had to come back on Sunday because my kids did not want to wait in the 25-30 person line on Sat. night. We all had the homemade ice cream and it was excellent. The cinnamon was especially pungent. The ice cream pricing was reasonable, though the shakes and blizz's are another story. I'll definitely return on my next trip to Bloomington.
(5)Ōnglaà W.
Great local ice cream shop! Coffee flavor (made with Brown County coffee) is my favorite!
(5)Jessika G.
So very good. Their vegan ice cream is to die for (except nothing has to die to make vegan ice cream, win win!)
(5)Shelly V.
Vegan ice cream!!! And it's actually good. I'm not sure how they make it creamy but it is. The only problem here is that the place is painfully slow. I'm not sure if it always is but it was the day we were there and the line wasn't very long.
(4)Andrea L.
Terrible service. I don't get what all the hype is. It's a dirty little hut that tries to cater to Bloomington's eclectic and veggie side. Are you serious? The wait is usually atrocious. Oh.. And no seating! Not to mention you're right on top of the ghetto. Gross.
(1)Melinda S.
I have yet to have an ice cream cone, sundae, malt, shake or blizz that I dislike at the Moose. The coneys and spanish burgers are yummy and the prices are great. My favorite flavor is probably the Brown County Coffee, but when they have Peanut Butter Yogurt on tap, it's a close second. I love that old building and standing in line with my dog on a summer night is a family tradition that never gets old, I'm so glad this place is still around!
(5)Carl G.
The grasshopper ice cream is delicious! Oreo meets mint. The ice cream is pretty good, but I gave it an extra half-star for the ambiance. The perfect small town summer ice cream spot.
(4)Jon F.
Extremely good ice cream. My dad has been bringing me here since I was very young. My favorites are: Black bean burger Frenchie Chocolate Malt Blizz with carmel, fudge, and M&Ms You can't go wrong. Best ice cream place in the midwest. Easily.
(5)Jarrod R.
Just visited Chocolate Moose last night with my cousin (who's teaching and working on a Doctorate at IU), better half and my two "blond girls." While I went to school in Bloomington and worked there for a while, Chocolate Moose, sadly, wasn't on my radar like another ice cream place in Bloomington. And while I do love that other place, Chocolate Moose now has a special place in my heart. This is the kind of place I would open were I to have the guts to open an ice cream treat shop. Walk up, order and leave with a delicious frozen treat. And that distinctive, if not a little wacky, pink, brown, white color scheme just adds to the charm of the place. Many happy returns to the Chocolate Moose. As others have said - a Bloomington Institution.
(5)Andrew R.
Great homemade ice cream! The Chocolate Moose is a nice little place to grab some ice cream. I had the cheesecake and black raspberry ice cream, and it was fantastic. It's not the best ice cream I've ever had in my life, but it's pretty darn good. The people were friendly and helpful. When I went around 9:30pm there was a wait but it was worth it! If you go here, get the homemade ice cream!
(4)J O.
$5:08 for a small blizzard with stale Oreo's................
(1)Tiffany H.
Awful awful awful. I didn't find this place to be good at all. It had ice chunks blended in with my dessert and the flavor wasn't right. My fiancé and our two friends all thought this was a total miss. It was frozen and that was just about the only thing they got right here. It also took FOREVER to order and then waited even longer for our orders. The line wasn't very long and it was a summer night on the weekend, but there really shouldn't have been a hold up. Scoop and serve. Back in Texas, frozen custard, ice cream, and frozen yogurt are staples and this place really just didn't meet my standards. The search for good frozen treats will continue.
(1)Tom H.
This is an ice cream stand with many of their own, home made offerings. You can also get some of the most addicting granola ever made there. Drinks made from ice cream (floats, shakes) are really good. It's a tiny place, and sometimes-- because of its popularity, the lines are long. They have many flavors (try them first if you'd like) and it's a high calorie experience. Bring cash as in dollars & cents, and be prepared to wait. Limited outdoor seating. Very good value and flavors.
(4)Nancy Q.
Always like support the homemade foods. Certainly no exception for Chocolate Moose. Best sweet treat in Bloomington ~ Romantic in the night .
