Friday Afternoon Diversion
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It takes a strong constitution to negotiate Archer Avenue on a bicycle; some stretches between California and Cicero require a rider to put the fear of death out of his head. But it's worth the trip west, young man, for the literal smörgåsbord of Polish restaurants, meat markets, and European delicatessens you'll come across. One that we're ashamed to have never visited until this weekend is Racine Bakery. This Garfield Ridge institution has been in business since 1984, eighteen of them in its current location at 6216 S. Archer. For émigrés from Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and other areas of central and eastern Europe, a visit to Racine Bakery can ease the transition to their new lives in America by giving them a taste of home.
Racine Bakery prepares and sells a cornucopia of breads, cakes, cookies, tarts, danishes, and pies, all baked fresh. Their deli is also teeming with a wide selection of meats, cheeses, homemade soups, entrees, and other delicacies like kugelis, saltiena, potato pancakes, pierogis, dumplings, even caviar. You can also grab a bite to eat while you shop, as evidenced by this wonderful spread we ate on our visit. At the top left in the photo is a pint of mushroom soup ($1.25), a bowl of beef stroganoff with a couple slices of seven grain bread ($5.25), and two Polish krokiety filled with mushrooms, onions, ground beef and chicken breast ($2.50). Paired with a large bottle of Gerolsteiner mineral water, this entire meal cost us only $11 and gave us the fuel necessary for the ride home. A small counter area in the front of the store allows customers to rest their feet for a few moments while browsing the shelves teeming with European jams, jellies, juices, broths, and spreads. Racine Bakery also makes sandwiches to order, at an average cost of $4-7, depending on the number of ingredients. They also make party trays for folks planning large gatherings, and deliver.
We were so impressed with what we found at Racine Bakery that we uploaded a set of photos of Racine Bakery's offerings on the Chicagoist Photos Flickr stream, so you can get an idea of just how deep their inventory runs.
Racine Bakery is open 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, and 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday. You can contact them via their website, or by calling 773-581-8500, or faxing an order to them at 773-581-2258.
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Thanks for giving "The Ridge" a shoutout! And yes, it does take a brave person to bike Archer Ave.
It takes a strong constitution to negotiate Archer Avenue on a bicycle; some stretches between California and Cicero require a rider to put the fear of death out of his head.
I don't know where you're coming from, but it is easier to just "follow the grid." You can take 51st or 47th West and wind your way to Moody and you're right there.
The mileage may be a longer, but it is a hell of a lot more safe.
On this particular day I took 35th Street to Archer, then went straight on. Once you get past Brighton Park and Curie High School, the street widens up and it's easier to find a lane, although that doesn't stop some drivers from drafting behind and honking that they can't get around. Between California and Cicero, it's a crapshoot.
You forgot to tell about the bacon buns. Mmmm...so good!
Sure, this is south of the city but it is also WEST of Midway Airport. This area would be more accurately be called the 'West side', or better yet, Garfield Ridge. This is like giving directions to a place in Niles and saying it is on the 'North side'. No, it is in Niles. This reminds me of the Saul Steinberg New Yorker cover of a map of the U.S. that depicts New York and everything else lumped together. The area of Chicago south of Roosevelt is not all a generic 'South side'. Explore, learn, investigate. Greetings from the South side.