LINDENHURST – Area residents who believe warm weather is not the only environment appropriate for enjoying an ice cream treat will find The Twisted Cow a welcome relief.

Even as temperatures drop and winds turn bitter, The Twisted Cow, 2112 E. Grand Ave., in Lindenhurst will remain open.

Two co-workers and I took a trip to the ice cream parlor on a recent afternoon. As the work day drags on, it's nice to break up the hours with a cool treat.

One way you can be sure The Twisted Cow takes its sweets seriously is that sweets are all the eatery serves. It's all dessert, all the time.

Many of the traditional ice cream treats can be found on the menu. Shakes, malts and floats come in an assortment of flavors including chocolate, strawberry, butterscotch and pineapple. Smoothies in a variety of fruit flavors are offered, too. And of course those who just want a traditional ice cream cone will not go home hungry.

Particularly intriguing was the Cafe Moocha Latte, which rings in at $4.11. Coffee, ice, chocolate and a brownie are all blended together to make this delectable creation. Whipped cream and chocolate syrup top it all off. For an even sweeter taste, ice cream can be added for 50 cents.

The Twisted Cow also has the key to a great birthday party. Ice cream cakes and pies are made to order.

After looking everything over, I decided to go with a medium Twister at $4.67. This blend of rich vanilla ice cream comes with a choice of a mix-in flavor or candy. I almost went with mint Oreo as my mix-in, but decided on Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

My co-workers ordered up a banana split ($5.09) and a small hot fudge sundae ($3.08). Needless to say the one who opted for a small sundae quickly regretted not getting a bigger size. Fortunately for her, my Twister was too much for me to tackle and she gladly finished the job.

Meanwhile, the banana split was treating my other co-worker well. The bananas were fresh, and made the dish seem at least reasonably healthy, she reported.

"I thought about stopping for fast food," she said. "But I thought I would be able to find a treat on the menu that would satisfy my hunger."

In between bites, I enjoyed the friendly atmosphere of The Twisted Cow. True to its name, cow statues and pictures dotted the walls. Our table even had the body and legs of a bovine.

This surely is a destination children, or anyone with a sweet tooth, will find a real treat.

• The Lake County Journal Mystery Diner feature sends a staff reporter to local eateries of all kinds. The diner's identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. Diners visit a different restaurant each week. Contact the diner at lcjedit@lakecountyjournal.com.

If you go ...

What: The Twisted Cow,  2112 E. Grand Ave., in Lindenhurst

Hours: 1 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

Contact: 847-356-3283 or visit www.thetwistedcow.net