(5)David O.
This is the best ice cream place. They've just rolled out a new flavor called Moose Dream and it is LIGHTS OUT. Peanut butter, Moose chocolate, and peanut butter cups. Worth the long lines, worth waiting for the newbs to figure out what to order, worth the road construction on Walnut. LIGHTS OUT MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. Lights. Out.
(5)Caitlin P.
I'd have a scoop of the grasshopper any day of the week.
(4)MsAnthro P.
I feel like chiming in to obscure the prior review saying this ice cream doesn't taste good. Because, yes, it does. At least the handmade ice cream, which is all I ever order, is fantastic. I've tried several flavors and it's delicious REAL ice cream. I still have nostalgia for CM's days as the Penguin. Is it worth the often crazy wait in line required to get it? I'm not so sure. But I'd go here before I'd go to any other local ice cream shop. (And Charlton C.: Just because it's an A-frame doesn't mean it was ever a Weinerschnitzel. It's been an ice cream stand since 1933.)
(4)Jonny S.
This is a B-town institution. Thanks to the folks who bought it from the previous owners and saved it from closing down. The homemade ice-cream is the best. The service is always friendly and fun. You can't beat the atmosphere. They do accept plastic now, and are making some other changes like ice-cream cakes and are building some indoor seating in the building next door. Noticed they were open for the season last week and had to stop, and even though it was freezing we weren't the only ones who had the same idea. Oh, and fun fact, they catered the ice at our wedding ;) Everytime I pass Dairy Queen on my way home from The Chocolate Moose I want to stop and ask the customers what the heck they were thinking?
(5)David V.
I love this place and the variety of their menu. Its also a plus that its locally owned. It actually closed down a few years ago but someone missed it enough to buy it and reopen it. The only downside is there is almost always a HUGE line. Little kids can get a torch cone with candy eyeballs for $0.50. During the summer they often have a movie projected on the building next door which gives you something to do during your wait. I also suggest walking over to 3rd st. park after you get your favorite treat.
(4)Jenn H.
Excellent homemade ice cream. I had the Chocolate Dream and my hubby got the black raspberry and both were delicious. Prices are reasonable for the size of scoop we received. How had I not discovered this ice cream stand in my previous trips to bloomington?
(4)Jeff L.
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream...and at the Chocolate Moose, you'll find that EVERYONE gives it five stars. It's a Bloomington tradition that one must experience to understand. TCM is a shack - actually an itty-bitty shack with a walk-up window and they only take cash. On a warm evening, the line stretches thru the parking lot - but it moves fast and everyone waits with happy anticipation. It's small-town goodness in every way. You'll not find a menu with 700 flavors and toppings - this isn't Baskin Robbins. The traditional favorites are available, and it's all you need because they're so good. Mix the great treats with the ambiance (yes I choose to use the word ambiance to describe a parking lot and melting ice cream dripping on your hands) - and it's a perfect combo. Might a recommend the soft-serve swirl cone? Go here. Wait in the parking lot. You'll find it worth the effort!!!!
(5)Jon A.
Drenched in sweat I was transported to Swiss lake-side pastures on one hot summer night in Indiana, and it was due to the Chocolate Moose (oh and that being transported thing...is a really, really good thing). Note: Cash Only Note: Window service guy made me feel really good about my order (key part of serving up indulgent treats). I don't mind the challenge of eating my ice cream cone quickly because it's melting in the summer heat; at least a Chocolate Moose cone because it's daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn good, damn relentless, damn dream-y. My lemon custard was brighter than your little brother's neon flannel. No joke (check the photos). Don't ask me, or them, how it got that bright (if you do ask...you'll have a good laugh with them about it though). The brightness of the custard was just representative to how bright my insides felt that I was taking in such goodness. The Chocolate Moose is a revival of childhood. Every Day. For Everyone. O, if you're suffering from Choice Fatigue..yeah they have chocolate or vanilla but man, the choices here are beautiful, and interesting (grasshopper milkshake?). OK!
(5)Anna W.
