Video: Food truck pays tribute to the Negro Leagues with soul food

Donald Curry
Donald Curry, the co-founder, manager and chef of Southern Pitch Food Truck, stands in front of his vehicle. (Lena Blietz/Medill)

By Lena Blietz

The Chicago American Giants disbanded in the 1950s, but Negro Leagues baseball can be seen around Chicago in a traveling tribute.

The Southern Pitch Food Truck honors the legacy of pre-integration baseball with a vehicle wrapped in images of former star players serving soul food named after them.


Above: Lena Blietz of Medill Reports explores the story of the Southern Pitch Food Truck and its homage to the Negro Leagues.

Co-founder, manager and chef Donald Curry, 45, discovered his love for the Negro Leagues while attending Virginia State University. He said he initially bought Negro Leagues baseball hats “just to be different from the other guys on campus.”

Curry’s truck travels around the Loop serving traditional southern comfort food. The food is named after stars such as Willie Mays, Satchel Paige, Effa Manley and Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe.

Curry said he hopes to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant, called the Negro League Cafe in fall 2016 with his cousin. He previously had a restaurant in Chicago, with the same name, but closed it in 2009.

For a full menu, visit southernpitchfoodtruck.com or find the truck’s location on its Facebook page.

PHOTO AT TOP: Donald Curry, the co-founder, manager and chef of Southern Pitch Food Truck, stands in front of his vehicle. (Lena Blietz/Medill)