Mario&#x27;s Italian Lemonade

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38

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22 days ago

Tried this for the first time and really loved it! We went on a Tuesday after work hours, and it was surprisingly not too crowded. Line moved really fast and the staff were all great! The menu is located on the side of the shop, but it is easily accessible right before you order. Very cute spot, and I like how the exterior has handwritten text, giving it a local flare. It is a classic grab and go place. They have a variety of flavors. The Lychee flavor was so good, with bits of lychee in the dessert. I will come back to try the other flavors! read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Menu - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Exterior - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Lychee Italian Ice - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Adeola O.

15

119

346

1 month ago

My first time going here! Expect a long line when you arrive but don't worry it moves fast. Their menu is written on the side of the building. You can choose up to two flavors. They serve fresh homemade Italian ice. The prices for their Italian ice a reasonable. They do accept cash and card. We ordered two mediums $6 each. Mine was blue raspberry with watermelon and my boyfriend ordered cherry with lemon. The cherry was delicious. It's a balanced amount of sour and tart with sweetness. The lemon was also very good and fresh. You could never go wrong with that classic flavor. Blueberry raspberry was very good as well. Slightly sour and sweet. The watermelon was OK it is very light in taste. There were watermelon chunks in the mixture. Along with the lemon flavor there were chunks of lemon in there. The ambience was very fast-paced you must know exactly what you want when you get there and listen out for your name. Be sure to grab some napkins and enjoy. The icy does melt pretty fast after getting it but it's so wort it. Full of flavor and worth the hype. Can't wait to go back again! read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Blueberry watermelon. Cherry lemon - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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JP H.

53

1211

24

2 months ago

TBE Italian Ice you will EVER have! I like the PAWG with a cherry on top! Great flavors, unique, not just lemonade and cherry but those 2 are great also. Right across from the ONLY good Al's beef, a classic Thai place, Chaez Joel a decent French place with French onion soup, and much much more of the UIC area including a First Aid comics right there. And Hawkeye's down the street, and Pilsen thrift stores a block over. Yup, it's safe to say I know areas BETTER than most people who have lived places their whole life. Get out more or you might or you might as well be dead. read more

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Jason U.

10

253

410

8 days ago

Was walking along the area and came by Mario's Italian Lemonade, great little spot to have a sweet treat with Italian ice. I had the cherry lemonade, which was pretty decent, overall great service and grab and go type of spot. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Outside - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Small cherry - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Elizabeth N.

1

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30 days ago

Mario's Italian Lemonade in the Chicago area had the best Italian ice we've ever tried. They have lots of flavor options, but the POG (passionfruit orange guava) was our favorite! read more

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Faheem A.

26

147

380

1 month ago

You HAVE to try it. I frequent this place at least 4-5 times a week. It's borderline addicting. The Italian ice is so refreshing and fresh.

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Steve A.

4748

5576

8499

10 months ago

Came here to get some Italian ice at this classic in Little Italy. It certainly has been a favorite for a long time. Mario's is a good place in hot weather. Locally owned and operated by a family. The only bad thing is the long ass lines. Basically it's an Italian ice stand and you order at a window and take it to go. It's one of the city's oldest places for this cold item. This is pretty happening when it's hot out. It's got quite a few flavors beyond the classic lemonade. You can find many interesting ones. It's about $7 for a large cup. The last time here they had Chili Lime Cucumber, which was both spicy and sweet. For sure it's a place to cool off when it gets hot. It's open seasonally. They close temporarily for winter. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Cantaloupe Lemonade - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Andre A.

322

276

24

2 months ago

The best Italian lemonade/Italian ice I've ever had. It's a walk up window accessible from the sidewalk and similar to the Maxwell Street Polish stand, there is alway a crowd of people in front of it at any given time of day. The place is a local legend since 1954 with 20+ flavors available at all times. So drive had the lemon and the cantaloupe - both were amazing with large chunks of fruit in them. Highly recommend. read more

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Lakeisha H.

14

121

180

1 month ago

Back at it. My favorite Italian ice place in the city. I'm so happy it's in my neighborhood. The line was long long but moved so fast. The flavors are spectacular. I really love it. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Guava pineapple green apple - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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MaryLu C.

0

13

0

13 days ago

I live in the neighborhood and find my way to Mario's a few times a year. It is not what is used to be. Chunks of fruit and plenty of liquid flavor. Was there yesterday and there were very few chunks of fruit and it tasted more like ice and flavor. For $6 for a small expect flavor. read more

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Curtis P.

