Given that many people will be coming into the city for/during the Taste of Chicago festival, I thought it would be good to discuss some basic tips/details. I would also appreciate if other locals would contribute their thoughts/tips:
* There are no admission costs for the Taste - entrance is free.
* Do not attempt to drive to the Taste if you have a car. Public transit is a must.
* Food and beverages are bought by exchanging tickets. Tickets are sold in strips of 11 for $7. Drinks, entrees and taste portions all cost varying amounts of tickets at each restaurant booth. Tickets can be purchased at stands that are at the different ends of the Taste. Credit cards are accepted to purchase tickets at the booths in the Taste during the festival. Tickets can also be purchased before the Taste (June 16-23) at local Dominicks grocery stores for $5.50 (limit 4). Tickets can also be purchased in advance online (includes a $3.50 shipping fee per order) at:
- Ticket sales end at 8:30pm, but the fest stays open shortly after.
* If you are going to be in the city for an extended period, you may want to take a small notepad to the Taste in order to write down the details of restaurants you want to go to to try later on.
* The CTA often has booths up selling passes and transit cards, if you need them while in Chicago.
* If you are in a pack of people, it's a good idea to set a place to meet if you get separated. Ideas include the Buckingham Fountain or the back entrance of the Art Institute on Columbus Dr.
* Go expecting that it WILL be busy/crowded. During the busiest times, it almost becomes a bit difficult to move around the general booth areas. The general lunch hour is sometimes quite busy, because workers from the downtown area often head to the Taste.
* Taste of Chicago Map/Restaurant Listing: (requires Adobe Acrobat)
suntimes.com/special_sections/taste/map/tast…
* Performanes:
Illinois Lottery Taste Stage ��� Come See What���s Cookin���
The Illinois Lottery Taste Stage features the best local talent in Chicagoland. Located on the southwest corner of Jackson Boulevard and Columbus Drive, the Taste Stage is a nice place to stop and eat while you listen to the music de jour. The Taste Stage offers as much musical variety as the Taste offers food selection, enjoy reggae, jazz, blues, pop, country, rock, hip-hop and more each day of the Taste of Chicago, June 24 through July 4! See full schedule below.
The stage will also feature talented country music performers when the Taste celebrates the Country Music Festival June 25 & 26. Take part in all day line dancing between sets! Daily hours are from 12:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Friday, June 24, 2005
12:30 ��� 1:45 p.m. Sticky Lupree (Rock/Funk)
2:00 ��� 3:15 p.m. AC Rock (Acappella)
3:30 ��� 4:45 p.m. EbonyEnergy Showcase (Spoken Word)
5:00 ��� 6:15 p.m. Lonnie Walker (Blues)
6:30 ��� 7:45 p.m. Root Rock Society (Reggae)
Saturday, June 25, 2005 (12:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Chicago Country Music Festival
Free dance lessons between acts on our dance floor
12:30 p.m. Dan Whitaker Band
2:00 p.m. Goldmine Pickers
3:30 p.m. The Delafields
5:00 p.m. Mark Lonsway
6:30 p.m. Weary Boys
Sunday, June 26, 2005 (12:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Chicago Country Music Festival
12:30 p.m. The 101 Ranch
2:00 p.m. Moonshine Sway
3:30 p.m. The Forbes Brothers
5:00 p.m. Urban Twang
6:30 p.m. Stone City Stragglers
