People really don't understand how great of a food city Chicago is. When I lived there I had the best brisket you can eat outside of TX, the best Dim sum I've ever had, the best burger I've ever eaten, and any random Mexican spot was better than most places in the country. The food game in Chicago is on another level.
Most definitely. I always find it interesting that California and the West Coast get mentioned a lot for tacos and Mexican food, but I haven't had a more authentic and delicious taco outside of Mexico like the one's I can get in Chicago. La Chapparita is one of my favorite taquerias anywhere. I would say in the dim sum side of things Chicago is a bit lacking particularly with some of the recent closures in Chinatown, but aside from that I would put Chicago's gastronomy as #1 in the US.
It’s surprising how a lot of people don’t know that Chicago has one of the largest Mexican populations in Chicago. We literally have the second largest population of Mexican migrants I believe. Everyone says LA and Texas has the best Mexican food but I’d argue that Chicago does. MAYBE only 2nd to LA but only because there’s more variety in terms of seafood and Baja California type cuisine over there
Honestly, Mexicans are the most well rounded hard working people out there. Concerning food, they can be chefs in other cuisines and you would not even know it if you didn't see it. For example, I see them killing it in local Japanese sushi joints, Chinese buffets/restaurants, burger spots, and I even see them own non-Mexican food trucks catering mini doughnuts to other delicacies in city. The main point I'm trying to get across is it is finally time that Mexican people get the recognition they deserve 💯 Awesome work, PBS 🙏🏿
I am from the BayArea, and anytime I enter any restaurant it could be from Pakistani to Mediterranean to KFC, and when the food is sooo delicious I look in the kitchen and sure enough a Mexican person is either cooking in there or managing it. Mexican people have a very honest relationship with food and an honest work ethic, when they are cooking the food comes out high quality. For that reason, I really do not understand some people do not appreciate immigration into America. Immigrants make our country amazing.
ancient Americans are the only ones who have been using foods Native to the Americas the longest, they are prob some of the most important people in the history of the universe besides Asia and Baharat when it comes to civilizations and agriculture.
I lived in Chicago for 3 months in the Little Village area around 26 and Pulaski and the elderly Polish women that I came across were the nicest. Back in the 1990s some were still speaking Polish and you could see how influential they were then in Chicago.
Oh wow that's amazing. I'm a Canadian aswell. Never been to Mexico but my friends adores it and the ppl. Always says they will one day live there. What part of Canada are u from? I'm NS
Finally Chicago is getting its recognition in Mexican food! They always mention other states and cities but Chicago almost ways passed ignored. I am glad my city is getting recognized! :)
@@SpoopsdaGawdLos Angeles, Houston, and my hometown Vegas for Mexican diversity. In these cities you can find everything from Sonoran Asada to Oaxacan Tamales and Tortas Ahogadas Border area (San Diego to South Texas) for Northern Mexican food. Chicagoland for Western Mexican (Jalisco, Michoacán, etc) NYC for Southern Mexican (Puebla specifically)
Thanks for showing the beauty of my city! The media always tries to paint us as something we're not. We're strong because of our diversity! We're still working through our problems like any other city
As a truck driver who spends a lot of time in Chicago and around the United States, I can tell you that Chicago is one of the worst cities I've been to. Downtown is nice, but other than that, everything in the city appears rusty. It is undoubtedly a poor city. The politicians don't seem to care about the state of the city, and it shows. The majority of the places where I pick up people, they are angry and seem to hate life.
Currently living on the East Coast but from Chicago. No one believes me when I say Chicago’s Mexican food scene is like no other! I love that you mentioned the south side Hispanic community, where the Mexican food scene is top tier! Thank you for this episode.