0

7

1 month ago

Mario's Italian Lemonade is great. I appreciate the staffs and managers kindness to me even though I have autism and their food is amazing and really good. Very welcoming staff and it was the best service I've ever had. Owner Skip and Marco Jr and manager Chloe is very nice. Amazing frozen lemonade! Must come back. I hope more people come here. 10/10. Spanish: La limonada italiana de Mario es genial. Agradezco la amabilidad del personal y los gerentes hacia mí a pesar de que tengo autismo y su comida es increíble y realmente buena. Personal muy acogedor y fue el mejor servicio que he tenido. El propietario Skip y Marco Jr. son muy agradables. ¡Increíble limonada congelada! Debe volver. 10/10. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Lychee watermelon lemonade - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Julissa C.

0

13

16

1 month ago

First time coming here. There was a little bit of a line but service was great and very fast. It was a cute little walk up stand. I liked that you could mix and match flavors. I got strawberry and watermelon. The watermelon had chunks of watermelon in them. Pretty tasty and a nice sweet treat. $6 for a medium was very fair. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Watermelon and strawberry lemonade front. Cantaloupe lemonade back - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Em K.

7

79

201

5 months ago

Mario's Italian Lemonade is the summer treat I look forward to every year! The lines can get long, but they move surprisingly fast. I love that you can mix multiple flavors in one cup, and the pricing is really fair for the quality and portion size. The POG flavor is my favorite, refreshing and tropical. The only downside is all the bees that circle around, so you'll want to find a spot far enough away to enjoy your lemonade in peace. Despite the bee situation, it's 100% worth it and a Chicago summer staple! read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Blueberry and POG - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Senitra G.

17

72

324

10 months ago

I absolutely love Mario's Italian Ice on a hot summer day! It's the perfect cool-down treat, and there are plenty of flavors to choose from. My go-to's are watermelon and lychee, but today we went with lychee and strawberry--both were delicious and refreshing! Customer service was average. The person who took our order seemed like they were kind of over it, but nothing terrible. Just be prepared to stand in line and fight off the bees--apparently they love Mario's as much as we do! If I had one suggestion, it would be to find a way to keep the bees away from the counter. It's a little hard to place an order when you're busy swatting bugs. Still, the Italian ice is worth it. I'll definitely be back--just maybe dressed in beekeeper gear next time! read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Small lychee and strawberry - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Vanity H.

447

359

753

11 months ago

The best Italian lemonade in Chicago - hands down! I just can't get enough of it! Honestly my pockets are lucky that I don't live nearby cause I'd be getting this daily. The prices aren't bad either - Small $4 Medium $6 Large $7 XL $8. We finally tried the XL and it was huuuggeee - it lasted me a very long time. I think I can stick to my mediums and if I'm really wanting a big one then large will do lol. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Strawberry | Lychee - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Lychee & Blue-raspberry Watermelon & Pineapple - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lana T.

25

314

1588

11 months ago

Been coming here for a while and absolutely love their Italian lemonade. Especially during a hot summer. The lines maybe long at times like during the evening but it goes by so quick. The people who take your orders are so nice. There different size options like small. Medium, large, or even extra large. For the price you can't beat. There so many flavors to choose from like lychee, blue raspberry, pina colada, cherry, strawberry. It tastes so good. There's also a little park nearby you can enjoy your lemonade and kind of see the city from there. read more

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Blue A.

3199

1745

4802

1 year ago

A nice spring/summer treat. They have a variety of flavors to choose from and you can mix and match any two flavors. I went with cherry and cantaloupe. It was a cold, refreshing treat. We ate it in the walk back home. It was a perfect spring afternoon. You line up, order at the window and they call your name when it's ready. Even if the line is long they move really fast, so consider waiting. It's all grab and go, as there's no where to sit so plan to walk and eat or maybe find a park nearby to chill at. read more

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Audry S.

57

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1 year ago

My partner and I came here on a Tuesday afternoon and there were so many people there , but the line moved quickly! They have many selections of flavors but we settled for lemon and strawberry (thinking they're the most natural ones). We got a medium ($6) and we had those two flavors combined. I was pleasantly surprised to find real lemon rinds in our Italian ice! It was refreshing and not too sweet, perfect for a humid day in the city. My favorite was definitely the lemon, it wasn't too sour either! The strawberry was yummy too, but I'm always a sucker for lemon. I can see why this place is so popular! I can't wait to come back to try their other flavors. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Strawberry and lemon ice - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Maronda H.

111

1146

14022

1 year ago

Popular Italian Ice walk up stand located on Taylor Street. When you see the long line of people standing in front, you have arrived. There are so many delicious flavors to choose from blue raspberry, banana, cherry, watermelon, pina colada, pineapple, green apple and list of flavors goes on. I was so undecided on which flavors and size to ordered. I ended up ordering the blue raspberry mixed with cherry. What a delicious cold treat with flavor and fresh cut up fruit. The young ladies behind the stand was patience and moving along the line with grace. Prices are reasonable and nice size portions. Mario's has been around for decades and still remains the top rated Italian stand in Chicago. read more

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Ernie H.