I usually don't like to like places that everyone else likes. I admitted it. But, I actually do like chocolate moose. Their black raspberry ice cream is really, really good, which always wins my heart. I was a little bummed the vegan grasshopper and peanut butter flavors were out, but I guess I'll just have to go back.
(5)KJ M.
... AND I've just found out that the "eyeballs" you can get added to your cone are vegan! #isitcreepytobeveganandeatsomethingwitheyes #noooooo
(5)Bri C.
I mostly love chocolate moose! My favorite homemades are cinnamon and grasshopper! I tend to get a blizz and mix in some items as well. The lines can be a huge turn off and it's a bit expensive-overall a good place to try!
(4)Amanda F.
The best hand dipped ice cream I've ever eaten. The grasshopper anything is the way to go if you like mint chocolate chip!!!
(5)Katie B.
They have vegan ice cream now - kudos to the management for that addition!
(5)Ellie C.
Their homemade ice cream is the best in town, rich and creamy and well, kind of like the ice cream that you dream about. When you're waiting in the line, which can get a little bit long, even at night or when the weather is long, you know that it is always worth it. The other treats are nice-- dole whip is worth a try, and kudos for all the vegan options. Also, I'm pretty sure the whipped cream is homemade, and if that's not reason enough to go there... well, I don't know what is.
(5)Barbie W.
Best Ice Cream in town!! The line is usually long but it's worth the wait!!
(5)Jennifer P.
Good ol' soft serve ice cream. It is real ice cream. It's simple, classic. I love it, and always have to go when I am home visiting. I now live in the San Francisco area and my boyfriend and I are known to bitch among ourselves that there are no ice cream places out here like in the Midwest...like The Chocolate Moose. The lines can get crazy long, but the service is fast and friendly. The only time I didn't like it was when I ordered a cherry chip milk shake and the cherry chips were a little waxy and overwhelming. Just a matter of personal preference. I moved to Bloomington in 1977, and never remember this place being anything but ice cream stand. But, I think it might have been called The Penguin until the 1980s, maybe? Maybe not.
(5)Katie B.
Pretty good homemade ice cream but the long wait in a parking lot just wasn't worth it to me. The best flavor I've tried is vanilla. Cookie dough was so-so. The key lime pie ice cream was way too sour.
(3)Kira B.
What's with all these reviews? Sure, the place is cute and retro, and it's fun to watch the old kids' movies they project on the wall, but guys? The ice cream doesn't taste good! Sure, mediocre ice cream is better than no ice cream, and I've made my share of trips here in the summer heat. But why not just go to Hartzell's? Much tastier.
(2)Charlton C.
Yep this is some good ice cream. Best in Bloomington for sure. Run out of an old Wienerschnitzel building (look it up) it serves good ice cream to the queuing masses. Come there on a Friday or Saturday you can watch a movie on the wall across from the order window. Last time they had WALL-E and I swear I saw a few fraternity guys crying. Go, it's pretty cheap and ice cream is always good. PS: They serve food, though I'm somewhat dubious about that.
(4)Whryne R.
I generally avoid ice cream shops. I'm a big girl. I don't need the drama. So admittedly Chocolate Moose hasn't seen much of me. But they have this one treat...the dole whip. It usually comes in fruity flavors and my fave is the pineapple. One day one of my favorite children is going to be just about to fall down a flight of stairs and on the other side will be someone holding out a delicious mound of that delicious pineapple dole whip and I'm sorry to say that I'll be pushing my child in a wheelchair for eight weeks because that stuff is just *that* good. The lines outside this place can get cray cray especially during the HEAT of the summer. The insane construction on Walnut makes it difficult to just *pop* into but there are sneaky ninja ways of getting your fix. I recommend that you do!
(5)Karli S.
This place is amazing....amazing. Default orders: Oreo blizz with extra Oreo and a top off Grasshopper Blizz with extra Oreo and a top off
(5)Chris W.
One word: "Amazing" Their homemade ice cream is better than any other shoppe I've been at!
(5)Justin O.
The vegan ice cream here is the best, strawberry in a waffle cone after a veggie bean burger... Mmmmmmmmm.
(5)Pamela S.
