The Chocolate Moose

Bloomington, United States

4.2

31 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 812-333-0475
Website:
www.chocolatemoosebloomington.com
Address:
401 S Walnut St, Bloomington, IN, 47401
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1.2 miMaxwell Terrace
1.4 miHeritage Apartments
1.6 miHillside & High
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Today

Today –
Local time (Bloomington) 11:31 Saturday, 31 May 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

The Chocolate Moose has been serving up tantalizing treats since… dig this…1933! We are best known for our homemade ice creams (15% butterfat) and some favorite flavors like Grasshopper and Moose Chocolate. But we are constantly creating new flavors to fit most any palette! In fact, to support our local vegan and/​or dairy-​sensitive friends, we now serve vegan ice cream that is also gluten free and soy free!

Not into ice cream? We’ve got you covered. We have our one-​of-​a-​kind Spanish Burger (think meatloaf sandwich covered in coney sauce) and Frenchie (coney sauce on a bun). In addition, we have hotdogs, great BBQ sandwiches, a black bean veggie burger, and a ham and cheese sandwich.

On the weekends we have movie nights where you can come and watch a flick drive-​in style while enjoying your favorite Moose treat! I mean, does it get any better?

History

Established in 1933.

Started by the May family of Bloomington, as a sit down restaurant. In 1948 they built the stand you see now. Came under new ownership by the Grossnickles in November of 2008 when they heard the Moose would be closing (Jeff had worked there for many years as a young adult and always loved the Moose). The Grossnickles made a deal with the May family and The Chocolate Moose has stayed open and continues to be a successful local business.

Meet the Business Owner

Jeff G.

Business Owner

Jeff worked at the Moose for eight years as a youngster in the 1970s and always looked back fondly on his memories serving up ice cream and Spanish burgers. He loves having the opportunity to now run the Moose and see the smiles on his customer’s faces.

Jeff also sells insurance in the community and has done so for nearly 30 years. He grew up in Bloomington, and it is where his entire family resides (except for a daughter who lives in Michigan). So you might say serving quality products to his friends and family in the community is very high on his priority list!

The Chocolate Moose also recommends

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«Bloomingfoods is a great company, selling quality products. You can also find Moose ice cream on their shelves.»

Upland Brewing Co

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«We love Upland! And you can find our ice cream on their menu too.»

Stone Cutters Coffee — CLOSED

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Assiettes et planches

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«Great coffee! We use it in our coffee ice cream.»

The Owlery Restaurant

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Restaurant Végétalien

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Restaurant Végétarien

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Restaurant Américain (traditionnel)

Jeff G. says,

«Quality food, this place is great. We enjoy working with them.»

Nearby

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31 reviews of The Chocolate Moose

