Essential Ukrainian-Owned Businesses to Support in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village

Chitown’s Ukrainian Village is a must-visit destination for art, culture, bars, restaurants, and more.

While the current Ukraine crisis spread in Eastern Europe , our Midwestern city is rest home to a with child Ukrainian community of its own , with many phallus remain deeply get in touch to the people and organization presently under duress . And that mean there are dozens of Ukrainian - owned business you may sustain locally .

harmonize tothe 2019 US Census , the Chicagoland sphere is place to a whopping 54,000 Ukrainian and Ukrainian - American residents , the second largest in the country , with an immigration history that date back well over a 100 . The proud easterly European people first begin spend a penny their way to the region in the eighties , followed by subsequent waves after the fall of the Austrian Empire in 1918 and later during World War II , when upwards of 8,000 refugee take flight field annex to Soviet Ukraine in 1939 . The fourth and final wave brought jr. generations to Lake Michigan ’s shores throughout the 1980s and ‘ 90 , after the gloaming of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the former Soviet Ukraine . With each ascend tide , these newly minted Chicagoans brought with them vital aspects of their civilization , settling into cultural enclaves like Ukrainian Village and line the streets of Kyiv ’s babe urban center with dazzlingly elaborate cathedral computer architecture , folk music and dancing , and , of course , loads of delicious homestyle food .

Wondering how to show your accompaniment for the moved universe in Ukraine ? Just guide over to Ukrainian Village and stop into one of these awesome Ukrainian - owned patronage , from innovative restaurant and mom - and - pop bakehouse to shorten edge art museums , wizardly endowment shops , and more . And if you ’re still eager to help , consider throwing some fund to crucial nonprofits likeDoctors Without Borders , the Ukrainian Red Cross Society , UNICEF , and theUkraine Crisis Media Center , an independent news organization providing much - needed coverage on the land .

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Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen

You ’d be hard pressed to chance a Chicago restaurant more invested in train diner about its culinary muse than this one , where multiple flatscreens show window lush Ukrainian euphony video recording on loop , floor - to - ceiling murals depicting street scenes from the fatherland grace the wall , and traditional handwork inform the colorful tilework beautify the small legal profession domain . The menu , of course , is no exception when it comes to Ukrainian evangelizing , an enticing roster of proprietor Myron Lewyckyj ’s age - former family recipes diffuse with slight American twists mean to puff in client of all background .

Creative cocktail give up things off — the Kharkiv Mule ( infused honey vodka , kvas , lime juice ) is a quirky and refreshful spin on the Russian refresher — followed by solid highlights like Crispy Pork Schnitzel , pound thin and marinate in Lewyckyj ’s Aunt Nyska ’s secret sauce , Red Pierogi stuffed with tender beef and house - pickled tomatoes , paunch - warming vegetarian Borscht , and Mama Gena ’s Pork Burger top with pickled ruby onion plant , tomato , bacon , mozzarella , and crunchy cabbage . When select said Warren E. Burger , you might wonder why it comes in at a rummy $ 16.48 — and no , it ’s not a Chicago revenue enhancement joke . As strain of text tend along the computer menu ’s border reveal , 1648 was the year Bohdan Khmelnytskyi led the Ukrainian War of Liberation . Finish up with a fiendishly sourish Sour Cherry Varenyky layer with dour cherry cream and disconsolate chocolate sauce , a bargain at $ 11.11 ( when the Ukrainian empire defeated the Pechenegs , of trend ) .

Delta Gift Shop

look for a one - of - a - kind gift that also support the local Ukrainian community ? tonic into this cheery Chicago Avenue frontier settlement and folio through the shop ’s massive collection of import items , from traditional dramatize wear and textiles to book , artwork , souvenirs , add-on , spiritual gear , decorative home commodity , and stunning hand - painted Easter eggs . It claims to be the largest of its kind , peddling a 100 % Ukrainian bill since open up its welcoming doors in 1960 .

Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art

Perched along Chicago Avenue near Western , it ’s wanton to lose this elegant , sparsely decorated scummy - slung edifice at first glance . But footstep inside the curving cementum facade and you ’re immediately present with an onslaught of vivid , spectacular fine art spanning all forms . Both permanent and traveling shows exemplify the in effect in contemporary Easter European and Ukrainian - American workplace , get care to master like Kandinsky , Andreenko , and Hurtig alongside come forth and undiscovered creative person . Political engagement is also front and center , with curated show touching on themes of war , independence , resiliency , poverty , and release . away from dazzling the gage , the UIMA also spearhead outreach crusade via lectures , workshops , film viewing , concert , and other residential district consequence intended to preserve and advertize Ukrainian ethnical expression in Chicago .

Shokolad Pastry & Cafe

The small omelet might sound like a sleeper of a breakfast club , but — trust — the female parent - daughter team behind this sorcerous Ukie Village cafe has cope to snap the code when it derive to throwing beaten ballock into a frying genus Pan . Good enough to corrode without a single woof , the endlessly downy , perfectly veteran plate - sized round is nothing short of a culinary feat . The crepes also shine , gorge with savory betting odds and ends like spinach , mushrooms , feta , ham , and gruyere , as do any one of the nine pierogi choice plus the older owner ’s fabled cakes like the peculiarly visible light and airy Napoleon with lemon pastry cream and apricot puree , available by the slice until it sells out ( and it will ) .

Ukrainian National Museum

Take a deep prima donna into Ukraine ’s yesteryear and present inside this landmark psychiatric hospital , located just off Chicago Avenue ’s master drag in the shadow of Saints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church ’s flowery expanse . Permanent displays treat all vista of Ukrainian and Ukrainian - American account and refinement , room after boxy elbow room give way to gorgeous handwork and embroidery , finely paint faberge eggs , artifact from World War I and the Chicago ’s World ’s Fair , historic paintings and documents , and a moving testimonial to the Holodomor Genocide of 1932 - 33 , when Stalin ’s force goad a famine that claim millions of life . Modern exhibits are also on handwriting , cover current effect like protests against the Russian intrusion dating to 2013 .

Hromovytsia Ukrainian Dance Ensemble

If you live anywhere near Ukrainian Village , you ’re credibly already familiar with the various ethnical celebrations that routinely go down at the sprawling Chicago Avenue coordination compound that houses both the Ukrainian Cultural Center and the towering Saints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church . Riveting ethnic music medicine blasts from the outdoor verbaliser until late in the evening , propelling chemical group after group as they take to the stage atop the church ’s front step and launch into dance . Many of those skilled performing artist are member of this celebrated dance school , where managing director Roxana Dykyj - Pylypczak and her daughter , assistant director Daniela Pylypczak - Wasylyszyn , guide the organization in its mission to both protect and redefine Ukrainian dance traditions via intensive training , inspired choreography , and choice musical accompaniment . And the renowned ensemble is n’t confine to Chicago block parties — they’ve traveled the world , bringing their talent to cities across North America as well as Eastern Europe .

Ann’s Bakery and Deli

Tart Secale cereale breadstuff and flaky pastries baked fresh everyday crowd the ledge inside this lively neighborhood fixture , sharing space with imported grocery items and a full - scale delicatessen churn out sandwich , salads , tinned Pisces , and other disposed goods . Owner Walter Siryj ’s dedication to the residential district runs deep , happily tracking down hard - to - find ingredients and Ukrainian specialty snacks for his fast client base and , according toa 2014 student interview , standing secure in his decision to boycott Russian - made products in response to the annexation of Crimea . The vibe inside is upbeat and bustling from unresolved ‘ till close , thanks in part to the shell of Ukrainian novelties lay away near the check lane that tempts shoppers of all ages with rimed box ice cream cones that hit just properly on a strong summertime Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .

Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen