Review of Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store in St. Charles, Illinois

Located at 1790 W. Main Street in St. Charles is the Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy store. This store is located just west of downtown St. Charles right before the main intersection of Route 64 (Main St) and Randall. The red and white store is located on the north side of Main and is accessible via frontage road off Main Street. Finding the entrance can be kind of tricky if this is your first time out.

The Oberweis family has been churning out dairy products since the early 1900's with the business starting up slowly delivering their milk products to area residents. Throughout the years they have opened up several store locations throughout Kane and DuPage County area developing a pretty solid reputation for high quality milk and ice cream. My family will occasionally receive Oberweis gift cards and certificates courtesy of reading programs, dental visits, and for even donating blood through a local blood bank.

Food

The offerings at Oberweis are what one might expect at a dairy store; Ice cream, milk, butter, and a variety of other freshly made take home dairy products. The counter offers up several different ice cream novelties such as cones, sundaes, ice cream and candy mixers, floats, shakes, malts and even coffee/ice cream concoctions. The items are not too overwhelming as what one might find on a Dairy Queen or Colonial ice cream menu.

Our recent visit included an order of apple pie ice cream on a sugar cone, chocolate shake, and chocolate malt. All items tasted really good. My particular order was the apple pie ice cream that included generous bits of baked apple and even some bits of the pie crust. The whole conglomeration was held together by a really delicious creamy vanilla based ice cream. The rest of our group appeared quite content with very tasty shakes and malts as proved by the frequent "oohs" and "ahs" and fairly quick empty glasses.

Service

The service experience at Obwerweis dairy in St. Charles was mixed. I had a friendly counter attendant take time to explain a few items on the menu board with a very welcoming smile. I wish I could say the same for the other teenage employees that seemed moody and appeared to be engaging in horse play behind the counter. The young lad that eventually served our desserts sort of barked out our order and lacked the same smile and courtesy of his associate taking the orders. The other crew standing far behind the counter appeared to be deep in a conversation circle that had apparently nothing to do with work. Perhaps this would have been a good time for one of the young lads to grab a broom or wash cloth and attend to the store.

Ambience

The store layout is pretty open and inviting as the color scheme is the oberweiss red and white throughout the interior. There are plenty of tables inside the store of which some have a checkerboard painted surface for game play should people have checkers or chess pieces. The store is very clean and cool with a reach in cooler on the far north wall that sells take home items such as ice cream, milk, chocolate milk, eggs and a few juices. There are even a few tables outside to sit if the weather is cooperative.

Price

Did I mention my visits to Oberweis were typically made when I had a gift card or certificate handy? Yes, well that is because the prices are pretty steep for what I consider very delicious offerings. Without a coupon or gift card, a trip to Breweries is going to average between four to six bucks a person depending upon the item. This sticker shock sort of deflates the beautiful and tasty dessert allure.

Overall

My overall impression of the Oberweis Ice Cream store in St. Charles is that it is a once in a while visit at best. I will visit this store only when equipped with gift cards or coupons. I find it very difficult to enjoy ice cream at this dessert stop when paying full price. There are plenty of other old fashioned ice cream businesses in the Fox Valley area that are capable of putting out just as good of a product for a lot cheaper price.