The menu features dipped cones, malts, banana splits, and more.
Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood just got a little sweeter with the opening of Runaway Cow, a 100% vegan ice cream shop that’s already capturing hearts and taste buds. Owners Alison Eichhorn and Aaron Gutierrez poured their souls into this venture, overcoming numerous challenges to create a haven for plant-based dessert lovers on the city's South Side.
From Family Tradition to Vegan Innovation
Ice cream runs in Alison Eichhorn’s blood. Her family owned a Dairy Queen in Lansing, Illinois for half a century, making the shift to vegan ice cream a natural progression. Eichhorn said, “The timing just seemed right. We have lived in Bridgeport for 17 years. With all the excitement and steady growth happening in Bridgeport, we wanted to be a part of it. This is something we’ve wanted for the area in general, so we figured we might as well be the ones to open it, and most importantly, do it right!"
Hot Fudge Nut Parfait Courtesy of Runaway Cow
Nostalgia Meets Vegan Excellence
Runaway Cow isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about perfecting it. The shop does this by providing vegan versions of familiar treats. Gutierrez said, “Vegan ice cream isn’t a new concept. But what makes us different is that we want to really focus on the basics, and make them the best they can be. We don’t see a need to fix something that isn’t broken. For seasoned vegans and curious non-vegans alike, we want anyone to be able to walk in and see the place as the neighborhood ice cream shop. For vegans and lactose-intolerant folks, we want them to be totally blown away that they can order something they remember from their childhood, or something they enjoyed before they chose to give up dairy. We want to help bring that feeling of normalcy and comfort back for people.”
Strawberry Shortcake Sundae Courtesy of Runaway Cow
A Delightful Menu of Classics
Runaway Cow’s menu is a dream come true for anyone with a sweet tooth. Their oat milk soft-serve is transformed into beloved treats like dipped cones, blended candy mixes called Snowstorms, shakes and malts, floats, sundaes, and parfaits. They also offer banana splits, slushies, old-fashioned sodas, and a variety of frozen delights such as ice cream bars, cookie sandwiches, and made-to-order ice cream cakes.
For more information, visit RunawayCowVegan.com.
