Taste of Chicago Tips
admin | Jul 27, 2009 | Comments 3
Chicago’s famed Taste of Chicago runs from June 26 through July 5, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (except July 3 and 4 when it runs to 9:30 p.m. and July 5 when it closes at 6:00 p.m.).
Some basic tips for the Taste:
1. If you head to the Taste on a particularly hot day, try to get there early. With the sun and all the cooking going on and all the crowds that head in later in the day, the area often feels warmer than it is otherwise and continues to get warmer during the day. Wear light clothing, but be aware that shade is a rare commodity at the Taste. It is advisable to bring a hat and sunscreen.
2. If you head to the Taste with a group of people, do try to designate a meeting place if you get separated. A good choice is the Columbus Drive entrance to the Art Institute. While the entrance is closed to the general public, one should be able to wait out front.
3. Take a small notepad to write down the names of any restaurants you want to seek out after the Taste. While the hot, crowded conditions of the Taste are not always the best way for restaurants to offer up their dishes, one often does walk away with a least a few potential restaurants in mind to visit later.
4. Take public transit. With crowds, expensive (and probably crowded) nearby parking and street closures for Taste, it’s best to take public transit to the event – either Metra from the suburbs or CTA in the city. You can find more detailed information of the region’s public transportation at: http://www.rtachicago.com/
5. You buy strips of tickets at one of the booths at the entrance and in the interior of the Taste and exchange them for food or drinks at each of the restaurants. Tickets are $8 for a strip of 12. Usually, a strip will get you a large portion and a drink (if you’re lucky, a small portion, as well.) However, some items are as much as 9 or 10 tickets. The amount of tickets required for dishes varies. Cash is not accepted at the individual food booths. Cash, Visa and Mastercard and American Express credit cards are accepted at Taste ticket booths, although a photo ID is required. *** Discounted tickets will be available at Dominicks locations prior to the opening of the Taste, for Fresh Values Card holders (the Fresh Values customer appreciation program is free to sign up for at the store.)
6. Be happy that nutrition information is not available. Forget about the calories for a day!
7. Check the Taste of Chicago website for a schedule of the performances going on during the event (I’d link to the page, but unfortunately, the city’s website appears impossible to link to.) Some of the performers in 2006 included: Macy Gray, Liz Phair, Train, India. Arie and Glen Campbell. The performances at the Petrillo Music Shell (adjacent to the central area of the Taste grounds) are free to the public and open 30 minutes prior – seating is first come/first serve, so arrive early. The entrance gate is on Jackson. There is ample lawn seating so you can bring a blanket, cooler if you want, and lie-back and listen to the music.
8. Unfortunately for dog owners, “man’s best friends” are not allowed at the Taste. In retrospect, considering the huge crowds most days and the heat, it’s probably best not to bring pets into such an environment.
9. Seek out some of the additional sections of the Taste, such as the Living Pavilion (Southwest corner of the Buckingham Fountain area; offering fitness tips, gardening advice and more) and the Dominick’s Cooking Corner (also by the fountain.)
Filed Under: Chicago Attractions
2009 was the first year I had the displeasure to go to Taste of Chicago. Before I went, I received these warnings from my friends:
1. It’s crowded.
2. Plan on going home hungry.
3. Plan on getting asked for tickets.
4. Expect to have an odd amount of tickets left over.
After my experience, I feel that my friends’ advice summed up Taste pretty well. And, as my friends said, “It’s horrible, but it’s like some other large events in Chicago: you have to go at least once for the experience and to understand that you’re not missing out on anything.”
Alright, so I had some ridiculously amazing decadent sweet potato cheesecake that I will never forget… but I can’t for the life of me remember which restaurant it was from, and probably wouldn’t make it out to said restaurant even if I did have the name. Was very impressed with the music guests, but as for the “meat” of the fest, it’s just pretty boring. Vendor after vendor after vendor of fairly decent but not amazing food, where the entire point of the trip is to figure out how to budget out your tickets and not end up with 1 or 2 left over. I felt like an 8 year old playing supermarket.
I came and went, I ate and drank, I tasted the Taste.
I can’t not go to Taste, and notice I said “Taste” and not “Taste of Chicago,” which is reserved for the non-locals. Taste is part of Chicago summer, it’s crazy and crowded (although not as much this year), it’s tasty and smells delicious. It’s a time honored tradition that I can’t fully enjoy my summer without.
When we lived mere blocks from Taste we’d go at least 3 times, but this year we only made it once. It was a gorgeous night, not too hot, nice breeze, and surprisingly not that crowded. There were noticeably fewer food stands this year, but my favorites were there. My first stop is always BJ’s Market for some of their fabulous mustard fried catfish…MMMM MMMM MMMM! A rainbow cone, fried plantains, lobster and pasta, a prime rib quesadilla and a few beers to wash it down, and it was a wonderfully familiar Tastextravaganza!
Two things I can NEVER understand about Taste: 1. the grossly over-sized turkey legs that people gnaw into like hyenas, and, 2. the ebola/e-coli/swine flu laced water ride that looks like an incubus of all that is germy. I didn’t see the ebola ride this year..coincidence?
Long live the Taste! I love you crowds and all.