116

827

2860

1 year ago

I'm always a fan of Italian ice. You get your thirst quenched with a cold refreshing ice purée with real fruit bits that's not too sweet. Having it in Taylor street Little Italy is just quintessential! So we had the passion fruit, orange, guava - that's a lot in one - I know. Because of that it has substance with the passionfruit, but it still doesn't feel heavy and the guava is there. We like it! read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Mario's Italian Ice Menu - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Mario's Italian Ice - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amanda L.

35

289

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8 months ago

It's still October and I'm already missing them terribly. This is my all time favorite refreshing treat. I can't imagine you could really go wrong here but my favorite is the POG. Check their Instagram for limited time flavors as they often will make something based on what's in season. The peach was another standout this year. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Half POG, half peach (full of real peach chunks) - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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karina k.

86

1239

14104

10 months ago

I would say this place has one of the best Italian ice. A long line all the time proves it. Prices are amazing too. Real fruit included. No custard which would be nice to mix it with. No sit in but take out only which is fine. read more

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Kaitlyn C.

508

403

1600

10 months ago

Great Italian Lemonade spot with reasonable prices. There will be a line, but it moves pretty fast. For a small, it's only $4 which isn't bad for a sweet treat. I love having all the flavors to choose from as you can come back for more. But the classic Lemonade and POG (passion fruit, orange, and guava) flavors were delicious! read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Small POG (Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava) ($4) - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Yerim N.

5

69

29

1 year ago

A must honestly in the summer! Don't let the long line scare you - it moves quick, even if it's around the corner! Every flavor is so good but my favorites are cantaloupe and grapefruit. I've never been done wrong by one though! Real fruit chunks in a lot of them! Perfect for the summer heat! read more

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Anurag T.

Elite 23

73

198

907

1 year ago

Overall (B+) I don't get. It good, but I don't understand why individuals think it is awesome. Value (A-) We paid $4 for a cup of flavored ice. Okay value - felt a bit pricey but not expensive. Overall pretty good compared to other options Service (A) They are friendly and move fast. Even with a long line things move fast. Quality (B) Like the ice was pretty good. It wasn't bad or anything just not excellent. I guess I was expecting a whole lot more with the hype. If we lived close by we may go once in a while but I am not driving for it Similar to Portillos I think it is good but I don't get the hype. Maybe it is a Chicago thing. Go check it out if convenient for you, but don't go out of your way. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Strawberry - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Line - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Myra Y.

61

449

1091

1 year ago

Don't let the line deter you! It moves fast and usually we get our order within a few minutes after ordering. I've tried a variety of flavors over the years and am always happy with what I get. We are always happy when they open for the season and go for as long as they are open. read more

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Mayuri A.

535

488

1532

1 year ago

Nothing screams summer like Mario's opening up and seeing the long lines outside. We swung by here on a busy Saturday evening. The line seems long but is really fast moving. We ordered the POG lemonade which stands for passion fruit, orange and guava. The combination seemed lovely and we were excited about it. The lemonades come in three sizes: small, medium and large. Although it says lemonade, it's more like a slushie. We can mix flavors together too but since ours was already a mixed flavor, we decided to not mix. Our lemonade (slushie) was ready within 5 mins and it turned out to be sooo flavorful. I love guava and it came through really well. We also saw some passion fruit seeds in our lemonade so we were happy to know that they use real fruits. Such a refreshing drink and it's perfect for the summer. I will be back! read more

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Kay P.

12

165

190

1 year ago

Finally got to try this Chicago summer staple! Loved how quickly the line moves, staff is friendly and helpful in describing the flavors. There are so many flavor options I would definitely come back to try more! read more

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Entre S.

0

2

0

3 months ago

Don't be fooled by its humbling appearance! Mario's Italian Lemonade has more in store than you would expect. This family owned Lemonade stand in Little Italy is a neighborhood icon, and it's been slinging fresh Italian ice since 1954. From flavors like Lemon, Cherry (personal favorite), and Pineapple, to Piña Colada, Passion Fruit Orange Guava, and Chocolate. If you don't want to wait in a line that spans the block (especially on hot summer days), you need get there as quick as possible. read more

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Cassh B.

13

179

1180

1 year ago

This Stan is right across from Al's number one Italian beef mix them together. This place is amazing. Mario's Italian ice has many flavors. We tried lemon and watermelon the ambience. It's a walk up stand so it screams summer. Perfect day. Plenty of people working inside so customer service is great in as fast and friendly. This is a must. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Watermelon Italian ice - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Lemon Ice - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Front - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Joseph S.

