Almost nothing is more refreshing than the cold, sweet taste of summer frozen treats. Fortunately for students and community members alike, the University campus offers a variety of summer indulgences that can satisfy most customers’ sweet tooth. The following list includes dessert shops that are less than five-minute walk away from Green Street.

Cocomero

Location: 709 S. Wright St.

With 16 different flavors of frozen yogurt (many low-fat) and over 30 dry and fruit toppings, customers are welcome to create their own desserts with Cocomero’s self-serve, pay-by-weight system.

According to Chris Kim, Cocomero shift manager and senior in ACES, the most popular menu items on a hot summer day include milk tea, strawberry banana bubble tea and any of the frozen yogurt flavors available.

The store will be featuring its newest flavors this summer, which are pistachio, mango, blueberry and peach.

“A lot of people don’t taste Taro, but it’s what I would choose from the yogurt flavors,” Kim added as inside advice.

Cocomero provides not just tasty treats, but also a friendly environment.

“Cocomero sells quality products, and the environment that this building structure provides is just a great one to relax and talk with friends,” said Emily Lee, junior in social work. “I think it’s one of the only places on campus that has a big enough facility to allow a group of people to relax and eat dessert.”

Beri

Location: 701 S. 6th St.

Beri is another frozen-yogurt shop on campus that provides four simple yogurt flavors and a multitude of fruit and dry toppings.

Customers can complete their choice of plain, mango, green tea or strawberry-flavored yogurt with unique toppings such as Fruity Pebbles and Twix chocolate pieces that blend well with the classic flavors.

Beri’s frozen yogurt also has its health benefits. It is made of Dannon Activia yogurt, which consists of probiotic culture that helps regulate the digestive system.

The pricing system also works to the advantage of those who are watching what they eat. Prices are based upon predetermined quantities (small, medium and large), eliminating the temptation to overindulge.

“Summer is a time when people want to lose weight or watch their weight, and since their dessert is light and a yogurt, it’s the perfect dessert for summer,” said Joyce Song, sophomore in ACES.

Quad Cones

Location: Southwest entry of the Illini Union

Quad Cones offers an assortment of classic ice cream flavors at a convenient location for those travelling to and from classes.

Options include chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough and cookies ‘n creme. Birthday cake is arguably a stand-out flavor. With the colors of the rainbow, this flavor resembles the taste of sweet frosting and cake batter.

Besides ice cream, Quad Cones also sells a tasty treat that can be overlooked by customers. Alligator Ice, a fruity slushie that comes in two different flavors, can also satisfy cravings for a frozen, sweet treat.

“I would definitely buy this in the summer because it is refreshing,” said Albert Chang, freshman in Engineering.

By July 1, Quad Cones will be switching from Blue Bunny ice cream to a new distributor that will provide cheaper costs and a greater variety for its customers.

Cold Stone Creamery

Location: 505 E. Green St.

Cold Stone is a well-known ice cream chain that provides custom-made ice cream and an abundance of dessert options, including ice cream cakes, funnel cakes, brownies and cookie sandwiches. Cold Stone’s primary attraction is its variety of ice cream, featuring 20 different flavors and numerous mix-in ingredients.

“The ice cream there is the best on campus,” said Jon George, graduate student in Engineering. “It’s rich and thick but still creamy.”

Their newest flavor is Red Velvet Cake, made with real red velvet cake. Cold Stone also recently introduced new sorbet flavors that taste of real fruit, giving tart and fruit lovers a reason to celebrate.

Additionally, Taylor Laster, Cold Stone employee and sophomore in LAS, said that students and community members frequent the ice cream store because of its welcoming atmosphere.

“We greet everyone who comes into the door, and we’re always very happy to have customers,” Laster said.

Insomnia Cookies

Location: 502 E. John St.

Filled with the smell of fresh-baked cookies, this small shop provides a haven for late-night dessert lovers.

“We’re open till 3 a.m., so you can get ice cream and cookies delivered to you in a snowstorm, brain storm or any time,” said Andrea Pincsak, Insomnia Cookies employee and junior in ACES.

Insomnia Cookies offers a dessert that combines the best of both worlds: the Cookie Wich.

The Cookie Wich is no ordinary ice cream sandwich from the local supermarket. This treat consists of two large scoops of ice cream, sandwiched between two cookies of the customer’s choice. Customers can choose from six different flavors of ice cream.

The most popular combination includes chocolate chunk cookies or deluxe cookies with a scoop of any ice cream. However, a new combination is on the rise: Superman, a colorful ice cream that bears a similar taste to the cereal Fruit Loops, and chocolate chip cookies.

Stephanie can be reached at [email protected].