One of Chicago’s Most Beloved Dessert Makers Is Opening in the West Loop

This summer, Black Dog Gelato, a dessert maker loved by much of Chicago’s culinary elite, plans to open a West Loop location. The shop is taking over the former Harvest Juicery at 1012 W. Lake Street. While owner Jessica Oloroso doesn’t want to disclose much right now, she writes that the location represents “new beginnings” for the company that opened its first location in 2009 in West Town.

Oloroso is a former pastry chef who worked at Scylla, the since-shuttered Bucktown restaurant that featured Iron Chef Stephanie Izard’s talents. Oloroso’s gelatos began popping up at farmer’s markets and at dessert menus at restaurants across the city more than a decade ago. She makes creamy standards like vanilla sea caramel and pistachio. But the shop’s known best for Oloroso’s rotating menu of unusual combination like rosemary Irish cream.

The fresh start could be referencing expansion plans. Locations in Roscoe Village and at Revival Food Hall in the Loop have closed. There was also the ridiculous situation in Gold Coast in the Chicago Park District space sometimes referred to as the Viagra Triangle. Meanwhile, the original shop at 859 N. Damen Avenue is slated to reopen for the spring/summer in April.

This is more sweet news for the West Loop as last month Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams announced a West Loop location. Stay tuned for more details.