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| Italy's Gifts on Harlem Avenue |
Warmly welcomed like family, we were given a tour of the new National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame by President Ron Onesti. Though still under construction, the facility is already shaping up to be a worthy tribute to some of our community’s greatest sports legends. It’s going to be amazing, and I can’t wait to see it open.
From there, we crossed the street to Piazza Italia and visited Pasta Fresh, a specialty market serving both local businesses and residents. Tony and Gino Bartucci warmly shared the history of the store and neighborhood while treating us to focaccia and espresso. Afterwards, Gino brought us to his shop, Italy’s Gifts, filled with Italian imports, novelties, and bomboniere. While often compared to New York’s legendary E. Rossi & Company, both shops offer distinct atmospheres and celebrations of Italian American culture.
The surprises continued when Gino showed us a private chapel he helped build behind an accountant’s office, complete with televised masses and a small collectibles shop attached. Naturally, I couldn’t resist leaving with a Creature from the Black Lagoon figure.
NIAF board member Robert Allegrini then brought us to the Leaning Tower of Niles, the half-scale replica of Pisa’s famous tower. Built in 1934 as part of a recreational park, the tower originally concealed a large water tank and has since become one of the Chicago area’s quirkiest and most beloved landmarks.
For lunch, instead of a formal Italian restaurant, we insisted on trying Johnnie’s Beef, one of Chicago’s iconic Italian beef spots. The delicious sandwich—thinly sliced roast beef soaked in gravy on a crusty roll and topped with hot giardiniera—was similar to the versions we grew up with in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, I was too full afterward to finally try one of Chicago’s famous hot dogs. Another reason to come back.
Before long, it was time to head to the airport and return to New York. The trip was far too short, but we left grateful for the warmth and hospitality everyone showed us in Chicago.
~ By Giovanni di Napoli, May 15th, Feast Day of San Liberatore
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| (L) Gino Bartucci Sr. (R) Hand-painted amphora |
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| Galliano and Sicilian Gold guard decanters |
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| Various religious artifacts |
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| Various busts and statuettes on display |
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| Various statuettes and figural lamps on display |
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| Harlem Avenue Little Italy street signs |
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| Pasta Fresh in Piazza Italia |
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| Tony Bartucci and family at Pasta Fresh |
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| One of several large Sicilian carts at Pasta Fresh |
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| We stopped by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans |
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| Mural outside the forthcoming National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame |
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| The Three Graces at Galleria D'Arte |
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| Caritas and an abstract, gracile female figure at Galleria D'Arte |
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| The Triumph of Venus at Galleria D'Arte |
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| Backroom chapel |
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| Images of the Blessed Virgin in the chapel |
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| (L) My gag souvenir. (R) A classic espresso machine at a forthcoming café |
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| The Leaning Tower of Niles |
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| A pair of sleeping lion monuments rest by the entrance |
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| Tympanum with Blessed Mother |
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| Historical markers |
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| The Leaning Tower of Niles |
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| The Leaning Tower of Niles |
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| A miniature tower stands beside the Leaning Tower of Niles |
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| (L) Historical marker. (R) Ground-level display bell cast in 1735 by the Pedretti foundry in Modena, originally hung in St. Giles Catholic Church in Cavezzo, Italy |
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| Historical marker |
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| Johnnie's Beef |
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| Johnnie's "wet" Italian beef sandwich, dipped in au jus |
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| O'Hare International Airport |