Margie's Candies

"Margie’s has been around since 1921 and looks like it. And does Margie’s Candies have the best ice cream in Chicago? No (although the handmade ice cream is still really good). What it does have is the best ice cream experience. Including the terrapin sundae that comes with 15 scoops of ice cream, or the normal-sized ones in an old-school clamshell bowl with literal gravy boats of homemade hot fudge and caramel on the side. And if you don’t want to eat inside the shop, you can still get your sundae to go. Except maybe the terrapin—unless you bring a wheelbarrow." - adrian kane, veda kilaru

"Year Opened: 1921 What To Get: A sundae, a banana split, or the 25-scoop Royal George sundae if you brought reinforcements (and Lactaid) The Old-School Factor: Tiffany lamp shades, tabletop jukeboxes, and pours of hot fudge from gravy boats old enough to have grandchildren—this Bucktown ice cream parlor is the poster child for retro-chic." - john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen

"Does Margie’s Candies have the best ice cream in Chicago? No, but it doesn’t need to. This Logan Square shop has been around since 1921, and no scene in The Bear is as cathartic as when Syd eats a giant sundae in an old-school clamshell bowl by herself, with literal gravy boats of housemade hot fudge and caramel on the side. Coming to this classic spot is an experience, one that gives you the chance to order a terrapin sundae that comes with 15 scoops of ice cream and hopefully a therapist." - adrian kane, nick allen

"This iconic ice cream shop is over a hundred years old, and it looks like it. Margie’s channels the old-school charm of an era where ice cream wasn’t topped with olive oil and flaky salt, but with generous pours of classic hot fudge from gravy boats old enough to have grandchildren. Enjoy a milkshake underneath their bright neon sign outside, or cram into a vintage naugahyde booth while tackling their 25-scoop sundae with friends. By scoop two, you might get so caught up in the whole Margie’s experience that you let out a spontaneous “Ah, Chicago.” " - john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen

"You’re not going to this 1920s-era Logan Square ice cream parlor for gelato topped with free-range honeysuckle tendrils that you’ll post on TikTok. You’re at Margie’s for giant sundaes served in clamshell bowls with gravy boats of homemade hot fudge and caramel on the side, in a space that looks like your grandparents’ garage sale. If you’ve ever wanted to eat one of those cartoon-style sundaes with 15 scoops of ice cream, you can do it here—no pictures needed. The smears of chocolate on your face will be proof enough you conquered the World’s Largest Terrapin." - veda kilaru, john ringor, adrian kane