Sample culinary offerings from Chicago's various neighborhoods this summer as 60 restaurants participating in Taste of Chicago 2011 serve a diverse menu in Grant Park June 24-July 3. Many new items are being offered this year from both new and returning restaurants providing Taste attendees with an endless array of options in one location.
The number of food vendors increased by seven this year and new vendors include: Alhambra Palace, Banana Leaf Restaurant, Beggars Pizza, Chicago Sweet Connection Bakery, The Fudge Pot, Lao Sze Chuan, Loving Hut, Parrot Cage Restaurant, Ryba's Fudge Shops, Smoke Daddy, Starfruit Café, and Texas de Brazil.
While favorite items such as the Original Rainbow Cone, turtle cheesecake from Eli's and double cheeseburger from the Billy Goat will be offered, attendees can also sampleunique items from new vendors such as jerk lamp chop with rice from Banana Leaf Restaurant; dry chili chicken from Lao Sze Chuan; vegetable textured protein with sweet/spicy sauce from Loving Hut; turkey meatloaf "cupcakes" from Parrot Cage; and garlic-marinated picanha from Texas de Brazil.
Each vendor will serve six items, two of which are special "Taste Of" portions priced at $2or less. The "Taste Of" portion gives attendees the opportunity to sample a wide variety of items.
Patrons should keep their eyes peeled for the Humana Healthier Choices green apple icon that designates healthy options on the menu boards. There's also the opportunity to run those calories away at the Humana Race to Taste, Sunday, June 26. Visit www.chicagoracetotaste.us for more info.
The Dominick's Cooking Corner features seven daily chef demos such asChef Paul Lo Duca, Adobo Grill on June 24; Chef Jimmy Madla, Coobah on June 25; Kocoa Scott-Winbush, Kocoa's Kitchen on June 26; Melissa Graham, Purple Asparagus on June 27; Chef Mustafa Guler, Turquoise Restaurant on June 28; Chef Mario Palaggi, Sen's Rhine Bar & Grill on June 29; Chef Paul Fehribach, Big Jones on June 30; Jimmy Bannos & Jimmy Bannos, Jr., Heaven on Seven, Purple Pig, and Giada De Laurentiis, presented by Bella Sella Wines of Italy on July 1; Chef Vicente Duran, VIVO Restaurant on July 2; and Chef Armando Vasquez, LaScarola Restaurant on July 3. Full schedule to be announced.
Taste aficionados will enjoy Taste Restaurant Days May 28-30, when participating Taste restaurants will offer special discounts at their home bases. Patrons can download special discount coupons and start the fun early.
Taste aims to enhance the customer experience this year with more dining pavilions and seating throughout the entire event. New Taste parking lots are available for a special discounted rate. Take the free McDonald's Family Trolley from the Taste lots to the event. See www.tasteofchicago.us for more details, lot locations and maps.
Take public transportation to the Taste. For CTA, RTA and Metra travel routes, call 836-7000 in all Chicago area codes, 312-836-4949 ( TTY ) or visitwww.transitchicago.com .
Hours at the Taste of Chicago are 11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. from June 24-July 2 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on July 3. Admission to Taste of Chicago is free. Food and beverage tickets are sold in strips of 12 for $8 ( includes $2 charge for Taste amenities ) . Purchase food and beverage tickets in advance for only $6 per strip from June 16-23 when you show your Fresh Values Card at Dominick's. Tickets are $8 per strip from June 24-July 3 while supplies last at Dominick's.
For more information, visit www.tasteofchicago.us or call 312-742-4387.
Taste of Chicago is presented by the Chicago Park District and by Bud Light, Chicago Tribune, Pepsi, Chicago Transit Authority, United Airlines, V103, Inspiration 1390, Dominick's, Eli's Cheesecake Company, E.J. Gallo Winery, Hinckley Springs, Humana, Illinois Lottery, Radio Disney, Shoreline Sightseeing, 93XRT, CLTV-ChicagoLand's Television, Communications Direct, LaGrou Distribution System, WGN-Television, McDonald's, Target, Fly Nova Scotia.com, Sensodyne, Univision Radio, US99, Dyson Air Multiplier, Healthcraft.
