It's June. The solstice. There is no better time to have opinions about where to get ice cream in the suburbs. Here's where to go and what to order.

Open since 1949. Hot dogs and ice cream in a setting that hasn't changed much since the Eisenhower administration, which is the point. The ice cream is consistently good, the portions are generous, and the flavors run to 40+. Oak Park is the first suburb west of Chicago and Petersen's is one of the few local institutions that has lasted long enough to feel permanent. The rainbow sherbet and the strawberry are both worth ordering.

The Midwest dairy company that started in North Aurora in 1927 and now has locations across DuPage, Cook, Will, and Kane counties. The ice cream uses Oberweis milk and has a noticeably cleaner dairy flavor than most chain options. The dipped cones are the standard order. If you're choosing between a chocolate malt and a strawberry shake, get the malt.

Technically a fast food chain, but the frozen custard is freshly made throughout the day and it shows. Concrete mixers — frozen custard with mix-ins — are Culver's best product. Chocolate custard with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is the answer if you ask anyone who grew up eating at suburban Culver's locations. The butterburger is fine but the custard is the reason to go.

Rita's runs two products worth knowing: Italian ice and the gelati, which is Italian ice layered with frozen custard. The mango Italian ice is excellent and worth going out of your way for specifically. Rita's has a presence across DuPage and Cook counties. Worth noting for the anyone with kids who won't eat ice cream but will eat a large mango Italian ice without slowing down.

The Blizzard is one of the more defensible fast food desserts. The Chicago suburbs have no shortage of DQ locations. The Oreo, Mint Oreo, and Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Blizzards are the three worth ordering on purpose. Everything else is fine.

Independent frozen custard and soft-serve stands are a suburban tradition and the best ones are never chains. Most are strip mall or standalone spots that have been in the same location for 20+ years. The easiest way to find them: search "frozen custard near me" in whatever suburb you're in and sort by "most reviewed." Spots with 200+ reviews, a phone number that's been active since the early 2000s, and a cash-or-card sign are usually the ones worth the trip.

Most independent custard and ice cream stands are seasonal: open from April or May through September or October. Call ahead if you're going in early spring or late fall. The chains are open year-round, which is less charming but more reliable in October.

See all our food and drink guides for the Chicago suburbs.