Margie’s Candies is the quintessential “malt shop in the sky” from the Grease song “Beauty School Dropout.” It has humbly rested at the corner of Western and Armitage Avenues in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood for over 80 years.
Family owned and operated Margie’s is a well-preserved time warp of nostalgic décor. The traditional Margie’s experience wouldn’t be the same without the stained glass pictures of ice cream and malts, non-functioning table jukebox radios, tan vinyl sectional booths, walls lined with black and white Margie’s group photographs (including one of The Beatles), and the larger-than-life ceramic ice cream cone greeting patrons outside the door that foreshadows the unforgettable, copious amounts of in-house homemade ice cream waiting inside.
The sweet smell of hot fudge and candy wafts through the air as dreamy white, vintage sea shell-style dishes filled with everything from the banana split to the half-gallon World’s Largest Sundae. The presentation is sweet perfection. Each and every Margie’s sundae dish is traditionally topped with whipped cream, nuts, a cherry, and a candy wafer on the side, always paired with gravy boats brimming with hot fudge that’s thick enough to eat with a spoon, but sometimes just too rich to finish. Caramel and butterscotch are also available topping choices. Although the confectionery boasts a wide selection of in-house hand-dipped chocolates and decent diner-style food, guests hanker for that hand-churned ice cream arriving at each tightly packed table within around five minutes of ordering.
Margie’s has a variety of all-natural, no preservative 18% butterfat ice cream flavors offered in over 50 different sundae choices. The warm brownie a la mode with coconut ice cream is highly recommended. Custom orders and flavor swaps are also welcome- the menu is more of a guideline for newcomers.
While the prices are cheap (most orders ranging from 4 to 12 dollars), the orders aren’t skimpy. Bringing a friend, a date, or a large group of frozen dessert addicts (to split a 6 to 25 scoop sundae of endless flavor combinations) is the way to go. A wait of 20 minutes on busier weekend nights is to be expected-but don’t wait inside: blocking the narrow aisles and the small entryway will earn you an irate glare from the wait staff. Trust that devouring those heavenly creations is well worth a short wait outside.
A Margie's six scoop sundae pre-demolition