Monday, June 27, 2005
12:30 ��� 1:45 p.m. Al Day Trio (Folk/Pop)
2:00 ��� 3:15 p.m. Joe Welega���s Happy Hearts Orchestra (Polka)
3:30 ��� 4:45 p.m. The Penthouse Playboys (Jazz/R&B)
5:00 ��� 6:15 p.m. Deb Seitz & The Swank Daddy���s (Blues)
6:30 ��� 7:45 p.m. Jimmy Damon (Traditional Jazz)
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
12:30 ��� 1:45 p.m. Paraplegic MC (Hip Hop)
2:00 ��� 3:15 p.m. The Inline Six (Rock/Jazz/Blues)
3:30 ��� 4:45 p.m. Soul of Ashanteuse (Soul/Funk)
5:00 ��� 6:15 p.m. Reyna Larson (Contemporary Folk)
6:30 ��� 7:45 p.m. Pippi (Jazz Vocalist)
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
12:30 ��� 1:45 p.m. Rhumbuzzz (Reggae/Soca)
2:00 ��� 3:15 p.m. Shauwn Knight (Jazz/Soul)
3:30 ��� 4:45 p.m. Tommy McCracken & The Force of Habit Band (Blues)
5:00 ��� 6:15 p.m. BBI, Inc. (Funk)
6:30 ��� 7:45 p.m. Bopology (Swing)
Thursday, June 30, 2005
12:30 ��� 1:45 p.m. T-Rroma (Eastern/European/Mediterranean)
2:00 ��� 3:15 p.m. Joy Missile (Rock)
3:30 ��� 4:45 p.m. Rico! Band (Afro Cuban Rhythms)
5:00 ��� 6:15 p.m. Bar Fly (Pop/Rock)
6:30 ��� 7:45 p.m. Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames (Blues)
Friday, July 1, 2005
12:30 ��� 1:45 p.m. Boda (Alternative Pop/Rock)
2:00 ��� 3:15 p.m. Kristie Stremel (Soulful Country)
3:30 ��� 4:45 p.m. EbonyEnergy Showcase (Spoken Word)
5:00 ��� 6:15 p.m. Harmony in Blue (Jazz)
6:30 ��� 7:45 p.m. Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings (R&B)
Saturday, July 2, 2005
12:30 ��� 1:45 p.m. Las Guitarras de Espana (Flamenco)
2:00 ��� 3:15 p.m. The Honeybees (Rockabilly)
3:30 ��� 4:45 p.m. Banda Rika (Salsa/Merengue)
5:00 ��� 6:15 p.m. Gizzae (Reggae)
6:30 ��� 7:45 p.m. Hurricane Gumbo (Zydeco)
Sunday, July 3, 2005
12:30 ��� 1:45 p.m. The Gospel Crusaders (Gospel)
2:00 ��� 3:15 p.m. Julia Huff (Jazz Vocalist)
3:30 ��� 4:45 p.m. Lock Down (Hard Rock)
5:00 ��� 6:15 p.m. Gayle Ritt (Acoustic Solo)
6:30 ��� 7:45 p.m. Grand Avenue Big Band (Big Band)
Monday, July 4, 2005
12:30 ��� 1:45 p.m. William James (Acoustic Duo)
2:00 ��� 3:15 p.m. Od Tapo Imi (Steel Drum)
3:30 ��� 4:45 p.m. Jerry Devivo Band (Jazz/R&B/Soul)
5:00 ��� 6:15 p.m. Regibald T. McCants (R&B)
6:30 ��� 7:45 p.m. Mickey & The Memories (Rock���n Soul)
------
All concerts are free. Butler Field is located on Jackson and Lake Shore Drive. The seating area in front of the Petrillo Music Shell opens up to the public a half hour before each concert and is available on a first come-first served basis from the entrance gate on Jackson Street just west of Lake Shore Drive.
Fri. June 24 ��� Mon. July 4, 2005
Friday, June 24
Petrillo Music Shell
5:30 p.m.
City of Chicago, WGCI-FM & V-103 Present
Lauryn Hill
Saturday, June 25
Chicago Country Music Festival
Petrillo Music Shell
3 p.m.
LeAnn Rimes
Aaron Tippin
Sunday, June 26
Chicago Country Music Festival
Petrillo Music Shell
3 p.m.
Clint Black
Julie Roberts
Monday, June 27
Petrillo Music Shell
6:00 p.m.
Broadway in Chicago
Tuesday, June 28
Petrillo Music Shell
5:30 p.m.
City of Chicago Presents
Donna Summer
Wednesday, June 29
Petrillo Music Shell
5:30 p.m.
City of Chicago, WGCI-FM & V-103 Present
The Gap Band
Morris Day & the Time
Thursday, June 30
Petrillo Music Shell
5:00 p.m.
City of Chicago Presents
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Creedence, Clearwater Revisted
Friday, July 1
Petrillo Music Shell
5:30 p.m.
City of Chicago Presents
Steve Winwood
Dr. John
Saturday, July 2
Petrillo Music Shell
4:30 p.m.
