Gelato

Gelato is a popular Indica-dominant hybrid from the parents, Sunset Sherbert and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. It is commonly used to treat anxiety and depression because it provides euphoric mental stimulation and physical relaxation. 

This strain was originally known as Larry Bird, named after the famous basketball player of the Boston Celtics, but it has come to be known more commonly as Gelato. 

Appearance 4/5
The firm Gelato buds are composed of little round leaves like a bunch of grapes. They appear to be muted army green because they are coated in kief. Little orange hairs and dark green specks peek out from under the thick layer of white dust. 

The buds are small-to-medium sized. The largest is shorter than  ¾” tall. Their shape is not uniform; each bud is slightly wonky. The stems are thick, and there were more of them than I would have liked.

Aroma 5/5
The most prominent scent in the Gelato aroma is citrus. There is a combination of lemon and lime, followed by a more sweet fruitiness. There are notes of pineapple and strawberry, too, along with a mellow skunky aroma. While the aroma is mostly sweet and sour, there is a powerful yeasty element that adds a pleasant funk.  

This strain isn’t particularly fragrant. While the aroma is strong when brought up to the nose, it doesn’t fill a room.

Taste 5/5
It’s hard not to make an ice cream comparison for a strain called Gelato. This fruit-forward hybrid has five predominant flavors: vanilla, orange, lemon, cream, and orange zest. I’m counting orange and orange zest separately because there are notes that are more zesty and earthy than sweet and juicy. 

The smoke is smooth and has a soft, creamy texture. The flavor reminds me of a cream-based fruit-flavored sorbet served in a fruit rind. 

Effect 4/5
This strain gave me a sense of ease and relaxation. I felt happy and pleasantly numb. I felt a sense of ease, not just emotionally, but in my muscles, as well. This strain provided a sense of whole-body relaxation without being too weighty, even at 28.94% THC. It made me slightly drowsy and hungry, so I avoided using it during the daytime. The only real downside to this strain is that it made my mouth and eyes very dry.

Product price: $70.69

Gelato is bred for taste, and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a flavorful strain. 

This strain is commonly used to treat depression and anxiety. It is also known to stimulate the appetite. As an indica-dominant hybrid, it is good for afternoon and evening use.

The thing about this eighth of Gelato from Verano that stood out the most to me is that it rapidly filled up the kief catcher in my grinder. Even though I could see how powdery the buds were, I was still surprised at how quickly it accumulated. 

This eighth of Gelato was grown by Verano, which is one of the best cultivators in Illinois. The flower was high-quality, fresh, and potent as always.

Address: 3812 N Clark Street
Phone number: (773) 820-7280
Hours:
Monday: 10am – 9pm 
Tuesday : 10am – 9pm
Wednesday : 10am – 9pm
Thursday : 10am – 9pm
Friday : 10am – 9pm 
Saturday: 10am – 9pm 
Sunday:  10am – 9pm

Sunnyside Dispensary stands out from the rest of the buildings on Clark Street. In February, they painted the storefront of their original location their signature bright yellow-orange. Now, they have painted the consultation space across the street the same color. The whole block is overshadowed by the fluorescent painted brick. 

Inside, everything is just as bright. The walls are the same color. The windows are papered over with a translucent yellow-orange that is partially covered with informational posters about cannabis. Along with their bright, sunny signature color, Sunnyside uses cartoon graphics to make cannabis more approachable to the average Illinoisan. These line drawings include illustrations of cannabis products and many anthropomorphized objects, such as a shopping bag and the sun. 

These are the same graphics on their well-designed website, which not only keeps a live inventory of each of their locations but also allows users to place online orders every hour at the top of the hour from 10 am to 8 pm. Medical customers can order any time, up to 9 pm, and can also place orders in person. 

Inside the dispensary, everything is painted the same yellow-orange, except the white lockers where the budtenders get the products. The walls are covered with warning signs about cannabis, including an unmissable sign about how cannabis is still illegal at a federal level. 

Most of the time, online orders are already packed, but sometimes they have to gather the items from the order. They take payment in cash and by debit card (this charges a $3 fee, and appears as an ATM withdrawal on statements). There is also an ATM on-site, which charges a $3 fee.