Victoria Davis is a soul food entrepreneur who parks her giant barrel grill on the street three miles west of the United Center, on the street outside 4231 W. Madison. But alas, Tuesday afternoon, none of the DNC hoopla had made the trip down Madison to her stand.
No delegates — or candidates — are taking advantage of the turkey tips, smothered cabbage and other dishes she cookes fresh at home and keeps warm inside the grill. “I guess I’m too far down,” she says, but issues an invitation anyway: “Kamala Harris, come look for your girl, Vicki Victoria Davis!” Cooking for four years now, Davis streams her process on TikTok as @shortyruff3 — but aspires to have her own restaurant instead of this pop-up outfit. But, she says amid her kids and grandkids who’ve joined her, “I need some funds.
” Organizers of the DNC promised that the West Side would benefit from hosting the convention that’s already drawn tens of thousands of conventioneers, protesters and dignitaries to Chicago. That’s not been Davis’ experience. Her work days have lengthened these last few years as people seem to have less money for takeout.
She doubts she’ll catch any of the speech Tuesday night by Chicago-born former first lady Michelle Obama. “I’m out here to make a living,” she says. “I’ll catch up on the rest later.
” Madison, historically a Black Main Street, still bustles with Chicagoans earning their way. Even at an underpass in the 4600 block where signs advise tha.