James B. Lemons

James B. Lemons was the owner of Lem’s Bar-B-Q, famous for Mississippi style, open pit, slow cooked pork rib tips. The restaurant was established by his older brothers, Bruce and Myles Lemons, in the 195o’s and has been serving Chicago for more than 70 years.

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Honorary James B. Lemons Way

East 75th Street, between South Prairie Avenue and South Calumet Avenue

 

Approved:July 2024

Ward: 06
Alderman: William Hall
Neighborhood: Grand Crossing

d. Age 87

Near
Lem’s Bar-B-Q
311 S. 75th Street

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Source

20249802

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/6/24/18398334/chicago-bbq-king-james-b-lemons-a-founder-of-lem-s-dies-at-87

https://youtu.be/rN7T3YUljwA?si=4u-dNtuGhn6qrSu4

https://chicago.eater.com/2015/12/15/10232066/james-lemons-lems-bbq-dead

https://www.southernfoodways.org/interview/lems-bar-b-q/

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20151215/chatham/james-lemons-bbq-master-behind-lems-bar-b-q-chatham-dies/

http://lemsque.com/

Sylvia "Toy" Knabjian

Sylvia Knabjian, a.k.a. Toy, was the proprietor of Bridgeport’s “Mike’s Hotdog Cart” at 32nd and Aberdeen, which her father Michael began.

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Honorary Sylvia "Toy" Knabjian WAY

West 32nd Place, from South Carpenter Street to South Morgan Street

 

Approved: February 2023

Ward: 11
Alderman: Lee
Neighborhood: Bridgeport

d. 2004

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Source

2023262

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-11-16-8503190261-story.html

Mike 'The Hot Dog Man' Knabjian

Mike’s Hotdog Cart was a hand made, bright yellow, wooden, tin roofed cart at 32nd and Aberdeen in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago.

Mike was the namesake founder and operator for 65 years. His daughter, Sylvia, succeeded him in the hot dog and tamale business.

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Honorary Mike 'The Hot Dog Man' Knabjian Way

West 32nd Place, from South Aberdeen Street to South Carpenter Street

 

Approved: February 2023

Ward: 11
Alderman: Lee
Neighborhood: Bridgeport

d. 1985. Age 84

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Source
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-11-16-8503190261-story.html
https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/sylvia-knabjian-obituary?id=30132548

20222714
2023261

Elder Roosevelt McCarthy, Jr.

Roosevelt McCarthy, Jr., a.k.a. “Rose” served as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ, in Chicago

He and his family established the Home of the Hoagy Restaurant in the West Pullman / Morgan Park neighborhood in the early 1970s.

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Honorary Elder Roosevelt McCarthy, Jr. Way

1300 West 111th Street

 

Approved: March 2022

Ward: 34
Alderman: Austin
Neighborhood: West Pullman

Home of the Hoagy Restaurant
1316 W. 111th

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Source

2022184

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x880e245428d58463%3A0xb56cc110a9d568e2!3m1!7e131!4s!5sHome%20of%20the%20Hoagy!15sCgIgAQ&hl=en-US&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipP0gxCgzONm0fax-fa0Mx5Jra7Rk1ugCadqvfE2

https://home-of-the-hoagy.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

https://ko-kr.facebook.com/BlackPeopleEats/photos/1637329886651151/

Donald L Seals, Sr.

Donald L. Seals, Sr. was the owner operator of the People’s Choice Grocery Store in the Englewood neighborhood for more than 33 years. He was an active community member who supported children in need with coats, food, and large doses of kindness and consideration. Local Aldermen referred to him as an “Angel of Englewood.”

After high school he enlisted in the Air Force and quickly rose to the rank of Captain and then Fire Chief. He went on to train State Fire Marshalls.

Veteran

U.S. Air Force

Alum

Edmund Burke Elementary School
Hyde Park High School

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Honorary Donald L. Seals, Sr Drive

5500 to 5659 South Princeton Avenue

 

Approved: December 2022

Ward: 16 and 20
Alderman: Coleman (16), Taylor (20)
Neighborhood: Englewood

People’s Choice Grocery Store
5647 S. Princeton Avenue

b. January 1, 1927
d. age 95

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Source
20223738

Sam Rosen

Sam Rosen, owner of S. Rosen bakery, was the originator of the poppy seed bun which became the chosen container for the Chicago style hot dog. Sam was born in Poland, and emigrated from Germany at he age of 13 as an apprentice baker. Within 3 years he had his own bakery in New York and was organizing a bakers union. By 1909 he moved to Chicago and purchased a bakery in the Bemont Craigin neighborhood, which became his namesake, the S. Rosen Baking Company. It is now owned by the third generation of his family, and is known as the Alpha Baking Company.

