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Best of Chicago 2011: Food & Drink

ITALIAN ICE 1. ANTHONY’S Black cherry with bits of fresh fruit; mango made with imported Indian purée; rich, bright chocolate; and coconut that tastes fresh from the tree: We couldn’t find a loser. The owner, Michael Mednick, might credit his commitment to making the ice from scratch with natural ingredients. We might agree. 3442 N. Southport Ave.; 773-868-4237, anthonysice.com 

Anthony's Italian Ice in TimeOut Chicago Kids

 50 Sweet Scoops

Homemade Italian Ice-- "Just Right"

      In his twenties, Founder Michael Mednick opened Anthony's Italian Ice, then on Armitage Avenue, carrying a well-known brand of Italian Ice. Deciding he could do it better, he began experimenting, creating his own recipes—on a machine older than he was-- until he got it just right.  Within months Anthony's Homemade Italian Ice became a wildly -popular sold-through-the window ices shop. "The homemade peach, raspberry, mango, lemon and papaya scoops taste like just-picked fruits," wrote Chicago Magazine, choosing Anthony's as its "Hot Pick."

      Today his larger, welcoming shop at 3442 N. Southport Avenue carries 30 fat-free flavors, all made on-site; all overseen by Mednick.  The smooth-yet dairy-free, cholesterol-free-flavors are a favorite desert served year-round in Chicago homes, local restaurants and chains and at community and charitable events. Recommendations by Chicago foodies, Time Out Chicago, Today's Chicago Woman, Chicago Scene and others keep the now state-of-the-art machines whirring.