One of the things I love about Chicago is the incredible cultural diversity here. Here we have the nation’s 3rd largest Latino population in the US. While many people think of Little Village and Pilsen as having the bulk of Latinos living in these neighborhood, Albany Park is home to many different immigrants and long time residents, not only from all over Latin America but from other countries, as well. What makes Albany Park so interesting is that this mix spills over from storefront to storefront, versus the more commonly defined neighborhoods in other parts of the city. The photos tell it all.
What’s not to love when you have a grocery store that says, “Spanish, American, and Middle East Groceries” on an honorary street called Seoul Way.
Markellos Bakery certainly sounds Greek, which would make sense since this was a Greek neighborhood at one time, before the Koreans and then the Latin Americans moved in. Never mind that the place has a Greek name but sells Mexican and Guatemalan pastries, because it’s open 24 hours a day!
There were two buildings that had strikingly beautiful architecture, amongst the Mexican and Korean bakeries…
Sadly one of the stops I wanted to make was closed. I have heard that their elote is very good!
Albany Park, I will be back!!
