Authentic Chicago Food is Coming to Spartanburg with the Launch of Bronzevillebites

Brought to the lowcountry by the Chicago Natives

Residents of Spartanburg, South Carolina, will soon be able to experience true Chicago comfort food, when Bronzevillebites, a restaurant owned by Windy City natives, opens its doors later this year. Charlotte and Vic Modica, the owners of Bronzevillebites at 160 South Pine St., have been delighting food lovers with their authentic fare through monthly pop-up events since 2019. However, they decided to establish a permanent location for their business in downtown Spartanburg by the end of 2021.

A Permanent Home for Bronzevillebites

The Modicas moved from Chicago to Houston and then to Spartanburg, and it was their inability to find the familiar Chicago food in their new surroundings that led to the birth of Bronzevillebites. After setting up temporary locations for their pop-up events throughout South Carolina since 2021, the couple is about to make Spartanburg the permanent home for their business. “People want to come to a permanent place instead of hopping all around, and we want a home for Bronzevillebites,” expressed Charmaine Modica.

The Essence of Authentic Chicago Food

What makes the food served by Bronzevillebites unique is its authenticity, the couple insists. Responding to a question about offering a local spin in the style of the Midwest cuisine, Vic Modica clarified, “We’re not selling Chicago-style, we’re selling authentic Chicago food.” For instance, their menu offers tavern pizza – a thin-crusted favorite of Chicagoans instead of the more commonly known deep-dish pizza that tourists often associate with Chicago. Other culinary delights include Italian beef sandwiches, wings, and Chicago hotdogs topped with a variety of condiments such as onions, tomatoes, mustard, pickles, relish, and peppers. All ingredients are sourced from the same brands that are typical of a Chicago kitchen, contributing further to the authenticity of the food served at Bronzevillebites.

Bronzevillebites – A Singular Experience

Besides providing a familiar taste to fellow Chicago natives, the Modicas aim to introduce people to the real cuisine of the Windy City. “We’re giving (customers) a legitimate taste,” Vic added. With the Modicas being the only two working in the business initially, patrons can look forward to a strikingly unique, personal experience at Bronzevillebites. Additionally, with the restaurant’s name referencing Bronzeville, a historical “Black Metropolis” in the South Side of Chicago, the couple aims to encapsulate the spirit of their hometown in their venture. Their goal is to unite people over the love of food. In the words of Charmaine Modica, “There’s just something about Chicago food. We want to give that to the people in Spartanburg and wherever else they’re from.”