If Oak Park could keep only one restaurant within its borders, Petersen’s would probably be the odds-on favorite to be chosen. Forget about its proximity to the “touristy” homes of Oak Park and its... More

If Oak Park could keep only one restaurant within its borders, Petersen’s would probably be the odds-on favorite to be chosen. Forget about its proximity to the “touristy” homes of Oak Park and its history: Petersen’s churns out some excellent own-brand ice cream (they make their own varieties). As a summer treat, Petersen’s can’t be beat, and it is always a destination whenever we have rugrats staying with us in Oak Park. Secondly, Petersen’s serves fairly good food, although to be honest I prefer their breakfast offerings more than their lunch and dinner options. What sets Petersen’s apart is its exemplary level of service, which is highlighted by their owner/manager who can often be spotted bouncing from table to table, serving coffee and greeting visitors to make sure they’re having a good time in Oak Park. If you were cynical, it could come off as a hokey attempt to build rapport, but to me, it’s really great to see that level of care about customers—it’s both rare and refreshing. Overall, this is a perfect family dining destination for both in- and out-of-towners.
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Petersens is the classic summer night out diner. Its 13% butterfat ice cream is the key to its success. I have spent countless summer nights at Petersens chowing down a cone or two. Meanwhile,... More

Petersens is the classic summer night out diner. Its 13% butterfat ice cream is the key to its success. I have spent countless summer nights at Petersens chowing down a cone or two. Meanwhile, its restaurant portion lacks the superiority its ice cream "" has. I ate one meal there and swore never to return to that "side" of the shop again. My burger (and 5 of my friend's) was pretty bad - soggy bread, overcooked meat, the list goes on...
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This ice cream is made by the store itself and it really tastes like old fashioned ice cream. Their ice-cream is rich and creamy and full of flavor, not like todays ice creams that are watery and... More

This ice cream is made by the store itself and it really tastes like old fashioned ice cream. Their ice-cream is rich and creamy and full of flavor, not like todays ice creams that are watery and smaller than ever. You can either get the ice cream in tubs by the 1/2 -1 gallon sizes or you can get their home made ice cream bars that are dipped in chocolate. Their prices are a bit more than what you would pay for a mass produced Ice cream bar but its worth every penny.
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