Visiting Chicago

Hello,

I will be visiting Chicago next month and I am of Lithuanian descent. My family is from New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia and I am not familiar with Chicago at all, but I know that there are some Lithuanian restaurants in the area and I am anxious to try one or two while in Chicago.

I have been looking at Grand Duke's, but it does not appear to be within the city of Chicago and I will not have a car. I am looking for places that are easily accessible by public transportation.

Can anyone offer some suggestions? I would very much appreciate it.

CAC, welcome to Chicago and LTH Forum.

I'm not too familiar with Lithuanian restaurants, but my sense is that they tend to be located in the Southwest part of the Chicago region. Unfortunately, this region is not necessarily well served by public transportation. The primary means of public transportation would be to take the orange train to Midway Airport (the end of the line), and from there take a taxi.

If you are looking within the city limits, try this post about Seklycia, 2711 W 71st St, Chicago 773-476-1680:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11200&hilit=lithuanian

You also mentioned Grand Duke's which has been discussed here:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11245&hilit=Lithuanian

It looks like Seklycia (SE of Midway) and Grand Duke's (W of Midway) would each be about a 4 or 5 mile taxi ride from Midway. Or if you prefer to ride the bus, the CTA trip planner can provide more information.
http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_in ... anner.aspx

Others on this board may be able to provide additional information.

There is but a single Lithuanian restaurant left within the city limits. Seklyčia is the last Lithuanian business in the Marquette Park neighborhood which used to be very heavily Lithuanian.

Two other Lithuanian restaurants are literally across the street from Chicago and are not difficult to get to using public transportation.

You know about Grand Duke's, in Summit, near the busy corner of 63rd & Harlem. From downtown, take the Orange Line elevated train to Midway Airport, about 30 min. Transfer to the 63W bus (westbound; toward 63rd/Archer) and get off at Harlem (7200W; about 15 min). Don't forget to visit their delicatessen, in a separate building next door. If I had to choose one restaurant, this would be it.

Mabenka is also in the vicinity of Midway, but south (Duke's is west). Orange Line to Midway, then transfer to the 54B bus (southbound; toward Ford City). Get off at 74th Place (last stop on Cicero; about 10 min) and walk 5 blocks south. There are other buses (PACE) that go to 79th but they would require a separate fare.

The other Lithuanian restaurants are in more distant suburbs not easily accessible by public transportation.

You might also be interested in the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, on Chicago's southwest side.

Seklyčia
2711 W 71st St
Chicago
773-476-1680

Grand Duke's (Kunigaikščių Užeiga)
6312 S Harlem Av
Summit IL
708-594-5622

Mabenka
7844 S Cicero Av
Burbank IL
708-423-7679

Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture
6500 S Pulaski Rd
Chicago
773-582-6500

A brief discussion of the transformation of the Lithuanian community in Marquette Park (its center) can be found here:

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory. ... s/256.html

Something else that might also be of interest is the recent memoir by Chicagoan Daiva Markelis, White Field, Black Sheep: A Lithuanian-American Life:

http://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/boo ... 69774.html

Of course it's not the same thing, but Chicago still has many Polish restaurants within its borders that might awaken nostalgic tastebuds,