Are there any Jamaicans in Chicago, the windy city?
Jamaicans are to be found everywhere in the world. And yes, the windy city is no exception.
On a recent visit to Chicago, I visited the sections where many Jamaicans live. There were Jamaican businesses such as restaurants, beauty shops and even a Jamaican Bakery.
The Caribbean American Bakery is the producer and reseller of Jamaican products for Chicago and the Midwest. Naturally we sampled a few products. I had a spinach patty – delicious! Others in my group chose from a selection of beef, beef and cheese, curry chicken, jerk chicken, and mixed vegetable patties.
The bakery also offers a selection of Jamaican pastries such as hard dough bread, bread pudding, carrot cake, carrot bar, plantain tarts, gizzada, coconut macaroon, pineapple upside down cake, and sweet potato pudding.
I had a chat with the owner, Michael Humes who is originally from Stony Hill in St. Andrew. He explained that his father started the bakery back in 1982 when the place where he worked went out of business. The bakery has been in operation for over 42 years.
Michael’s customer base is primarily Jamaicans although other groups such as Africans do enjoy his products. His best-selling products are patties and hard dough bread.
When I asked how he manages during the legendary Chicago winters, he explained that sales do drop off a bit in the cold winters but in recent years the weather has been much warmer than usual.
Overall, he says Chicago is not as hectic as New York where a lot of Jamaicans in the diaspora have settled.
So, if you are ever in Chicago be sure and visit them at:
Caribbean American Baking Co.
1539 W. Howard St.
Chicago, IL 60626
Phone (773)-761-0700)
e-mail: caribak@aol.com
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