385

336

512

1 year ago

I cannot stop coming here. This place is my go to during the summer and I'll take anyone and their mom here. Their italian lemonade makes me crave summer. I got the POG (passionfruit, orange, guava) in a large size. There is always a line but it moves fast and everyone is super friendly. Note that there is no seating and it is grab and go but feel free to explore the local parks and chill while enjoying it! read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - pog large - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Abilasha N.

136

11

29

1 year ago

Old school Italian ice. The ice is really fine and consistent - no chunks or anything. On a hot summers day perfect refreshing treat! The Lemon flavor was awesome and not super sweet at all. The watermelon was my favorite- it hit all the spots. The syrups are fresh with actual fruit pieces, it's not your regular sugary syrup with food coloring which is what sets this place apart. Even the lemon flavor had lemon rinds in them. Sometimes there is a line but it moves pretty quickly - the service is very friendly and efficient. Def must try if you are in the little Italy neighborhood:) read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Lemon ice - Size small. - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Dimpie S.

7

230

501

9 months ago

Really good Italian ice! Not too sweet. We got the watermelon. You could taste the watermelon bits in there. I didn't like the sour taste from the lemon though mixed in. The service was quick. The street was a little dirty and it's a takeout place only. read more

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Aditi D.

13

196

545

1 year ago

Mario's Italian Lemonade is one of those quintessential Chicago summer spots--a no-frills, walk-up stand that serves bright, refreshing Italian ice in a variety of flavors that keep people coming back year after year. Lychee Italian Ice - My personal favorite! It's light, fruity, and super refreshing--perfect on a hot day. Flavor Combos - One of the best things about Mario's is that you can mix and match flavors, which makes each visit a little different and fun to experiment with. ‍ No Seating, Limited Parking - It's definitely a grab-it-and-go kind of place. There's no seating and parking can be tricky, so plan to stroll around the neighborhood with your cup in hand. The vibe is classic and simple--a neighborhood staple that's perfect for a quick, cooling treat. If you're in the area, it's absolutely worth the stop. Just be ready to eat your Italian ice on the go! read more

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Dylan P.

349

211

501

2 years ago

Such a cool iconic Chicago spot. Place is famous so I don't really need to explain how this will lure you in and grab your attention. Across the street from Al's Italian beef so it's the perfect place for an after dinner desert/snack. What I appreciate about Mario's is that they seem to make everything fresh with real ingredients. Usually when I have Italian ice it's a syrup that is pumped into ice. I ordered the dragonberry and had actual chunks/seeds in mine. They make it like it should be made. Place is the real deal with tons of ppl lined up to get something. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Dragon berry - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Fredrick B.

59

476

872

1 year ago

This is THE BEST Italian Ice you will ever have anywhere! The use of FRESH FRUIT in making the Lemon Ice is unique and refreshing. The staff from the owners Skippy & Maria to the students they provide summer employment to are always friendly and polite. This wonderful quaint family business is exceptional. Stand in line -- it's worth it! read more

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Jessica W.

Elite 25

28

148

89

11 months ago

This is a classic! So good and refreshing on a hot summer day. FYI, They now accept card payments, as a kid I remember it being cash only. My all time favorite flavor is the watermelon, it is so fresh with real chunks of fruit, I like to combine it with the lemon flavor. I tried the POG last time, which is passionfruit orange guava, it tasted like a tropical vacation! read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - POG - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Taco B.

0

35

22

8 months ago

The lime flavor is soooooooooo good. Best flavor fr. Mixing the cherry and lime flavor is the way to go. Do be careful there's a bunch of bees that swarm the place lol. (That's how you know it's good) read more

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Tequila W.

3

62

164

1 year ago

Customer service was good and fast. People in line were friendly and talkative. The flavor was good, and this has the texture of a slushee. read more

Mario's Italian Lemonade - Pineapple and strawberry Italian ice cream - Shaved Ice Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Jorge P.

91

232

648

2 years ago

I've lived in Chicago my entire life and have heard of this little neighborhood mythical Italian Ice / Lemonade stand 1 million times... I've heard how great it was and how badly I need to try every flavor on the menu. Well... 27 years later and I had it. PHENOMENAL. I recently moved nearby & it's worth a 30+ minute walk, most definitely. The prices aren't bad either! The service was friendly and nice and even gave us recommendations with it being our first time. I ordered the POG (Passion Fruit, Orange, Grape - I believe), the Piña Colada, and the Fruit Cocktail. I'm already looking forward to coming back! Thank you Mario, the neighborhood appreciates you! Customer service fantastic too! Good vibes all around. Personal Review: 9.6/10 read more

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More info about Mario's Italian Lemonade

1068 W Taylor St
Chicago, IL 60607
University Village
Directions
Visit Website
http://www.marioslemonade.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Mario's Italian Lemonade open?

