Margie’s Candies on Western

Margie’s Candies

http://www.margiesfinecandies.com/index.html

Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe

1960 North Western Avenue

Chicago, IL  60647

(773) 384-1035

One look at the outside of Margie’s and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time.  Margie’s Candies’ original home on Western Avenue has been around since 1921, and is on it’s third generation owner from the Poulos family.  The feel of the entire place feels family oriented.  I walked in on a Monday afternoon and was instantly greeted by a friendly old man behind the counter.  There was a family in the back corner, but other than that the place was empty. I spent a good ten minutes just gawking at all of the memorabilia that Margie’s had collected, everything from signed Beatle’s drumsticks to old table top juke boxes that no longer worked.  The atmosphere was so rich with history, just like the restaurant itself (which their numerous family pictures in the display cases showed me).

Originally, the shoppe was founded by Peter George Poulos in 1921. But in 1933, when his son married Margie Michaels, the ice cream parlor came to be known as Margie’s Candies.  Margie’s son Peter currently owns the restaurant (he is 77 years old himself, and has grown up in Margie’s) and loves candy just as much as his parents and grandparents. “it’s delicious, it’s great, it’s the food of the Gods,” says Peter about beloved chocolate.  Even his son, also named George, is destined to take on the family business as the fourth generation Poulos owner.  Many celebrities have visited the restaurant including Al Capone, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and many more.

I tasted the turtle sundae, while my friend had the same thing that the Beatles ordered when they came: the fudge atomic sundae.  The ice cream came to the table on sea shell bowls with a wafer and hot nut fudge on the side.  Let’s just say we regretted not sharing our ice cream.  The waiter was attentive, but the place is pretty small so it was easy to communicate.  A sundae is only about $5-6… and it is a delicacy, I promise.  As you can see from the picture, we had our work cut out for us.  I recommend visiting Margie’s during finals week. Everyone deserves to taste this ice cream!

What Margie Taught Me from Jay Hagstrom on Vimeo.

Peter Poulos has a lot to say about what he learned from his mom.  I think it is amazing to see how passionate he is about his family’s Chicago restaurant, even today.  His enthusiasm and love of providing quality at an affordable price is what has made Margie’s such a success.

Contributed by Caitlin McDonald

George’s Hot Dogs on Damen

George’s Hot Dogs

http://www.georgeshotdogs.com/

Greek & American Food

1876 N Damen Ave

Chicago, IL 60647

(773) 227-4034

It’s about 8:30 p.m. on a Friday night and Wicker Park already has zero parking spaces left. But as you drive a little farther north into Bucktown on Damen Ave, the street gets quieter and less crowded.  The outside of George’s Hot Dogs looks no different than any other Chicago diners, with a menu pasted on the outside window and a sign that says “Cash Only,” but this Greek and American food place has been around for more than 60 years.  Founded in 1948, George’s Hot Dogs serves everything from gyros to tamales to hot dogs, including some deluxe burgers on a toasted bun for only about $7 (including a heaping amount of fries).

My friend and I both got their ‘Fully Loaded’ Burgers, with a toasted bun, BBQ sauce, and onion rings on the burger.  Oh, and my friend asked for a double and… they gave him three patties.  I also recommend the Greek fries with feta cheese and seasoning sprinkled on top, it’s delicious!  If you aren’t full after eating George’s, you have got to be doing something wrong!

The place, though, was oddly quiet.  Online it says that they are open 6 days a week (excluding Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., but we went in at 8:30.  The only other customer I saw there besides my three friends who came with me was another early to mid-twenty something woman who ordered to-go.  Maybe it’s because most their customers thought they were already closed, or maybe late dinnertime isn’t their specialty.  But no matter what, I left there feeling satisfied with money still in my pocket.

According to MetroMix, George’s has been owned by Mary and George Ziamparas since the 1970s when they took it over from George’s father.  It has been locally and family owned since its inception.  They pride themselves on fresh cooked food in order to stay unique from the fast food chain popularity of today.  When I went there was only about two people cooking the food and taking money, and we waited about 10 minutes for our food.  But through the counter window you can even watch as they grill your burgers and fry your fries.  It is amazing to think that this small restaurant has survived through the northwest Chicago side’s rich history of diversity.  I guess a good burger is always cherished.

Contributed by Caitlin McDonald