Lagniappe–A Creole Cajun Joynt
In most other respects, though, Madison, who owns the Cajun and creole restaurant Lagniappe, seems generous to a fault. Several years ago a homeless man asked her for food while she was dining with friends in the Loop. That led to “this vision to have a buffet under Wacker Drive” to feed the homeless. Madison, a Beverly native, was working as a chemist for the Sherwin-Williams paint company at the time. She started cooking food she’d take downtown and serve to the homeless every other weekend. Her efforts became Be a Blessing Homeless Ministry, affiliated with Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church, where Madison is a member.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
Madison still seems a bit surprised to be running a restaurant. “I can’t help but see God in all of this,” she says. “That something I took for granted as a hobby would have blossomed into something like this. . . . It hasn’t been easy, but he has been faithful.” She maintains the attitude that led her to begin feeding Wacker Drive’s homeless five years ago: “‘Well, Lord, if you mean for me to do it, you’ll make a way.’”