Mario's Italian Lemonade opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Mario's Italian Lemonade close?

Mario's Italian Lemonade closes at 11:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Mario's Italian Lemonade take Bitcoin?

No, Mario's Italian Lemonade does not take Bitcoin.

Does Mario's Italian Lemonade take credit cards?

Yes, Mario's Italian Lemonade takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Mario's Italian Lemonade have catering options?

No, Mario's Italian Lemonade does not have catering options.

Does Mario's Italian Lemonade have a drive thru?

No, Mario's Italian Lemonade does not have a drive thru.

Indoor Amenities

Does Mario's Italian Lemonade allow dogs?

Yes, Mario's Italian Lemonade allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Mario's Italian Lemonade have bike parking?

Yes, Mario's Italian Lemonade has bike parking.

Does Mario's Italian Lemonade have parking?

Yes, Mario's Italian Lemonade has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Mario's Italian Lemonade wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Mario's Italian Lemonade is wheelchair accessible.

From the Business

Specialties

Mario’s Italian Lemonade has been serving our wonderful customers with a consistent product since 1954. Our lemonade is made with freshly squeezed lemons and fresh cut fruit. Our lines may be long but they move fast, stop by on a hot summer day and enjoy a refreshing treat!

History

Established in 1954.

Mario “Skip” DiPaolo Jr. started Mario’s Italian Lemonade in 1954 with his father, Mario DiPaolo Sr. Skip was 6 years old when he began selling lemonade on a small hand crank machine. It would take him an hour to make a single cup of lemonade that he sold for 5 cents. The following year his father purchased him another hand crank machine for left hand and his production doubled to 10 cents an hour. As the business grew Skip and his father built a wooden stand at 1068 W Taylor St. The business has looked almost exactly the same as when they built it. Mario DiPaolo Sr. passed away in 1984, and the business is now run by Skip, his wife Maria, and their 3 children.

Meet the Business Owner: Mario D.

Mario “Skip” DiPaolo runs the stand with his wife Maria and their 3 children.

Mario's Italian Lemonade Reviews in Other Languages

Japanese
1 Review

Review Highlights - Mario's Italian Lemonade

“You get your thirst quenched with a cold refreshing ice purée with real fruit bits that's not too sweet.”

Mentioned in 60 reviews

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Autea Sweets & Eats

I went here because I wanted to try their stinky tofu. This place was one of the few places in…read moreChicago that offer it. I ordered it for pick up. Pick up was super fast and easy. If you want to try stinky tofu be prepared for the smell. It does have a very strong, intense smell. For me, this is a one and done kind of snack. Next time, I will just stick with their boba tea or normal Smelling snacks.

Really great tea and Chinese food restaurant, their "scallion oil chicken" dish is amazing and…read moreaddicting and they have great shakes like the mango one and an excellent lime and plum tea beverage. Prompt and attentive service and internal atmosphere pretty cool with a lot of seating/tables. Check it out in Chicago's Chinatown!

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TSAôCAA

Had a gf in town and she was craving shaved ice. We normally go to gaijin in the city but had to…read morechange course as they were closed for their holiday hours. We had dinner in China town so we decided to give this place a try! We ordered through the kiosk and it was served quickly. It was great! The snow ice had a nice texture and they didn't skimp on any ingredients. Will be back!

Underwhelmed with the boba here, but I believe as a chain, their actual tea is decent…read more Unfortunately I wanted boba at night and wanted to avoid caffeine, so went with a simple fresh milk. At another location, outside of Chicago, I had tea that was solid but the boba was still mediocre. Not sure if it's the franchisees or the actual chain, but the toppings may not be freshly rotated. Double Purple Bubble Fresh Milk - ube lining, ube grounding, milk, and boba. Combo sounds pretty great, but felt like execution was off. Ube lining was decent and smooth, just took some effort to scrape. However I expected the ube at the bottom of the cup to be mashed similarly and it was not. Boba was chewy on the outside but ripped apart easily in the center, almost firm.