New vendors have an asterisk in the following list of restaurants and featured items at the 2011 Taste of Chicago:
Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St.
Roasted Corn on the Cob; Fish and Chips ( Fries ) ; Irish Egg Rolls
"Taste Of": Fries with Curry; Irish Egg Rolls
Abundance Bakery, 105 E. 47th St.
Caramel Cupcake; Blueberry Muffin; Caramel Pecan Cupcake; Brownie
"Taste Of": Butter Cookies; Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Adobo Grill, 1610 N. Wells
Guacamole and Chips; Pork Tacos; Chicken Tamale; Churros
"Taste Of": Cheese Empanada; Churro
*Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph St.
Falafel Sandwich with Jerusalem Salad; Chicken Kabob Basket; Beef Shwarma Sandwich; Hummus
"Taste Of": Falafel with Hummus; Baklava
Arya Bhavan, 2508 W. Devon
Samosa; Chana Masala; Geera ( Cumin ) Rice; Bhel
"Taste Of": Samosa; Bhel
Bacino's Pizza of Lincoln Park, 2204 N. Lincoln Ave.
Stuffed Spinach Pizza Slice; Stuffed Sausage Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Cheese Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Sausage Pizza Slice
"Taste Of": Stuffed Spinach Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Cheese Pizza Slice
*Banana Leaf Restaurant, 1948 E. 79th St.
Four Jerk Wings with Rice; Blackened Tilapia with Rice; Jerk Lamb Chop with Rice; Curry Vegetable Stir Fry
"Taste Of": Two Jerk Wings; Curry Vegetable Stir Fry
*Beggars Pizza, 310 S. Clinton
Thin Crust Cheese Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Sausage Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Pepperoni Pizza Slice; Deep Dish Sausage Pizza Slice
"Taste Of": Thin Crust Sausage or Pepperoni Pizza; Mostaciolli with Marinara Sauce
Billy Goat Tavern & Grill, 1535 W. Madison Ave.
Rib Eye Steak Sandwich; Double Cheeseburger; Single Cheeseburger
"Taste Of": Baked Potato Chips; 1/2 Cheeseburger
BJ's Market & Bakery, 8734 S. Stony Island Ave.
Mustard-Fried Catfish; BBQ Turkey Tips; Fish Taco; Sweet Potato Chips
"Taste Of": Mustard-Fried Catfish; Peach Cobbler
Bobak Sausage Company, 5275 S. Archer Ave
Maxwell Polish Sausage; Beer Bratwurst Sausage; All Natural Chipotle Chicken Sausage; Ultimate Sausage Sampler Platter
"Taste Of": Mini Maxwell Street Polish Sausage; Mini Chipotle Chicken Sausage
Carb�"n, 300 W. 26th St.
Fire-Grilled Steak Taco; Tortilla Encrusted Tilapia Taco; Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast Taco; Sampler Platter ( all four tacos )
"Taste Of": Fire Grilled Steak Taco; Fire Roasted Veggie Taco
C'est Si Bon!, 643 E. 47th St.
Sweet Potato Cheesecake; Collard Green Egg Roll; Cajun Meatballs; Spicy Chicken Wingettes & Sweet Potato Biscuit
"Taste Of": Cajun Meatballs; Fresh Fruit Cup
*Chicago Sweet Connection Bakery, 5569 N. Northwest Hwy.
Atomic Cake; Eclairs; Sweets on a Stick; Parfait cup, Oreo
"Taste Of": Parfait cup, Oreo; Eclairs
Chicago Joe's, 2256 W. Irving Park Rd.
Popcorn Shrimp with Fries; Calamari with Fries; Jumbo Fried Shrimp with Fries; Cheesy Seasoned Fries
"Taste Of": Cheesy Seasoned Fries; Firehouse Chili
Churro Factory, 2214 S. Wolcott Ave.
Churros; Funnel Cake; Ice Cream; Frozen Bananas
"Taste Of": Churritos; Bunelos
Connie's Pizza, 2373 S. Archer Ave.