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Place rating: 5
Bloomington, IN
absolutely fabulous place. great atmosphere for going out and eating ice cream. they do seem to mess up orders from time to time, but they are very customer friendly.
staff is very gracious.
Place rating: 5
Bloomington, IN
I love their peanut butter yogurt but, they tend to only have it in the summer. They make excellent Vegan and regular ice cream and are usually packed in the summer. They host food truck fridays when the weather is nice and several vendors come and sell food. It is a small little place that has many options and has been a landmark in Bloomington as long as they have been there!
Place rating: 4
Bloomington, IN
Delicious, homemade ice cream. Line can get long, but it’s definitely worth it. The Grasshopper in a waffle cone is the best. I love Dairy Queen, but this place may have it beat!
Place rating: 5
Richmond, VA
I find myself here multiple times when I visit Bloomington. I never ate the food, but I always come for the ice cream and they never disappoint. I love how they offer so many different flavors. You can also sample a flavor before buying. We fell in love with the cinnamon ice cream. There’s usually a bunch of people hanging around eating ice cream so we usually order ice cream and take it back to the house. On Friday evenings they have food trucks, live music, and DJ’s.
Place rating: 4
Camby, IN
I’m excited to see their new space when they rebuild in the coming months/​year. Their ice cream selection is good and unique to them. This trip, I tried a chocolate covered banana with nuts. Personally, not my favorite, but I also have nothing to compare it to from past experiences elsewhere. I was expecting more chocolate, but that’s on me. They have Dole flavors that I want to try, and much more. This place is an institution in Bloomington and I’m glad others are supporting their business to keep things going summer after summer!
Place rating: 3
Bloomington, IN
I arrived at The Chocolate Moose on a cool spring day, hoping to satisfy my craving for a cold creamy treat that might hint of summer days.
Walking up, I am accosted by many cramped menu signs that are trying to communicate some part of the whatever they are selling. There are many different names that I have never heard of. (Blitz???) I am very confused at this point so I decided to just get a basic coffee ice cream, the homemade variety. I could have asked a worker but I decided not to as the Moose was, as usual, incredibly crowded. I ordered my sweet treat and proceeded to wait about 5 minutes for them to hand it out the window. Not awful, I know, but at other places, the getting of the ice cream is nearly immediate. Whatever.
How was my ice cream? It was simply okay. I don’t get all the hype. It was sweet, creamy (too creamy, it felt fatty to an excess in a way that I’ve never experienced with other places.) It sat heavy on the stomach as well. After only a few bites from the smallest portion available, I felt slightly sickly. I was pretty full for a while so I’m guessing they do NOT skimp on the calories.
All in all, it was an okay experience. The vibe is pretty neat and the location is prime for a downtown stroll.
Place rating: 5
Indianapolis, IN
I love this place. They offer vegan ice cream treats and they’re always courteous to their customers. If you have a question they answer politely and are patient when you take your time ordering. I’ve never had a problem and I’ll continue coming so long as their vegan items stay on the menu.
I hope you’ll consider adding another vegan flavor. Get creative!
Place rating: 4
Bloomington, IN
What is not to like? Delicious ice cream. They have a thing called a Blizz that is basically a DQ Blizzard except it has WAY more stuff in it. I ordered the Butterfinger Blizz and I swear there were five whole (and very fresh) Butterfinger candy bars ground up in my Blizz. WAY more quantity and WAY more fresh than at DQ. It was amazing.
I have also had their cones, which are so big you have to eat them fast on hot days or risk having ice cream all over your shoes.
The one and only thing I would change is the way you order. You order and get your food from the same window. It can be pretty crowded on warm days. Too bad they cannot add a second window for picking up your food. The building is so tiny though, that may not be possible.
Prices are CHEAP, especially compared to what I am used to having just transplanted here from the West Coast. Love this place.
Place rating: 3
Bloomington, IN
Hi folks, so, The Chocolate Moose. Let’s get started.
There really isn’t much to say about Ice Cream at an Ice Cream Shop. I mean, the flavors are sweet? There are many of them I suppose. Vegan options are cool. The names are thesaurus scrambled versions of Dairy Queen’s menu. I don’t know what to say it’s ice cream.
If anything it seems like the ice cream at Chocolate Moose melts at an unnaturally fast rate. Roughly 120% faster. Can’t explain why this is, maybe it’s not true, I don’t know. Here’s an idea: get a friend at a different ice cream shop, get on your phones and synchronize your ice cream order. Get those scoops just right; I’m talking same size, same time, same flavor. Then, Time The Melt. Get back to me with your results. If I’m in the ballpark, rate this review as «COOL».
