Chicago Italians

After learning that my favorite pizza joint in all the world had been sold and closed has broken my heart!!! From the time I was a young man many a pizza, cheezy beef or even a dozen baked clams were a 3 time a week thing for as long as I remember, The original owners Jim and Anna were some remarkable and the very best a local town cold ask for. As a owner or helper of many town events Jim and Anna always were there to chip in. I worked for them for many years and have many many fond and fun memories of the fun all had working at this premier pizza and Italian food extravaganza, Later in the years my late daughter Dawn also had to work there, Now that I live in Arizona I always plan my trips home to Chicago with a Village pizza and a Gene and Judes hot dog, But never to have a Village pizza again..............so on that note thank you Village Pizza for being a great part of growing u and beyond.....................Michael

The first Italian to travel through the future site of Chicago was explorer Enrico Tonty (Tonti) in 1681 sailing under the French flag.

Oak Park native Dan Castellaneta supplies the voice of cartoon character Homer Simpson.

Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini, who founded hospitals and schools in Chicago and died there, is the first American citizen to be canonized a saint in 1946.

The Radio Flyer Red Wagon, a symbol of American childhood, was produced by Antonio Pasin, an immigrant from Venice whose company is still being run by his grandsons on Chicago's West Side.

A group of Italian American businessmen and community leaders formed the White Hand Society in 1907 to fight Black Hand extortion.

Carl Laemmle, the founder of Hollywood's Universal Studios in 1906, received his inspiration while visiting Dan Ligarda's Nickelodeon movie theater on Halsted and Taylor Streets.

Two of Chicago's most respected "top cops” are Italian Americans: former Police Superintendent Joe DiLeonardi and Melrose Park Police Chief Bill Jaconetti.

The famous Pickwick movie theater in Park Ridge, used as the backdrop for Roger Ebert's "At the Movies," was designed by Alfonso Ianelli, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright.

The black boxes found on all commercial U.S. airplanes were manufactured at the DeMuro Brothers Electronics Factory in suburban Melrose Park.

Vito Bertoldi of downstate Illinois is one of 14 Medal of Honor winners from World War Two.

Amabile Piguri Santacaterina, one of Chicago’s s most popular Italian radio broadcasters in the 1940s, was recruited by the FBI to aid in the war effort.

Chicago clarinetist, Joe Marsala, had the first integrated band on 52nd St. in New York City in 1936. Marsala also brought the first integrated band into NYC's Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1937

Judge Nicholas Bua ruled against patronage in Chicago's City Hall in the 1970s.

Chicago-born operatic soprano Vivian Della Chiesa was so popular that she had her own national radio show during the 1930s.

Baker and businesswoman Serafina Ferrara, known as the "Angel of Taylor Street," organized thousands of weddings throughout her lifetime.

Certified Grocers is the largest grocery cooperative in the entire nation organized by Henry Vinci in the 1960s.

Every musician in the U.S. receives royalty payments on his of her recordings, a condition fought for, and achieved, back in the 1930s under James Petrillo, head of the American Federation of Musicians.

One of six members of the Italian Parliament representing Italians abroad, Senator Ron Turano’s territory extends from Alaska to Panama.

Actor Gary Sinise, Steppenwolf director Frank Galati, and Drury Lane producer Tony DeSantis are just a few of the artists of Italian descent who helped create Chicago’s vibrant theater scene.

Gerald Arpino relocated his renowned Joffrey Ballet to Chicago, joining already established dance troupes led by Lou Conte and Gus Giordano.

Oscar-nominated actress Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio is an Oak Park native.

Singer Carol Lawrence, née Laraia, grew up in Melrose Park and originated the role of Maria in the first Broadway production of West Side Story in 1959.

Educator and principal Claude Mazzocco, born on the city’s East Side, founded and served as first president of the Illinois Middle School Association.

Mario Nello Buoniconti turned an old movie theater on Chicago’s West Side into Ferrara Manor, one of Chicago’s largest banquet halls.

Raymond and Connie DeGrazia opened up a pizzeria in the early 1950s, “Connie’s Pizzas,” credited with popularizing the then-obscure food pie.

South Side singer Peter Cetera became the recognizable voice of the popular rock band Chicago.

The late Henry Palmisano,born in Bridgeport and chief accountant at the family-run Henry’s Sports & Bait/Henry’s Marine, became a well-known activist who campaigned against commercial netting of perch fish in Lake Michigan.

Emma Tranter moved from Detroit to Chicago, where she formed the environmental activist group “Friends of the Park.”

Born in the suburb of Batavia, Frank Perna worked in his family’s Batavia West Side Market , one of the earliest businesses in that suburb), became a successful shoe-store owner, later spending the rest of his career as a high-ranking military official at the Pentagon.

As chair of the Chicago Mailers Union from 1968-1978, Peter Giangrosso negotiated contracts for newspaper workers, shared drinks with columnist Mike Royko, and delighted his Bridgeport neighbors by playing Big Band tunes on a Wurlitzer organ in his window.

Sam Cascio served as the legendary doorman at Chicago’s Hilton Hotel for over 60 years, greeting everyone from ordinary citizens to presidents.

Pianist Lennie Tristano, drummer Louis Bellson and violinist Johnny Frigo all made unique contributions to jazz music.

Dominick DeMatteo’s popular grocery store of the same name made the transition from small local business to one of the first supermarket chains.

Attorney Lawrence Pusateri was the first Italian American president of the 32,000 member Illinois State Bar Association.

Dino D’Angelo was a lawyer and philanthropist who refurbished the Chicago Civic Opera House, now called the Lyric Opera building.