It wasn't till my Junior year that I uncover one of Bloomington's gem *drumrolls* Chocolate Moose! I admit, I was a little slow... but trust me all the reviews of being transported and the stories of floating on clouds are true, esp on a hot summer day! My favorite flavor is Black Raspberry!!! Everyone I introduced the flavor to, loves it, even my mom who is from the 2 continents away :) Although there is no designated sitting place, its nice to sit at one of the stone benches and dog/people watch while experiencing the bliss of cold ice cream in 90 degrees heat! Btw, I am not too sure that it is cash only, as I always used my credit card to pay. However, there are a couple of visits where their credit card machine was down.
(5)Roy H.
The homemade flavors are delicious and the portions are large. There is always a good variety and the friendly staff is happy to let you try flavors until you find what you like.
(5)Dea A.
I adore this place. It's so uniquely Midwestern. The grasshopper milkshakes are really tasty. And the dipped in chocolate cone is on par with Dairy Queen -- neither good nor bad, but who cares? It's satisfying! CASH ONLY!
(4)Alyce M.
Vegan ice "cream" rocks big time! It is so delicious. Thank you, Chocolate Moose. It's why I (and my dog) keep coming back. I hope even non-vegans will try it, and see there are delicious alternatives to dairy products.
(5)Becky R.
All my love! No Bloomington summer is complete without the Chocolate Moose. Try a chocolate milkshake (I get mine with peanut butter in it)!
(5)Bloom B.
SO in love with this place! The Moose Horn - a frozen banana dipped in chocolate - and the freezes - ice cream blended with soda - are both absolute perfection. Seriously impressed by the Moose, and the projected movies on the weekends are a cute bonus.
(5)Bobby S.
Great Ice Cream (and VEGAN option :)) but crappy service. Maybe it was just the night, but just be nice.
(2)L'Raughn H.
Everything is AWESOME. Best chocolate malts ever.
(5)Leigh H.
Really gone down hill this season. Whipped creme machine gone. Really bad service.... got orders all wrong. Seems like the ingredients are a really low quality. Not the same for sure. So sad.
(2)Angela M.
Great variety of flavors and toppings. The twinkle coat is to die for! The owner and staff was very friendly and I'll definitely visit again!
(5)Matt F.
Get the Moose Horn.
(4)Colleen M.
Good local ice-cream, but try to go when there's not a line... almost impossible, but it's crazy!!! I mean I think this is good ice cream and its a fun random place, but seriously not sure its worth quite the crowd it gets... I know all of you are going to hate me for saying so, but its seriously long!!
(4)elizabeth b.
How do I love thee? Let me count the blizzes. GOD, I love the Moose. Please may it remain open forever so that we may have the ice cream we crave. This year my biggest delight was the homemade peanut butter frozen yogurt with a brownie stir-in. OK, I'm salivating. But the main things you need to know if you haven't been here are: if it's warm weather, you should spend some time watching the people. This is a classic joint, and it's fun to listen to the radio and watch the college kids and the little kids and the random biker and whoever else shows up. And the other main thing is: ditch your diet. Oh, and try the rotating flavors of homemade ice cream and/or yogurt. (You can always take a cookie-and-ice-cream sandwich home for second dessert--c'mon, you deserve it.)
(5)Emily W.
Best ice cream ever. My favorite is lemon custard. So delicious.
(5)Ryan B.
Only been here once, but I thought it was good. They have alot of flavors, and the vibe is A+.
(4)Neena S.
The Chocolate Moose is a very special place. Owner Tim's homemade Moose Chocolate is an exceptional ice cream: soft, rich, lots of flavor, comparable to gelati found in expensive big city boutique ice cream stores. Other fine flavors are Italian Lemon Ice and Grasshopper. Then there are all the soft-serve possible combinations and the sprinkles and dips and eyes. The Moose just does it right, which is maybe why the line is across the parking lot on summer evenings.
(4)Kerry T.
Only one word can describe this place. AWESOME. Great prices and great milk shakes. After flying to Indiana from California, my friend took us to this great place. Who'd thought that such a little place can bring so many ice cream options and people(long lines). If anyone has chance, visit this place and have have an AWESOME time and make sure to order a milkshake.
(5)