Lithuanian Notes (cont'd from Laschet's thread, GNRP forum)

I was too busy to reply earlier and it looks like I missed my chance to respond in the (now locked) Great Neighborhood Restaurant Program forum. Since I went to the trouble to write this, I thought I might as well post it here.

So where is Lituanica?

Lituanica Avenue extends for only a mile in Bridgeport, either one or two blocks west of Halsted (depending on whether Green Street is present). The street, formerly called Auburn, was named after the airplane Darius and Girenas used for their ill-fated trans-Atlantic flight in 1933.

There used to be a stretch of 63rd Place, I think, short, ending in a kind of cul-de-sac, that had one of those brown honorary street signs and Lithuanian in the name. Is Lituanica just in the L's, before Menard, etc. in the M's and after Kostner, etc. in the K's? There were a couple of nice storefront Lithuanian restaurants there back in the 70's and early 80s, nice dumplings, roast duck, etc.

I believe you are thinking of several blocks of West 69th Street, also known as Lithuanian Plaza Court. Incidentally, at 69th and California there’s an impressive monument dedicated to Darius and Girenas. I think there’s still a Lithuanian deli on that stretch of 69th a few blocks west of Western. All the Lithuanian restaurants on 69th are gone, I’m afraid. The last holdout in the neighborhood may be Seklycia on 71st. Gone are Nida, Neringa, Palanga, Tulpe and others. With the recent loss of Julia’s on Western, Lithuanian restaurants in Chicago are getting mighty scarce.

Getting back to Bridgeport, I’m still discovering fantastic little shops and restaurants on the side streets. Uncle Johnny’s is one treasure that got talked about here recently. Has anyone been to Impallaria’s, the old Italian bakery at 2952 S Wallace? I visited a couple times, with mixed results (there’s plenty yet to sample). Still, it’s worth a trip especially for fans of old neighborhood bakeries (those are getting scarce too).

While I am familiar with the zoning laws, I am no expert, but my understanding is that a business selling fresh foods has to maintain strict lines of ownership and licensure to continue in such locations.

That’s such a shame all these little neighborhood shops are doomed in Chicago.

Haven't been to the bakery but will check it out.

I recently worked on a survey project in CPS locations around the city, including one in Canaryville/Back of the Yards area (45th & Union). Noticed a neighborhood ice cream parlor, handpainted sign, on 43rd St. a couple three blocks east of Union, So. Side of the street. Can't place the name now.

A couple of my fellow data collectors (northsiders) were surprised at how diverse the schools in that area were, almost a dead match for the major racial/ethnic composition of the city.