Taste of Chicago, 2008

Taste of Chicago, 2008

I believe I had today at about 11:10AM the first beer served at Taste of Chicago, 2008.



I don’t know how, for the past two years, I happen to be first in line at the first beer stand to open at Taste (some might call it a gift).

One of the best reasons I can think of for visiting Taste on Day 1 is that the porta-potties are impeccable:



Look at that! I can see my reflection in the lid! I was not really hiding in one of these structures (more like just sticking my head out) when I took this pic of the Hungry Hound:



Steve, if you’re reading this, it’s not like I’m stalking you or anything, Though maybe I am. Well, how do YOU define “stalking”? PS. That silver Volvo parked in front of your house isn’t mine. I don’t know whose it could be.

Any way, after my beverage, I went in search of chow, and had a fairly decent chicken leg at Vee-Vee’s:



The rub was peppery and the bird was moist with decent flavor, though a little chewy. I had to shoot this pic holding the damn thing in my hand, then I had to eat it standing up. The Taste of Chicago could use more tables or some kind of upright eating platforms – I don’t much like balancing my food in my hand while I feed.

I ran into the delightful Monica Eng, who offered me some organic pizza from Connie’s:



She thought they were too light on the cheese, and though I prefer a light hand with the ‘za toppings, she was right: this was almost all crust. Taste was good.

I had a tasting portion of a BBQ Buffalo Burger from a place called Grazie:



This was one of the worst things I’ve eaten in a long time. Not bad tasting; just no tasting, no nothing, just dry blandness. Cost: 4 tickets (about $2.60), which is stupid for such worthless crap. Really, this kind of stuff gives Taste a bad name. Shame on me for ordering it.

And here's some kind of stuff that could give Taste a good name:



Canady le Chocolatier makes some fine gelato, and I’m glad he was able to show up this year, proving that it’s possible to find good things to eat at Taste of Chicago.

I only had a quick walk-through at lunch today (I work very near the Taste), but I had some so-so roasted corn and the same pizza Monica Eng had.

The sorta-sweet corn just made me look forward to the Corn Feed I go to "up North" in the town near my parents' cabin at the end of the summer. Oh sweetcorn, how I miss you.

David Hammond wrote:Taste of Chicago, 2008

I believe I had today at about 11:10AM the first beer served at Taste of Chicago, 2008.



I don’t know how, for the past two years, I happen to be first in line at the first beer stand to open at Taste (some might call it a gift).

Time for an AA meeting??

Annabelle wrote:The sorta-sweet corn just made me look forward to the Corn Feed I go to "up North" in the town near my parents' cabin at the end of the summer. Oh sweetcorn, how I miss you.

This could be a time of year thing. I'm not sure where this sorta-sweet corn was coming from, but it's probably not anywhere near. I take it you were unmoved by the 'za?

I wasn't moved either way by the pizza. I agree it was light on the topping/crust ratio, but it was decent in spite of that, as mine was pretty fresh and I did like the crust.

I would imagine the corn came from elsewhere, yeah. But I am completely unable to walk passed roasted sweet corn at outdoor festivals, even if I know it traveled far and won't be The Best yet. I know I'll get my real sweet corn eventually. Last I heard from the farming half of my family the corn was looking to be "knee-high by the fourth of July" - right on target for where they live.

No matter what the date, it's really tough to pass up roasted corn at a food fest. Natural Harvest (60) had tasty ears enhanced by a lip-warming blend of cajun spices shaken on.

Grazie (11) has a nice seafood salad with pineapple chunks -- very refreshing. Tasty samosas at Arya Bhavan (59). Vermillion's (10) Madras Turkey burger was "okay" if you ask for some of the mint-cilantro chutney on it in addition to (or, instead of) the tamarind mayo.

Beware the shark at Polo (36). On Friday, they were rushing to serve the shark (it was available only in a special line at the SE corner of their booth) and it might have been somewhat undercooked. Good sauce -- small piece of shark, with a chunk of unchewable meat, in a dish (not skewered and it didn't seem grilled, as "skewered" would imply). Also unsatisfying was the artichokes offering at Bella Luna (23) as they were over-fried and more like bits than chunks.

Looking forward to Round 2.

jimwdavis wrote:Beware the shark at Polo (36). On Friday, they were rushing to serve the shark (it was available only in a special line at the SE corner of their booth) and it might have been somewhat undercooked.

I avoided Polo based solely on my belief that no place that humiliates its staff with such preposterous headgear is worthy of my trade.

I have the same quibbles/un-heeded suggestions every year for Taste: turn the Mexican food over to the Maxwell Street guys; the Thai and Vietnamese stalls do a huge disservice to food cultures that thrive on street food, and instead of Domminick's selling trucked in fruit, how 'bout a rotating band of area farmers. Still, I am one of the few fans around here of Taste. I would end this post by saying that yesterday my girlz and I had some truly fun stuff to eat--the fresh cut spiral fries, doused in hot sauce from Harry Carey's and Harold's fried chicken wings are nothing to scoff at fer sure. Still, yesterday we got what I like to call, a real taste of Chicago.

