What are Chicago's Italian neighborhoods? (Cicero, Normal: homes, living, restaurants)

[mikefromphilly72]

so im from philly and from a working class italian neighborhood. i was wondering what neighborhoods were prodemiently italian , catholic and working class fughetaboutit

[Avengerfire]

Not really too many of those types in the city anymore (at least living in large groups together.) Many Italians moved out to the burbs.

Elmwood Park (a burb across the street from the city) is the closest you will get IMO.

Norridge and Harwood Heights are next (actually surrounded by) the city and are up there as well with Elmwood Park and River Grove.

[It'sAutomatic]

Taylor Street + Heart of Chicago (Oakley and 26th St.) come to mind. Bridgeport maybe, it's working class and it's mostly a mix of Irish, Italian, and Mexican, but I couldn't say what percentage of it is Italian. There's a little Sicily somewhere on the north side too.

[Irishtom29]

Italians here don't put cheeze whiz on sandwiches, be prepared.

I don't really know of a solid Italian city neighborhood anymore. Damned few left on Taylor St. As was mentioned western burbs like Elmwood Park and Villa Park have lots of Italians, to the point where many Italian restaurants and food stores in the burbs at least match, if not better, the best in the city.

Auto mentioned Bridgeport, it's a mixed working class neighborhood with many Italians and lots of Irish, Lugans, Poles, Mexicans and Chinese too. Almost everyone is Catholic except the Chinese. It's the kind of neighborhood where guys grow up with nicknames like Moosh, Spuds and Muzzie; you might dig it. It's certainly old school Chicago, that's for sure. Sox Park is down there. And several good Italian restaurants and taverns with mainly Italian patrons.

[chet everett]

Chicago has gotten much more bland in the recent expansion of national chains and such. The old ways of having parish based festivals have given way to semi-commercial street parties that the alderman love because they can plaster their name over everything in ways that pastors would never allow.

[SamA]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Chicago has gotten much more bland in the recent expansion of national chains and such. The old ways of having parish based festivals have given way to semi-commercial street parties that the alderman love because they can plaster their name over everything in ways that pastors would never allow.

That's why I still love the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Melrose Park. I know the neighborhood has changed a lot, but the Feast is still a parish-based festival that has great Italian food. More people should get their noses out of the air and head there in July to keep it going!!

[ncc]

Originally Posted by It'sAutomatic

Taylor Street + Heart of Chicago (Oakley and 26th St.) come to mind. Bridgeport maybe, it's working class and it's mostly a mix of Irish, Italian, and Mexican, but I couldn't say what percentage of it is Italian. There's a little Sicily somewhere on the north side too.

That little Sicily neighborhood died off over 50yrs ago!! Bridgeport is mixed (always was), Armour Square just to the east is more predominately Italian (but has shrunk since the late 60's/70's, b/c of the Chinese), Heart of Italy, is mainly just the restaurants that are on 2 blocks of Oakley, other than those 2 blocks, it's Mexican. All of the people mostly moved out. The Annual festival in late June is still good. Taylor street is a joke! Just restaurants left. Grand Ave still has some of it's restaurants but the original neighborhood people are drying up pretty quick. Alot of yuppie/artsy people have been moving in.

[ncc]

Originally Posted by SamA

That's why I still love the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Melrose Park. I know the neighborhood has changed a lot, but the Feast is still a parish-based festival that has great Italian food. More people should get their noses out of the air and head there in July to keep it going!!

You still love the feast of Melrose??? you mean Mexico right?? LOL!

The tast of Melrose is still really good, it's the last part of summer!

As for the Feast, I remember going there in the early 90's and it was changing.

[ncc]

Originally Posted by mikefromphilly72

so im from philly and from a working class italian neighborhood. i was wondering what neighborhoods were prodemiently italian , catholic and working class fughetaboutit

We'll welcome you to EP only if you don't quote movies lines all day. We have enough characters in this neighborhood already..LOL

[SamA]

Originally Posted by ncc

You still love the feast of Melrose??? you mean Mexico right?? LOL!

The tast of Melrose is still really good, it's the last part of summer!

As for the Feast, I remember going there in the early 90's and it was changing.

Yep, still love it! Love the Taste of Melrose too! Both are in "Mexico", so not sure why one is ok and the other one isn't. Feasts like that are a dying breed. I go for the nostalgia as it might not be around much longer since a lot of folks share your opinion.