Chicago’s Mexican Cuisine is Deep-Seated and Delicious — MOFAD

More than a thousand miles from the border, Chicago has more Mexican immigrants than any U.S. city other than Los Angeles. Migrants from across Mexico have brought their culture, traditions, and renowned cuisine to the community established in the neighborhoods of Pilsen and Little Village, on Chicago’s South Side.

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(Mario A. Lucero) Pilsen and
Little Village are the heart

of the Mexican community in the Midwest.

The second largest Mexican-American
community in the country.

I grew up in the western suburbs
of Chicago,

but Little Village was
a second home to me.

I still remember my parents
bringing me over in the summer's evenings

to La Veguita, other taquerias
and panaderias on 26th Street.

Many of these family-owned businesses,

they are cooking the food
exactly the way

that is being cooked in their homeland,

and it's a way to stay connected
to the motherland,

and remember those humble roots.

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There is over a hundred years of history

between Mexicans and Chicago.

A lot of the first immigrants were
from Western and Northern Mexico,

like Guanajuato, Michuacan, Nuevo Leon.

After the Mexican Revolution,

this new nation's identity
was created with the muralists,

the vibrant colors...

You cannot escape from the art world

whenever you go eat.

(Laura Gutierrez) In 1977,
when my father started,

this was a Bohemian and Czech community.

The Spanish were starting
to gradually come in.

Ever since I can remember,

my nightly ritual was
be going onto the restaurant,

two flour tortillas,

our famous refried beans,

and grandma's mole sauce.

The Tacos Sabinas,

they are smothered with refried beans,

Chihuahua cheese,

and a rib eye steak

prepared with tomatoes,
onions and jalapeños.

Machacado A La Mexicana

is from the northern part of Mexico.

It's a flank steak

dehydrated,

prepared with onions, tomatoes,
jalapeños and eggs.

Our restaurant is based on friendship.

We have daily customers that come in,

we know them by name,

and just because of our loyal customers,

word of mouth is the best publicity.

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(Laura G.) I grew up in it.

I spend more time here than at home.

And I love what I do.

(Mario A.) The energy in Pilsen
and Little Village is amazing.

You have constantly new immigrants.

You have people like me
that are first generation Latino

--we live in two worlds.

I have two daughters.

That is my mission for them
to embrace the homeland

and also be proud to be Chicagoans.

English subtitles by
Jenny Lam-Chowdhury