Double Mix - Strawberry mango shaved ice cream

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Guava yakult green tea w honey aloe

Mango Mango Dessert

One of my favorite dessert spots! No matter what season it is, their mangos are perfectly ripe. I…read morerecommend everything I've tried. It's always busy so sometimes I order it for take out if there's no tables available. Portions are big so it's perfect for sharing. - My go to is the mango pomelo sago- this does melt fast so be sure to eat in a timely manner - coconut mango pomelo sago - a creamier version if that's what you're looking for - mango smoothie, the freshest one I've had - triple ice cream delight sundae

Mango Mango Dessert is a dessert shop that focuses on fresh fruit flavors, especially mango-based…read morecreations inspired by Hong Kong-style dessert shops. We walked into a casual and modern space that works well for stopping by after a meal or meeting up with friends for something sweet. The interior is bright and clean, with a relaxed energy that makes it easy to settle in for a dessert without feeling rushed. The menu has a wide range of options, from shaved ice and mango sago to cakes and other fruit desserts, making it easy to find something depending on your mood. The mango mille crepe cake is one of the highlights and a great representation of what the shop does well. We ordered a slice and found the cake made with thin layers of crepe stacked together with cream and fresh mango, creating a texture that feels light while still being satisfying. The layers are soft and delicate, and the mango adds a bright fruitiness that keeps the dessert from feeling overly heavy or too sweet. The balance between the creamy layers and the fresh mango flavor made it feel more refreshing than a traditional cake, especially with the mango being ripe and fragrant. It was also one of the better choices for sharing, as the slice was generous enough to pass around the table. Beyond the mille crepe cake, the menu has plenty of variety with options like mango shaved ice, mango sticky rice, and fruit-based drinks. We appreciated that the desserts are presented carefully, making the experience feel more like a sit-down dessert stop rather than just grabbing something quick. The shaved ice was light and fluffy, with a good amount of mango and toppings that added texture without overwhelming the base. The fruit-based drinks were also refreshing and served as a nice palate cleanser between the richer desserts. The shop can get busy, especially after dinner hours, but the line usually moves along at a steady pace. The staff handled the flow efficiently, and the turnover was fast enough that even with a small wait, we were seated quickly. The seating area is comfortable, and the energy of the room stays lively without becoming too loud. Mango Mango Dessert is a solid Chinatown dessert destination if you are looking for fruit-forward sweets with a lighter, refreshing style. The mango mille crepe cake is a must-try for first visits and one of the items that best captures the appeal of the menu, offering a dessert that feels both visually appealing and satisfying to eat.

Mango Man-Coco Sticky Smoothie

Mango taiwanese shaved ice $14.99

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Strawberry and mango sago

Gaijin

This place is special!…read more Immediately transported me back to Osaka when I walked in. Was at Taste of Randolph with a big group of friends and had to sneak off for a solo mission to get Okonomiyaki! Even though everywhere was insanely busy the host at Gaijin was so accommodating and sat me at the Chef's table. I was on a slight time restraint so I wasn't gone too long before my friends realized I was missing. The waitress was so nice and I was able to put in an order for a Highball and Pork Okonomiyaki very fast. Sipping on a Highball while watching the food cooking up in the kitchen captured the exact vibe I missed from Japan. The Pork Okonomiyaki was unreal! A taste and quality I never thought I would be able to get back home. Sweet, Savory, Umami, all the flavors that make them so addictive. I can't wait to return and bring friends. They have Hiroshima style with the yakisoba which I also miss from my travels there. We are going to have to order multiple of everything. & MUST try their donuts, they look dangerously good.

Everything is cooked before arriving, so grills are for keeping yakis warm and crispy. They had a…read morespecial Mexican inspired okonomiyaki when we visited that fell flat on flavor. The matcha kakkigori also wasn't shaved fine enough to keep the ice from melting into Hawaiian style shaved ice. The Osaka style beef and traditional Hiroshima style yaki saved the meal enough to enjoy ourselves though, and were very flavorful. The restaurant itself is tucked right behind Morgan station but is so much bigger inside. The furniture and even dishware also felt like they were picked very intentionally to complement the grilling plates. The layout of the restaurant means it can be great for really any kind of occasion or group size.

Pandan-Coconut Donut

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Old fashioned

Taipei Cafe

Delicious. The kind of place where there's always a kid doing homework or playing with legos at one…read moreof the tables in the back. Built on consistency and neighborhood loyalty. Basically two places in one: * Boba Tea - Grab a drink and walk the park across the street. Fantastic boba texture and flavor. * Restaurant - Focus on the Popcorn Chicken and the Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup A easy place to make a regular haunt.

Love their popcorn chicken, and the beef donburi with kimchi, and salt & pepper tofu were also very…read moregood. Just ok were the stir fried noodle with shitake mushroom and pork was ok (these are very thin rice noodles) and the spicy beef noodle soup (tasted seasoned/salty but lacking in depth of flavor). It's a casual place good for eating alone or with a larger group, service is good, and there's a small parking lot that gets full quickly, but has high turnover. I really liked this place but unfortunately the bathrooms were not clean, hence the 4 stars instead of 5.

Spicy Beef and Tendon Noodle Soup

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Cold Noodle with Sesame Sauce

OMi

great spot to work/study at!…read more staff was nice, seating is really nice with ample outlets around - big windows for light, drinks were yummers & japanese dishes & baked goods were such nice to have for the long days!

