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The upscale restaurant serves Caribbean-influenced soul food and features artwork by father-and-son artists John D. Wolfe and John A. Wolfe. Their Americana-style folk art evokes the rich history of the Negro Leagues, which were professional baseball leagues formed in the early 1900s by black players not allowed to play in the major leagues because of racial segregation.
For over fifty years teams such as the Chicago American Giants, the New York Black Yankees, the Kansas City Monarchs and the Homestead Grays barnstormed across the country to play each other "behind the color line." White baseball fans of the time were often not even aware of the existence of the teams.
"Enjoy the food, digest the history" says baseball lover and restaurateur Don Curry, who is as enthusiastic about renewing interest in the Negro Leagues as he is about serving up delicious food.
Since Negro League teams played in Cuba, Mexico and the Dominican Republic during the winter months, it was only natural for chef Rhamell Moore to incorporate Caribbean cuisine with the classic soul food on his mouthwatering menu. Dishes include catfish with lime rice, jerk-seasoned ribeye steak with plantains, chili roasted Cornish hen with orange red pepper salsa and house collard greens. Appetizers include fried green tomatoes with a citrus vinaigrette and chicken wingettes served in a choice of flavors: mango, buffalo, jerked, and spiced peach glaze.
A Wall of Fame in the lounge area honors legendary players such as Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Pop Lloyd, and Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe. And Curry proudly notes there are twelve former Negro League players currently living in Chicago, more than in any other US city.
The Negro League Cafe is at 301 E. 43rd Street. For more information call (312) 952-3284.
HIGH RES IMAGES OF NEGRO LEAGUE CAFE ARTWORK
AVAILABE ONLINE FOR DOWNLOADING:
http://www.wolfestudio.com/highres/index.html
For more information please contact:
Celeste "Bones" Cleary
Wolfe Studio (845) 797-6653
http://www.wolfestudio.com
webmaster@wolfestudio.com
Don Curry
The Negro League Cafe
301 E. 43rd St. (corner of 43rd and Prairie) Chicago
(312) 952.3284 - http://www.thenegroleaguecafe.info/