City of Chicago & "Bud Light True Music" Present
Santana
Los Lonely Boys
Salvador Santana Band
Sunday, July 3
Petrillo Music Shell
The Independence Eve Concert and Fireworks Spectacular
7:30 p.m.
Monday, July 4
Petrillo Music Shell
3 p.m.
City of Chicago & 93XRT Present
John Hiatt And North Mississippi All-Stars
Moby
Restaurant Listing (from the Chicago website):
55 A Natural Harvest
7122 S. Jeffery Ave.
Roasted corn on the cob; Double cheese nachos with black beans and peppers; Vegetarian tamales (one plain, one spicy); Cheese fries (Cajun or plain)
9 The Abbey Pub
3420 W. Grace St.
Fish and chips; Corn on the cob; Baked potato with toppings; Curry fries
52 Arya Bhavan
2508 W. Devon Ave.
Samosa (crisp patties with potatoes, peas, coriander and spices); Matar paneer with nan (lightly fried cream cheese cooked with peas in onion and tomato sauce with bread); Chana Masala with nan (chickpeas made with traditional North Indian spices and bread); Tandoori chicken
47 Atrium Restaurant & Bakery
525 W. Monroe St.
Gyros; Greek chicken on pita; Saganaki (fried cheese); Baklava
14 Aunt Diana's Candy Makers
29 E. Burlington, Riverside
Chocolate-dipped frozen banana; Chocolate-dipped strawberry; Chocolate fudge; Combination fudge, baby banana and strawberry
8 Bacino's Pizza
2204 N. Lincoln Ave.
Stuffed spinach pizza; Stuffed sausage pizza; Thin sausage pizza; Thin BBQ chicken pizza
10 Bella Luna Caf��
731 N. Dearborn St.
Beer-battered artichoke hearts; Toasted cheese ravioli; Toasted crab ravioli; Chicken parmesan sandwich
6 Billy Goat Tavern & Grill
1536 W. Madison Ave.
Cheeseburger; Double cheeseburger; Ribeye steak sandwich; Potato chips
35 B.J.'s Market & Bakery
8734 S. Stony Island Ave.
Mustard-fried catfish; Boneless BBQ rib sandwich; Sweet potato chips; Peach cobbler
22 Buona Beef *
Locations throughout Chicagoland
Buona Italian beef sandwich; Italian sausage sandwich; Combo beef and sausage sandwich; Low carb plate (beef, sausage, mozzarella, green pepper)
21 Celebration Creamery *
286 Golf Mill Center, Niles
Funnel cake with vanilla ice cream and topping; Pound cake with vanilla ice cream and topping; Scoop of ice cream in a cup or waffle cone; Pound cake with topping
5 Chicago Joe's
2256 W. Irving Park Rd.
Seafood gumbo; Homemade chili; Fried calamari; Coconut shrimp;
43 Connie's Pizza *
2373 S. Archer Ave.
Deep-dish cheese pizza; Deep-dish sausage pizza; Buffalo chicken calzone; Meatball sandwich
17 Dock's
112 W. 87th St.
Shrimp on a stick; Seasoned fries; Catfish nuggets; Crab cake nuggests
42 Dominick's *
Locations throughout Chicagoland
Bing cherries; Red or green seedless grapes; Roasted ultra sweet corn; Seedless watermelon
18 Eli's Cheesecake *
6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr.
Eli's chocolate chip crunch dipper; Eli's Cheesecake Smoosh�� made with Oreos��; Eli's turtle cheesecake (special 25th birthday edition); Eli's original cheesecake (plain or with strawberries)
38 Father & Son Pizza
5691 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Crab cakes; Shrimp on a stick; Sausage and pepperoni pizza; Cheese pizza
44 Fireplace Inn
1448 N. Wells St.
BBQ baby back ribs; BBQ boneless rib sandwich; Deep-fried mozzarella sticks; Deep-fried olives with cheese and salsa filling
34 Franco's Ristorante
300 W. 31st St.
Lemon Italian ice; Watermelon Italian ice; Hand-dipped chocolate-covered marshmallow
