If you're the type of person who hems and haws at the deli counter, the impressively wide range of choices at the Taste of Chicago might give you an anxiety attack. From old standbys to international treats, this food festival has every possible craving covered. Unless you plan on spending all week (and all your money) in Grant Park, you can't try everything. But with our help, you can hit some key food groups—if you consider French fries and dessert to be food groups.
Stick With It
From corndogs to frozen bananas, food just seems to taste better on a stick—and these skewered foods are great for negotiating the Taste crowds.
By
Michael Nagrant
photo: courtesy of Bridget Montgomery
(Booth 54)
There's nothing like a night at either of the North Side BYOB churrascarias (in Lincoln Park and Irving Park), where fake gauchos serve big slabs of sizzling meat and carb-tastic helpings of plantains and empanadas to the drunken masses. Unfortunately, while you probably won't be able to bring your own liquor to Grant Park, there will be plenty of sizzling meat available via Las Tablas' mixed-grill-on-a-stick. No word on whether booth servers will be wearing those stylish, MC Hammer-style pants.
Organic BBQ tofu skewers at A Natural Harvest (Booth 60)
If the sight of brontosaurus-sized BBQ turkey legs and Ricobene's deep-fried steak sandwiches turns your stomach, or you're just into keeping it totally green, this South Side stalwart serving vegans, vegetarians and the health food-inclined has a soul-satisfying alternative: firm, non-genetically modified, grill-marked tofu slathered in a smoky, sweet BBQ sauce.
Chocolate-dipped ice cream cake on a stick at Bobtail Soda Fountain (Booth 65)
Grandpa Wilcoxon sold ice cream door-to-door from a truck to his neighbors in Bexley, Ohio. His grandson, Jeff, brought the family recipes to the Windy City, added a touch of innovation with local flavors such as Cubby Crunch and Dutch Cocoa infused with Jack Daniels, and Bobtail was born. But those innovations are nothing compared to the shop's gooey, crunchy chocolate ice cream cake on a stick. We're pretty sure grandpa would approve.
Frozen chocolate chip toffee crunch cheesecake on a stick at Eli's Cheesecake (Booth 21)
Eli's started in 1940 as Eli Schulman's Ogden Huddle, a small West Side restaurant with a sign in the window that said, "If you are hungry and have no money, we will feed you for free." The restaurant gave way to an Oak Street delicatessen, and eventually the now-defunct Eli's Place for Steak, which was frequented by Gale Sayers, Bill Clinton and Frank Sinatra. Eli's made its debut at the first Taste of Chicago in 1980, and this year, not to be outdone by Bobtail, Eli's is slinging these dense cream-cheese wedges topped with Heath toffee sprinkles and milk-chocolate morsels.
Grilled chicken satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad at Star of Siam (Booth 27)
Star of Siam's Illinois Street location is often dubbed the palace of yuppie Thai because of its brick-and-timber West Loop hipster-loft vibe. While the smoke-perfumed confines of Taste of Chicago will be decidedly more down-scale than the normal restaurant, Star of Siam's satay—aka Thai shish-kebab marinated in herbs and coconut milk and drizzled in peanut sauce—should still be tasty and elegant.
Sesame beef on a stick at The Noodle (Booth 18)
This Vietnamese gem hidden in Chinatown is more known for its pho, a beefy broth featuring a confetti of green vegetables, tender shaved meat and airy meatballs. But a sauna-bath of soup won't do on what will likely be a sweaty afternoon of dodging fanny pack-clad tourists, so be happy you can score this marinated flank steak, coated in sesame seeds and grilled to a satisfying chew.
Pickle on a stick at Vienna Beef/Gold Coast Dogs (Booth 26)
We're not sure there's anything particularly special about this one. But when you impale a crunchy garlic dill on a stick, well, it just seems more exciting.
Veg Out
The city's biggest food bacchanal isn't all pork ribs and deep-fried alligator; herbivores can have their fill as well.
By
Sharon Hoyer
photo: courtesy of Bridget Montgomery
(Booth 2)
Chicago's biggest purveyor of cruelty-free comfort food has so many hearty, down-home offerings for its first year at the Taste, it's impossible to choose just one. Since the invention of fire, man has coated every possible edible substance in flour and deep-fried it, but the battered cauliflower from Soul Vegetarian is the very apex of crispy finger food; you'll wish it enjoyed as strong a presence as onion rings in the bar-food circuit. And the vegan sweet potato pie rivals the best egg-and-butter-laden version your mom made for any Thanksgiving dinner at home.