Sorry okay, here’s the real lede. The Chocolate Moose is all about the atmosphere. It’s located in a dingy parking lot on the hard streets of Bloomington. It has that maybe intentional never-​been-​updated-​nor-​cleaned vibe that everybody loves from their favorite auth ice cream spot. The «seating» is essentially public property; I mean maybe The Chocolate Moose owns the sidewalk idk. It’s more or less a summer dessert dest for anybody not in a sorority. Lots of cool and not cool fellas and gals just mopin’ and lickin’ and slurpin’ and chattin’. Summer Fun yano.
The neighboring businesses are kind of gross? I mean I guess it’s not really the Moose’s fault, but seeing as how you basically have to eat your fast-​melt ice cream outside on the spot I think it’s Relevant. Like, I’m pretty sure Top Ten Video sent my address to a collections agency. I’ve never been there, no explaining it, but that’s a topic for another review. No fault on the Moose there.
Gonna go with a tentative 3 drips out of 5. Unilocal calls this score «A-​OK», but I don’t know it seems kind of middling. Maybe I will change it if I find out the ice cream doesn’t actually melt faster. We’ll see. 3 drips for now.
Place rating: 4
Bloomington, IN
When I want to spoil my staff (or do penance to atone for some iniquity) I swing by Chocolate Moose and take in a treat from there. I never fail to receive praise, blessings or absolution, as needed, with the help of this venerable institution. Grace and blessings and praise unto the brown moose.
And usually watching the other patrons is as fun as getting my own treat.
Place rating: 4
Bloomington, IN
Always one of my go to places for ice cream. Delicious flavor a that I love to try. Only downside is some days the parking is very hard to find.
Place rating: 5
Bloomington, IN
I absolutely love this place. Their vanilla ice cream is the best. It looks kind of grubby, but ice cream is amazing.
Place rating: 4
Bloomington, IN
Went during food truck Friday’s and the milk shake did not disappoint!
Be wary though the lines are pretty long and the ice cream can get melty pretty fast.
Place rating: 4
Indianapolis, IN
Excellent ice cream and sandwich offerings. A typical night will include a short line, but isn’t ice cream worth it. They were out of googly eyes, which really bummed this one guy out. A local favorite that most have to stop in when they are in town.
Place rating: 4
Bloomington, IN
Great local ice cream shop. Nice assortment of flavors and mix-​ins for their variation of the Blizzard. Only con is that it’s a stand with no seating. My personal favorite is coffee ice cream with hot fudge and Reeses Cups mixed in.
Place rating: 5
Bloomington, IN
A b-​town tradition. Love the grasshopper on waffle cone. The icecream place to go every summer. When I graduate next May, I know I will miss you T-​T
Place rating: 1
Memphis, TN
I expected better since this place has a good rating„ but I was incredibly disappointed. Ordered the lemon custard flavor of ice cream. It came out an artificial bright yellow color that looked worse than a highlighter. Since it says «homemade», I might guess that they use turmeric for the coloring, but I couldn’t taste anything like that over the horrible flavor. Do you remember powdered Gatorade in the 90’s? That’s what it tastes like, gross artificial powder. I ended up just throwing it away, caution it stains your lips.
I talked to the girl at the counter to see what’s up with that wack flavor and she couldn’t tell me anything about the recipe. She said she doesn’t know anything about it. Having ignorant servers can get you into trouble if someone has a food allergy.
Don’t believe the hype.
Place rating: 4
Bloomington, IN
The Chocolate Moose is a Bloomington staple, so much so, that it’s hard to find a time in the warmer months when the line isn’t discouraging. However, if you’re willing to wait through the line (it usually goes pretty quickly), and if you like ice cream, it is likely that you won’t be disappointed.
I always get the Oreo Blizz — a way better version of a commercial ice cream company’s Blizzard.
Place rating: 3
Bloomington, IN
This is a great local ice cream place. It’s a wonderful place to go on a mild Friday when all of the food wagons are there. You’re downtown and usually there is a line.
Place rating: 4
Indianapolis, IN
The moose horns are delicious (frozen chocolate covered banana, with or without nuts)! Wonderful ice cream. Vegan ice cream is offered as well.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Best ice cream in Bloomington. You can tell that the ice cream is homemade because it is very creamy and delicious! I recommend getting grasshopper in a waffle cone. Be careful though, once you go here you’ll be tempted to come back on a daily basis!
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
I got the chance to visit this place as a quick dessert after brunch. I was on a trip and I wanted to enjoy a little. :) I saw that this place was a place you had to go while in town, so why not?
First of all, it’s a cute little, old fashioned stand. It doesn’t look particularly clean from the outside but the inside looked all right (from what I could see). You walk up to the counter and there are signs with the menu. We got there around noon on a Saturday and there was only one person ahead of us. I sort of wanted to try to cinnamon but my husband didn’t really like the idea so we compromised on the Brown County Coffee in a waffle cone (an extra $ 1) just for that special something. It was pretty big so I’m glad we shared, especially after the meal we had. The ice cream itself was creamy and there was a definite coffee taste. It melted a little fast though, since within 4 steps away, a drop of it dripped on hubby’s shoe. The waffle cone was good — not all that sweet and I do love waffle cones.