I can’t thank you enough of emphasizing the Southside of Chicago. Chinatown, Bridgeport, Pilsen, Hyde Park and more… such beautiful gems. As a Chicagoan, I am so proud of this, although I am not Mexican, they are for sure the foundation of Chicago restaurants and so much more! 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽
Chicagoland has a unique Latin scene. It's one of only two gritty , northern metro areas with millions of Latin people. The other is, of course, New York. But where New York is mostly Puerto Rican/Dominican with a streak of Mexican, Chicago is Mexican with a streak of Puerto Rican. And as Marcus documents the Mexican food in Chicago is phenomenal
@LyknDelToro1 funny, because at 3:50 he says Pilsen is at the heart of the "latino" community. Now, all Chicagoans know that it's the heart of the Mexican American community, along with Little Village but he did say Latino.
im from lexington ky, im irish, german and cherokee mixed, but i love food, especially mexican, and i love cooking it everyday along with celebrating its culture (especially day of the dead) im very proud of them for working hard and enjoying what they do. much love to them.🥰😍💕
Im polish American and we have our own Chicago food dynasties and traditions but even as a youngster i appreciated tacos di lengua. Miss them so much. Nowhere around where i am makes them.
Thank you for featuring my city. We are so much more than what the media portrays. We love our history, and our Mexican culture is part of it. Awesome video.
I had no idea PBS was pumping out this kind of programing now!. As a mexican immigrant who has had the privlidge to move up in society. I have tried many of the high end mexican cuisine and it is amazing to see the food elevated to new heights. but nothing beats finding that one food truck, or hole in the wall taco spot where the food just hits right and brings back the memories of years of family. Is juan trained in architecture by any chance! lol his tehcniques take me back to school
When I left Chicago in 1997, tortillas El Rey were #1, El Milagro were #2. Los Comales were #1 for taquitos. Doña Torta and Pizza Nova were the town’s favorites. And, carnitas Don Pedro were also #1.
I was raised in MX and I travel the country for living and some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had comes from the city of Chicago even better than certain parts of Mexico. In fact Tortillas El Milagro are the best corn tortillas in the country, they taste like the ones from my grandmas kitchen, once you try them, you never go back.
21:03 I have never been to this restaurant but the father really made a huge impression on me with this comment. About how he sees all the kids around his neighborhood grow up and still come.. that made me really proud and happy (as always) to be born in Chicago and a Latino
This is my favorite part of the entire episode. I’ve been to Uruapan a few times and they’re truly fantastic. It’s glad the owner said this and it reinforces that it IS immigrants who make this country what it is.
Mexican Food, "Intangible Heritage of Humanity", by Unesco. Only four world (and a regional) foods, with the distinction. -French -Japanese -Mediterranean -La Mexicana, representing the entire American Continent. ¡Viva México, mexicanos! 🇲🇽 ¡Viva el USA! 🇺🇲 Saludos guerrerenses (de Tierra Caliente), from Florida, y'all!
Chef Marcus Samuelsson, you always get me with your work! It’s always so much more than just food. It’s culture it’s heritage. It’s love of family, friends and neighbors. It’s immigrants finding their way and integrating into our collective American culture. It gets me emotional. I love food and cooking and learning about new cultures and their cuisine. ❤😊
I will always love how diverse my home city is and always be proud of my mexican roots, I'm glad you were able to share that with the rest of the world, thank you
I go to many Mexican restaurants in chicago. They each have one item that I like from them. I get my torta from one place, my sopes from another place, tamales from another place, quesadilla from another place. Etc
I JUST wrote a paper on the relationship of food to culture and this video would’ve been a great reference to show just how big of a role food plays in culture and identity. Thank you for this!
Mi hijo me llevó a Chicago ahora este año en el 23 para su cumpleaños en la primera semana de septiembre y me gustó mucho Yo vivo en Phoenix Arizona me gustó mucho Chicago muy limpio muchas flores no había homeless ahí me gustó mucho Chicago quisiera volver otra vez
such a touching episode! i love how there is so much focus on the people behind food. Hearing the story about the mum and son who crossed the border for a better life and seeing they've both flourished and made their way in the states made me so emotional. love!
I’ve always been curious about the Mexican community in Chicago as I have many uncles that have lived over there. Y’all did a good job not only showcasing the food but other aspects of the city. I enjoyed this doc fr fr
I always go to Berwyn, Little Village, or Pilsen for great authentic Mexican food. My cousin also owns a Mexican restaurant in Little Village, always great to see them.
I'm originally from Chicago and spent 22 years in the Marine Corps. I served some time in California, Michigan, New Orleans and Japan. I now live in San Antonio, TX and out of all the places I've lived in, Chicago has the best Mexican food!!!
