Name: Mike Greco

First KAtCH event:
My First KAtCH event was the annual Sun Wah Dinner in February, 2020. I was on the fence on going, but my wife convinced me, and I am thankful that she did, because KAtCH has become an important part of my life and I have made some great friends through KAtCH.

Where did you grow up/Where do you live now?
I grew up in the North Chicagoland suburbs, close to the IL/WI Border. I currently live in Chicago, and have been in the city since January, 2007, and have been in the Uptown neighborhood since about 2014.

Tell us about yourself:
Well… “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope...”

I was born in South Korea in May of 1985, unfortunately with a birth-defect that left me with a hole in my heart. At the age of 3-months old I was adopted to a family in the Chicagoland area. Shortly thereafter I had open-heart surgery to have that hole sealed. I have three non-adopted siblings and have, for better, or worse, stayed in the Chicagoland area all my life. I am married, with a son.

You’ll likely KAtCH me doing the following
You are likely to KAtCH me enjoying a nice cocktail or craft beer at a local establishment with close friends.

But other hobbies I enjoy are, traveling, hiking, camping, cars/motorcycles, rock-climbing, snowboarding, basketball, improv and standup comedy. I also have about 32 sneakers.

My dream job would be a writer for a sitcom or sketch comedy show.

Lastly, but most importantly, I enjoy spending time with my family and introducing new foods and experiences to my young son.

Why do you enjoy being involved with the KAtCH community?
Growing up, I definitely did not want to be Korean, and tried to suppress, forget, and ignore that I was Korean. But the KAtCH community is my safe-place to explore and open up about my Korean identity.

After talking to several adoptees over the past couple of years, I have come to realize that a lot of us have similar feelings, and experiences. With that basis and understanding, it makes meeting other KAtCH members feel like you’re meeting family members for the first time.

Favorite restaurant(s) in Chicagoland:

I have many, but here are a few:

  • Pizza: Pequods, Milly’s, Michael’s Original, Piece Brewery

  • Hot Dogs: Dog Haus, Original Chicago’s Doghouse, Superdawg

  • Sushi: Kai Zan, 312 Fish Market, Sushi Taku (AYCE)

  • Craft beer: Phase 3, Goose Island, Half Acre

  • Coffee: Everybody’s Coffee, Brewpoint (Suburbs)

  • Korean BBQ: Iron Age, San Soo Gab San

  • Chinese: Hing Kee (Xiao Long Bao), Haidilao Hot Pot, MingHin (Dim Sum)

  • Dessert: Molly’s Cupcakes, Jeni’s Ice cream, Margie’s Candies