Lawrence Pucci and his sister, Caryl Pucci Rettaliata, run Pucci Inc., one of the oldest custom-clothing firms in the nation.

Jazz, blues and pop singer Frankie Laine was born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio to Sicilian parents on Chicago’s West Side.

Lee Artoe drop-kicked a field goal for 52 yards while playing tackle for the famous 1941 Chicago Bears National Football team, an historic record set in the days before placekickers relied on a holder

Original Ferrara Bakery, Inc. 2210 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 666-2200 Fax: (312) 666-2008 Email:nella@ferrarabakery.com

Salvatore Ferrara was just 16 years old when he left his home in Nola, Italy in 1900 and emigrated to the United States. He brought with him the art of Italian pastry making and confectionery, skills which would eventually lead him to open the first Italian pastry and candy shop on Taylor Street in Chicago's Little Italy. An instant success, he was recognized throughout the city and suburbs for his fine pastries, wedding cakes and confections.

He soon met and married Serafina Pagano and they labored together to provide Chicago with wonderful desserts and candies. Through hard work and commitment to the use of quality ingredients, they made a lasting name for themselves. Serafina, a dynamic business personality and philanthropist, was loved by all who knew her and was known as "The Angel of Halsted Street". She is still remembered today.




Eager to meet new challenges, Salvatore put Serafina in charge of the bakery and concentrated his efforts on expanding the candy business. With the help of his two brothers-in-law, Salvatore Buffardi and Agnello Pagano, they launched the Ferrara Pan Candy Company, now headquartered in Forest Park, Illinois. Still family owned and operated, the company, which manufactures such favorites as Lemonheads and Atomic Fireballs, distributes worldwide.
The third generation of Ferraras proudly carries on the tradition of providing its customers with a wide variety of delicious desserts of the highest quality. Ferrara's Signature Italian Cannoli Cake has become a tradition for thousands, enjoyed through the generations.

Just as Salvatore did when he began in 1908, we take extreme pride in preparing our products with only the freshest and purest ingredients. We use the finest imported spices and never any artificial flavorings or preservatives. Our products will certainly add that elegant crowning touch that sets your wedding or special event apart from the rest.


We've created thousands of wedding cakes.
Let us create a special cake for you.


Let Ferrara be a part of your special occasion. Our experienced staff can offer excellent advice whether you're planning a small intimate gathering or catering a wedding for thousands.

Using only the purest and freshest ingredients, our master bakers will design the cake of your dreams from a simple round layer cake or sheet cake to an elaborate tiered cake using design elements such as elegant columns, fountains, or stairways. You can choose one of our classic creations or create one of your own from hundreds of combinations using our delicious fresh or preserved fruit fillings, custards and icings.


Sweet Table Favorites
Exquisite morsels perfectly sized for your Sweet Table: Eclairs
Assorted Fruit Tartlets
Bowties
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate Mousse
Cannoli
Butter Cookies
Creme Puffs
Italian Cookies
Pecan Brownies
Cheesecake Bites
Chocolate Covered Almonds


A wide variety of delicious pastries, to name a few:
Full Size Pastries
Cannoli
Napoleon
Baba au Rhum
Pasticiotto
Eclair
Sfogliatella
Cassata al Forno
Funghi
Tiramisu
Cheesecake
Creme Puff
Monachine
Profiterole
Creme Horns



European Pastry Miniatures
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Pineapple Tartlets
Raspberry Tartlets
Petits Fours
Zuppette (Lemon Creme)
Napoleons (Bavarian Creme)
Monachine (cannoli filled)
Eclairs (vanilla custard)
Baba au Rhum
Baba au Rhum with custard
Cannoli
Cassata al Forno
Creme Puffs (pineapple-whip)
Chocolate Cannoli
Sfogliatella
Choux, custard filled
Choux, custard filled-frosted
Choux, cannoli filled
Choux, cannoli filled-frosted
White Jordan Almonds
Marzipan





Cookies
Italian Fancy Butter Cookies
Chocolate Chip
Butter with Peanuts
Cherry Top Sandwich
Chocolate Star
Sprinkles
Clover
Assorted Dots
Pecan Butter
Vanilla Horseshoes
Chocolate Horseshoe
Pink Hearts
Brown Sugar Chips
Powdered Crescents
Chocolate Dip Almond Bars
Chocolate Shells
Vanilla Shells

Italian Specialty Cookies
Cashew Bars
Amaretti Classico
Pignolati
Bow Ties
Pineapple Slices
Apricot Farfalla
Raspberry Farfalla
Cucidadi (fig filled)
Tetu
Gigolene
Quaresimale
Tarallo
Frosted Tarallo
Coconut Macaroons



Biscotti
Anise
Anise Almond
Chocolate Almond
Vanilla Almond Raisin
Chocolate Cherry Almond




Are you Drooling yet?? If not you are Morte

Original Ferrara Bakery, Inc. 2210 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 666-2200 Fax: (312) 666-2008 Email:nella@ferrarabakery.com

Fra Noi has been the newspaper of record for the Chicago area Italian-American community for more than four decades. Each month, we provide our readers with all the information they need to keep in touch with each other, their community and their heritage. Fra Noi fosters a sense of awareness, identity, unity and pride among Italian Americans, spotlighting their accomplishments and defending their reputation against defamation and sterotyping. My family has been recieving this paper for as long as I can remeber and I just turned 50, And have seen it at all friends house, Life in the Chicago Italian Community is well versed by the integrity of such a fine newspaper.