As summer is coming up quickly, I can’t help but imagine all of the fun things I will get to enjoy with my friends and family! From going on vacations to running with my friends, this summer should be one to remember. More specifically, I cannot wait for all the fun food that I will get to enjoy, so I thought I would blog about some of my favorite treats that make the summer months so memorable.
First up is ice cream. Some people may not count this as food, but my friends and I definitely make it a full meal at least once during the summer months. My go-to is definitely Dairy Queen, but I am definitely not opposed to trying new places. My favorite things to get are a vanilla cone with sprinkles or the Star Kiss bar.
Next would be MOD pizza. I usually get this with my cousins when we help with the Naperville Municipal Band Concerts at the bandshell in downtown Naperville. It is always fun to walk and go get pizza that we can enjoy after handing out the programs for the concert. Our orders range from pepperoni to sausage and green bell peppers. Everyone ends up trading different slices, so we can all try new things. This is definitely one of my favorite summer traditions as well!
Then we have the obvious choice: Portillo’s. My friends and family will go there at least once a week. I especially love when I get to do some sort of picnic with my friends. We love to go to Blackwell Forest Preserve and watch the sunset while eating our food. My go to is a chicken sandwich, but I also love the hot dogs. Portillo’s is definitely an integral part of my summer experience.
Since the past two summers have involved some restrictions, I would also like to address some new things that I would like to try:
First, the new Jojo’s Shake Bar Downtown Naperville looks like it could be a really fun experience. It would definitely be a one tim
e thing for me, but I would love to go see what all the hype is about. I have seen so many pictures of the elaborate, sugar-filled shakes, so obviously I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to go with my friends and summer will give that exact chance. Plus, walking on the riverwalk during the summer is always super fun! I love looking at all the flowers, trees, and fountains when it is warm outside, and a milkshake will only make that more fun!
Another thing I attempted to try earlier this year was Crumble cookies; however, the line was way too long, so I ended up leaving before I could even get a chance to step into the store. I was excited to see that there was one opening up on Ogden a few weeks ago. I would really love to try the basic sugar cookie the most. I like seeing how companies put a spin on classic things and judging whether or not it is better than the original.
As the school year nears its end for seniors, I can definitely feel the excitement in the air for a summer free of homework and high school classes. However, it is definitely bittersweet. I have heard the “I want the school part to be over but not the social part” too many times to count, and I can’t believe that graduation day is almost here. Hopefully, this summer will bring just as many memories as the school year and prompt me to try new things even outside of the food category. Let’s go Seniors! We are in the final stretch!
Hi Macy! I’m going to have to say it again for you: “I want the school part to be over but not the social part”. Like you, I am going to miss everyone so much next year, but I too am excited for what the future has for us as well. As for this summer, I was looking for ideas for outings with my friends and I am so glad I came across your blog because Jojo’s shake bar and Crumble seem to be perfect places to try and satisfy our sweet teeth! The thought of pairing those two with MOD on a hot summer day already makes my mouth water. Thanks for the great recommendations and good luck next year!
Hi Macy,
You already caught my attention with the wonderful masterpiece of a picture as the cover. My go-to ice cream place is also dairy queen. I either get the chocolate dipped vanilla cone or blizzard. Ice cream exists perfectly for summer time. Your summer plans sound like they will be an absolute blast. I absolutely love Portillo’s. Your go-tos are such good choices. I have not tried either of the new options you are exploring so I think I will also take some time this summer to check them out. The ending of your blog is spot on with how bittersweet the beginning of the end feels. High school social life will be missed.
Hey Macy,
Although I’m also a little sad that my four years here in Naperville are going to be over soon, I’m still looking forward to this last summer here. There’s going to be so many places that I’m going to miss and remember going to with my friends like you. For example, I’m going to miss Portillos. Their Italian beefs, cheese fries, and famous chocolate cake shakes will live in my memories forever. Also, I’m going to miss Raising Canes. Canes was something I didn’t discover until around sophomore year, and I’ll always remember going there with all my friends packed into my mini van when I first got my license. Finally, the last place that I’ll remmeber and that I also highly recommend is Jeni’s Ice Cream. When I tell you you’ve never had anything like it, I mean it. Jeni’s is a one-of-a-kind ice cream shop with extremely unique but accurate flavors, and it never fails to blow me away. I highly recommend you try it this summer if you are looking for new and interesting ice cream flavors to try.
Hey Macy,
This summer is definitely going to be a bitter-sweet experience. I can feel myself counting down the days until the school year is over, because I am so excited for it to be summer. However, once this summer starts, high school will be over. Graduation, prom, and our time at North would be over, and I simply cannot wrap my head around that. But reading your post reminded me of all the fun memories and activities that I associate with summer, and I am once again excited for it/
I’m definintly just as excited for summer as you are, but even though we graduate in a week it still seems far away. I’m mainly looking forward to not having as many responsibilities like taking care of my grades, but also going for runs with my friends is definitely going to be a large part of this summer. Making ice cream its own meal would likely do ungodly things to my digestive system, but I respect your dedication. I go to Dairy Queen from time to time but Andy’s is right next to my house so it’s much more convenient. Mod Pizza is another solid option for summer food, I usually go for a Mad Dog but it’s hard to go wrong there. Portillos is another solid option, the guy’s cross country team ends up going there after meets oftentimes. The end of the school year is definitely going to be a relief, but I can’t help but agree on the bittersweetness of it.