Taste of Oak Brook returns for second year

The Taste of Oak Brook will return to the Oak Brook Polo Grounds on Friday after proving itself last summer as a first-time event.

"We had about 30,000 people, good weather and just hope for continued success this year," said David Niemeyer, Oak Brook village manager.

The festival precedes the village's long-running Independence Day Celebration fireworks. It includes giveaways and free food samples from McDonald's, whose corporate headquarters are housed in Oak Brook, along with entertainment, DJ music and balloon artists.

Participating restaurants are: Adobo Grill; Baja Fresh; The Capital Grille; Foxes Sports Bar & Grill; Kona Grill; LaBriola Bakery Cafe; McDonald's; Mike Ditka's; Maggiano's Little Italy; and Tuscany. The event also will feature a beverage truck selling pop, beer and water.

Traditionally, families always brought picnics to the fireworks. The Taste simply added a twist, said Raul Moreno, managing partner at Maggiano's and hospitality alliance chairman for the Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce.

"It's just something to make it a little more fun," he said.

Because the event falls on a Friday this year, Niemeyer said he hopes the turnout will be even larger for the family oriented event. Participating restaurant owners also have high hopes. Moreno said he would be pleased if each booth remains as busy as last year.

"Business was crazy until the very end," he said. "It just didn't stop until right up to the fireworks."

Ideally, Moreno and other managers hope this event will drum up business for all Oak Brook restaurants, despite the recession. Several other eateries wanted to join the 2009 Taste, he said, but it wasn't financially feasible.

"This year, we realize it's a great event to showcase our restaurants and draw people to Oak Brook," said Moreno. "Are we busy like before? No. But if people haven't been to our area and come out for this, they might return for our restaurants and premier mall."

Parking for the celebration is available at the polo grounds and closes at 9 p.m., about 30 minutes before the fireworks are expected to start. Handicapped-accessible viewing will be available at Christ Church across the street from the grounds, 501 Oak Brook Road.