I want to love OMi so badly, I really do. But now that I've been here a handful of times, I'm…read moreconfident in saying that it's a more middle of the pack option for the cafes I frequent. Let's start with the positives. I love the vibe of the cafe itself, it's one of my favorite spots just for the abundance of natural light and the cute decorations & art strewn across the walls. It's also just a very social atmosphere due to all the meetup events that congregate there, which can be a pro or con depending on who you ask. The employees are all super chill! Generally good vibes and never had a problem with their service. Now the negatives. The drinks and food are so mid. I keep trying different options hoping that I picked the wrong item, because I so desperately want to find that "go-to safe item" at my favorite spot. But all of it is just so, so mid. Sometimes it's too sweet (the most common problem), other times the flavoring is just super underwhelming or grossly artificial. The baked goods are all pretty low quality as well, I honestly think I could make better pastries myself (and I am a person who tends to be hypercritical of my work, so that's saying something).

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Snow Dragon Shavery

A typical over priced business in a touristy area that lacks customer service…read more It was an oddly warm day so we needed something to drink. Smoothies? Boba tea? Sound awesome. But the man at the cashier was just rushing us to order, it's like "Next! Next!" with no greeting or smile, as if he just wanted to get it over with. The smoothie I ordered was "pina colada" which cost me $10 with tax. It was okay, but I didn't see much value in it.

Tried the macaroons at Snow Dragon and was pleasantly surprised. The flavors were a lot more…read moreintense than you usually find in store bought ones. Really liked the milk and cookies, cheesecake, and red velvet. Would have liked some suggestions from the staff, but they seemed nice and attentive. The store also looked nice and bright. It was a little pricy for what you get, but if you are looking for a good occasional macaroon fix this place hits the spot.

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Ohana Ice & Treats

After getting back from a trip to Hawaii where I discovering Hawaiian shave ice I was crazing more…read more Ohana was exactly what I wanted. It was so good and our server was so nice and helpful in creating the perfect flavor combo. Will be back!

Delicious!!! The owner was so friendly and the ice cream was so good!!! I had to get a shaved ice…read moretoo!!! So good!!! Definitely a must have!

Shave ice

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Shaved Ice

Miko's Italian Ice

I love ice cream, and Italian Ice is not ice cream. It's not as flavor-blasted as a good ice…read morecream, but that's just dandy when it's hot out and you want something refreshing. So, the different flavors at Miko's have different amounts of flavor. The ones that I've had that are very flavorful are mango and lime. The ones that have less flavor are horchata and possibly watermelon. Point being, it's a little flavor-dependent. But I love this place's homegrown feel, the people are always nice, and I love that you can get 2 flavors!

Refreshing shaved ice but nothing special. I prefer a shaved ice where the ice is more chunky to…read morechew on, but their ice was pretty smooth. I got half mango and half strawberry. It would have been better if they filled the cup with each flavor on the left and right side (rather than on the top and bottom) as that would have been more convenient to scoop both flavors to eat at once. They provide tajin for free, and there are a decent amount of chairs to sit down and eat.

One of perfect treats in a hot day!!!

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Baobing Bar

Omg yum! Been wanting to try this place for so so long now. If you didn't already know, this place…read moreis attached to Duck Duck Goat around the corner. It's a cute little window that serves Taiwanese desserts and some to-go items from the restaurant. There is also a small seating area. Me and my friend both got ice cream. I got the rice ice baby which was refreshing on such a hot day. It tasted like a strawberry rice crispy treat with sesame. The strawberry jam at the bottom is a great touch! Portion is pretty big too so good for sharing. I wasn't too fond of the price tho.... I paid $17.....

This is a cute little walk-up window tucked behind Duck Duck Goat. You order at the window and grab…read morea seat outside while they bring your dessert over. The staff was super friendly and I loved the chill summer vibes. The Chocolate Sesame was definitely unique. The soft serve had a coconut-like flavor and wasn't very sweet. I don't get impressed by ice cream & soft serve very easily, and I felt like the ice cream itself wasn't anything crazy. 5/10. The best part was everything on top. I loved how the chocolate sauce hardened into a shell, the chocolate-sesame crunch added great texture, and the chocolate shaved ice mixed with the crunch so I hardly noticed it was there. 8/10. Overall, I'd give it a 6.5/10. The sesame-chocolate flavor combination was unique and delicious, but for $17.50 it's definitely a little expensive.