Is it really special? I’m still not sure. It’s neat how it keeps that classic feel but I imagine with the lack of seating (especially with how they also serve hot food) and no AC in the summer months, there are some downsides. It does come with a small parking lot, though! The lady behind the counter was nice enough but nothing out there. I felt like she was just doing her job.
I may schedule in a second visit to finally try the cinnamon flavor and maybe one other one. My first impression was decent, but no ‘wow’ factor. I am also intrigued with the Blue Moon but was iffy on the crazy coloring (I’m not all that into artificial colors… or flavors, for that matter). …But if I’m feeling particularly spontaneous on my next trip, I may add that in as well! After all, I’m on my trip and I don’t often get ice cream in a strange shade of bright blue.
Place rating: 4
Bloomington, IN
their ice cream is reasonable priced, and taste very well, but cookie one is a little bit sweet, so order something else, I think lemon and blue-​moon one are the most popular one. Be careful for the wait, they always have long line no matter what the weather is…
Place rating: 5
Bloomington, IN
I absolutely love this place. The homemade ice cream is the best I have ever had! I have tried grasshopper, sweet cinnamon, Brown County coffee, cheesecake, cookie dough and the chocolate peanut butter flavor and they were all amazing. My new favorite go to is the brunette ice cream sandwhich. Two homemade chocolate, chocolate chip cookies with chocolate and vanilla ice cream in between. Huge and delicious. There are so many options and the prices are fair, right on par with Dairy Queen and Jiffy Treat. Every single time I pass this place I have to stop. The long line is always worth the wait!
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
Prices are perfect and the perfect place to go with children this summer. So cheap for a meal! Also love that this place is a local establishment.
Place rating: 4
Indianapolis, IN
As a huge fan of cinnamon ice cream, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to eat and evaluate the cinnamon flavor The Chocolate Moose produces. On the car ride over, I asked myself: Would it be sweet, sugary, and loaded with spice? Would it taste better than the milk leftover from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Would this rich, milky frozen confection quickly run down my waffle cone and continue onto my hand, leaving the best kind of sticky mess? Would I find this splurge worth the run I was going to have to do afterwards?
Good news, Unilocalers: the answer is YES to all the above.
(PS — If you want to enhance your ice creaming-​eating experience, add a scoop of chocolate for a Mexican hot chocolate-​inspired ice cream. Perhaps The Chocolate Moose might want to experiment with that flavor next?)
Place rating: 5
Bloomington, IN
A Bloomington fave for your aching sweet tooth. Fair warning, if you get a classic banana split (my personal pick!) you might be subject to an employee sundae build-​off! Note: this is NEVER a bad thing, who wouldn’t want a sky high split?
Place rating: 5
Bloomington, IN
This place is certainly a Bloomington icon. Not many ice cream places can beat its originality, traditional-​feel, and delicious treats of course! There is always a long line, no matter the time (but especially late at night). Their flavors are exceptional, and definitely taste as they are presented. Their pumpkin in the Fall is fantastic– along with all the other seasonal flavors. The place is also much cheaper than your bigger, well-​known chains. Give it a chance, and you’ll come back for more.
Place rating: 4
Bloomington, IN
Best Frank (that’s a hotdog people) in town. Topped with jalapenos, mustard, ketchup and onions for no upcharge. Add a frenchie, basically a sloppy Joe, and medium strawberry cone. For 6.50 $. Also best in town. No seating is always annoying… But speedy fast even with long lines. Full on 6.50? Great Sunday spot to munch.
Place rating: 5
Indianapolis, IN
Maybe it was because it was a warm day, but the scoop of grasshopper ice cream I had here was the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Probably a good thing for my waist line I don’t live close to this place. Hidden gem of Bloomington.
Place rating: 4
Indianapolis, IN
A lit-​up shack in a tiny parking lot amidst the construction stands the Chocolate Moose. Clue #1, there’s a line outside = it must be good or it’s just a hype.
Night #1, 2nd after to the «last in line» sign at 9pm — drats I missed out by a millisecond! See, I walk too slow — better off running over there like a kid. I’m pretty sure they’d put a sign that says «No running in the parking lot» after that. Sulking all the way home with no dessert… try again, Day #2 — while everyone’s getting lunch, I’m ruining my appetite by getting ice cream.
Lovely surprise… the Dole Whip machine is out of order. Compromised and went with a neon yellow lemon custard on a «torch» cone. Ok, I felt stupid — it’s not soft serve, and I thought the cup cone was a torch. I think I need a Cone 101 lesson or rather a Chocolate Moose terminology crash course. Blizz, whip, shake, freeze, sundae… torch, sugar, waffle… ahh! Talkiing about brain freeze…
Coming out as a C student at the Chocolate Moose, I’ll make sure to return for their unique ice cream flavors in a cup cone next time!