The Chicago ‘Blue Line’ rattled its way over towards Forest Park. When the time came, I got up and exited the silver doors of the train at a stop called ‘Racine’, the stop where people are learning that a lingering legend is one of this city’s rising comebacks.

In search of Chicago’s ‘Little Italy’, I eased my way, heading out of the station with curiosity as my guide. A crisp, almost fall kind of day, I looked to the left and was welcomed by ‘Tutto Bene’. A familiar greeting, at least in words, it hinted the Italian presence of this composed section in Chicago with a small ‘cucina Italiana’ on the corner of Van Buren and Racine.

Italians first appeared in Chicago around 1850. Only 43 were counted in Illinois that year by the United States Census. But over time that number grew and after more than 150 years, you can still find remnants of these communities in several different areas of Chicago, all with an Italian pride that was worked for and rightfully earned.

Those who originally came over, mostly from southern Italy and Sicily, encountered hardship and a negative stigma that Italian-Americans today wouldn’t even dream existed. But the Italian community proved themselves to be an established presence over the years and here in the heart of Chicago’s near West Side, a dispersed but beautiful community can still be found.

Anyone who takes the time to walk these streets can feel the silent whispers of an Italian heritage. Honorary street names like Lena Valentino Avenue or Angela DeVito Avenue immediately come into view. Mario’s Italian Lemonade, and Carmine’s (homemade carryout complete with religious holiday menus) are only tips of the iceburg that lead us into the midst of this community. Scafuri Bakery, Conte di Savoia, Gennaro’s and the Rosebud are landmarks here, and surrounding neighbors like Café Viaggio, La Tazza Bella, Ro-Sal’s and La Vita lend support to their legendary predecessors. There are even such prevalent examples as a statue of Christopher Columbus on Lexington and just a mile away is ‘Catrambone Park’ on Polk and Bowler, which truly add to the flavor of this neighborhood, helping it to maintain the ‘Italianicity’ that it offers today. continued >>