So, it all started in the 17th century when Boston was a major hub for trade and commerce. The city's merchants would import salted beef, which was then used to make bean-based dishes, like baked beans. It's kind of like how we associate deep-dish pizza with Chicago - Boston had its own signature dish, and it just happened to feature beans!
But, here's the thing: Chicago does have a connection to the bean trade, albeit a bit indirectly. During the 19th century, Chicago became a major transportation hub, with trains and ships importing and exporting goods all over the country. It's possible that some of those goods included beans, who knows? Maybe the bean trade played a small role in shaping Chicago's early economy.
