A Peoria institution for decades. In the more than half-century that I've been coming here, have never, ever, had a bad experience. If you have visitors coming to town, take them here on a balmy summer evening and enjoy the cold, sweet treats along with the broad cross-section of Peorians from all walks of life. read more

Small spot for ice cream. Very old business that does soft serve. Cash only too. Wasn't impressed with their take on the Reese's blizzard mainly because about halfway through it was water. Not sure if it was a problem with the machine or not but it wasn't it for me. read more

Emos is always such a welcoming and nostalgic place. A peoria classic. Long lines, but worth it! Also cash only

Review Visit: June 23rd, 2013 The popularity of this place no joke, despite the mascot being a clown. If you are no stranger to Peoria, you will also be no stranger to the myths and legends that surround Emo's Dairy Mart. If you are not from the area, you might be asking yourself: "What is Emo's and why is it so popular?" I can answer the first part of that but not the second. Emo's is a seasonal staple that dishes out ice cream cone after ice cream cone after ice cream cone from their first day open until the final day of the season. Every time I drive by during their open season, there is always a giant crowd of people gathered for some sugary delights and simple yet tasty food. On this particular day, after having a grand ol' time after reliving the medieval times at the Olde English Faire in Hanna City at Wildlife Prairie Park, we needed food. One gets a hankering for food after jousting, axe throwing, dragon slaying, princess saving, and various other daily activities one did back in those days. Luckily we missed the lunch rush and got there before the dinner rush as there weren't a terribly large amount of people to wade through to speak to the clown. We were able to browse the menu without much issue and placed an order at our leisure. As with most places like this, your food is made-to-order and that means you have to wait awhile. Not only that, but the staffing level is usually just 2-3 people at a time. So, after waiting a bit longer than we anticipated, our food and shakes were ready. Matt, Erin and I took over a table with an umbrella to escape the mighty sun after spending a good few hours in it. Without hesitation, we demolished our food in a quick order. I ordered a tenderloin, french fry and a strawberry shake/wizard/blizzard. Erin got a soda and a chili cheese dog while Matt got a hot dog. I think we ate the bulk of our food quicker than we waited. The food and drink was a home run. Maybe it was the empty stomach. Maybe it was the sunburn setting in. Maybe it was just delicious food. I can see why people flock here for their lunch or dinner or afternoon treat. I do say that with a caveat. While the food was great, I don't think it's tons better than most food you can get at other ice cream shacks. Maybe a bit better but not one to go out of your way for if you have closer places to visit. If you do happen to visit Peoria and want to try Emo's, you won't be disappointed. One thing to note is that it is on the corner of a busy intersection and the parking lot is small and very awkward. If memory serves me right, the parking lot is mostly white rock and gravel without any real defining lines on where to park. I haven't been back since this visit, so this may have changed as the years rolled by. Stay happy. Stay fun. read more

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Basic ice cream stand with the usual treats that are cool. It also has hot eats. Emo's Dairy Mart is one of those pretty small places where you order at a counter but it's better than average. Food is mostly things like ice cream, but there's also burgers and hot dogs. The prices are getting higher but not that bad yet. At a busy intersection in Peoria easy to pass up so you have to look for it. It just so happened we were close and needed to cool off. There's not that much here to recommend but it's a place with some good summer treats. Both of us got a slushie because that's about all that sounded good. It's about $2 for a medium. There's a few flavors including Blue Raspberry. Hot food includes the common stuff like burgers and hot dogs. It's your standard junk food at this type of place. The prices aren't as good but still not that bad for this kind of stuff. read more

Emo's Dairy Mart - Blue Raspberry Slushie - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

Wife and I come here any time we are in Peoria. SO SO SO good. I usually get the s'mores wizard or strawberry freeze. The wizards are delicious, good amount of toppings inside. The freezes are very good but I always add extra syrup because one shot just isn't enough for my liking. Parking can be tricky when they are really busy. Never have to wait long. read more

Very good late lunch today and we got two chilli dogs and chicken strips and a order of large fries and two sodas and then we got two ice cream cone and a cup read more

Got the Lemon and strawberry kids size cone. Portion size is good for $3. The strawberry tastes like medicine and somewhat artificial. Lemon is probably also artificial but it tastes more fresh. read more

Emo's Dairy Mart - Lemon and strawberry kids size cone - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

I love all of their ice creams and the service is excellent, the peanut butter ice cream is my favorite.

So good. The food and the ice cream!!! The customer service was super friendly. Love sitting outdoors when it is Spring and enjoying the ambiance. read more

Not sure about ice cream's ingredients? If you do not eat eggs then should check out. I do not eat eggs but got mixed answers.

