So recently I have become aware that when my grandpa’s family came to America from Poland, they opened a Polish restaurant in the heart of downtown Chicago. I have decided to do my final project about his experiences at the restaurant and with polish food, but before I dive into the research, this realization really got me thinking about some stuff.

I always have considered myself to simply be American. It wasn’t until I started waitressing in New York and people started asking me where I was from and they meant where my family was from, did I realize how important my Polish and Lebanese heritage was to who I am. In this class, I have thought a lot about how it has affected the way I eat. Looking back, during all holidat celebrations, we would always have pierogi’s and kielbasa, as well as tabbouleh, kibbeh, olives, hummus, and pita. My Lebanese and Polish heritage was always represented, even if I hadn’t realized. I think that for a lot of people in America who are second or third generation citizens, it is really easy to forget where your family came from. If your parents aren’t speaking a different language and practicing foreign customs, you kind of forget about the past. However, food is one of those things that carries through familial lines over generations. It is the closest link that so many people in America have to their ancestors, including myself. If it weren’t for the Lebanese and Polish food that I grew up eating, that part of my history would be a complete mystery to me. That just goes to show how important food is to our lives. I can’t wait to interview my Papa and get to learn even more about the way Polish food has impacted his life!

Here is a picture of my grandpa’s family restaurant called The Plantation from some time in the 50s: