🍦 Quick Answer: Original Rainbow Cone
The Original Rainbow Cone is a Chicago ice cream institution since 1926, famous for its signature five-flavor cone: Chocolate, Strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), Pistachio, and Orange Sherbet — sliced, not scooped! Founded by Joseph and Katherine Sapp, the original Beverly location at 9233 S. Western Ave. is still serving customers today. Now with 16+ locations across Chicagoland (including Navy Pier and the Magnificent Mile), plus food trucks, it’s a must-try Chicago experience alongside deep dish pizza and Italian beef.
You haven’t had a true Chicago experience until you’ve been to Original Rainbow Cone, home of the tasty and towering ice cream cones. The Original Rainbow Cone flavors are a truly unique mix, guaranteed to surprise and delight your taste buds.
⭐ Quick Facts: Original Rainbow Cone
- 📍 Original Location: 9233 S. Western Ave., Beverly, Chicago
- 🗓️ Founded: 1926 (nearly 100 years!)
- 👨👩👧 Family-Owned: Three generations of the Sapp family
- 🍦 Signature Flavors: Chocolate, Strawberry, Palmer House, Pistachio, Orange Sherbet
- 📍 Locations: 16+ shops, kiosks & food trucks across Chicagoland
- 🔗 Website: rainbowcone.com
Surely, you’ve seen an Original Rainbow Cone on social media: five slices (not scoops!) of brightly colored ice cream sitting atop a sugar cone, just daring you to eat it all.
I’ve been sampling Rainbow Cones for more than 25 years and still think they are delicious. Here’s my list of five reasons you need to try an Original Rainbow Cone.
📍 In This Guide:
Rainbow Cone History: A Chicago Legend Since 1926
The Original Rainbow Cone has been serving up its signature five-flavored cone for almost 100 years, making it a true Chicago institution. It’s now part of iconic Chicago food culture, right along with deep dish pizza and Italian beef sandwiches — and trying the Rainbow Cone is a must-do for any visitor to the city.
The story begins with Joseph Sapp, an orphan from Ohio who worked on a farm and had few indulgences — except for the occasional ice cream treat. Back then, his only options were chocolate or vanilla. But Joseph dreamed of something bigger: a cone with multiple flavors stacked high.
In 1926, Joseph and his wife Katherine made that dream a reality. They opened a small ice cream stand at 92nd Place and Western Avenue — back when the area was little more than countryside and a dirt road surrounded by cemeteries. Joseph worked as a Buick mechanic during the day while Katherine managed the store.
After some trial and error, they settled on the perfect combination of five flavors. The Rainbow Cone was an immediate hit! Within four years, they had outgrown their humble shack and built a larger location across the street — the distinctive pink stucco building that still stands today.
💡 Fun Fact: Joseph built a shortwave radio in the backyard during WWII so visitors could stay updated on the news while they enjoyed their cones. Even during the Great Depression, Rainbow Cone thrived!
The business passed to their son Robert in the 1960s, and then to his daughter Lynn Sapp in 1987 — making her the third-generation owner. In 2018, Lynn partnered with Buona Beef to help expand the brand while staying true to Grandpa Joe’s philosophy: “Anything you do, you gotta do it consistently, you gotta have the best product you can, you gotta keep it really clean, and you gotta serve it with a smile.”
Today, there are 16+ locations across five states, plus plans for even more expansion. But the original Beverly location remains the heart of the operation — and the Rainbow Cone recipe hasn’t changed a bit since 1926.
It’s Sliced Not Scooped — And That’s the Magic
One of the most unique things about the ice cream sitting atop your Rainbow Cone is that they are slices of ice cream, instead of scoops. In the early twentieth century, ice cream came in boxes and was cut using a flat paddle-like tool — and Rainbow Cone still serves their signature treat this way!
The slicing (not scooping) isn’t just tradition — it’s what allows for a stable stack of five flavors that won’t topple over. Who needs a scoop when you can have a slice?
Watching the team slice and stack your cone is part of the experience. Each layer is carefully placed to create that iconic rainbow tower. It’s like edible architecture!
The Five Fabulous Original Rainbow Cone Flavors
Here’s what I love best about the Original Rainbow Cone flavors: the unique combination. This is not your mama’s Neapolitan with boring Vanilla, Strawberry, and Chocolate!
From top to bottom, here are the five signature flavors:
🟠 Orange Sherbet — Refreshing and tangy, this bright top layer is a standout. Many customers say the orange sherbet reminds them of their childhood!
🟢 Pistachio — Nutty and distinctive, this green layer adds depth and sophistication.
🟡 Palmer House — The star of the show! This New York-style vanilla is studded with cherries and walnuts. Named after a New York dairy (not the Chicago hotel!), it’s the most unique flavor.
🩷 Strawberry — Made with real strawberries for a fresh, fruity layer.
🟤 Chocolate — The sweet foundation at the bottom, rich and creamy.
Put these flavors into a cone or a cup, and you’ll have a colorful and flavorful treat that you won’t find anywhere else. Each bite delivers a different combination of flavors — that’s the magic of the Rainbow Cone!
💡 Pro Tip: Can’t decide? Try the “Doe-See-Doe” — that’s an upside-down cone served in a cup! Perfect if you want to savor every layer without the drip factor on a hot Chicago day.
Beyond the Rainbow: Other Treats to Try
The ice cream doesn’t just look good, it tastes good, too. The ice cream is made from fresh ingredients, including real strawberries and fresh cherries in the Palmer House flavor.
