Linz & Vail

Great atmosphere, great (Intelligentsia) coffee, and fabulous gelato. if you’re in the area, this is the coffee house to visit.

We just moved into the hood and checked it out this summer. I am hooked. I love the fact there is a kid size gelato and love the fact you can choose up to four flavors for every cone/​cup! I think the pricing is competitive as compared to Hartigan’s ice cream, but I learned that I like gelato better than ice cream! Love the pistachio, caramel sea salt, and cupcake flavors! The kids just call this place «Gelato’s», so now we all do, too. Haven’t tried coffee or real people food there yet but with it being walking distance, I am sure to soon!
I will say one thing, if you are going to bother with a web presence– take a moment and make sure all your pages function. No hours listed, and only one, small sized paragraph doesn’t exactly sell the brand. Any college kid could do this in an hour. I was trying to find out if there was wi-​fi so we could have a Haven Middle School PTSA meeting there… this is info easily added to one of the many non-​functioning pages attached to
. Still love that gelato, though!

I don’t get to this part of Evanston a lot, but I was really impressed with it. Plenty of room, excellent treats and good coffee. I had one of their cookies. It was… Delicious. And that’s saying a lot.
I am also a big fan of chai more so than coffee (so when I said «coffee» up there, I meant the espresso). It’s not easy to make, but here it was delicious! It’s that attention that I appreciate in a commoditized industry like coffee.

Linz & Vail is CLOSING by the end of June, and moving everything to their Central St. location!
I feel like the sensible thing to do was to wait until the summer months are over, but oh well. Another summer, another gelato place disappears from Evanston…
Staff has been snooty but I’ve been in too good of a mood to care. For a «small» (~$ 4), you can choose 1 flavor or up to 4; you’ll just get smaller quantities of each.
The gelato is softer than I prefer, but maybe these things fluctuate. And by «these things,» I mean freezer temperatures, which I guess by nature should not fluctuate. Also, they failed with my favorite and one of the most classic flavors: nocciola (hazelnut). Texturally, it was like plain ice cream. The hazelnut taste is really, really subdued, with more of a creamy flavor. Actually, I’d say most of their gelato flavors are creamier than they are bold.
For the price, I’ve had better. But not in Evanston. And the space was nice, the little bench outside was cute, and they brew Intelligentsia. Linz & Vail is still an adorable gelateria and I’ll be sad to see it go. Get your gelato while you still can!

Homemade gelato and sorbets… drool…
The flavors here change every so often, so it’s hard to review on a particular flavor and then… it’s not there. I like the grape and grapefruit sorbets and the coffee gelato. The strawberry, for some reason, doesn’t really taste like the fresh berry taste, but a fake strawberry/​sugar/​syrup concoction and I felt cheated when I ordered that flavor. My husband loves the banana truffle (I think that’s what it’s called).
Not in the mood for cold and melty? They also have coffee. I rhymed.
Great place, very part of the neighborhood, the service has been pleasant when we’ve been there, and are very patient when you are taste testing and trying to figure out. gelato or sorbet? Fruity or creamy?
You savor your decision in the cute seating area adjacent or on the benches outside.

I haven’t ever written a review for my favorite gelato in all of Chicagoland?! How is that even possible?!
Well, as they say, better late than never! But yes, this is by far the best gelato in all of Chicagoland!
You cannot go wrong with any of their flavors — they’re all fresh, homemade and authentic!
L.O.V.E. this place!!!

Homemade gelato on a hot and humid day is a summertime must-​have, and Linz & Vail serves up some delicious flavors.
Made on the premises, it’s not as dense as the gelato that I am used to, but it is just as rich. I had a cup of 3 flavors (you can order up to 4 in one cup): Strawberry, Salted Caramel, and Pistachio. They were all good, very natural-​tasting, and creamy.
The space is nice and welcoming, with counter seats in the main part of the store, and a second room with tables and flat-​screen tvs. It would be a nice place to meet a friend for coffee and a sweet snack.

I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed them before. this place is my «afternoon I need caffeine and a treat» place. They make an excellent latte. They’re very nice, and for a private coffee place, their prices are decent. If a Starbucks opened up across the street, I’d still prefer Linz and Vail.

