A Proud Heritage

The Bende family has been in the food trade since 1935 when a young Miklos Sr. opened his first grocery store in Hungary. He ran several grocery stores in Budapest and Miskolc before immigrating with his wife and young son in 1956. Soon after arriving in the United States, the family returned to its meat cutting and grocery roots, opening the first Bende store in Chicago’s Burnside neighborhood. Several stores followed, as did a reputation for preparing outstanding smoked meats.

Left top, our Lincoln Avenue store, circa 1964. Left, second and third from top, the meat processing plant, distribution and retail shop in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Bottom, the retail shop in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Near left, Miklos Bende Sr. and his wife Julia. Above, Miklos II and his wife Brigitte. Right, the Bende grocery store, Miskolc, Hungary, circa 1935. Below, the Bende third generation, Mark, Miklos III, Enikö and Erik.

While we have grown and adopted new technologies, we still use the original old world recipes carried from Hungary by our grandfather. Using only the most authentic ingredients allows us to remain true to our high family standards and proud Hungarian heritage.