This is a Chicago institution. For me, It is a rite of summer to visit each and every summer. There are dozens of fresh flavors to choose from. I am a traditionalist and my favorites are lemon and watermelon with actual chunks of real fruit. Paired with pistachios or lupinis, the salty sweet combination is out of this world.
Pro tip: For a special treat, ask for a half and half and double the pleasure by getting two of your favorite flavors.
A sweet delight! A great small business offering ice treats and sweet prices. 5 different sizes available with many different flavors, including season ones. Service was freindly and efficient with big line sboth times we went. A must stop place! Street parking around here.
Every May, Mario’s springtime opening seems like a dream come true. Mario’s remains a Taylor Street icon.
Don’t let the lines that wrap around the corner intimidate you…the lines move quickly. Prepare for traffic in the area with cars double parked while passengers run to get treats.
NEW for the 2023 season, Mario’s takes credit cards! And they even have official Mario’s cups with a really cool design. For as long as I can remember, they served their amazing Italian ice in cups purchased from other businesses that went out of business. So you might eat your lemon, Italian ice in a “Stan’s Roller Rink” cup.
My favorite flavors include watermelon, lemon, and tutti-frutti. Enjoy this summertime treat from May until September!
So so many flavours and perfectly refreshing for a summer day! I think all the flavours we tried were amazing and didn’t feel syrupy at all. My favourite was the watermelon as you could actually see the watermelon chunks in them! Overall a great little place that I’ll keep coming back to.
I was next door at UPS and I saw this officer with his lights on pull up to get a cup, and I just knew I had to try it! If he felt like it was an emergency to have a cup, I knew it had to be good! I must say I was quite impressed! Living out east, I was so hipped to an unnamed competitor Italian ice; but, Mario's definitely changed my perspective! Be aware, you may find chunks of lemon peels in your cup; but it doesn't take away from the volume too much. You can mix up to 2 flavors (maybe 3); but I just stuck with the POG (passion fruit, orange, and guava). It was pretty good. They accept cash and cards. Definitely a must try!
Only open during certain times of the year but has been around decades. Prices have gone up a bit post covid but still a great deal. Plenty of different flavors with a true homemade style if Italian ice. I always get the gallons that run about $22. Parking though gets pretty bad and on summer nights the lines will get long. Don't forget to tip also the cool high school summer workers.
Every time I visit Chicago I have to go to Mario's, their lemon ice, strawberry flavor was so good. I got the small and that was enough for me, but they do have medium and large, also several flavors.
I suggest if you're visiting Chicago to give them a try.
There was a line, but it went by fast.
classic italian ice place for a warm summer night. the line gets long but it goes by quick. the price is not bad for what you, but it is cash only. the blue raspberry reminds me of a icee, but not as sugary and the smooth ice makes all the difference. be warned, parking can be tough to find in the area, it took us a few minutes of driving around. on the bright side, it’s free mostly. if i lived around the area, i’d be here all the time.
A very fun and delicious summer treat. They have plenty of flavors to choose from and if you get a medium or larger you can try two flavors at once. Certainly worth a visit.
First time having Mario’s and oh my, was it a great! We tried the cantaloupe and lychee. My fav was the cantaloupe and it had frozen fruit pieces in it! The Italian Ice is super soft and the flavors just explode! Amazing spot!
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