Vegan tamale with salsa at A Natural Harvest (Booth 60)
Whenever the tamale delivery guy makes his rounds at the neighborhood watering hole, my vegan roommate moans that there's no such thing as a meat-and-cheese-less tamale. Until now. A Natural Harvest is serving up a Taste portion of its vegan treat, filled with a savory soy protein instead of pork or pollo, and accompanied by a side of black bean salsa. Grab some soy-buttered corn-on-the-cob with Creole spice to round out the vegan feast.
Pad Thai noodles at Star of Siam
(Booth 27) After all that hearty comfort food, you might need to take an intermission from fried. Star of Siam is offering small plates of vegetarian Pad Thai (vegans take note: this dish is made with eggs). This delightful stir-fry, the most popular of Thai dishes, is made by tossing thin rice noodles with lime, peanuts and bean sprouts—a light, flavorful contrast to the liters of oil and butter you're sure to take in during your Taste excursion. Besides, you knew you'd have to use a utensil eventually.
Samosas at Arya Bhavan (Booth 59)
Not ordering a samosa appetizer before an Indian dinner is like not getting fries with your club sandwich; it virtually negates the entire purpose of the meal. Arya Bhavan is cooking up the genuine article in smaller portions: potatoes and onions flavored with coriander (the "queen of spices" according to the back of my bottle at home), wrapped in a pastry and fried. It's food designed for nibbling whilst wandering through rows of bustling market stands—although you will want to have a side of sweet or spicy chutney on hand too. If you feel like wrestling with something a little saucier, the aromatic chana masala, pav bhaji (a stew of cauliflower, peas, eggplant and tomato) and bhel (a seasoned puffed-rice dish) are all meatless and dairy-less.
Go Fishin'
Drop anchor at any of these booths, and your seafood cravings will be fulfilled; just watch out for Jaws!
By
Stacy Warden
Fresh Pineapple Seafood Salad at Grazie! Ristorante (Booth 11)
Grazie! is all about the crab, and it shows in the Italian eatery's pineapple seafood salad made up of crab, cod, celery and diced pineapple. The mix is served right on the pineapple shell, convenient if you're still weaving your way through crowds of hungry tourists. If that doesn't cut your crab-hunger, this booth will also be doling out meaty Alaskan crab legs.
Skewered Shark Veracruz at Polo Cafe & Catering (Booth 36)
Polo chef and owner Dave Samber has some of the festival's most eclectic seafood selections. His oven-baked crab-cake nuggets, for one, are a crunchy treat and perfect for sharing (nine come in each box). But the real star at this Jaws-themed booth isn't as easy to split, not just because of its single serving size, but because after one bite, you'll want the whole thing for yourself. We're talking about the shark Veracruz, a firm fish that's been baked and prepared with a fire-roasted tomato sauce.
Seafood Gumbo at Chicago Joe's (Booth 5)
Sure, it might be a scorching 90 degrees and humid, but is it ever really too hot for gumbo? Chicago Joe's doesn't think so. Head over and try the restaurant's seafood version of the soupy stuff. Other seafood choices include fried, breaded calamari rings and battered butterfly coconut shrimp. Keeping in line with hearty hot dishes, Joe's will also offer a homemade chili con carne; Chicago Joe's fare may not be light, but it'll still feel right.
photo: courtesy of Bridget Montgomery
(Booth 49)
We eat more shrimp cocktail during these muggy months than during any other season, but it's time to branch out. O'Brien's will be offering a hot twist on our favorite summer crustacean with its spicy buffalo shrimp. And if you're still missing the fleshy stuff, this booth will also be well-stocked with smoked pulled-pork sandwiches and Celtic corn on the cob.
Grilled Lobster Tail at Oak Street Beach Cafe (Booth 48)
Gallivanting about in herds of sweaty t-shirt-clad tourists may not provide the most elegant tasting experience, but you can still get upscale fare at Oak Street Beach Cafe's booth. Grab a plate of grilled lobster tail with garlic potatoes or pluck grilled shrimp straight from a skewer. Oak Street is also offering grilled spicy chicken wings and, of course, more garlic potatoes.
Try These Fries
Once you've tasted these oily delicacies, Mickey D's will never do.
By
Stacy Warden
Mango Cumin-dusted Fries at Vermilion (Booth 10)
These fruity fries are a Vermilion staple. Normally the spuds are served on the restaurant's lunch menu alongside a trio of burgers including chicken, beef and a plantain patty. But instead of its signature combination, Vermilion is serving up a chipotle Madras curry turkey burger to pair with the sweet chutney treats.
