Eats, free entertainment the main draws at Taste of Chicago
You've got a lot on your summer to-do list and limited cash for doing it.
Maybe you want to sip a new California wine, dine on exotic foods like gator sausage or sticky rice with mango, catch a concert, browse works from African artisans, learn about New Orleans-style cooking from a celebrity chef.
At Taste of Chicago, you can do all that and more - and much of it is free.
The 29th annual Taste of Chicago, the granddaddy of all food festivals, kicks off today, June 26, and runs through Sunday, July 5, in Grant Park along Chicago's lake front. So if you're looking for a getaway with family or friends that's close to home yet offers a taste of faraway locales, it's the place to be.
While some other cities have started charging admission to summer festivals to make up for budget shortfalls, admission to The Taste (as its called for short) remains free. Festgoers can enjoy daily concerts, a BMX competition, puppet shows and cooking demonstrations - celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse makes an appearance at 4 p.m. today - for nada, nothing, zilch, free.
Sure the food will cost you, but the city of Chicago is holding the line on ticket prices this year, $8 for 12 tickets. Each of the 54 food vendors will dish up two "Taste of" portions of everything from deep-dish pizza and samosas to tamales and mustard-fried catfish for two to three tickets each - that's 108 items available for $2 or less.
Just think, you can eat your way across the country and around the globe for $16 a person - you can't even fill up your gas tank for that.
Here's a taste of the Taste, a sampling of what you'll find and the restaurants cooking it up. For a full menu list from all the vendors, head to tasteofchicago.us.
Hometown classics
Barbecue rib tips, Robinson's No. 1 Ribs
Chocolate-covered caramel corn, Garrett's Popcorn Shop
Potato pancake, Manny's Cafe and Delicatessen
Southern favorites
Jambalaya, Blue Bayou
Mustard-fried catfish, BJ's Market and Bakery
Sweet potato hashbrowns, Hashbrowns
Latin flavors
Verdes (crunchy plantain chips), Las Tablas Columbian Steakhouse
Steak gordita, Los Dos Laredos
Steak jibarito, Sabor Latino
Pan-Asian, Indian influence
Mango- and cumin-dusted fries, Vermillion
Samosa, Arya Bhavan
Sesame beef on-a-stick, The Noodle Vietnamese Cuisine
European fare
Baklava, Costa's
Cheese blintz, Kasia's Deli
Pierogi, Polka Sausage and Deli
Taste of Chicago
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 26, to Saturday, July 4; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 5
Location: Grant Park, main entrance at Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway
Price: Free admission. Food and beverage tickets cost $8 for 12.
General info: Advance tickets available at Dominick's stores. Public transporation recommended. No outside alcohol permitted. Check the Web site, tasteofchicago.us, for additional details.
Petrillo Music Shell schedule
• 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 26: Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band and Cameo
• 5 p.m. Saturday, June 27: Counting Crows and Augustana
• 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28: The Wallflowers and Lovehammers
• 6 p.m. Monday, June 29: Broadway In Chicago Concert At Taste
• 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30: Barenaked Ladies
• 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1: Ne-Yo and Keri Hilson
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 3: The 85th Army Band
• 3 p.m. Saturday, July 4: Buddy Guy, Guster, Booker T. & the DBT's
• 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5: Mitchel Musso and Jordan Pruitt
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=302216">Quick look at suburban festivals <span class="date">[06/25/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>