AWESOME gelato! Better than Pasticceria Natalina, which i reviewed before. (Actually i’m thinking of going back and giving PN 3 stars…)
Anyway, the gelato is MADE THERE! Not imported.
I did NOT get a «teenie bopper feel» from this place as another reviewer suggested. The young man that helped us was very nice and attentive. The other guy there did not say anything but he seemed to be busy with the making of the gelato and such. A customer that I saw there was a mom with her toddler. And they serve Intelligentsia coffee. YUM.
My favorite flavors were Belgium Chocolate, Coffee, and CARAMEL SEA SALT! sounds weird but it is soooo goooood.
And the price was VERY reasonable. Only $ 3-​something for a small cup.
However, if the taste transfer that Deborah E. experienced had happened to me? with the chocolate and peppermint — i would have been upset, too. Hopefully that won’t happen to anyone else.

Me gusta!
I guess since it’s spring-​summer time, the whole gelato case is filled with flavors (vs. the sandwiches that were there before… that, or maybe they didn’t sell so hot).
Highly recommend belgian chocolate, stracciatella, and nutella!
I also miss the menu being written on the hanging boards, instead of having non-​sustainable paper menus. It was catchy and unique. Bring it back!

Sadly, they have no Italian ice — only gelato and sorbetto — with no info on sodium levels, with waitstaff not terribly interested in putting any effort into finding out. Also, their smallest drink is 16 oz. Thus, I couldn’t order a single thing there and had to leave. The chocolate gelato looked delicious, though.
The «outdoor seating» is a row of benches just outside the storefront. I prefer having something to set my cup on, thank you kindly.

Gelato is good and all, but let’s get to the adult stuff: coffee. Linz and Vail uses Intelligentsia’s beans. They sure aren’t shy about it either. Sandwich boards boast the famed beans and a large poster touts Chicago magazine’s survey of coffees in Chicago which proclaimed Intelligentsia the finest. Woopee!
Having fine beans is but one part of the equation as even foie gras and truffles in the hands of a maroon will be spoiled. The baristas at Linz and Vail are all student-​types, and they’re adequately friendly. Their drinks vary between decent and good. If your office is right down the street then this is definitely the spot to go.
However, one barista demands mentioning: She is the fabled foam Gnostic archon of the Noyes St. Linz and Vail. Talent on loan from the Creator, she graces our lives with cappuccinos that are simply bananas. True, her drinks will not be rushed, and she may not strike you as the most outgoing gal your first visit. Yet allow her time to fashion you a foamy drink and you will reap ample rewards. Her foam is out of this world. Thick and creamy like whipped cream, it’ll blow your primitive, human brain. Her cappuccions give one glimpse at the Urstoff, the arche, the source of creation. Heed my urgings, Unilocal reader, and go to Linz and Vail until you experience this supernatural being weaving her mystical web of transcendent delight.

Picture a café similar to Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge but with mediocre products and a bold «teenie bopper» feel. Purple palettes, flowers and children’s handwriting style font on every chalk board. The workers too are young girls who listen to their iPods and chit-​chat with their visiting girlfriends in text message lingo: «OMG,» «w/​e» «TTYL.»
As for the gelato, $ 3.89 gets you a small cup of rock hard gelato that isn’t all that tasty. My boyfriend suggested turning down the fridge’s temperature. I was looking forward to trying the Nutella flavor but it wasn’t an option. The Amaretto was chocolate blah while their Coffee improved my review by a notch. I will admit that I love the clocks, a tiny one at the entrance and another in the living room… but it does make me feel more like I’m Alice in Wonderland.
Oh and it doesn’t help that their website’s main page is the only one that works… All that text and no hours! Really?!

Lived right above Linz & Vail one summer, and how I miss it!
The gelato is delicious and made fresh daily (I’ve had extensive conversations with the staff about the process. I think the owner went to Europe where she learned how to make gelato, authentic-​style). I highly recommend the pistachio and nutella flavors. They’re really awesome about sampling too, so no need to rush yourself into a decision or make it a wild leap of faith – try them first! Free wifi and amazing espresso as well. Friendly staff and warm, welcoming interior means I spent hours there everyday :)

I love the coffee here, and the gelato even more (amazing flavors!)
Cozy atmosphere, very warm and inviting. Always stop here in between classes for a caffeine and gelato fix!

