Thanks for this personal fave go to Maggie, a classmate at the University of Chicago, who first introduced me to Mario’s. When she found out I lived in University Village she exclaimed, “You can walk to Mario’s!!” I had no idea what that was but am very grateful that she introduced me to this Personal Fave.
If you blink you will miss Mario’s. It is a tiny Italian Ice stand located at 1068 W. Taylor Street, across from the famous Al’s Italian Beef. “Nothing fancy” is an understatement. It is just a good, inexpensive, refreshing treat. I was out strolling with Graham, my friend Maureen [from Homemademothering.com] and her daughter Evie. We had such a lovely walk minus the fact that it was terribly hot. We passed by Mario’s, I as usual had no cash, and she treated me to a refreshing, tasty, no-fat (?) snack. At the very least it’s low-fat. $1.00 for a small Italian lemonade. It is so hard to get anything for a dollar these days. They have all kinds of flavors; I really enjoyed the lemon flavor I had.
One of the best parts about Mario’s, for me anyway, is that it brings people together. Long before Graham’s arrival, when David and I could take evening strolls together, we hit up Mario’s one summer night. There were people in line of all ages and walks of life. No one was rude or pushy. People just seemed happy to be getting a good, inexpensive treat. I am always pleasantly surprised when there is a crowd in Chicago and people are polite. I think Mario’s just makes people happy. Enough said. Go get some! Not sure when they close for the season… so hurry up and check it out or you’ll have to wait until next summer.
pic courtesy of http://www.eatmarios.com
Mario’s has been a legend since forever…I went to high school with girls from Taylor street who brought me there in the late 70′s…..consistently awesome ice. Glad to hear it’s still great.
i love mario’s. great place in the summer!
I think this is where my aunt used to take me when I was a kid! I still remember how excited I was to choose a flavor!