See, my wife, the woman who prefers not to be called the Condiment Queen, really, really wanted to see Stevie Wonder. So much so, that we almost went round-trip to Milwaukee on Thursday. We decided instead to take our shot at Taste--save $300 to boot (in fact it was all the assorted fees that stopped her from getting Summerfest tickets from Ticketmaster; they add like 30% to the ticket price). It's been many a year since I've done the camp-out thing, either for bleacher seats or Taste. In the past, I've done it for bands like NRBQ and Squeeze. I thought it doable. I guess showing my old-foggy-ness, I thought they'd let us in to reserve a spot in the Pavilion for the day. Nope. You get in a winding line in the field. At 4 PM, those with tickets, yes who has tickets for a free concert you ask, those with tickets get in. After that, the schmoes in the line get a shot. Needless to say, none of us in the line, including people there much earlier than us, got into the show. My family and I got there a shortly after 11. My wife, who cannot shake her New York experience, can never get in a line too soon. The wait was not bad at all, we took turns noshing and holding our space. The day was going swimmingly.

And, as I say, we got a real taste of Chicago. Those with connections got in to see Stevie Wonder. Those with no clout scattered.

I went to watch the Broadway in Chicago performances, and decided that the Taste would provide my dinner. Two highlights:

Grazie's seafood pineapple salad at Taste of Chicago 2008 was fresh juicy pineapple that burst with refreshing juice with each pineapple chunk, and it was nicely chilled seafood salad (probably the leftovers from all the crab legs everyone else was getting here)




Adobo Grill's Cochinita pibil (pork tacos) hidden away by Buckingham Fountain (but far enough away from the Budweiser Clydesdales) was the prettiest thing I ate at Taste of Chicago 2008. Brawny was passing out free towels at the event and you need them to eat this.

Those both look good. I would have never thought to order seafood salad at the taste, but it they truly have their refrigeration in order, then I suppose it's worth a try. It looks very refreshing and it's neither on a stick nor fried.

Adobo Grill's pork tacos were the best thing I ate. They also had a wonderfully spicy citrusy sauce. The tacos were so good, in fact, that I've encouraged my husband to make them with the pork shoulder that's been inhabiting our freezer.

I was sad to see that the tacos aren't on AG's regular menu. I haven't been there for years (tending to prefer Pilsen and Logan Square Mexican), but would've gone back for the tacos.

So - what kinds of beer are available at the Taste?

Only Bud products?

I appreciate the sentiment of having Washburne culinary students prepare the gourmet dishes featured at the Chef's Table, but the participating restaurants need to give the kids something that is relatively easy to execute, especially at a mobile site.
Les Nomades had the Thursday menu, and it included risotto, one of the most difficult restaurant staples to execute properly. Sadly, the rice was undercooked.
At least the chilled tomato soup was quite tasty.

BigMammoo wrote:So - what kinds of beer are available at the Taste?

Only Bud products?

That's all I saw; if it's not the only brand served, it's certainly the overwhelming "favorite."

David Hammond wrote:That's all I saw; if it's not the only brand served, it's certainly the overwhelming "favorite."

So maybe this event should be called the "Taste and Swill of Chicago". Perhaps In-Bev will do better next year.

There is a premium beer booth near Buckingham, across from the gourmet area. They have several at 9 tix, Becks, Stella, Bass, etc.

stevez wrote:and it's neither on a stick nor fried.

For some strange reason, I'm offended by that.

Best thing I had this year and last also, were the Collard Green egg rolls. Also the empanadas were pretty decent from Las Tables.

I went to Adobo Grill and had the cochinita pibil taco after seeing the pretty picture in pechnmew's post. When I told the girl that I read about their beautiful tacos on my favorite foodie forum, she gave me a coupon for free guacamole at either of their restaurants!

It WAS a very messy taco, but juicy and delicious. For some reason, I thought the pink pickled onions were flowers, so I was kind of surprised.

My buddy's favorite was the combination he got at Las Tablas, which had grilled steak, grilled chicken, fried yucas, potatoes and chimichurri sauce.

I was a bit surprised that the crowd seemed smaller than in past years. You'd think that more people would be enticed to go with the beautiful weather we've been having, but I guess it just doesn't seem like the Taste unless it's 120 degrees in the main aisle as you walk past all those grills...

asami

asami wrote:I was a bit surprised that the crowd seemed smaller than in past years. You'd think that more people would be enticed to go with the beautiful weather we've been having, but I guess it just doesn't seem like the Taste unless it's 120 degrees in the main aisle as you walk past all those grills...

asami

The crowd didn't seem to be a lot smaller to me when I was there on Tuesday at Noon. I was beginning to think that I was there on the weekend.