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Honorary Sam Rosen Way

North Kilbourn Avenue from West Lyndale Avenue to West Fullerton Avenue

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 36
Alderman: Villegas
Neighborhood: Belmont Cragin

b. 1886 in Poland
d. June 1976

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Source

https://www.srosens.com/about/

2022763

Rudy Malnati, Jr.

Rudy Malnati, Jr. opened Pizano’s Pizza in 1991 in the tradition his father Rudy, Sr. mastered at the original Pizzaria Uno, where the Chicago style deep dish pizza tradition was born in 1943.

His half-brother founded the namesake “Lou Malnati’s Pizzaria.”

Rudy was also a Chicago civic leader who was the Director of the Chicago Air & Water Show for 30 years. He attended every Air & Water Show since it began in Chicago in 1959. He also coordinated the Milwaukee, Gary, and Rockford shows. The Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds made him an honorary member of their squadrons.

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Honorary Rudy Malnati, Jr. Way

State Street from Chestnut to Delaware Street

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 2
Alderman: Hopkins
Neighborhood: Gold Coast

d. December 24, 2021. Age 65

near 864 N. State Street - Pizano’s Pizza

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Source

https://www.pizanoschicago.com/about-pizanos/

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20211226/rudy-malnati-jr-member-of-pizza-dynasty-director-of-air-and-water-show-dead-at-65

2022476

Herman Petty

Herman Petty was a pioneer and the first black owner of a McDonald’s franchise in the United States. It is located at Stony Island and Marquette Road in the Woodlawn neighborhood. On December 21, 1968, it became the first of eight McDonald’s franchises he would own. Herman became a McDonald’s Millionaire and paved the way for others to follow in economic success and community rebuilding. With the help of special field consultants, by the end of 1969 there were twelve black owned McDonalds.

In 1968 it was a neighborhood in turmoil following the April 4th assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Riots erupted on the South side of Chicago. Herman, was well acquainted with the neighborhood and everyone in it, since he had the barbershop down the street. This was key to resolving gang and loitering issues.

Herman previously worked as a barber and as a bus driver for the Chicago Transit Authority. He had no previous experience in franchise ownership or restaurants. In 1970 he founded the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association, there are now more that 330 black franchise owners.

The current owner of the location marked the 40th anniversary of the historic opening with a mural, markers, and timeline to commemorate the achievement for the community. The 5oth anniversary was in 2018. The location is within walking distance of the Obama Presidential Library Center.

Alumnus:
Hamburger University

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Honorary Herman Petty Way

East Marquette Road.; between South Stony Island Avenue and to South Dorchester Avenue

 

Approved: February 2022

Ward: 5
Alderman: Hairston
Neighborhood: Woodlawn

d. March 21, 2009

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Source

https://chicagocrusader.com/local-news/a-crusader-special-feature/

https://nbmoa.org/our-history/

Block Club Chicago

2022337

James F. Graziano

Third generation Italian food wholesale and retailer. J.P Graziano Grocery Company was started in 1937 by his grandfather Vincenzo Graziano who emigrated from Sicily.

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Honorary James F. Graziano Way

901 W. Randolph Street

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Neighborhood:

J.P. Graziano
901 W. Randolph Street

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Source

Carlos Rosas

Manager of Calumet Fisheries restaurant for more than 25 years.

Education

Hospitality Institute of Chicago
George Washington High School
Marsh Grade School

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Honorary Carlos Rosas Drive

East 95th between South Chicago and Avenue N

 

Approved: June 2021

Ward: 10
Alderman: Garza
Neighborhood: South Chicago/South Deering

Near Calumet Fisheries restaurant

d. July 20, 2020. Age 41.

