Taste of Chicago returns with record number of pop-ups
In recent years, the Taste of Chicago has undergone a transformation of sorts.
Newer festival elements such as pop-up restaurants, celebrity chef meals and food podcasts have helped the event see a resurgence in popularity, organizers say.
“Taste of Chicago has over the last five years really been re-imagined to better reflect Chicago's diverse and exciting culinary scene,” says event manager Mary Slowik.
The trend continues this year, when the 36th annual food extravaganza returns to Grant Park July 6 to 10, featuring 20 newcomers and a record number of pop-up restaurants.
The pop-ups are one of the festival's hottest areas, Slowik says. “It changes every day, and that's really exciting,” she says. “You can come on Wednesday and come back on Friday, and there's all new restaurants.”
This year, a record 17 pop-ups will appear for one or two days each, including newcomers Arami, BRGRBELLY, Demera Ethiopian Restaurant, Doom Street Eats, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, Pork & Mindy's, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine and Taco in a Bag, which got its start in West Dundee.
The pop-ups have opened up participation to restaurants who may not have been able to attend for a full week due to cost or other issues. “We're really excited about this; many are highly sought-after, hip restaurants,” Slowik says. “They're all really current and cutting-edge.”
The music lineup is another draw. At the Petrillo Music Shell, headliners include The Roots (sold out) on Wednesday, KONGOS and Elle King on Thursday, The Decemberists on Friday, Billy Idol on Saturday and The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald and Ernie Isley on Sunday.
Team USA, featuring Olympic and Paralympic champions David Boudia, Jessica Long and Misty May-Treanor, will also stop at the Taste to greet fans and partake in interactive sport elements.
Last year's Taste saw 1.4 million visitors and netted a profit of more than $320,000 just a few years after facing declining attendance and financial losses.
In addition to the pop-ups, there are 18 food trucks and 34 five-day restaurants. A new cocktail lounge will feature mixed drinks.
Other newcomers this year include food truck options Auntie Vee's, Firecakes Donuts, The Happy Lobster Truck, La Jefa and La Patrona. New five-day restaurants include Abundance Bakery, Texas de Brazil and Frannie's Café Inc.
All vendors will offer signature items and popular Taste of portions priced at $2.50 or less. Many will include healthier choice selections.
The Celebrity Chef du Jour event - where guests can enjoy a sit-down, three-course meal for $45 a person - features celebrity chefs Graham Elliot of Graham Elliot Bistro and others.
Taste of Chicago
Where: Grant Park, Chicago
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, July 6-8; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10. For a full schedule and lineup, see
Cost: Admission to the festival is free; tickets for food and drinks can be purchased in strips of 12 for $8.50. There is a charge for Petrillo Music Shell seating and celebrity chef events. See
website for details.