Deep Dish Cheese Pizza Slice; Deep Dish Sausage Pizza Slice; 10" Gluten Free Pizza Slice; Frozen Banana
"Taste Of": Mini Meatball Sandwich; Slice of Gluten Free Pizza
Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St.
Garlic Fries; BBQ Beef Sandwich; Mac and Cheese Bites; Maine Lobster Roll
"Taste Of": Mac and Cheese Bites; White Chicken Chili
Dominick's, Chicagoland Locations
Red/Green Seedless Grapes; Cherries; Watermelon Slice; Roasted Ultra Sweet Corn on the Cob
"Taste Of": 1/2 Watermelon Slice; Pineapple Bites
Eli's Cheesecake Company, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr.
Eli's Frozen Chocolate Chip Crunch Dipper; Eli's Cookie Crazy Oreo Smoosh with Vanilla Ice Cream; Eli's Turtle Cheesecake; Eli's Original Plain Cheesecake; Eli's Original Plain Cheesecake w/ Strawberries
"Taste Of": Eli's Original Plain Cheesecake; Eli's "Skinny Chocolate" Cheesecake
Franco's Ristorante, 300 W. 31st St.
Italian Ice Combo ( Lemon, watermelon, blue raspberry ) ; Italian Lemon or Watermelon Ice; Homemade Strawberry Gelato; Homemade Staciatella Gelato
"Taste Of": Italian Lemon Ice; Italian Watermelon Ice
*The Fudge Pot, 1532 N. Wells
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry; Chocolate Dipped Frozen Banana; Combination: Strawberry, Fudge, Banana
"Taste Of": Baby Chocolate Frozen Banana; Chocolate Fudge
Garrett Popcorn Shops, Chicagoland Locations
Popcornsicle; The Chicago Mix; � lb. Mixed Nuts; Ice Cream
"Taste Of": Popcorn Ball; Mixed Nuts Sampler
Guey Lon Restaurant, 3968 N. Elston Ave.
Orange Chicken w/ Fried Rice; Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura; Egg Roll; Crab Rangoon
"Taste Of": Vegetable Tempura; Pot Stickers
Harold's Chicken # 71, 2109 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicken Wings; Chicken Nuggets; Fried Okra; Fries
"Taste Of": Fried String Beans; 1 Wing and Fried Okra
Harry Caray's Restaurant, 33 W. Kinzie St.
Holy Cow Potato Chips; Fried Dough; Toasted Cheese Ravioli
"Taste Of": Toasted Cheese Ravioli; Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Hashbrowns, 731 W. Maxwell St.
Sweet Potato Fries; Sweet Potato Hashbrowns; Maxwell Street Burger; BBQ Meatballs
"Taste Of": Sweet Potato Fries; Sweet Potato Hashbrowns
Home Run Inn Pizza, 4254 W. 31st St.
Cheese Pizza Slice; Sausage Pizza Slice; Six Wings; Cookie with Ice Cream
"Taste Of": Two Wings; Harvest Salad
Iyanze, 4623 N. Broadway St.
Rice & Beans with Jerk and Plantain; Jollof & Oxtail; Coconut Rice w/ Sauteed Beef; Bissop Sorbet
"Taste Of": Bissop Sorbet; Jerk Chicken
JR Dessert Bakery, 2841 W. Howard St.
Plain Cheesecake ( with Fresh Strawberry or Caramel Pecan Sauce ) ; Frozen Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake Bar; Key Lime Pie; Chocolate Molten Lava Cake ( with or without Ice Cream )
"Taste Of": Plain Cheesecake; Ice Cream with Fresh Strawberry Sauce
Kasia's Deli, 2101 W. Chicago Ave.
Pierogi ( Potato, Sauerkraut, Beef, Cheddar Jalapeno ) ; Polish Sausage Sandwich with Onion or Kraut; Potato Pancakes with Apple Sauce or Sour Cream; Chicken/Sausage kabob with Vegetable Rice
"Taste Of": Pierogi Potato; Cheese/Strawberry Blintz w/ Chocolate Topping
La Justicia, 3901 W. 26th St.