The Chili Crunch - vanilla soft serve, chili crunch, spiced wontons, strawberries and cilantro

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Jasmine pearl + grass skirt cocktails

Kasama

Order ahead online!!! We placed an order at 8:45 right when online ordering opened. The order was…read moreready by 10:00am. When we got there the line outside was about two blocks and people stated moving slowly. One in line even said she looked to place online ordering but it was showing ready at 1:30pm. So plan ahead! The breakfast sandwich was delicious! The bun was thin and soft and the hashbrown thin and crispy which was perfect. We also got an assortment of pastries to try of different flavors. The guava and cheese ensaymada was a favorite! The staff for picking up online orders were very nice! The team was very organized and efficient with pick up orders. Only tough part was interior area by pick up is small.

Pro tip: Set an alarm and be ready to order online at 8:45 a.m…read more Even though I logged on right at 8:45 a.m., my order wasn't ready until around 10:30-10:45 a.m. By the time I arrived, the line was easily two blocks long. I was lucky enough to snag a parking spot from someone pulling out right in front, and I was even happier to skip the line and walk straight in to pick up my order. Order ahead--it is absolutely the move. The drinks aren't sitting around waiting for pickup either. It seemed like they were making my matcha latte right as I arrived, which I appreciated. The star of the show was the huckleberry pastry--absolutely worth the hype. The longanisa breakfast sandwich was delicious but very substantial. For us, one sandwich was the perfect amount to share among three people; I think it would feel pretty heavy as a solo breakfast. The apple hand pie was one of the best I've had, and even the simple cookie was surprisingly delicious. We also tried a blueberry muffin, which was solid as well. The restaurant itself is cute, the space is clean, and the restrooms were spotless. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time I'll definitely follow the pro tip and order ahead.

@endoedibles on Instagram 03/21/25

Breakfast sandwich: soufflé egg, longanisa, cheese, hash brown

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Breakfast Sandwich: longanisa, egg, and cheese | $12

Sweet Bean

A Taiwanese bakery. How could a place that loves Michael Jackson be bad?…read more Salted Egg Yolk Bolo Bun流心菠蘿麵包: Calling it "流心"(runny) isn't quite accurate; it's a bolo bun菠蘿包 (pineapple -shape bun) with a salted egg yolk filling, but it had an authentic, old-fashioned flavor that made me feel like back to childhood. The crust was thin and crispy, with a large air cavity, making it very soft and fluffy. The salted egg yolk has just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness, and wasn't too cloying. Garlic Cheese Brioche Bun蒜香奶酪麵包: Perhaps its more Taiwanese name is "八蒜包" (Eight Garlic Bun). Its appearance and taste were very similar to those I've had at Taiwanese bakeries in mainland China. The cheese and garlic flavors were very strong, but the bread itself was slightly coarse. Hojicha Latte: The whole milk was very milky, but the hojicha flavor felt a little weak. However, it's already great to find a tea latte that's not very sweet.

We came around 12:30noon and got a huge bread haul at this bakery. I'm SO glad we did!…read more Here's what we got: * Purple rice taro bun / 5 (OUR FAV!!!) * Matcha custard bun / 4.5 * Matcha pistachio bun / 5 * Tuna egg mayo bread / 4.5 * Hot dog & cheese bread / 4 * BBQ hot dog skewer / 3 * Sesame roll / 3.5 * Cheese pudding tart / 3.5 * Banana bread matcha c oat milk / 4.75 If there's one thing you get here, get the purple rice taro bun. Suuuuper soft & chewy bread filled with purple rice and taro. The textures were amazing. Best baked good I ever had. It's pricey but SO worth it!! 10/10, 5 stars, 100%. Service here is just okay, nothing special. There's also a small seating area in the back that is open until 4pm!

Inside of Scallion & Ham Bun 蔥花火腿麵包 ($3.95) - very strong scallion flavor. Bread is soft, moist, and pretty oily.

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Inside of Lychee Cranberry Scone 荔枝蔓越莓司康 ($5.75) - not the best, is dry and powdery. Definitely not worth the price.

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar

I'm from Los Angeles, and I have to say this place was such a sweet surprise. Everyone was…read moreincredibly welcoming and made me feel right at home, which always stands out when you're visiting a new city. The outside is super cute too it actually caught my eye when I first found them on Yelp, and it's just as charming in person. I tried the Teddy Graham latte on the barista's recommendation, and I'm so glad I did. It had great flavor without being overly sweet, and I got it with whole milk which made it perfectly smooth and comforting. If you're in downtown Chicago, I'd definitely recommend checking out this spot. It's a cozy little gem with great vibes and even better drinks.

Clearly a popular spot, run like a well oiled machine. The space is tiny so they only allowed four…read morepeople in a time and then you wait outside in the alley for your order. The bagel was good, I had a hippie sandwich and my boyfriend got a bacon egg and cheese which he said was good too.