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Source
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/7/22/21334407/calumet-fisheries-carlos-rosas-obituary

https://chicago.eater.com/2020/7/24/21335613/calumet-fisheries-manager-carlos-rosas-obituary-intel

https://news.wttw.com/2021/02/18/chicago-tonight-your-neighborhood-south-deering

https://calumetfisheries.com/

Tony's Deli Way

Tony’s Deli, since 1978 has been a family owned handmade and imported Italian foodstuffs. The Delmazio family emigrated from Italy; their sicilian meatball sub has been featured in Midwest Living magazine.

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Honorary Tony’s Deli Way

North Northwest Highway, from North Oiiphant Avenue to North Overhill Avenue

 

Approved: May 2018

Ward: 41
Alderman: Napolitano
Neighborhood: Edison Park

Tony’s Italian Deli & Subs
6708 Northwest Highway

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Source

Jeanne Uzdawinis Way

Jeanne Marie Uzdawinis was the co-owner of Cafe Selmarie in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. She and Birgit Kobayashi were neighbors on Giddings Street who started the European styled cafe in 1983. The Cafe began as a bakery featuring what became Jeanne’s famous hazelnut cheesecake. It has grown in size and popularity with Lincoln Square itself, and is now a full restaurant. Cafe Selmarie moved to the Lincoln Square Plaza in 1999 Cafe Selmarie celebrated 35 years in business in 2018.

Jeanne grew up in Indianapolis and came to Chicago to study dance at Columbia College.

Jeanne Uzdawinis, who ran Cafe Selmarie, the popular Lincoln Square eatery, dies at age 63 https://t.co/2kpRCerBqB pic.twitter.com/MBtsB8CdWT

— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) October 13, 2017

Alumni
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (Dance)
University of Wisconsin, Madison (Zoology)
Columbia College, Chicago (Dance)

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Honorary Jeanne Uzdawinis Way

West Giddings Street cul-de-sac to the northwest corner of North Damen Avenue and West Giddings Street

 

Approved: July 2018

Ward: 47
Alderman: Pawar
Neighborhood: Ravenswood

d. October 8, 2017. Age 63
ovarian cancer

Near
Cafe Selmarie
4729 North Lincoln Avenue
on Lincoln Square Plaza

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Source

Tribune

Block Club Chicago

Patch

Source

Henry L. Coleman, Sr. Way

Henry Coleman and his brother George started the Coleman Barbecue restaurant to bring real southern cooking to Chicago. In the beginning, Henry worked full-time at Brach’s Candy Company in addition to the restaurant. They grew the single location into 4 restaurants in Austin and Maywood, only two still remain. Henry’s children have kept the restaurant going.

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Honorary Henry L. Coleman, Sr. Way

West Chicago Avenue from North Menard Avenue to North Waller Avenue

 

Approved: May 2018

Ward: 29
Alderman: Taliaferro
Neighborhood: Austin

b. October 30, 1943. Dermott, Arkansas
d. August 15, 2012. Age 68

Near
Coleman’s BBQ #2
5820 W. Chicago Avenue

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Source

Frank Lodarek Way

Frank Lodarek was the owner of the Big Apple Finer Foods store in the Lincoln Park neighborhood for more than 55 years; a business he started in June 1960 which is now in it’s third generation of family ownership. Frank originally trained as an engineer and learned the food business as a manager of an A&P grocery store. This is also were he met his wife, Mildred. They were married for 71 years.

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 Honorary Frank J. Lodarek Way

North Clark Street and Fullerton Avenue

Approved: 2015

Dedicated: September 28, 2019

Ward: 43
Alderman: Michele Smith
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2345 N. Clark
Big Apple Finer Foods

d. March 8, 2015 age 93

 

source

Steve Lombardo Way

Steve Lombardo is co-owner of the Gibsons Restaurant Group. 

Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse
Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House
Quartinos Pizzeria and Wine Bar
Luxe Bar

RL - The Ralph Lauren Restaurant
The Polo Bar (New York City, 2015)

Gibsons opened in May 1989.  Opening night was full of notable people and events including the engagement of Candice Jordan to her husband Chuck, their photo on this occasion is on a wall at Gibsons. Also, former owner and Bears Football #42 MVP and Quarterback, Sid Luckman.

Steve and his wife, Peggy, are long time supporters of Misericoria and received the Sister Rosemary Connelly Service Medallion Award.