Came in a couple nights ago for some ice cream as it was warm and finally not raining!! Ordered a lemon ice cream with cookie dough (was something I heard was great). The ice cream had a light lemon flavor, nothing too pronounced, but just nice and pleasant, with a bunch of cookie dough bites. The service was quick and efficient, considering the big line and the girls working kept the line moving. Prices are also fair and quality is good with this local spot. Good experience and definitely be back for more of their fun ice cream combos soon. read more

So I have been to Peoria on and off for 10 years and this was my first visit. The girl at the counter was extremely polite and funny and a good experience. I asked for a Reece's peanut butter cup chocolate ice cream wizard (blizzard). What I watched them make was, a vanilla Reece's peanut butter cup wizard, scoop half of it out after realized they made a mistake. With some added chocolate ice cream with no additional Peanut butter cup. They then served it to me vanilla and chocolate mixed. Hello brown and white swirls everywhere. I watched it through the glass window being made. I saw them serve it to me and I said no thank you I would like all chocolate ice cream, I had requested with Reeces peanut butter cup. Two to three young girls gave me an attitude and a look. Like I just lied to them. Instead of just sucking it up in knowing I witnessed them make a mistake, No biggie. they tried to deny it, and covered up. Instead of being a simple response I received an argument from what I think was the girl in charge over it. They did just eventually make me a new one Maybe a simple sorry and move on would have worked. Instead I'm writing the BS piece. Not a very good overall encounter for the first time, and likely the last time I will ever eat here. Remembering in their minds, I was at fault. Sad But I will say the first girl was very friendly and funny. read more

Great place when you have a taste for true soft serve ice cream! Many options my favorite is half chocolate and half vanilla on an cone! They also have great hot dogs with chili. read more

Emo's Dairy Mart - Large twist $2.76 - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

Driving our way from Iowa City to Champaign while touring colleges with my kid, we pulled through Peoria to stop at Emo's for another dipped cone. The place takes cash only so have money on you. The dipped cones are excellent and I know the locals love this place, but for those out-of-towners who are driving through Peoria or there for a school, athletic or artistic function or convention - do yourself a favor and drive over and get some ice cream at Emo's. read more

I went here with friends on a late night ice cream run. We got there around 9:30 and they close at 10. The window attendant seemed ready to get done with her shift and wasn't overly friendly. Emo's serves the same ice cream as "Ice Cream Shack". Emo's is more in the middle of Peoria so it's a closer alternative to "Ice Cream Shack". Our wait time was minimal because they weren't busy. I ordered the Freight Train Wizard. It has seven different types of candy mixed into vanilla ice cream. I tasted m&m's, oreos, snickers, heath bars, and some others. If you are allergic to nuts or anything else, I would ask all the types of candy that they put in it. The small is pretty large, so I split it with one of my friends. I don't think I could finish it by myself. They have really neat flavors and combinations. The clown is a little creepy, but if you can get over the fear, go to Emo's! read more

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Great, great, great no-frills food. This is a Peoria institution. I go for the Art's Hot Tamales and a pineapple shake. There are shakes and sundaes in just about any flavor imaginable... as well as fantastic hot dogs, coney dogs (hot dog with chilli, mustard and onions), fries, popcorn, and of course, ice cream! Was just back for a visit this weekend, and went to Emo's twice! read more

Emo's Dairy Mart - a clown on the roof - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

Been coming here for years. Worst experience ever. 3 girls in there. They handed me my sundae overflowing and dripping everywhere. My chili dog was drowned in mustard and also completely messy. No care at all for good customer service. When I complained about the sundae she shrugged. Could care less. Bad help. read more

They have blended ice cream with candy called wizards that are cheap and great for summer. Service is fast and the portions are large. Hours are nice and their limited menu includes tamales, hot dogs, and fries. Regarding ice cream, there is an expansive menu of candies to swirl in and several other alternatives (e.g., banana splits, strawberry cheesecakes, or just plain cones) to get. Cash only with an atm nearby. Great place for cold treats during the summer months. They are only open during the summer. Their last day was September 29, 2019. read more

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Chili dogs. Chili sauces good nasty grey cheap dog Under the chili gross. Take a look at that hotdog under your chili

ordered 3 hot dogs, 1 FF and 2 sundaes. Love their food but the sundaes were melted by the time the food came. The boy making the hot dogs was very slow. Next time I won't let them give me the sundaes until food finally arrives. There we're only 2 people ahead of me. read more

Be sure to stop by for the best ice cream you'll ever have in your entire life. Trust me - I'm an ice cream expert. I'm, like, the Iron Chef judge of ice creams. In addition to that, the staff are always friendly and helpful. Simply adorable kids working during their summer. Don't forget to tip them :) There usually is a line, but don't let that deter you, it goes quickly. It's just a fantastic summer joint that has the most amazing ice cream ever. ::yells:: BEST ICE CREAM EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Their soft serve & French fries are great. I didn't enjoy the tamale however I'm also a picky Californian LOL.