Hand-cut Sweet Potato Fries at Hashbrowns (Booth 16)
Some fries just too good to mess with. Hashbrowns’ hand-cut sweet-potato version is among the best. These thick, starchy slices aren't even tainted by a fleck of salt, though Hashbrowns will throw on a dash or two by request. The booth will also offer a signature sweet-potato hashbrown dish for those who prefer their spuds shredded.
photo: courtesy of Bridget Montgomery
(Booth 60)
This restaurant might cater to vegetarians, but the cheese-smattered fries here are a must for everyone, even the most carnivorous festival-goer. The delicious potatoey mess is also packed with Cajun spice; be sure to grab more than a few napkins for this one.
Fries with Irish Curry Sauce at Abbey Pub (Booth 9)
A Taste of Ireland is more like it. Abbey is jazzing (or should we say, jigging?) up its spuds with the pub's signature Irish curry sauce. In addition to its famous fries, this booth will also serve other foods of the land including fish and chips, corned beef sandwiches and roasted corn on the cob.
Italian Fries at Tutto Italiano (Booth 30)
Thinly sliced and crisp to the bite, these unique fries are a regional Italian treat. After frying, they're tossed in grated Romano cheese and fresh herbs; no way can ketchup stand up to this challenge.
Pour Some Sugar in You
If you saved room, check out these local confectioners for a sweet finish to your Taste experience.
By
Stacy Warden
Sweet Potato Cheesecake at C'est Si Bon (Booth 19)
This is not your average cheesecake. C'est Si Bon conjured up its sweet potato version of the stuff over 10 years ago and has been bringing it to the Taste for the past three. Richer than the typical New York-style indulgence, this treat is packed with down-home flavor, but still has the traditional graham-cracker crust. If you happen to miss out at the festival or are just too full from C'est Si Bon's collard-green egg rolls and Cajun meatballs, stop by the cafe in Hyde Park, where you can buy an entire cheesecake for about $36.
photo: courtesy of Bridget Montgomery
(Booth 65)
Oenophiles and chocoholics alike will love this wine-inspired ice cream. Merlot and dark chocolate pair off exceptionally well in this Bobtail original. Other flavors to try include organic strawberry and vanilla. Refreshing root beer floats are also available.
Chocolate Combo at Aunt Diana's Candy Makers (Booth 17)
This is a must for all you chocoholics. Aunt Diana's specializes in fudge, and not just by the pound. All the treats here are fudge-dipped or drizzled, including strawberries and frozen bananas. The Taste portion includes a baby chocolate-dipped banana, and if that's not enough, you can buy a large one for just $2.50. The booth will also have fudge by the quarter-pound. Pick up one of Aunt Diana's chocolate combos to score all three treats.
Jumbo Turtles at Chicago Chocolate Company (Booth 61)
It's all about the chocolate for this Chicago confectionery. Fans of caramel will enjoy the company's jumbo turtles, packed with nuts and slathered in chocolate. These nutty handmade treats are nothing like those little clusters that come in mass-produced heart-shaped Valentine boxes. Chocolate also gets paired with strawberries, English toffee caramel corn and fruit kabobs at this decadent booth.
Oreo Cookie Cheesecake at Eli's Cheesecake (Booth 21)
This local cheesecake company is no new kid on the block and neither is the star ingredient in this signature treat, in which Eli's original recipe gets blended with chunks of America's favorite cookie. Baked in an Oreo crust, the cake gets topped with a dollop of whipped cream and another heap of chocolaty cookie crumbs. Other signature cheesecakes at the booth include turtle, plain with strawberries and sugar-free with chocolate.
Tiramisu Gelato at Canady Le Chocolatier (Booth 15)
The best way to cool down after all that tasting is to taste more. These local chocolatiers are offering some of the coldest treats this side of the festival's International Beer Tent. The tiramisu goes quickly, but the booth has a backup stash of fruiti di Bosco sorbet, pistachio gelato and mascarpone gelato if you're willing to step away from the chocolate.
Key Lime Pie at JR Dessert Bakery (Booth 51)
Go green in more ways than one by grabbing a slice of JR's citrus pie. This refreshing summertime treat is a great way to cool off when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If apples are more your thing, JR has slices of those, too. You'll also find plain old-fashioned cheesecake with fresh strawberries or pecan caramel sauce and a frozen chocolate-dipped cheesecake bar.
Subscribe in your favorite reader using the links below. To learn more about feeds and RSS, click here.
