The neighborhoods that contain beloved BBQ

Many LTHers write rhapsodically about BBQ places in black neighborhoods in the city. (The latest being G Wiv on Lem's, on E. 75th.) My mouth waters, but I always wonder, "Is that neighborhood safe?"

I hope no one will confuse this question with racism. I'd like nothing better for my perception linking black neighborhoods with crime to turn out to be based on ignorance. Obviously, even if my perception has some validity, some black neighborhoods are safer than others. My guess is that the restaurants and neighborhoods in question are pretty safe, or LTHers wouldn't go to them. But those white LTHers among you who frequent them: do you feel 100% secure when you go there? Or, do you feel slightly uneasy, conspicuous by your difference, at higher risk for being a target of crime, either because of your color or because everybody there is at higher risk--and the food is just so good that it's worth it?

An answer like "all kinds of neighborhoods in this city are unsafe, not just black ones" won't tell me anything I don't know. Likewise, an answer such as "what makes you think all LTHers are white?"--because I don't. I'm hoping for something illuminating. Best of all would be, "I feel nothing but safe when I'm there, because the idea that there's any appreciable incremental risk in frequenting these neighborhoods is a base canard." That would be nice. And if true, would be an important thing for white Chicagoans to know, which too many (like me) don't.

One thing to remember, of course, is that the neighborhood you're most likely to get your pocket picked in is Streeterville. (See Willie Sutton on why he robbed banks.)

But of course these places don't have bulletproof glass because they think it's a decor enhancement.

I tend to think the question is impossible to answer except subjectively. Are they as safe as Schaumburg, well, your chance of catching a stray bullet may be a little higher, but your chance of being plowed into by a soccer mom chatting on her cell phone while driving a Lexus SUV may be lower. Are they safe if you know how to handle yourself, pretty much, are you safe if you're unnerved and somebody looking for trouble can sense that, maybe less. Will you stand out as an oddity, a bit, but that happens to me in Polish neighborhoods too, though. For me, the important dividing line has to do with overall neighborhood temperament; I think bustling commercial streets with a certain degree of health are pretty safe, especially in daytime, almost anywhere. I don't much care for visiting decrepit, gang-graffiti-tagged hoods, but then they rarely have much in the way of surviving retail and restaurants, either. (I had no qualms at all about leading an expedition, including one of my kids, down 47th street, for instance.) Specifically to Lem's, I think the South Side in the 70s, 80s, 90s is relatively healthy, moreso than, say, the west side where Edna's is (though it's changing fast), and I'd visit that area in daytime, at least, without any more than my normal, stick-the-iPod-in-the-glove-compartment city caution.

I grew up in an ethnically mixed neighborhood (laboring whites, African-Americans, Mexican-Americans) in Texas, and I've travelled the 48 contiguous states, Mexico, and Central America. I've crossed "borders" my entire life, without incident.

FWIW: My complexion is white, but my heart and soul are . . . um, what? . . . . madras?

I've found folks everywhere to be generally respectful, as long as they feel genuinely respected: a recognition for the commonalities and a respect for, and true interest, in the different (and of what can be learned).

I recollect a visit to Wallace's Catfish Kitchen on the West Side (Madison/California) in, oh, I think 1998, upon a tip from a friend. I took an interested out-of-town white female there around dusk. A lot of the area was still pretty much burned down from the 1960s riots.

Lots of loiterers/dealers/hookers on the block. Bullet-proof glass behind the counter. Lots of raised eyebrows and broken conversations when we entered. Things lightened when I started to ask about the preparation of the ribs, catfish and okra, the source for the hot links, and for a taste of the sauce. When we left with our haul, an entering young man with the appearance and constitution of a junkie kindly held the door open for my partner.

This pretty much up typifies all of my experiences in the "other" neighborhoods.

A couple of days later, two African-American male colleagues expressed doubt about my sanity upon hearing of my story. "Sh*t," both, essentially, exclaimed, "I'd never go into that neighborhood."

All I could muster was this: "Er . . . you're missing out on some damned fine catfish and links."

Respect others, I guess, is the lesson, and they'll respect you.

Cheers,
Wade

P.S. I WAS shot once during an ATM cash-jacking, but this was in a "safe" downtown neighborhood in the S.F. Bay Area.

Disclaimer: I tend to the physique and sartorial style of Anthony Bourdain, which could possibly skew the results.

I agree with Mike G and waderoberts. Fear is based on the unknown as well as assumptions and heresay. In this case, I find that the best way to conquer it is to explore those areas and be respectful of you surroundings and the residents of that neighborhood.

I grew up in Iowa and couldn't wait to be in a real city so when I moved here I walked absolutely everywhere to experience any culture I could. The first neighborhood I worked in was Uptown in the late 80s. I loved it. My husband moved here to be with me and finish college a couple years later and was held up at gun point in the bike store where he worked in Lincoln Park at 2 p.m.

I finally found this post, I couldn't seem to remember how to find it before. A good real-life description of this kind of experience, by Aaron Deacon.

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=2443#2443

Personally, I've never felt threatened or any way unsafe whenever visiting places like Barbara Ann's, Lem's, or Uncle John's. I go there by myself often, even at night and have never been harassed or anything. I'm not being completely naive, either. I remain aware of where I am and who I am, but I really don't expect to be hassled. My attitude with the city, having grown up and lived here most my life, is as long as you act like you belong where you're at, nobody will bother you. Just like Wade said, be respectful of the neighborhood and, generally, the neighborhood will be respectful of you.