The ice cream is incredible! I got a Green River milkshake last time I was here. Who else can make a Green River?! It was fantastic! read more

Local favorite for ice cream and summer treats. Food is so/so and they use a lot of canned nacho cheese. read more

Emo's Dairy Mart - The burger - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

Even after many years in business, new owners... and my own matured palette.... I still love this place. I was back home this week - and craving a crumby shake. What is a crumy shake you as - well, pure goodness. Softserve mixed with "crumbs" of your favorite topping, candy, etc... my favorite is the Reese's Pieces. Well, yesterday I partook in one of these childhood favorites, and I must say "Emo's, you never disappoint!" Also, check out the Coney Dogs, Cheese Fries & Art's Hot Tamales... all amazing. read more

Kept up the tradition started by my grandma by taking MY grand kids to Emo's last Saturday (5/4/19). What great food and fun! Brought back good memories from my childhood and created new ones. Will be back VERY soon! read more

The pricing is fine. It's actually cheaper than other ice cream places that are comparable. And definitely way less expensive than Dairy Queen. Down side of this place, they only take cash. No debit card, check, or credit cards. Go here for ice cream. The food itself is nothing memorable. I ordered the shack burger with everything on it. Everything is mustard, ketchup, onion and pickles. I passed on the cheese. Ground up loose meat burger. It was ebible. I would go here again for the ice cream. I do feel I got my money's worth. read more

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This is a childhood summer tradition for me. They have great ice-cream & food. It's a little loud if you plan on sitting outside to eat there bc of all the traffic speeding by. So we opt to eat dinner in our car & then go back up to order the ice cream. All in all it's a pretty good place & I plan to go back a few times each summer. read more

We were excited to get some ice cream yesterday afternoon. However, when we got there, the woman at the counter was not wearing a mask in violation of state and county covid regulations. We left and took our business to the Twistee Treat in East Peoria where the ice cream was not only excellent, but they also showed they care about their customers' and community's health by wearing a mask. read more

10/10 ! Absolutely love Emo's and look forward to summer so I can come here very often. Their prices are great and portions are awesome ! Try the Puppy Chow wizard, it's great! read more

This is a return trip for us. I tried the peach sundae. TOTALLY ROCKED! I'll have to come back for the other sundae flavors that I've never seen before. My wife got the cookie dough wizard and daughter got chocolate ice cream with sprinkles. They certainly don't scrimp when it comes to toppings and add ins. This place is great for ice cream even on a chilly day like today. read more

I love cold desserts, I come here for the wizards. The wizard is more quantity and cheaper than Dairy Queen blizzards for sure. They have a wide selection you can choose from and can mix it however you want. I've read some of the reviews and some were saying it was average and the ice cream is bland. But the wizard is smooth and blended just right for my taste and I get lots of chucks or whatever topping I chose and satisfied with the amount I get especially for the price. It's cold, cheap, smooth, and sweet so no complaints for me. read more

One of my 2 favorite places when I'm back in p-town (Davis Bros. Is the other. Order at least 2 coney dogs, they will know what that means. Just coneys. Oh, and a cherry slush and a lemon ice cream, if you are lucky enough to be there on lemon ice cream day. YUM! read more

There is a reason why in the middle of a summer day, you can see an enormous line stretching through the parking lot. The ice cream is delicious! It's always a nice treat on a hot afternoon and reasonably priced as well. Just be careful of the bees that tend to crop up! read more

This place used to be great... but ever since Ice Cream Shack owners bought it... the quality of the coney dogs have gone to complete crap. Sauce is wrong. Please correct this! The old recipe was world class and now I would rather drive to East Peoria to The Wonder Dog to get theirs. read more

The best ice cream in Peoria, hands down!

Good price, good food, convenient location. Parking is always tight and they only take cash but for the value, you can't get better ice cream. read more

They only have soft serve ice cream which was disappointing, but whatever I can deal. So I got cookie dough blended into soft serve like a flurry, and I asked for hot fudge. They BLENDED THE HOT FUDGE so it was essentially melty, chocolate ice cream. What is the point of getting hot fudge if you blend it? read more

A Peoria area iconic spot and local favorite. This will take you back to your childhood and the classic ice cream stand. Get a Shakburger (loose meat sandwich) with cheese and a hot fudge sundae or a dipped cone. You won't regret it! read more