When life hands you pumpkins, make pumpkin treats! Chicago bakeries, bars, diners and parlors are crafting fall's favorite flavor into a variety of drinks, sweets, and savory treats. See also 2014 Chicago haunted house guide and Chicago's fall brunches. --Rianne Coale for Metromix
Caramel Pumpkin Pecan Doughnut ($3.32) at Glazed and Infused (30 E. Hubbard St.)
Pack a wet wipe and prepare yourself for a delectable pumpkin pastry. This caramel glazed doughnut is messy, but it's the definition of confection perfection. With an appearance that screams autumn, the inner pumpkin flavor was what officially welcomed me into the fall season. The soft dough, semi-sweet caramel, crunchy pecans and pumpkin pie filling cannot be described as anything but delicious. — Rianne Coale/Metromix
Dogfish Head Pumpkin Ale ($7) at Hopleaf (5148 N. Clark St.)
Pumpkin is its name, and beer is its game. This crisp and refreshing beverage is screaming with the beloved gourd's essence. From its caramel color to its light and smooth flavor, this ale is all about the pumpkin. Beer drinkers can indulge themselves in the often sweet and tart taste combo that swirls in every sip. It's an easy-drinking pumpkin beer that is sure to be a fall favorite! — Rianne Coale/Metromix
Pumpkin Icecream (One Scoop: $3.19) at Bobtail Ice Cream Company (2951 N. Broadway)
A heavenly mixture of pumpkin and spices meets the cool sweet seduction of creamy ice cream to make a dessert that will keep your spoon busy until the bowl's empty. The only way to describe this treat is that it tastes like the glorious offspring of pumpkin pie filling and whipped cream. With the perfect amount of nutmeg and cinnamon, this smooth and rich pumpkin ice cream is the holy grail of pumpkin flavored delights! — Rianne Coale/Metromix
Pumpkin Spice Latte ($4.11) at Jackalope Coffee & Tea House (755 W. 32nd St.)
Nothing is better on a cool autumn day then a pumpkin spice latte that warms from within. This pumpkin spice delicacy heated my taste buds with a tantalizing pumpkin flavor that was quickly rushed away by the all-so-familiar cafe latte aroma. Like many pumpkin spice drinks, I was left wishing the pumpkin flavor would have lingered just a bit longer, but overall, this fall treat did not disappoint! — Rianne Coale/Metromix
Harvest Pumpkin Soup (Small: $3.86) at Au Bon Pain (200 W. Adams St.)
Zesty. Savory. Flavorful. All words I wish I could use to describe this soup. Sure, this pumpkin puree had the right color, texture and consistency to be a good pumpkin soup, but unfortunately it fell just above bland. The overwhelming taste of nutmeg, ginger, celery, and onion stole center stage away from the star squash. Besides the fact that it was scalding hot and had a mildly spicy after taste, the carrot chunks and grittiness threw me for a loop. — Rianne Coale/Metromix
