Have a Cow
When I was a kid, I used to love going to the Purple Cow, an ice cream parlor on the South Side of Chicago that used to be a haven for neighborhood rugrats like myself. Not only did they have a wall devoted to old fashioned penny candy, but the sugar and vanilla ice cream was--oh!--purple! What an eighties fashion statement!
Sadly, shortly after the life-sized purple Holstein was stolen from the roof of the shop, the Purple Cow closed its doors forever, leaving a noticeable hole in the social lives of Beverly pre-teens. But the memory of those delicious ice cream treats still lingers, and I'm still inspired by some of those classic concoctions that used to make my day as a kid.
One of my favorites at the Purple Cow was, well, their famous ice cream cows. A cow--or float, depending on where you are from--is simply soda poured over scoops of ice cream. The most notable of cows is the Brown Cow, or the root beer float. Make a more adult version for yourself using sarsaparilla or vintage-style root beer with premium vanilla bean ice cream. Make some soft peaked whipped cream and spoon it on top. Add a straw, an ice cream spoon and you are ready to go.
Another common cow is the Black Cow. Same idea, but made with cola. Experiment with different flavors of ice cream for this one; chocolate is an interesting and unusual choice. Or if you're feeling like a little party, spike your coke and vanilla Black Cow with a shot of rum for a creamy, frothy grown-up dessert.
As you can imagine, cows come in all colors. Try some orange soda with vanilla ice cream for a Creamsicle Cow. Or if you want to play soda jerk, mix your own soda with flavored syrup (like the ones they use at coffee bars) with some seltzer. The possibilities are endless; almond, raspberry, banana--whatever floats your boat. And don't forget to experiment with ice cream flavors too. How about coffee ice cream with hazelnut soda? Yum!
Treat your cow with class. Don't just put it in any old glass or bowl. Search thrift shops or inexpensive glasswares shelves for tulip-shaped sundae glasses and long spoons. Serve with biscotti, pirouettes or sugar wafers on the side or sticking out of the whipped cream.
And do take the extra five minutes to whip your own cream; don't buy the stuff in the can. Treat yourself to the extra creaminess of fresh whipped heavy cream. Simply pour 3/4 of a cup of cold cream in a pre-chilled bowl (stainless steel is best, glass is second best, plastic is your last choice) and whisk by hand for a few minutes until you get soft peaks when you lift the whip. You'll burn a few extra calories doing it too. It's definitely worth the extra work.
So relax and go have a cow, now!
14 comments
What are Beverly preteens? Is Beverly a neighborhood in Chicago? Was it a club? Is it the name of a group leader?
Comment posted by cj
Beverly is a neighborhood on the southwestern edge of Chicago. A preteen is exactly what it sounds like! No clubs, no leaders, just kids.
Comment posted by Rebecca
I was just thinking about the "Cow" since my son's birthday is coming up next week. I just clicked on the Internet to see if there was any information about it and saw your link. I remember everything you mentioned and additionally, the player piano. What fond memories I have of that place. I'm now in Atlanta and ironically, as I was thinking of the Cow, the Mall across the street from my office is removing the Pink Pig (a long time Rich's train ride that shows up around the holidays). Purple Cow... Pink Pig...funny. Thanks for the memories!
Comment posted by Jo Ann
I too remember the Purple Cow in Beverly. The thing that I remember most was the nickelodeon that would come to life when you put money into it. There were little band member figures on the top of it that use to play their instruments. I have often wondered what happened to it. Oh yea the ice cream there was fantastic as was the candy selection.
Comment posted by Kevin
I recall having my 10th birthday party at The Purple Cow. I loved the ice cream, candies and everything about the place. The purple tile, chairs, tables, everything. I belive it relocated to Orland for a very short time somewhere off LaGrange but not fully sure about that.
Comment posted by Brian
I think it is now or was located near 147th and Harlem Ave, tho I haven't been there for a couple of years.
Comment posted by Ted
I too have some very fond memories of the Purple Cow. I loved the purple whipped cream! The hot fudge sundaes with that rich purple icecream. So good. I really miss that place.
Comment posted by Jillian
My mom went to purple cow every day when she was a kid she said it was the best place ever she really misses the purple cow
Comment posted by Lily
I just had the pleasure of reading your article. I remember everything you described. Thank you, you brought back great memories.
Comment posted by Brendan
Wow, The Purple Cow. I just told my daughter about my experience as a kid and looked this thread up. Tripped out purple decor, purple ice cream and a wall of candy for desert after desert. It was as close to Willy Wonka as you could get. Long live the memory of the Purple Cow!
Comment posted by ex-sout sider
I was there!!!! I was getting drunk with my friend telling her all about the purple cow- the sugar, the cow on the roof- the whole thing- so we searched and searched for a whole 5 minutes on line. Then we found this page. It's touching to find out others who think fond thoughts of the PURPLE COW! Too much with the taking of the cow off the roof- what tragic news....
Comment posted by karen
The epitome of the south side was the Purple Cow. It was a legend. My perception of everything brought out in 1969 was huge ice cream sundaes dressed in purple whip cream and masses of ice cream with loud music and celebration to introduce its presence to the customer. The ice cream parlor tables were donned with purple sugar and the servers wore purple dresses. We were told the owner constantly painted the premises to keep it fresh. It had a victorian theme with victrola and other victorian memorabilia. The variety and enormity of the various sundaes overwhelmed me as a child. I enjoyed watching huge banana sundaes dressed in purple whipcream being brought out to the tables. It was nostalgic and warm. The hot dogs were outstanding. I believe the bathrooms were purple too! As a child from the south side, I will always remember the Purple Cow with fondness. A simpler time where enjoying a Purple Cow which consisted of vanilla icecream, purple soda and purple whip cream delighted one topped off with a visit to the penny candy aisle. There was no xbox then. I wish my kids could have celebrated there too.
Comment posted by Jean
I seem to remember that another place opened called Kool Korner and everything was green instead. Went there 2x as a kid so it shouldn't have been a dream
Comment posted by IkeDunne
I washed dishes there when i was 16 in the early 80's. Prior to working there, my family would take us there after graduations, band concerts, etc. since it was close to my grammar school in the neighborhood. John the owner was a nice man and especially loved the younger kids. He would give them a piece of candy if they would smile for him. The whip cream was really good. When it was busy on a weekend evening, i would mix/make the whipped cream in the back inbeyween washing & drying all of the sundae dishes, etc. There was a big tank of Nitrous Oxide or was it Nitrogen. After mixing in a few ingredients, the can would get attached to the big tank until the pressure got to a certain level. The pressure form the gas whipped the cream so very fluffy & good. After many years of hard work, John sold the shop to a friend/business associate. He eventually moved it to Orland Park by 143rd & LaGrange. After awhile he sold the business to Original Rainbow Cone. This became Rainbow's 2nd location. With the threat of having Orland take the land for a new development (train station?) Rainbow moved out and now sells in Millenium Park & near the Chicago Theatre in addition to Beverly. Every once in awhile if any chairs are set out in Rainbow in Beverly-you may see a metailic "purple" ice cream chair. These were from the old Purple Cow.
Comment posted by Spock
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