He comes bearing gifts — namely, Chicago giardiniera.
When Mayor Brandon Johnson meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday, he will present the pontiff with a jar of the Italian relish from J.P. Graziano, the storied grocer in the West Loop.
“We are very honored and wildly excited,” said Jim Graziano, the fourth-generation owner of J.P. Graziano.
A member of Johnson’s office came to the store last week to pick up one jar of house-made Partanna Extra Virgin Hot Giardiniera to give to the pontiff. It’s the company’s “top shelf” variety and sells for $19.49, Graziano said. “The pope deserves nothing but the best.”
He said the request from the mayor’s office came out of the blue.
“They wanted a representation of real Chicago food. Giardiniera is definitely something that could represent that,” Graziano said.
The condiment, made of pickled vegetables, accompanies iconic Chicago foods like Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs.
Graziano hasn’t seen an impact on sales yet. But he is honored that the mayor’s office considers J.P. Graziano’s giardiniera a Chicago icon.
“That’s more valuable than any amount of sales I can get,” he said.
Giardiniera is “part of Chicago culture. It’s the Chicago condiment,” Graziano said. “There’s not a sandwich or slice of pizza that tastes right unless it’s topped with giardiniera.”
The gift to the pope will include a note from Graziano and his sister DeAna Valenti, general manager of J.P. Graziano. It reads, “Your Holiness, I hope you enjoy a taste of real Chicago,” Graziano said.
Partanna Extra Virgin Hot Giardiniera is made with Serrano pepper, celery, red bell pepper, cauliflower, carrot, olive, Partanna extra virgin olive oil, distilled vinegar, salt and spices. J.P. Graziano sells hot and mild giardiniera.
The gift to the pope comes ahead of J.P. Graziano’s 89th anniversary. The company opened on June 7, 1937, at its original and current location at 901 W. Randolph St. The wholesaler imported products from Italy and Sicily and also distributed domestic products.
In 2007, Graziano opened a sub shop inside the store and its sandwiches became wildly popular. Sandwiches have become J.P. Graziano’s best-selling item, followed “hands down” by giardiniera, Graziano said.
The company’s website touts Chicago’s signature condiment as “a fantastic gift.” That goes even for the pope.