57 Frank's Shrimp (New)
10410 S. Kedzie Ave.
Chicago-style shrimp (deep-fried with seasonings); Fish nuggets; Fried oysters; Hush puppies
11 Grazie! Ristorante
1050 E. Oakton St., Des Plaines
Crab legs; Sicilian fried shrimp; BBQ buffalo burger; Grilled pork kabobs with rice
1 Grizzly's Lodge
3830 N. Lincoln Ave.
Cajun alligator; Wild boar sausage; Fried catfish nuggets; Garlic mushrooms
51 The Grill On The Alley (New)
909 N. Michigan Ave.
Prime rib quesadilla; Rosemary sirloin steak on ciabatta bread with horeradish; Grilled chopped lime chicken salad; Rice pudding with persimmons and dried cranberries
7 Guey Lon
3968 N. Elston Ave.
Cantonese fried shrimp and vegetable tempura; Orange chicken with vegetable fried rice; Egg roll; "Crab" Rangoon
31 Harold's Chicken #13
7310 S. Halsted St.
Chicken wings with with bread; Chicken nuggets; Fried okra; French fries
28 Harry Caray's
33 W. Kinzie St.
Fried dough; Potato chips; Chocolate chip cookie
26 Helen's Kitchen
1732 E. 79th St.
BBQ turkey leg; Red beans and rice; BBQ chicken sandwich
60 Hey Sushi
2630 N. Clark St.
Grilled chicken breast teriyaki sandwich; Japanese fried dumplings; Teriyaki chicken wings; Sweet potato fries
32 Home Run Inn Pizza
4254 W. 31st St.
Cheese pizza; Sausage pizza; Mozzarella-stuffed breadsticks with marinara; Frozen grapes
53 Jamaica Jerk (New)
1631 W. Howard St.
Jamaican red beans and rice with plantain; Jerk chicken with rice and red beans; Collard greens with ham hocks; Jerk tofu
46 JR Dessert Bakery
2841 W. Howard St.
Plain cheesecake with strawberry or cherry sauce; Pecan caramel cluster cheesecake; Chocolate-dipped cheesecake bar; Key lime pie
48 Kasia's Deli
2101 W. Chicago Ave.
Pierogies with sour cream (potato, sauerkraut, spinach); Chicken kabob with curry rice and honey mustard; Grilled Polish sausage with saut��ed onions; Potato pancakes with sour cream or applesauce
23 Kendall College Cafe/Vienne Beef *
2501 N. Damen Ave.
Hot dog; Beef brisket sandwich; Maxwell Street Polish sausage; Pickle on a stick
20 Kitty O'Shea's/Hilton Chicago *
720 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicken fingers; Chedder cheese fries; Bailey's Irish ice cream
3 La Justicia
3901 W. 26th St.
Enchiladas; Steak taco; Chicken taco; Steak burrito
39 Lindy's Chili/Gertie's Ice Cream
7600 S. Pulaski Rd.
Caramel apple sundae; Turtle sundae; Chili cheese dog; Chili cheese nachos
37 Los Dos Laredos
3120 W. 26th St.
Steak burrito; Steak gordita; Chicken tacos; Chips and salsa
29 Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
958 W. Wrightwood Ave.
Cheese pizza; Sausage pizza; Bruschetta; Chopped salad
16 Maxine's Jamaican Cuisine (New)
1225 E. 87th St.
Jerk chicken with rice and peas; Oxtails with rice and peas; Fried plantain; Curry goat with rice and peas
25 Mazzone's *
5115 Clausen Ave., Western Springs
Italian ice duo (two scoops of any combination of lemon, strawberry or blue respberry); Italian ice trio (three scoops of any flavor combination); Hot soft prezel
15 The Noodle Vietnamese Cuisine (New)
2336 S. Wentworth Ave.
Sesame beef on a stick; Pork chop with rice; Spring roll (mixed vegetables, noodles and shrimp rolled in rice paper); Egg roll
45 Oak Street Beach Cafe (New)
5700 S. Cicero Ave.
Grilled lobster tail with garlic potatoes; Grilled shrimp on a skewer with garlic potatoes; Buffalo wings; Garlic potatoes
36 O'Brien's Restaurant & Bar
1528 N. Wells St.
Celtic corn on the cob; Plain taffy apple; Taffy apple with nuts; Caramel cluster