Damn! I knew it — I knew it — I knew it! Went into Linz & Vail for gelato tonight — was so excited to see that they had my favorite flavor — Belgian Chocolate. But — what did I notice? That someone had put the remaining Choco gelato in the same silver container as the Peppermint, as they only had about a quart left of each — BUT — HELLO! Taste transfer! :(Shit! I should have said something and I didn’t.
But hell, they should have known better than to do that. My Belgian Chocolate gelato tasted not one bit like chocolate — but like the stupid peppermint. I wasted nearly $ 5 — and threw most of it away.
From now on, ask for a sample first — to make sure. I have gone here a number of times — this was my first bad experience but this has left me literally and figuratively with a bad taste in my mouth. Boo hoo!

This place doesn’t terribly impress me, but it gets the job done holding down the coffee-​shop niche in the Noyes Street mini-​corridor. If I still lived on Ridge and Noyes like back in the day, I would surely be a regular customer.
As it is, the only thing that brings me to Noyes is the barbershop, so I only stop in here every once in a blue moon. I haven’t tried the gelato that everyone seems to love, but one time I was sitting in their side room and through an employee-​only door, I saw a guy making the gelato in a massive stainless-​steel machine. Neat!
Their chai is good even though it comes in a mix. Why can’t these places get real loose-​leaf chai instead of syrup in a carton or jug? At least their stuff doesn’t have sugar in it, just honey (I asked to read the ingredients, natch). Otherwise, their stuff is pretty standard – tea, muffins, and chai being what I have sampled. Someday when I have an early haircut appointment, maybe I’ll try one of the breakfast sandwiches.
They have a few comfortable seats and two or three tables in the side room, but there’s always a TV blaring the news or some goddamned cartoon on a Saturday morning, so good luck getting done anything serious.
They do a good job with sidewalk marketing, because I walked right past the place today until their chalkboard put a bug in my ear and I paused, contemplated my plan for the day, then turned around and went in. I always see them advertising seasonal drinks like pumpkin-​cinnamon-​marshmallow lattes and whatnot, but that stuff is way too frou-​frou for me.
Oh, and a $ 4 credit-​card minimum, which is total bullshit and against the rules of the credit-​card companies. I’m going to make a list of places like this because they really piss me off.

Kake S wasn’t kidding when she said that this is one of the best gelato places around. They mix up the flavors for you which is great, including nutella, coffee, chocolate, and even pink grapefruit. Service was very friendly and helpful.
They even have a comfortable section for people to sit and watch some television or enjoy some conversation over gelato and coffee. The fiancé and I enjoyed our gelato — I mixed up the chocolate chip and mint and he had the coffee and chocolate. The prices were just about right and not too much gelato, as well. What a wonderful treat after brunch at Noyes Street Café!

My NU friends have talked about this place for some time, but I live on South campus and this is pretty far North, so I never had the time/​energy to walk up to Noyes Street.
However, this past week my roommate and I went there before my class at Piven Theater (which is across the street), and it’s AMAZING! I had a mix of chocolate and mint gelato, and was pretty much the best thing I’ve had in a long time. I also got it in a large waffle cone, which I’d recommend doing at least once. Their cones are slightly different than most frozen yogurt/​ice cream places, and they’re quite delish.
The only reason I can’t give this place 5 stars is the price… You don’t get a whole lot and it’s kind of expensive, but nonetheless it’s definitely a good indulgence every once in awhile, especially because it’s relatively healthy (compared to Cold Stone, or most other ice cream places).
Everyone seems to know about this place – actually, the girl who gave me a ride back from my class asked me if I had ever been to Linz & Vail when we walked past the store to get to her car, and she doesn’t even live in Evanston. She recommends the pistachio, but I haven’t tried that yet so I cannot support or deny her statement. I will definitely be a return customer!

Finally, a true GELATO place with at least a dozen of classic flavors. They supposedly contain up to 75% less fat than regular ice cream, but they’re wonderfully creamy and rich regardless! They also make great gelato smoothies, lattes and frappes. I have yet to try their panini sandwiches. The owner must be obsessed with PINK, and with Valentine’s coming up, the place is decorated with a bunch of hearts. Or maybe they’re meant to be permanently there… who knows. Anyway, if only they had more tables (there are like three total?), I would be coming here more regularly.