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Dessert Dealer
Master Critic Review
Dessert Dealer
7.8
Tucked inside Parlor Pizza Bar’s River North location, Dessert Dealer is a dedicated counter turning out over-the-top TACOlato creations and ice cream-based desserts. It’s a loud, late-running option for Ferrero Rocher–stuffed tacos and shareable sweets after pizza or drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Go Nuts TACOlato ice cream taco, Strawberry Cheesecake TACOlato, Build-your-own TACOlato
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 6.5
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: An over-the-top dessert counter inside Parlor Pizza Bar built around TACOlato ice cream tacos.
Who should go: Groups wanting playful, Instagram-ready ice cream after pizza.
When to visit: Post-dinner and late night when Parlor’s dining room is buzzing.
What to order: Go Nuts TACOlato, Strawberry Cheesecake TACOlato, build-your-own combo.
Insider tip: Enter through Parlor Pizza, grab a table first, then order TACOlato desserts to the table so you’re not juggling trays at the counter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and metered; most guests use nearby River North garages or rideshare, especially at night.
Dress code: Casual to trendy casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but the Parlor crowd leans social-night-out.
Noise level: Loud — conversation can be difficult during peak and late-night hours when the bar and dining room are full.
Weekend wait: Expect a short line or 10–20 minutes at the counter during peak and late night; faster if you order between rushes.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, but dessert service hours may start later in the day — check timing before you go.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several TACOlato and topping combinations are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — most offerings use dairy ice cream; ask about sorbet or dairy-free rotations if available.
Gluten-free options: Limited — many shells and mix-ins contain gluten; some bowls or topping-only builds may be workable, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, playful stop than a quiet first date — it’s loud and crowded, but great as a light-hearted dessert add-on after dinner.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Tables belong to Parlor Pizza Bar rather than the dessert counter — most guests grab a table first or stand at the counter during busy hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families earlier in the evening; late nights skew adult and bar-heavy, so younger kids are best before the late-night rush.
Best For
Better for: Over-the-top, Instagram-style ice cream tacos, late-night sweets, and shareable dessert runs after pizza or drinks.
Skip if: You want a quiet dessert café, classic scoop shop, or extensive vegan/gluten-free selection.