Enchiladas; Steak Taco with Pico de Gallo; Nachos ( Steak or Chicken )
"Taste Of": Enchilada ( 1 ) ; Chicken Breast Taco
Lagniappe-Creole Cajun Joynt, 1525 W. 79th St.
Catfish Po'Boy; Crawfish Boil; Chicken & Waffles; Beignets
"Taste Of": Pralines and Cream; Beignets
*Lao Sze Chuan, 2172 S. Archer Ave.
Dry Chili Chicken; Salt & Pepper Pork Rib; Crispy Shrimp in Lemon Sauce; Vegetable Fried Rice
"Taste Of": Dry Chili Chicken; Spring Roll ( vegetarian )
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, 805 S. State St.
Cheese Pizza Slice; Sausage Pizza Slice; Malnati Salad ( chopped ) ; Bruschetta
"Taste Of": Malnati Salad ( chopped ) ; Bruschetta
*Loving Hut, 5812 N. Broadway
Home Run Ball ( Fried Vegetable Textured Protein with Sweet/Spicy Sauce ) ; Drumsticks; Kung Pao with Rice
"Taste Of": Drumsticks; Tiramisu
Manny's Cafeteria and Delicatessen, 1141 S. Jefferson St.
Barbequed Turkey Leg; Corned Beef Brisket Sandwich; Potato Pancakes; Apple Pie Square
"Taste Of": Apple Pie Square; Macaroni and Cheese
The Noodle Vietnamese Cuisine, 2336 S. Wentworth
Bahn Mi ( Vietnamese Sandwich ) with Beef or Chicken; Breaded Chicken with Butter Rice; Crab Rangoon; Red Bean, Boba Shaved Ice with Milk & Jelly
"Taste Of": Sesame Beef on a Stick; Crab Rangoon
Oak Street Beach Café, 5700 S. Cicero Ave.
Grilled Slippertail Lobster with Potato; Grilled Shrimp Skewer with Potato; Grilled Bourbon Chicken Wrap with Potato; Nachos with Cheese/Jalapenos
"Taste Of": Bourbon Chicken; Garlic Potatoes
O'Brien's, 1528 N. Wells St.
Celtic Corn on the Cob; Gourmet Beef Hot Dog ( Chicago Style ) ; Buffalo Popcorn Shrimp; French Fries
"Taste Of": Cherry Dumpling; French Fries
Original Rainbow Cone, 9233 S. Western Ave.
Original Rainbow Cone ( Cake Cone ) ; Cookie Dough or Cookies and Cream; Waffle Cone Sundae; Original Rainbow Cone ( Waffle Cone )
"Taste Of": Taster Cup of Rainbow; Dream Cup ( Vanilla Yogurt and Orange Sherbert )
*Parrot Cage Restaurant, 7059 S. South Shore Dr.
Turkey Meatloaf "Cupcakes"; Seafood Gumbo; Seafood Salad; Red Velvet Cupcake
"Taste Of": Red Velvet Cupcake; Seafood Gumbo
Pegasus, 130 S. Halsted
Gyros; Greek Chicken on Pita; Loukaneko ( Greek Sausage ) ; Soutzoukia ( Greek Meatball )
"Taste Of": Loukaneko ( Greek Sausage ) ; Baklava
Polka Sausage & Deli, 8753 S. Commercial
Polish Sausage Sandwich with Kraut; Bratwurst Sandwich with Kraut; Grilled Chicken Breast with Onions; Pierogis with Sour Cream
"Taste Of": Bratwurst Sandwich; Pierogi
Polo Café and Catering, 3322 S. Morgan
BBQ Grilled Boneless Pork Chop Slider with Grilled Onions; Baked Salmon Mini Burger; Crab Cake Nuggets ( baked ) ; Garlic Mozzarella Cheese Bread
"Taste Of": Cheesy Homemade Cajun Chips; Garlic Mozzarella Cheese Bread
Reggio's Pizza, 1339 S. Halsted
Turkey Sausage Pizza on Wheat Crust; Sausage Pizza; Cheese Pizza; Red, White & Blue Italian Ice
"Taste Of": Cherry Italian Ice; Cheese Pizza
Ricobene's, 252 W. 26th St.
