Editor’s note 6/24/20: Our reviewer visited The Scoop of Villa Grove approximately One Month B.C. (Before COVID); here is that review. The Scoop of Villa Grove has been closed during COVID and a reopening date is unknown at this time.
By Emily Harrington
My best friend recently married a farmer. He swept her from the big city of Champaign to the tiny town of Villa Grove. We took a recent Friday night to explore the downtown while trying their selection of eateries.
No shade, but there aren’t many. We ate at Main Street’s packed El Rancho Grande Mexican restaurant. After that we visited the main attraction on Main Street — The Scoop of Villa Grove.
At 20 S. Main Street in Villa Grove you will find a variety of creamy treats, all contained in an adorable shop. Make sure to take a picture in front of the lobby’s funky mural.
There was a steady stream of customers coming to visit the only treatery in town. It’s understandable, too. The ice cream is delicious.
Sourced from the Illinois-based Fox Valley Farms, the shop serves banana splits ($5.50), fruit/yogurt bowls ($4.50), hand-dipped scoops ($2/scoop), ice cream pies ($10), parfaits ($4.50), shakes ($3.50/regular), smoothies ($4.50/regular), snowstorms ($3.50/regular), soft serve ($1.75/small cone) and sundaes ($3.25/small). You can also get coffee, iced tea or pop, all between $2-$3. There are the traditional flavors and toppings available, and there are the unusual concoctions for tasting. If you are feeling adventurous, try a marshmallow sundae, a Piña Colada Snowstorm or a Superman scoop of ice cream.
I had a small hot fudge sundae ($3.25), my friend had a regular-sized peanut butter cup snowstorm ($3.50) and my son had a scoop of vanilla with sprinkles ($2). Each treat in a cup has a cute saying. Her snowstorm said, “Life is too short — eat ice cream.” Another cute touch, you can take home the color changing spoons. They turn colors in the cold ice cream.
If you can’t decide what to get, try one of the most popular items: the Oreo Snowstorm.
Pre-COVID, the shop was open seven days a week from 3-9 p.m. There’s lots of indoor seating (with TVs), a screened-in porch and tons of picnic tables outside. All the areas are lit with different lights.
Take the relaxing 30 minuteish drive to support a neighboring town. While you’re traveling around, you can check out more stops on the ice cream trail!
Emily Harrington is a Chambana townie. She left her 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job in communications so that she could be a 24/7 mom to two busy boys. Still interested in writing, Emily uses some of naptime to practice her passion and keep her mind right. Emily is a happy wife with a happy life because she fell for a fellow townie. Emily usually finds herself engulfed in balls, blue and belly laughs.