The Best Priced Tiramisu in Chicago
Author: Madeline Mahoney
Photographer: Karina Mak
For two years, I worked in an Italian restaurant in Minneapolis with the best tiramisu I’ve ever had. I had the luxury of ordering 30% off tiramisu after any shift I wanted (which was most shifts). While this was not a particularly generous discount, it just goes to show how good their tiramisu was.
Recently, my nostalgia for good tiramisu has led me to embark on a mission to find the best tiramisu in Chicago at an affordable price point. However, with rising Covid-19 cases making public transportation risky, I settled on finding the best value tiramisu within walking distance from the University of Chicago campus. I tried three tiramisus at three different price points to provide you with a breakdown of the best options for each spending tier.
Trader Joe’s Frozen Tiramisu
First off, the cheapest tiramisu nearby is from Trader Joe’s. A fifteen minute walk from the North end of campus, Trader Joe’s is a quick and inexpensive option to get your fix. But watch out, the Trader Joe’s tiramisu torte is frozen so you might have to move quick (or take your time during these frigid Chicago winters). The torte offers seven servings at a reasonable price of $7.15. But no judgement if you can’t make it last very long.
As a frozen dessert, this Trader Joe alternative is a departure from traditional tiramisu. The torte is mostly a thick layer of mascarpone on top of the traditional sponge cake, and it does not skimp on the cocoa powder! This may come down to personal preference, but in my opinion, anything more than a light dusting of cocoa powder presents a choking hazard. Although it certainly has the classic coffee and chocolate flavors of tiramisu, the texture is closer to that of an ice cream cake. This tiramisu was also certainly the sweetest option I tried.
Overall, the Trader Joe’s torte was an inexpensive and fun take on tiramisu.
2. Whole Foods’ Fresh Tiramisu Slices
The second option of tiramisu is from Whole Foods, a 25 minute walk from the North end of campus.
Whole Foods offers reasonable tiramisu portions for $2.99 per slice. They come with a generous layer of mascarpone atop the coffee-soaked lady fingers. The sweetness index of this tiramisu is perfect. My only complaint was that my slice seemed a little too chilly, resulting in a slightly off texture. I’m not sure if that happened on my walk back to campus or if my slice was just in a cold spot in the refrigerator, but I’m hoping this was a one-time case. Overall, Whole Foods provides a tasty and affordable option for a traditional tiramisu.
3. Ascione Bistro’s Dessert Menu Tiramisu
Finally, I tried the tiramisu from Ascione Bistro, an Italian restaurant near Trader Joe’s. At $9, the Ascione Bistro tiramisu was the most expensive option. Based on presentation alone, I would say it’s worth it! This slice embodied a classic tiramisu with clearly defined layers and a nice dusting of cocoa powder. The aesthetics are enhanced by Ascione’s tasteful garnish of fresh strawberries, chocolate syrup, and a mint leaf. The taste was not especially sweet.
Although Ascione Bostro’s tiramisu was the most expensive, the serving was generous and the presentation was beautiful.
All in all, there are plenty of great options for tiramisu in Hyde Park. That being said, I’m glad to be home in Minneapolis so I can have my favorite tiramisu again.