Marcus, thank you for this Epic episode of the Dopest city in the world--Mi Chicago!!! I’d like to say that the segregation in Chicago shouldn’t be looked at in a negative light, I believe it’s what gives/makes the city unique & it’s WHAT IS & WHAT MAKES Chicago….Chicago!!! We have Ukrainian Village, Little Italy, Northside Chinatown & Southside Chinatown, Devon street with amazing Indian food & shops, the the Iconic Pilsen & Little Village. Also, not all Mexicans settled in the southside My family & my closet friends our families settled in Edgewater, Uptown & Rogers Park. My grandma when she arrived to Chicago she settled in Edgewater I grew up going Hollywood & Foster beach. So, please let’s not perpetuate the negative canotation of segregation. We are blessed to have the array of cuisines to choose from! From the best falafel sandwich from Sultan’s Market, delicious Samosas from Little India to the best tacos Al pastor from Taqueria Uptown!! I LOVE CHICAGO!!! 🥩🌽🍜🍝🍕🌮🍔🍱🍚🥘🌭🥗🥙🫔🌯🥪🧆🍣🍲🫕🍛🥟🍤🦪🍭🍦🥮🍨🎂🍮🍧🧁🍪
I also grew up 1st gen Mexican American. The funny thing I always noticed about Mexican food (and to a degree all Latin American food) dishes that look simple are usually very complicated to make while dishes that look complicated are usually very simple and quick to make.
Super solid! The love for the artists and levels of culture and history that they show is so dope! People need to see stories like this about cities like chicago, much love to Marcus ❤
Fabulous. Growing up in Texas, most think we just have TexMex. But we have all varieties of regional dishes. A favorite is Albondiga Soup. I will get it if it is on the menu.
I never knew Mexicans to be in Chicago Illinois and I never knew that they had Mexican food in Chicago Illinois surprise surprise😢 wow 😲 learn something new every day 😢
I love Mexican food and seek out restaurants around various areas of Chicago . I enjoyed the program, however. A nod to Rick Bayless who taught us about upscale Mexican food would have been nice.
I’m from Houston Worked in California Have family in Chicago I live in Puerto Vallarta Have lived in Puebla/CDMX…… Chicago has some of the best Mexican food I’ve eaten in the states.
First time in Chicago i was impressed by Its diversity of everything, including all sorts of food from EVERYWHERE. This country is truly amazing, a country of immigrants
After the first time the El Milagro "factory" was closed during the pandemic, I made sure to keep extra packets of tortillas in the freezer. They are way better than the alternatives, which to be clear are not bad, El Milargro is just that good.
@@JesusVillanuevalife is better if you actually learn to make tortillas on your own. And making corn tortillas isn’t that hard it’s just mixing corn flour with water.
Marcus, Thank you Brother, for showcasing what it is to be Migrant Mexican in Chi-Town.I started my culinary career there back in 82', Have had the honor of working multple countries because of having Chi, as my school. have traveled all across the US and have worked in many of its major cities, Chicago is hands down the best for Mexican food, and all regions of Mexico represent their cuisines!!!! To my peeps.....Viva La Raza Mi Gente!!!!
Marcus thanks for giving Mexican gastronomy the love it deserves. Plus saw the episode of you when you went back to Ethiopia with your wife, back to your tribe much love for you my brother. Love your story may God always bless you.
My parents came to Chicago in the late 70s. Little village and Pilsen feel just like going to Mexico. Everytime I’m in those neighborhoods, I only speak Spanish.
Love everything I saw in this video I visit Chicago a few times and I love the fact that a lot of places there offered a authentic mexican food , I love all the stories from everyone especially the one of the mother and son .... saludos a todos
Rrriiiigghhhhht 😂......Because the stones throw walk from Juarez to El Paso or Brownsville to Monterrey just doesn't bring that Chicago flare? Delusional. Also, migration patterns brings the majority of what locals call authentic. Chicago had more immigration from central Mexico. California had the Western portion. And Texas is heavily border influenced. Juarez & Monterrey are worlds apart in the same vein that El Paso is nothing like Beaumont. I will say i've heard that chicago has some of the best mole because so many people from Oaxaca went there....but let's not act like Texas, the land of cattle and Tex Mex is worried about Chicago.