While the original five-flavor cone is the star, you’ll also find other homemade sweet treats:
- Rainbow Cake — Five flavored layers of ice cream in cake form! Available in various sizes, perfect for birthdays and celebrations.
- Specialty Cones — New variations including Chocolate Obsession, Minty City, Cosmic Birthday, and Orange Dream.
- Sundaes — Build your own sundae with your favorite flavors.
- Shakes & Malts — Creamy shakes made with Rainbow Cone ice cream.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches — Rainbow Cone ice cream between fresh-baked cookies.
- Donuts — Fresh donuts to accompany your cone!
- Pints & Quarts — Take home your favorite flavors.
🎂 Birthday Coming Up? Rainbow Cone cakes are legendary! They feature all five flavors in cake form and make any celebration more colorful.
Where to Find Original Rainbow Cone
You can visit one of their Chicago ice cream shops and kiosks in and around the city, or you can get your cone right from one of their food trucks traveling around Chicagoland.
Chicago Locations
Original Beverly Location (Flagship)
📍 9233 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
⏰ Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm | Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm
The iconic pink building where it all began!
Navy Pier
📍 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
⏰ Daily hours vary by season
Magnificent Mile (inside Gino’s East)
📍 162 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611
⏰ Mon-Thu: 2pm-9pm | Fri-Sun: 11am-9pm
Wicker Park
📍 1750 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622
⏰ Sun-Thu: 12pm-10pm | Fri-Sat: 12pm-11pm
Chicagoland Suburban Locations
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Skokie | 3754 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie, IL 60076 |
| Harwood Heights | 7343 W. Lawrence Ave., Harwood Heights, IL 60706 |
| Mount Prospect | 861 E. Rand Rd., Mount Prospect, IL 60056 |
| Orland Park | 15711 Harlem Ave., Orland Park, IL 60462 |
| Lombard | 498 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard, IL 60108 |
| Darien | 7417 S. Cass Ave., Darien, IL 60561 |
| Lakemoor | 31500 N. US Hwy 12, Lakemoor, IL 60051 |
| Bolingbrook | 303 S. Weber Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60490 |
| Glendale Heights | Check website for address |
Rainbow Cone Food Trucks
The Original Rainbow Cone food trucks travel around the city, spreading the joy of ice cream throughout Chicagoland. You can also find the trucks at Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Field Museum throughout the summer and fall, weather permitting.
Planning an event? You can book a Rainbow Cone food truck for private parties, weddings, and corporate events!
💡 Pro Tip: Visit the original Beverly location for the full experience! The iconic pink building, the history, and the lines out the door on hot summer days are all part of the charm. On the busiest days, they serve 550-600 customers and go through 15-20 buckets of ice cream!
Ship Rainbow Cone Nationwide!
Miss Chicago? You can now order Rainbow Cone ice cream and cakes shipped nationwide through Goldbelly! Perfect for homesick Chicagoans or anyone who wants a taste of this iconic treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Original Rainbow Cone locations in Chicago?
Original Rainbow Cone has 16+ locations across Chicagoland. The flagship location is at 9233 S. Western Ave. in Beverly — the iconic pink building where it all started in 1926. Other Chicago locations include Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile (inside Gino’s East), and Wicker Park. Suburban locations include Skokie, Lombard, Darien, Orland Park, Mount Prospect, Harwood Heights, Lakemoor, Bolingbrook, and Glendale Heights. Food trucks also appear at Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Field Museum.
What are the 5 flavors in an Original Rainbow Cone?
The five signature flavors, from top to bottom, are: Orange Sherbet (tangy and refreshing), Pistachio (nutty and distinctive), Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), Strawberry (made with real strawberries), and Chocolate (rich and creamy at the base). This exact combination has remained unchanged since 1926!
Why is the ice cream sliced instead of scooped?
Rainbow Cone slices its ice cream using a traditional paddle technique that dates back to how ice cream was served in the early 1900s. Slicing (rather than scooping) creates flat layers that can be stacked into a stable tower of five flavors. It’s also more efficient for their high-volume service — on busy days, they serve 550-600 customers!
How much does an Original Rainbow Cone cost?
Prices vary by location, but expect to pay around $7 for a two-scoop cone and $9 for three scoops. You can upgrade to a waffle cone for about $2 extra. Individual flavor cones, cups, sundaes, shakes, and cakes are also available at various price points. Check the specific location for current pricing.
Can you ship Original Rainbow Cone?
Yes! Rainbow Cone partners with Goldbelly to ship ice cream and cakes nationwide. You can order quarts of ice cream, rainbow cakes, and other treats delivered right to your door — perfect for homesick Chicagoans or anyone craving this iconic treat!
Is Original Rainbow Cone at Taste of Chicago?
Yes! Rainbow Cone has been a consistent staple at Taste of Chicago for decades. Lynn Sapp credits their appearance at Taste (starting around 1990) with helping expand the brand beyond the South Side. It remains one of the most popular vendors at the annual festival!
Visit an Original Rainbow Cone
If you are looking for a unique and delicious ice cream experience in Chicago, you need to go to the Original Rainbow Cone. Nearly 100 years after Joseph Sapp dreamed up his five-flavor creation, the Rainbow Cone is still putting smiles on faces — one colorful slice at a time.
Whether you visit the historic Beverly location, grab one at Navy Pier, or catch a food truck at the zoo, you’ll be tasting a piece of Chicago history. And once you’ve had a Rainbow Cone, you’ll understand why it’s been a Chicago tradition for generations.
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Jill Halpin, Chicago & Midwest Travel Expert
Founder, LittleChicagoGuide.com • Based in Chicago