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The Chicago Italian Beef is a unique hyper-local regional favorite. It's definitely one of those "If You Know, You Know" kind of foods. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone from northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin that has never had one and just as hard pressed to find a decent Italian beef outside of that area. If you ever see an Italian beef...

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The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will celebrate a beloved media veteran and a revered elected official at this year’s Dante luncheon. The event will take place at 11 a.m. on May 26 at Galleria Marchetti in Chicago. Radio and TV news legend Bob Sirott will receive this year’s Dante Award at the event, and Illinois Secretary of State Je...

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Adolph Maestranzi was born with Down syndrome in 1951, at a time many parents were told it might be best to institutionalize a child with the condition and move on with their lives. Instead, his parents Ben and Madelyn Maestranzi raised him in a home filled with music, good food and love from his four siblings. “My brother went on to live a rich, f...

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The flavors and aromas of Tuscan cuisine star at Coco Pazzo in Chicago. This year the eatery is celebrating its 30th anniversary of bringing quality Tuscan-inspired dishes to diners in the Windy City. "I'm thrilled and so appreciative that we have been embraced by the community and they've supported us throughout the past 30 years," said Jack Weiss...

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In the Before Times, Daniela Vitale and Steven Jarczyk made a name for themselves selling cheesy, gooey, deep-fried rice balls at farmers’ markets. Like many nimble food businesses, their Sfera Sicilian Street Food pivoted during the pandemic, jarring sauces and delivering their arancini chilled and ready to reheat at home. In October 2020, things...

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Lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini will be the guest of honor at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame’s Night at the Fights on May 5 at the Des Plaines Theatre. Olympic medalist Antonio Tarver, Junior Welterweight champ Paul “Paulie” Malignaggi and WBC Lightweight champ David Diaz will also attend, and entertainment will be p...

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I absolutely love sweets. I love Italian pastries even more. I am going to let you all in on my favorite Italian bakery in Illinois. The name of this bakery is Italian Bakery in Addison. I had moved from my hometown of Melrose Park to the Wood Dale/Addison area and needed a place close to home for Italian pastries. I remember growing up and I would...

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When: Tuesday, May 17 at 8:30pm CT - Where: Constellation, 3111 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL IDR (Italian Doc Remix) announces the release of Pandemonium, a new album that reconnects immigrant memory with the ritual and folkloric sources so crucial to their music. As part of their 2022 North American Tour, IDR will perform at Constellation in Chicago...

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State Rep. Bob Rita brought together state and local leaders on the frontlines of the fight against violent crime to explore solutions to the problems his constituents are facing. In late March, Rita hosted a “Combating Crime” roundtable discussion at Calumet Township Community Center in Calumet Park. On hand were mayors and police chiefs from the...

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Monday, May 9, 2022, 5:30 PM CDT. Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago - 500 North Michigan Avenue - Chicago, IL 60611. Inspired by his new book "Le Immagini dell’Amore" (The Images of Love) published for Marsilio, Roberto De Gaetano leads a dialogue with Prof. Armando Maggi, on representations of love in traditional literature and cinema, with a...

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