Oak Brook 'Taste' to be tasty with special restaurant treats
Even with the many flavors of Taste of Oak Brook, Assistant Village Manager Blaine Wing is craving treats from that one special restaurant's tent.
But he's not telling which restaurant.
Proclaiming an equal love of all of the city's restaurants, he doesn't want to hurt any of the foodies' feelings, so he'll be sampling from all the stands at this year's third annual Taste of Oak Brook.
"I'm looking forward to the different fare that each vendor is providing, but there's always one that I look forward to stopping by," Wing said. "I don't want the other restaurants mad at me, so my official response is: I'm looking forward to a good sampling from all of the different restaurants."
The Taste of Oak Brook begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 3, at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 700 31st St., at the corner of York Road and 31st Street.
Participating restaurants include Tuscany, Ditka's, Kona Grill, Maggiano's, The Capital Grille, Labriola and McDonald's.
Tuscany's menu includes Italian beef, Italian sausage, fried breaded cheese ravioli and tiramisu. Ditka's will offer filet sliders, mini cheeseburgers, buffalo chicken sliders and Asian chicken sliders. Kona Grill will have California rolls, chicken satay, chicken and shrimp lettuce wraps, and chocolate brownies.
Maggiano's menu includes sausage and peppers, jumbo Italian meatballs, rigatoni "D" and zuccotto cake bites. The Capital Grill choices include mini rib eye sandwiches, braised short ribs and cheesecake. Labriola will offer sliced pizza, mini pretzel burgers and gelato.
McDonald's, whose corporate headquarters are based in Oak Brook, will give away free fries.
This year, wine will be added as a beverage option in addition to water, soda and beer.
Admission to the event is free. Parking is $10. Children's activities and food are paid for in tickets purchased at the event. The average food item ranges between four and six tickets, with each ticket costing a dollar.
Children's activities include a meet-and-greet with Ronald McDonald, a petting zoo, face painting and pony rides.
"It's a great family and community event. It's super-amazing," said Tina Stiens, senior account executive with Tamar Productions, which is organizing the taste. "It's one of the few communities who are still putting on fireworks."
Fireworks - a community tradition for the past 30 years - are set to begin at 9 p.m. and are synced to music.
But before the fireworks start, keep an eye on Wing. Taste-goers could discover his favorite stand - or at least a favorite flavor of their own to enjoy.
For event information, call (630) 368-5000 or visit www.oak-brook.org.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>
<p class="News"><b>What:</b> Taste of Oak Brook and Independence Day celebration</p>
<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 3; fireworks begin at 9 p.m.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 700 31st St., at the corner of York Road and 31st Street </p>
<p class="News"><b>Cost: </b>Free admission, food prices vary; $10 parking </p>
<p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 368-5000 or <a href="http://oak-brook.org" target="new">oak-brook.org</a></p>