Finnigan’s Ice Cream Parlor

It’s expensive, but a sweet way to indulge while you’re taking a break from the Museum of Science & Industry. The banana split is gigantic and try their signature desserts (e.g., sundaes) if you have a sweet tooth. My personal favorite is the classic mint chip ice cream.

OK, I’ll say up front that the ice cream was good and the portions are large. Prices are similar to Cold Stone Creamery, Kilwin’s, Oberweiss and therefore more expensive than Baskin Robins.
My problem was the service. It was absolutely terrible. It was so slow that several families before me and after me, left before their turn. During most of my 40 minute wait, there was 1 person taking and filling orders. There were 3 altogether but they would take turns disappearing in the back leaving only 1 person out front who would also periodically disappear into the back, leaving no one. They worked like they had lead in their pants but were constantly joking with each other. Maybe it was me and my frustration but I think they were enjoying the fact that they were making us all wait.

I was very pleasantly surprised with this place. It it tucked behind the coal mine on the 2^nd floor of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. When we entered, a sign shows all of the shakes, floats, sundaes and Ice Cream available. Since this in the Museum, I figured that the prices would be sky high. Nope. $ 5.99 for a hot-​fudge sundae with brownie.
Now I figured that these would be bite-​sized portions, so we all ordered one.
OOps!
These are full sized portions of ooey gooey deliciousness! The portions are generous, the ice-​cream tastes homemade, the hot fudge is HOT! Topped with real whipped cream, nuts and 2 cherries
We all ended up barely able to finish our portions and then ended up skipping lunch completely.
If you go to the MSI, try this place out… you won’t be disappointed! — Unless you are on a diet! ;)

Finnigan’s Ice Cream Parlor is a 1950s era soda fountain located within the Museum of Science and Industry. The soda «jerks» wear period appropriate white jackets and hats. The soda fountain has counter service and tables where you can sit and rest your feet while you eat.
The sundaes are absolutely massive (2 scoops feels more like 5). On my sundae, they put all of the toppings on the bottom, and then I had trouble getting through all of the ice cream to enjoy the toppings. I should have stopped the scooper and asked him to give me less, but I wasn’t paying close enough attention. The prices are what you would expect for inside a museum; large and very sharable ice creams run about $ 6 each.
When I visited they had about 6 flavors of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, mint chip, cookie dough, butter pecan, birthday cake, and maybe a couple of others). In addition to sundaes and cones they serve banana splits, shakes, malts, rootbeer floats, etc.
Finnigan’s provides a welcome (if pricey) place to recharge after a long day at the museum.