Photo credit: D R O P-distinctive, raw & organic photography
Raquel Dailey-Parham grew up with two nurturing parents; her father, born and raised on the South Side of Chicago; and her mother, a native of Puerto Rico. As a child, she would go to Puerto Rico to visit her grandparents and it is there she learned the basics of Puerto Rican food and culture. When she and her husband, Cory Parham, who also has strong ties to Chicago, decided to open a restaurant, they knew exactly where they wanted it to be and it is here they blend their talents together to Maracas Restaurant.
Here, you can find out more about the restaurant owners. –tony binns
Are you from Puerto Rico?
I was actually born here in Chicago. My father was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and my mother Carolina, Puerto Rico, which is near San Juan.
How and why did you decide to bring Maracas to Bronzeville?
Well, I chose Bronzeville because my husband and father had strong roots here. Both grew up here in the Ida B. Wells Housing Projects and always told me about the historical beauty of this community. I knew when I was searching for a place for my restaurant, it was no question I wanted to be where there was a community that had a rich and colorful past. Also, a place where gentrification was evident and that businesses and housing was booming. This led me to the Bronzeville community being the perfect place to start Maracas.
Talk a little about your culinary background and your knowledge of Puerto Rican cuisine.
As far as culinary experience, I don’t have any educational experience in this area but I cooked a lot with my mother. I grew up with my mother’s cooking. Every summer, we would spend our time in Puerto Rico and I would watch my aunts and grandmother cook authentic Puerto Rican dishes.
What about the menu; how did you decide on the selections?
I wanted to start with a few dishes when I realized I would be in a different community where some of the more popular traditional Puerto Rican dishes may be foreign to the Bronzeville community. There are not a lot of Hispanic or Caribbean residents in this community, so I started with a basic menu: rice and beans, rice and chicken, chicken fricassee, beef steak, plátanos maduros, surullos, jibaritos etc. I’m just opening up and wanted everyone to get a taste of what good Puerto Rican cuisine was all about. I am going to blow my customers away next month as I will be adding more authentic and popular dishes such as pasteles and alcapurrias.
How did you choose the restaurant’s name?
I chose the name “Maracas” because when I hear the word I think of music and dancing. When people walk in, I want them to not only eat great Puerto Rican food, but I want them to have an experience. So if that means grabbing our maracas off the table and dancing, then they should feel free to do just that.
Maracas Restaurant is located on 4317 S. Cottage Grove Ave. (7730 690-5084. www.Maracas43.com. Twitter: @Maracas43! Like them on Facebook: Maracas