40 Orginal Rainbow Cone
9233 S. Western Ave.
Rainbow cone (chocolate, strawberry, palmer, pistachio, orange sherbet); Rainbow ice cream in a waffle cone; Cookie dough and butter pecan ice cream cone; Cookie dough and butter pecan waffle cone
2 Pars Cove Persian Cuisine (New)
435 W. Diversey Ave.
Hummus shirazi (hummus topped with tabouli salad, served with pita); Dolmeh (vegetarian baked stuffed grape leaves); Maze kabob (chicken, beef and lamb); Baklava
13 Polka Sausage & Deli
8753 Commercial Ave.
Polish sausage sandwich with sauerkraut; Bratwurst sandwich with sauerkraut; Spicy Polish sausage sandwich with sauerkraut; Pierogies with sour cream
33 Polo Caf�� & Catering
Bridgeport, U.S.A.
3322 S. Morgan St.
Baked salmon filet stuffed with shrimp, roasted red peppers and dill sauce; Jumbo shrimp trio on a stick; Baked crab cake nuggets; Garlic-mozzarella bread
50 Reggio's Pizza
340 W. 83rd St.
Alligator pizza; Sausage pizza; Cheese pizza; Fish and chips
4 Ricobene's
250 W. 26th St.
Italian breaded steak sandwich; Sicilian beef sandwich; Italian sausage sandwich; Fresh cut fries
19 Robinson's #1 Ribs
225 S. Canal St.
Boneless rib sandwich; BBQ rib tips/hot link combo, BBQ ribs; BBQ pulled turkey (98% fat free)
56 Sabor Latino
3810 W. North Ave.
Steak and onions with Spanish rice; Puerto Rican steak sandwich; Alcapurria (pork-filled banana dumpling); Plantain chips with garlic sauce
24 Star of Siam
11 E. Illinois St.
Pot stickers (chicken and vegetable dumplings); Pad Thai noodles; Grilled chicken satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad; Goong seab mai (grilled shrimp on a stick with vegetable tempura)
12 Suparossa Pizza
4256 N. Central Ave.
Stuffed cheese pizza; Stuffed sausage pizza; Thin crust sausage pizza; Fried mozzarella sticks
30 Sweet Baby Ray's *
Available at Chicagoland retailers
SBR BBQ boneless rib sandwich; SBR BBQ chicken breast sandwich; SBR "Boss" pork sandwich; SBR ribs with bread
61 Taqueria Los Comales
3141 W. 26th St.
Steak torta sandwich; Steak tacos; Tacos al pastor (pork and onions); Flan
54 Tiparos Thai Cuisine
1540 N. Clark St.
Lemon chicken tempura with sweet & sour sauce; Pot sticker (chicken dumplings); Shrimp fried rice; Grilled chicken satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad
41 Tuscany
1014 W. Taylor St.
Italian beef; Italian sausage; Beef and sausage combo; Toasted ravioli
27 Tutto Italiano
501 S. Wells St.
Fried shrimp marinara; Flat bread filled with blue cheese and tomatoes; Steak burger with blue cheese; Fried cheese ravioli
59 Vee-Vee's African Cuisine
6232 N. Broadway
Jerk chicken with red beans and rice; Saut��ed goat and fried plantain; Seasoned rice with shrimp, curry, pepper and mixed vegetables; Kelewele (seasoned plantain in garlic sauce)
49 Volare
201 E. Grand Ave.
Fried dough; Fried dough with strawberry sauce and wipped cream topping; Churro
58 Zam Zam Restaurant (Zabiha-Halal) (New)
2500 W. Devon Ave.
Frontier chicken with pita (cooked with onions, tomatoes and mild spices); Mutton biryani (goat with basmati rice, spices and saffron); Vegetable pakoras (onion, potato and vegetable fritters); Jalebi (chickpea flour dessert deep-fried in spirals)
58 Zephyr
1767 W. Wilson Ave.
Fresh strawberry sundae; Hot fudge brownie sundae; Hot fudge sundae; Pineapple sundae
Buckingham Fountain Restaurants
64 America's Dog
Hot dog; Corn dog; Fried Twinkie��
58 Buckingham Caf��
Grant Park
Philly steak sandwich; Loukoumathes (fried honey doughnut holes); Chocolate-covered banana
* denotes sponsor
