I am not sure if anything on this wonderful place has been posted yet, but I haven't been able to find one on LTH yet.
On Western Ave, steps from the 606 has opened a new Italian Ice stand.
Ava's Italian Ice is a sensation IMO. When one arrives there is a list of the days flavors on the whiteboard menu. Typically I would say there are at least 10, usually more, flavors available. Each of the flavors are made with organic fruit, pure cane sugar, and triple-filtered water. No artificial flavors, HFCS, etc.
You can get sizes: Small - $3, Regular - $4, Neighborhood - $6, Flight - $8, King - $9.
With all but the small you can mix multiple flavors. The Neighborhood size comes in a plastic cup, that if you bring it back will get you $1 off. The flight is a tray in which you can put 4 flavors. In addition, they will give you a card, with each visit regardless of purchase size they will stamp the card. After 5 visits you get a free flight. Pictures can be found of their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/avasitalianice/The ice is scooped and has a denser texture than Marios, and is best eaten with a spoon. I have been there multiple times already (enough to get a free flight). I have sampled many of the flavors and most of them are OUTSTANDING. The Cherry, Blueberry, Pineapple, Apricot, Lemon, Lime, Raspberry, Mango....heck pretty much everything I have tried so far, are bursting with natural flavors and are not too sweet. All of them are teeming with specks of rind or pieces of the fresh fruit they were made with. The flavors are exceptionally well balanced with none being too sweet or cloying.
They typically post on their facebook page if they are closing because of weather, etc.
Ava's Italian Ice
1814 N Western Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60647