Anthony's Italian Ice in Lake View fixes up summery treats in house

Making it cool

07/27/2011 10:00 PM

By ALISON B. KESSLER
Medill News Service

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Sami Hart prepares an order at Anthony’s Italian Ice, 3442 N. Southport.
Photos by J.GEIL/Photo Editor



Customers cool off.

As a mother and daughter stroll through the door, a smiling Michael Mednick waves from behind the ice cream counter.

“How’s it going, guys? Morgan, let me guess — watermelon? I’m gonna have to make extra watermelon this summer for you!”

It’s not uncommon to receive a warm greeting at Anthony’s Homemade Italian Ice. Owner Mednick knows most of his customers’ names and orders, and if he doesn’t already, he will soon.

That personal touch is one of the reasons the charming Southport Avenue Italian ice and ice cream shop in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood is holding its own against franchises like Dairy Queen and Baskin-Robbins.

Mednick, 44, acquired Anthony’s in 1993 when it was located on the corner of West Armitage Avenue and North Bissell Street in Lincoln Park. Back then, Anthony’s served up Mama Tisch’s Italian Ice. A novice in the art of Italian ice, Mednick says he “learned on the fly,” and was determined to produce his own.

In 2005, seeking a bigger space and faster-growing neighborhood, Mednick moved the shop to its current location at 3442 N. Southport Ave.

Downstate native Mednick wanted to offer his customers an alternative to the mass-produced Italian ice sold around the city and in grocery stores. Eighteen years later, he still uses only locally purchased fresh fruit and sugar, “no dairy, nothing artificial,” to create the neighborhood’s favorite ices.

Flavors depend on what fruits are available, but mango, watermelon and raspberry tend to be the most popular. Some of his exclusive flavors include chocolate and Heath Bar, unusual finds in Italian ice.

In addition to Italian ice, the shop offers Mednick’s own soft-serve frozen yogurt and ice cream from Bobtail Ice Cream Co. — an informal partnership that began when Bobtail closed its Southport location kitty corner to Anthony’s. During the winter months, Anthony’s sells a variety of soups made by local restaurants.

Mednick is passionate about supporting area organizations. He purchases his ingredients locally and offers discounts to local restaurants or shops that carry his product.

Anthony’s is dependent on its loyal following to keep it humming even in troubled times.

“People since Armitage still come here. All families, all regulars, all repeat business. People that might’ve lost jobs still come in,” Mednick said.

Servings of both ices and ice cream range from the small six-ounce portion for $3 up to a quart, or 32 ounces, for $11.

Increased fruit and sugar prices are hurting Anthony’s bottom line, but Mednick is mostly absorbing the higher costs rather than passing them on to his customers.

Mednick has no grand plans for Anthony’s. He isn’t planning on building a nationwide chain or selling franchises.

“I love what I do,” enthused Mednick. “Everybody that comes in here is so happy. Everybody loves eating ice cream. But the best part is that the people keep coming back.”


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By Boyee from Mid-North in Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/01/2011 3:56 PM

Sal's Deli in Lincoln Park also serves Anthony's Italian Ice.