We hit the Taste on Friday with some out of town guests, I sampled:

Ricobenes Breaded steak sandwich - one of my favorite taste portions

The crawfish boil with corn and potatoes - very good

Snow crab legs - my weakness, crab,

Lobster tail, and potatoes - tiny portion, but good

Jerk chicken and rice and beans - nice chicken, and good beans

watermelon Italin ice - for my wife and our daugter, not bad

steak tacos - flavorfull steak, but tiny

(4) Budweisers

overall the Taste is crowded, and a madhouse, but in my opinion you cannot beat a sunny summer day in beautiful Chicago, enjoying a cold beer and some food downtown. Plus the people watching is hilarious, and top notch.

jimswside wrote:overall the Taste is crowded, and a madhouse, but in my opinion you cannot beat a sunny summer day in beautiful Chicago, enjoying a cold beer and some food downtown. Plus the people watching is hilarious, and top notch.

I probably won't go this year, but I second this from going last year. I found that if you go in the proper "spirit"--i.e., not only expecting a complete madhouse, but embracing it, using it as a practice session in loving your fellow man--you can have a good time.

My notes from the Taste of Chicago:

Going on a weekday was supposed to be a "great" idea to avoid the crowds. However, most of the office population seemed to descend on the Taste at Noon as well as crowds of youth groups.

BJ's Market - Like usual, the mustard-fried catfish was excellent. Actually, I wish that I had bought the larger portion.

Costas - The Loukaniko sausage was excellent and tasty with a rich taste.

Lagniappe - Nice idea, poor performance. One beignet was overcooked and hard, the other was undercooked and mushy.

Tamarind - The Taiwan shining noodles were pretty good. I would like to try the restaurant the next trip downtown as the staff was particularly friendly.

C'est si Bon - The collard green egg rolls were certainly creative. I love collards and eggrolls but combined, well, that was a combination that just missed. Give them credit for some new ideas. Another place that I would like to try at a later date.

Eli's Cheesecake - My nephew had the Oreo cheesecake with icecream and the portion was a lot larger than even he expected. It was a great deal for 8 tickets,

My nephew had a slice from Home Run Inn and some breadsticks from another stand that I passed on.

Overall, it was pretty interesting.

jlawrence01 wrote:Going on a weekday was supposed to be a "great" idea to avoid the crowds. However, most of the office population seemed to descend on the Taste at Noon as well as crowds of youth groups...

I'm glad you had a good time despite the crowds. But your opening just reinforces for me that one absolutely mustn't ever go to the Taste in the expectation that the crowds will be "less awful" than on some other day--one must only go to the Taste with the mindset that crowds are wonderful. If one can get his head around that, going can be fun; if one can't, going is a terrible idea.

riddlemay wrote:[ But your opening just reinforces for me that one absolutely mustn't ever go to the Taste in the expectation that the crowds will be "less awful" than on some other day--one must only go to the Taste with the mindset that crowds are wonderful. If one can get his head around that, going can be fun; if one can't, going is a terrible idea.

No, the difference between this year and say, eight years ago when I went there the first time, is that realize that I can head to nearly any of the restaurants anytime through the year and get their food prepared under optimum circumstances. And the prices are generally less. Therefore, I generally I only go there only when I have guests in town.

jlawrence01 wrote:No, the difference between this year and say, eight years ago when I went there the first time, is that realize that I can head to nearly any of the restaurants anytime through the year and get their food prepared under optimum circumstances. And the prices are generally less. Therefore, I generally I only go there only when I have guests in town.

No disagreement with any of that, so we're not disagreeing. I'm just saying that if you're going at all (whether out-of-town guests are the reason, or something else is the reason), go only if you can embrace the concept of waiting in long lines in the hot sun for insufficient reward, being jostled by crowds, having no place to sit and eat, etc. If you can embrace all of that (and it is possible), then go; if you can't, under no circumstances go. Don't go thinking "it's not going to be that bad this time"; go thinking "it's going to be that bad this time, and that's what I want." Last year, when I decided (or was in a frame of mind one day) to embrace the Taste, I went, and had a good time.

We made our first trip to the Taste of Chicago Saturday. We've lived here 3 years and never went because too many people told us it's out of control crowded, etc. With the weather being absolutely spectacular on Saturday, how could one stay away?

We really enjoyed ourselves. I can't compare the crowd to prior days/years but it was manageable during the 12:30 to 4:30 time slot.

Standouts included the spicy Cajun meatballs, Puerto Rican beef sandwich and empanadas.

The beer was cold and the crowd friendly. As an earlier poster mentioned, go prepared for the situation.

We also took a quick break at The Gage for a glass of wine as the wine selection at Taste is really, really bad.

Followed the Taste with a few cocktails at the outdoor patio at NOMI and it was a pretty perfect day!