Margie's Candies

Location: 1960 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

A Quick Word:
Margie's Candies is a well-known ice cream parlor that has been serving Chicago for over 90 years.  Located on the edges of the Bucktown and Logan Square neighborhoods, everyone in the city has access to some of the best homemade ice cream and candies money can buy.  Their signature clam shell bowls are always loaded with scoops of ice cream and topped generously with an amazing whipped cream... so be smart when choosing your creation.  The atmosphere reminds you of your childhood with small booths lining the edge of the parlor and a mound of candy boxes filling the center.  Unfortunately, being such a small establishment has some cons.  A few tables are shared between strangers, making for some awkward conversation or lack there of.  Margie's is an amazing place to end a date, to come and hangout with friends, or just fill your ice cream fix.  I rate it as a 4.5 miles... the lack of seating and sharing tables with randoms kept it from being perfect.

What We Ate:

Hot Fudge Banana Split

Two of my friends decided on getting this huge banana split.  It comes with three scoops of ice cream (your choice), placed on a bed of bananas,  and topped with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry.  A gravy bowl filled with hot fudge and a lemon wafer cookie sits on the side of the huge clamshell-like bowl.  One of my friends decided to choose strawberry, New York cherry, and banana.  Without question, banana was the greatest flavor ice cream I tasted that night.  Honestly, banana ice cream could substitute for the sliced bananas in the split.  New York cherry is another flavor I highly recommend.  My other friend decided on chocolate chip ice cream, strawberry, and, I believe, their famous french vanilla ice cream.  You cannot go wrong with any combination of ice creams, especially with their infamous homemade hot fudge.  It is served on the side.  The hot fudge reminded me of a liquid brownie... it was extremely rich, thicker than typical chocolate sauce, and something everyone needs to try!  Make sure at least one person orders hot fudge--it comes with a lot so sharing is an option.

Pina Colada Sundae

After figuring out my friends all ordered sundaes or splits with hot fudge, I decided on stepping outside the box and ordering a more refreshing combination.  The pina colada sundae came with three scoops of vanilla ice cream that was sitting on a huge bed of sliced bananas, topped with a generous amount of coconut, whipped cream, and everyone's favorite cherry.  Rather than hot fudge, the gravy bowl was filled with fresh pineapple and also served with the lemon flavored wafer cookie.  I really enjoyed the sundae because of the fresh fruit.  The pineapple was sweet and when combining all the fruits and ice cream into one bite, it really did taste like a pina colada (minus the rum).  If you are not looking for too much chocolate, this is a great choice.

Jumbo Turtle Sundae

My roommate chose the jumbo turtle sundae... jumbo because you get an extra scoop of ice cream (totaling 3) and you get to choose your flavors.  It is accompanied by the side of hot fudge and topped with caramel pecans, whipped cream, and a cherry.  My roommate made his sundae with cookies and cream, chocolate chip, and vanilla.  The pecans were similar to the roasted nuts you find around Christmas time.  And when adding the hot fudge, you are definitely reminded of those turtle candies everyone enjoyed as a child.  This is probably what I will be ordering next time I come back.

The DOs/DON'Ts:
DO:
- Two musts:  Hot fudge topping and Banana ice cream
- There is a good amount of parking surrounding the area, just be prepared to walk a couple blocks.
- There is almost always a wait.  Even coming on one of the coldest days n Chicago this year, we still had to wait several minutes and when leaving, probably 15 people were all waiting for seats.
- Sharing is an option... I personally wouldn't, but a lot of people do.

DON'T:
- Don't expect to sit in an isolated booth.  We came with 4 people total and were still paired up with another family of 3.  Wasn't the greatest table, but what can you expect in a place with only a dozen tables.

How far would I walk for this food?