Reward Offered by Sandwich King of Chicago for Missing Jerseys
Local chef Jeff Mauro is on a mission to recover four framed jerseys that held sentimental value to him from his former sandwich shop, Pork & Mindy’s, in Wicker Park. Despite the restaurant’s closure in 2019 due to bankruptcy, Mauro remains determined to locate the missing jerseys that represent significant milestones in his career.
The cherished jerseys, including Cubs, Blackhawks, and White Sox jerseys with his name on them, along with a special Cubs jersey labeled “Sandwich King,” were earned by Mauro after memorable experiences like throwing the first pitch at White Sox and Cubs games and participating in a Blackhawks game in 2015. These moments were shared with his family, particularly his son, to whom he hopes to pass down the jerseys if they are ever recovered.
Despite his efforts over the past five years to locate the missing jerseys since Pork & Mindy’s closure, Mauro has not been successful. Recently, he turned to Reddit for assistance, offering rewards in meat and giardiniera for any tips that lead to the safe return of the jerseys. Expressing his belief that someone must have come across the unique jerseys, Mauro is hopeful that they will resurface, whether in a vintage shop or displayed in someone’s home.
Reflecting on the emotional impact of discovering the closure of Pork & Mindy’s while abroad in 2019, Mauro felt a mix of sadness and fear, concerned about the implications for his career and industry relationships. His focus shifted to recovering his precious mementos once the reality sank in, but the opportunity slipped away as the building was vacated and put up for sale.
Despite the setback, Mauro has stayed busy with projects like filming for “The Kitchen” on Food Network and launching Mauro Provisions, a brand offering Chicago-inspired foods such as Italian beef kits and giardiniera. While juggling his professional commitments, Mauro remains rooted in the Chicago area, where he was born and raised in Oak Park-River Forest, determined to provide his son with a similar upbringing surrounded by family and familiar surroundings.
As Mauro continues his search for the missing jerseys, he remains hopeful that the community’s support and assistance will eventually lead to their recovery, allowing him to preserve these cherished mementos and the memories they hold.