Italian Breaded Steak; Beef & Sausage Combo; Fresh Cut Fries with Cheese; Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings
"Taste Of": Italian Breaded Steak; Breaded Eggplant Sandwich
Robinson's No. 1 Ribs, 225 S. Canal
BBQ Ribs; Rib Tip; Boneless Rib Sandwich; Chicken Tenders w/ Sweet Potato Fries
"Taste Of": Chicken Tenders; Sweet Potato Fries
*Ryba's Fudge Shops, 600 E. Grand
Half Slice of Fudge; Full Slice of Fudge; Caramel Apples; Chocolate Covered Strawberry
"Taste Of": Two Pieces Fudge Sample; Pecan Turtle
Sabor Latino, 3808 W. North
Steak & Onions with Rice and Pigeon Peas; Puerto Rican Steak Sandwich; Steak Jibarito Sandwich; Banana Dumpling Pork Filled
"Taste Of": Jibarito; Coconut Ice
*The Smoke Daddy, 1804 W. Division
Pulled Pork; Pulled Chicken; BBQ Chips
"Taste Of": Pulled Pork; Pulled Chicken
Star of Siam, 11 E. Illinois
Pot Stickers ( Chicken and Vegetable ) ; Pad Thai Noodles; Grilled Chicken Satay; Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura
"Taste Of": Pad Thai Noodles; Pot Stickers ( Chicken and Vegetable )
*Starfruit Café, 2142 N. Halsted
Original Flavor Frozen Kefir with 2 toppings; Pomengranate Frozen Kefir with 2 toppings; Birthday Cake Frozen Kefir with 2 toppings; Strawberry Flavor Frozen Kefir with 2 toppings
"Taste Of": Pomengranate Frozen Kefir; Original Flavor Frozen Kefir
*Texas de Brazil, 51 E. Ohio
Combo Platter ( combo of the following items ) ; Signature Garlic-Marinated Picanha; Brazilian Sausage; Chicken Breast Wrapped in Bacon
"Taste Of": Quinoa Salad; Brazilian Sausage or Chicken Wrapped in Bacon
Timothy O'Toole's, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct.
Buffalo Wings with Ranch; Chicken Fingers & Tots; Footlong Corn Dog; Cheezy Tater Tots
"Taste Of": Buffalo Wings with Ranch; Fresh Carrots, Celery & Ranch
Tuscany, 1014 W. Taylor St.
Italian Beef Sandwich; Italian Sausage Sandwich; Italian Turkey Meatballs; Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich
"Taste Of": Toasted Cheese Ravioli; Italian Sausage Sandwich
Tutto Italiano, 501 S. Wells St.
Fried Ravioli — Marinara; Steak Burger with Blue Cheese; Grilled Chicken Mozzarella Sandwich; Lemon-Lime Ice
"Taste Of": Italian Ice; Seasoned Fries
Vee-Vee's African Restaurant, 6232 N. Broadway
Fried Plantain with Sauteed Goat Meat; Red Beans & Rice with Grilled Jerk Chicken; Jollof Rice with Sauteed Goat Meat; Red Beans & Rice with Fried Plantain
"Taste Of": Red Beans & Rice with Grilled Jerk Chicken; Jollof Rice with Sauteed Goat Meat
Vermilion, 10 W. Hubbard
Chimichurri Popcorn Shrimp; Grilled Chicken Kabab, Tomatillo Potatoes, Charred Onions; "The Maharaja Sandwich" Pulled Beef, Crisped Onion, Mint Mayo; Ginger Dusted Crisp Apple Fritter, Mango Cardamom Sauce
"Taste Of": Mango Dusted Fries, Tamarind Chutney; Grilled Chicken Kabab, Tomatillo Potatoes, Charred Onion
Vienna Beef/Gold Coast Dogs, Chicagoland Locations
Hot Dog ( Chicago Style or Plain ) ; Maxwell Street Polish Sausage or Plain; Fire Dogs ( Mustard or Plain ) ; French Fries
"Taste Of": Pickle on a Stick; Mini corn dogs
