Sfera Sicilian Street Food is well-known in Edgewater and beyond for their arancini. That beyond is about to grow after a visit from Flavor Town mayor himself, Guy Fieri, and the shipping launch of their arancini (Italian rice balls) straight to your door nationwide. I spoke with chef and co-owner Steven Jarczyk about how the Midwest setting influenced their Sicilian traditions, their feature on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and what's next.
Sfera is a mix of Sicilian street food with Midwest ingredients. How did you find the balance between remaining true to the culinary memories of the food you were creating but also put a new Chicago spin on it?
All food is dynamic—it evolves from tradition, shaped by place and time. At Sfera, our approach is to cook like a Sicilian living in Chicago, which, essentially, is exactly who we are. That “Chicago spin” isn’t something we consciously add—it happens naturally. Like any great Sicilian cook, we take what we know and adapt it using the best of what’s around us, whether that’s local ingredients or influences from the broader culinary culture of the city.
With a focus on the bounty in and around Chicago, do certain farms inspire the flavors with what they have to offer?
Rather than individual farms, it’s the season itself that drives our cooking. Chicago’s growing season is short, so we lean heavily into preserving when we can. In the spring, that means freezing down big batches of sprouted garlic. In the summer, it’s stacks of jarred caponata. That way, the flavor of the season carries through our menu long after the market stalls have cleared out.
Guy Fieri recently visited Sfera for an episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. What did he eat and what did he say about it in his enthusiastic Guy Fieri way?
Having Guy at Sfera was a thrill and an honor. One thing that really surprised me was how deeply knowledgeable he is—behind that fun and casual TV persona is a true culinarian. We had a great conversation about food history and cooking techniques. He tried our Classico Arancini and our Roasted Chicken & Red Pepper Pesto “Pani Cunzatu” (Sicilian-style sandwich), and loved them both. He even said he’s had A LOT of arancini in his life and ours were among his all-time favorites. That meant a lot, especially since arancini are our signature item.
Sfera is no longer just available to Chicagoans, you now ship your famous arancinis. What was the process to make sure that whether made fresh in store or frozen and shipped, the customer had the same experience with the crisp exterior and gooey inside?
From the beginning, customers have been buying our arancini by the dozen to take home and reheat, so we’ve always put care into how they hold up outside our kitchen. We provide clear reheating instructions for both the oven and air fryer to bring back that crispy shell and creamy center. Certain grocers even stock our arancini in their deli cases for exactly that reason. We’re proud that our product travels so well—and now that we’re shipping nationwide, people across the country can enjoy that same experience straight from their freezer.
Now that you have the Fieri stamp of approval and mail order status, what is next for Sfera?
Right now, we’re focused on expanding our reach—getting our arancini and sauces into more grocery stores and delis across Chicagoland. We’d also love to see our arancini served at select wine bars and cocktail lounges, where a warm, handmade bite pairs perfectly with a drink. And, of course, opening a second location is a dream we’re actively working toward. We’re just getting started, and we’re excited to keep growing.
Sfera Sicilian Street Food is located at 5759 N Broadway in Edgewater. They are open Sunday through Thursday 10am to 7pm; and Friday and Saturday 10am to 8pm. You can also find them at select farmers markets and festivals. For more information, visit sferachicago.com.
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