Restaurant Review: Grant Park’s Taste of Chicago blends Chicago restaurants, music and dance at the world’s largest food festival
The festival that started so many others is back! The 45th annual Taste of Chicago begins this Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7 in Grant Park by Buckingham Fountain, on Jackson and Columbus Drives.
From 11am-9pm, fest-goers can enjoy Chicago’s vast diversity of cuisine and cultures, along with music stages headlined by Chicago-born rapper Lupe Fiasco on Friday. On the same day, Terry Hunter will also perform on the main stage, and Mike P will be the evening’s DJ. Saturday will be headlined by JoJo, along with a performance by The O’My’s. Sunday’s headliner is Puerto Rican singer Elvis Crespo.
For the kids, Somos Arte Chicago is hosting free family-friendly art workshops where kids and parents can explore their imaginations together. From colorful crafts to interactive projects, the workshops are designed to celebrate culture, community, and creativity. Stop by, make art and take home your own masterpiece as a memory of the festival.
SummerDance Chicago is hosting free dance lessons and music at the festival, including line dancing, salsa, mambo, swing, disco and belly dancing.
PLEASE NOTE: Only credit cards are accepted by all food vendors, No food tickets will be sold, no cash will be accepted.
History
According to Wikipedia sources, restauranteur Arnie Morton, creator of the Taste, decided to line up Chicago restaurants to participate and persuaded then-Chicago mayor Jane Byrne and Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Lois Weisberg to block off Michigan Avenue for the first Taste of Chicago on July 4, 1980. Although organizers expected 100,000 people, a crowd of over 250,000 showed up, with food and soda sales grossing $300,000 at the festival’s inception.
The next year, the Taste of Chicago was moved to Grant Park and grew in size and scope, at its peak becoming a 10-day event with more food vendors and musical performers; it also became the world’s largest food festival, and a rite of passage for Chicago area youth, who discovered that Chicago was much more than the community they lived in.
In the Year 2025…
On Saturday, Eli’s Cheesecake will host their 45th birthday with a special cake cutting of a 1,000 lb. birthday cheesecake. The giant cheesecake features Eli’s 45th Birthday flavor, Cheesecake Sundae, along with layers of Original Plain and Chocolate Chip varieties.
Free slices will be served to the public, while supplies last.
Besides such staples as slices of Lou Malnati’s pizza, Original Rainbow Cone’s icy goodness, and Eli’s Cheesecake, many other Chicago restaurants will be participating, representing every section of Chicago and every type of cuisine.
A Small Sample of Taste
Arepa George is serving Taste portions of Empanada (Beef, Chicken, or Cheese with Plantain) for $5, as well as a $6 Mini Papa Rellena (Bread Stuffed Potato with Chicken & Cheese), or a Mini Carimanola (Stuffed Yucca with Beef or Cheese).
Billy Goat Tavern has The Original Cheezburger for $10, as well as their special The Cursebreaker Cheezburger for $12, along with Taste-sized portions for $5 & $6.
Chicago’s Doghouse Inc. offers such exotic Taste-sized portionsofGator Bites (Asian Chili Sauce & Caramelized Onions) for $6, Snake Bites (BBQ Sauce, Cheddar Cheese, & Giardiniera Peppers). Full-sized portions of Chance the Snapper Alligator Sausage (Asian Chili Sauce & Caramelized Onions) and Rattlesnake & Rabbit Sausage (BBQ Sauce, Cheddar cheese, Giardiniera Peppers) are $15.
JING JAI CORP is serving Shrimp in the Blanket a$6 Taste-sized portion, along with Crispy Squid Tentacles.
Ponce Restaurant hasPuerto Rico in a Cup (Rice, Roasted Pork, Chicken Kabob Glazed Guava BBQ, Fried Plantain) $18. Mini Roasted Pork with Rice $6 TASTE OF Mini Jibarito (Steak, Roasted Pork, Veggie).
Robinson’s No. 1 Rib Inc. has full-sizedBaby Back Ribs with Fries $18BBQ Rib Tips with Fries for $18, as well as aBoneless Rib Sandwich with Fries.
Seoul Taco offers $5 Taste portions of Bulgogi Steak Street Taco (Corn Tortilla, Bulgogi Steak, White Onion, Cilantro, & Choice of Salsa Roja or Verde) and Spicy Pork Taco (Corn Tortilla, Spicy Pork, White Onion, Cilantro, & Choice of Salsa Roja or Verde).
For a complete list of restaurants and more information, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