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Approved: February 2017
Ward: 42
Alderman: Reilly
100 East Bellevue Place
Neighborhood: Gold Coast

Dedicated: 2017
Steve Lombardo's honorary sign is located outside the Gibson's Restaurant

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Chicago Tribune, April 2, 2015
Gibson's Restaurant Group

Twitter: @GibsonsSteak

Ike Sewell Way

Ike Sewell was the restauranteur who developed the legendary Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.  In 1943 he opened Pizzeria Uno in a victorian house on Wabash Avenue, not far from the Magnificent Mile.  Pizzeria Uno's second location, Pizzeria Due, opened in 1955 down the street from the original, also in a house.  Both restaurants are still open at these locations.

Chicago-style deep dish pizza

Ike Sewell's restaurant career began at the bar. He worked for a distillery when he met his business partner and they decided to open a restaurant. When Ric Riccardo, the owner of Riccardo's on Rush, suggested their new restaurant serve pizza, Ike insisted that the pizza should be a meal itself, not just an appetizer.  He also wanted something different from what he could find in Chicago's Little Italy.  Ike was from Texas, so he liked big, and his pizza had so much more of everything it needed its own pan. And so, Chicago Deep Dish Pizza was born.  Pizzeria Uno also spawned the Italian-style American classics: chicken vesuvio and italian beef sandwiches. Ike was also fond of Mexican food so he established the nearby Su Casa restaurant.

Pizzeria Uno inspired other pizza restaurants around the country and in Chicago.  The father and son team, Rudy and Lou Malnati, were managers during the early years of Pizzeria Uno and Due.  In 1971 Lou Malnati opened his own eponymous pizza place.  Several former Uno's employees started their own restaurants in Chicago including: Gino's East, Delisi's Pizza, Louisa's Pizza, and Pizano's Pizza and Pasta. Uno's became famous outside Chicago when it licensed "Original Chicago Pizzeria Uno" restaurants which opened many locations across the country. 

Ike kept his day job for the first 22 years of Pizzeria Uno; he retired as a vice president of a liquor company in 1965.  Ike started even further from both Chicago and the restaurant business.  He was born in Texas and played college football at the University of Texas, Austin, where he was an All-American in 1924.  Ike received the National Football Foundation Distinguished American Award in 1987.

 

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Neighborhood: River North

Ike Sewell 1903 - 1990, age 87.

Pizzeria Uno
29 E. Ohio

Pizzeria Due
619 N. Wabash Avenue

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Chicago Tribune, "A History of Deep Dish Pizza"
Chicago Tribune, "Pizzeria Uno Opens"
Chicago Tribune, "Ike Sewell"

Kazimiera 'Kasia' Bober Way

Kasia's Deli is famous for Pierogis in Chicago's Polish Community and throughout the City.  Kazimiera Bober opened the deli in 1982 and started making pieogis a few years after she emigrated from Poland to the United States.  Pierogi machines were nowhere to be found so she adapted a ravioli maker to fill the dough; she finished individual pierogis by hand.  The deli flourished and had a hearty following. After 20 years in business she expanded production and started to sell Kasia's Pierogis in grocery stores.  Kasia's Pierogis won the coveted "Best Pierogi in Chicago" award at the "Taste of Chicago" summer food festival.  Soon she was featured in Newsweek Magazine and her pierogis were served on United Airline flights. 

She was very poor when she arrived in Chicago in 1975 and struggled to get by.  She started the deli in an old sausage shop to make enough money to bring her children to the United States.  

Kasia's Deli 
2101 W. Chicago Avenue

 

Kasia lived to 80 years of age and realized the dream of the deli and succeeded in bringing her family from Poland.  Her children and grandchildren worked by her side up to her last days.  Kasia was a grandmother to the entire Polish community of Chicago. The Bober family continues to run the deli and pierogi factory.

Listen to the WBEZ interview

Sign Approved: 2016
Ward: 1
Alderman: Moreno
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village

Pierogis

An Eastern European dish often associated with Poland. Pierogis are dough dumplings and are typically filled with potato, sauerkraut, plum, or meat.

Photo: CC-BY-SA 2.5 User:Piotrus

Chicago has one of the largest Polish communities outside Poland

The Taste of Chicago is the world's largest food festival, it showcases Chicago food and restaurants.