Taste of Chicago To-Go is back. The takeout version of the city’s signature food and music summer festival kicked off Wednesday. Events will expand beyond Grant Park out into the neighborhoods through Sunday for a second year due to the pandemic.
Go to tasteofchicago.us for a detailed dining guide, schedule, lists of pop-up performances, free community meals and even merch. Here’s our breakdown of everything you need to know for the on-the-road event:
Where will Taste take place this year?
Instead of the central Grant Park event, the Taste of Chicago To-Go will be spread out across the city, with pop-up events in different neighborhoods through Sunday:
Friday: Head to Humboldt Park for Puerto Rican food, coffee and a storytelling session with “The Taste of Sugar” author Marisel Vera. 4-8 p.m., ¡WEPA! Mercado del Pueblo, 2259 W. Division St.
A second event will take place at the Goose Island Tap Room, where a one-night-only pint and a commemorative koozie are sure to lure brewery fans. A portion of proceeds will go to nonprofit My Block, My Hood, My City. Food trucks and DJs will also be on hand. 5-8 p.m., 1800 W. Fulton St.
Saturday: A full slate of events kicks off with the “Taste of the West Side” pop-up. Sample some of the city’s most innovative concepts at The Hatchery, a food incubator in East Garfield Park. Live entertainment and cooking demonstrations will add to the event, as will the “I Am Community” art installation. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., The Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie Ave.
Of course, no Taste of Chicago would be complete without a slice of Eli’s Cheesecake. Get your cheesecake dippers after polishing off a sandwich from Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs, a longtime Eli’s booth buddy. Check produce off your grocery list while you’re at the one-day event with Chicago-grown fruits and vegetables from the Chicago High School Agricultural Sciences farm stand — and know you’re helping fund scholarships at the school with each purchase. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Eli’s Cheesecake Company, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive.
Head to West Englewood to feast on a bevy of options from Chicago restaurants at another neighborhood pop-up Taste, from Robinson’s to Tatas Tacos to Whadda Jerk. Chicago musicians will perform in the beer garden, with DJs and dancers keeping things lively and games for kids such as ring toss, a 17-foot lane slide and giant Connect Four. 1-8 p.m., 6300 S. Wood St.
Sunday: A picnic in white will showcase superb bites from some of Chicago’s top restaurants, all owned by women. Situated in Millennium Park, the event will feature female performers and interviews with the chefs who prepared items in the $45 picnic box lunches. Noon-3 p.m., 201 E. Randolph St.
How much does it cost?
Admission is free. Food and drinks are available for purchase from vendors at each event.
Where are the live music events?
In addition to the pop-up Taste events, the weekend will include live music at a handful of restaurants throughout Chicago. The free performances include:
Friday:
Connie’s Pizza, 2373 S. Archer Ave. Illville Vanguard performs from 7-8:30 p.m.
Exquisite 501, 501 E. 61st St. Nanette Frank performs from 7-9 p.m.
Whadda Jerk, 2015 W. Division St. Attack the Sound performs from 8-10 p.m.
Island Tings, 300 E. 51st St. Sam Trump and The Soul Vortex perform from 6-9 p.m.
Saturday:
Eli’s Cheesecake, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive. Anne and Mark Burnell (10 a.m.), Illville Vanguard (1 p.m.) and Henry Johnson (2:30 p.m.) perform.
Sunday:
Iyanze Bronze, 5055 S. Prairie Ave. Ugochi and ASE perform from 6-9 p.m.
Dining Guide
Nearly 40 restaurants (physical and virtual) plus food trucks list links, locations and featured menu items on the Taste’s to-go dining guide. Look for Taste classics such as Eli’s Cheesecake and their Dipper (a frozen chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick) to what the city guide calls “ethnic” eats, including the Black woman-owned CheSa’s Gluten Tootin Free Food Truck and the Impossible Che’s burger.
Here are some of the restaurants that will be taking part in various Taste To-Go events through the weekend:
Antique Taco: A hip taco joint with finely crafted, artsy tacos with locations in Bridgeport and Wicker Park. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Bistronomic: Classic bistro dishes, at the hands of a master chef (Martial Noguier), is the winning formula here. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Chicago’s Doghouse: A North Side staple dishing up Chicago’s most humble dish in a variety of creative ways, from a Mayor Daley dog with Irish cheddar to a rattlesnake-and-rabbit sausage topped with giardiniera to a Blagojevich dog “found guilty on one count” — of having ketchup. West Englewood Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
Cynthia’s Gumbo Express: Staking its claim as the “go-to place for superior gumbo,” this shop loads its main attraction with shrimp, crawfish, crab meat, chicken and sausage — but also offers a vegan take for meat-free fans. Taste on Tap (Friday)
The Dandy Crown: A chic spot with bites such as creamy crab dip, Persian-style roasted beets and cauliflower-topped nachos, plus crafty highballs and house cocktails. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Demera: Known around Chicago as the last word in Ethiopian restaurants, Demera has been delighting crowds of diners in Uptown since 2007. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Eden/Paramount Group: Recent news of Eden’s revival was well-received by longtime fans of this verdant restaurant with heavy emphasis on greenhouse treasures freshly picked, and its sister catering company is just as attuned to fresh, beautiful bites. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Eli’s Cheesecake: A Chicago institution since 1980, this sweet spot has been part of the Taste of Chicago since the event’s inception. Eli’s Cheesecake Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
Exquisite 501: This Woodlawn cafe is a favorite for its lasagna, jerk chicken Alfredo, Windy City brisket and hearty breakfast plates. West Englewood Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
Frontera: This downtown Chicago trailblazer, helmed by Rick and Deann Bayless, is known for its well-crafted Mexican dishes, including Puebla-style enchiladas, Oaxacan carne asada and tacos arabes. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
A Flavored Jamaican: Find curried goat, oxtails with butter beans and jerk chicken at this South Side spot founded in 2014 by a Jamaican native. West Englewood Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
Healthy Substance: This vegan Mexican restaurant makes tamales, Impossible Meat steak tacos, soy chorizo flautas and other meat-free dishes so good, you won’t miss their carnivorous alternatives. West Englewood Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
Justice of the Pies: This Black woman-owned pie shop specializes in both sweet and savory pies, quiches and tarts. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
La Luna: This brightly lit Pilsen restaurant gets creative with a modern take on Mexican, including quesabirria, shrimp ceviche and tacos. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Ms. Tittles Cupcakes: A retired postal worker-turned-baking maven, Denita Tittle makes red velvet, turtle and Dreamsicle cupcakes — plus a smattering of other fun options. West Englewood Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
Pretty Cool Ice Cream: Fine-dining pastry chef Dana Cree churns out delicious, whimsical ice cream pops from her Logan Square shop, ranging from goat cheese black raspberry swirl to mango lassi. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Razpachos: Just west of Senka Park in West Elsdon near Midway is a tasty spot with Mexican treats such as chamoyadas, paletas and shaved ice. Taste on Tap (Friday), West Englewood Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs: This Oak Park mainstay has been a favorite ever since it bested Tribune columnist Mike Royko in a 1982 Ribfest showdown. Head there for rib tips, turkey hot links and more barbecue specials. Taste on Tap (Friday) Eli’s Cheesecake Pop-Up Taste (Saturday), West Englewood Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
Saigon Sisters: One of the best spots for a quality meal downtown at a great price, this Vietnamese restaurant excels at dishes such as Thai basil chicken and pad thai. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Savory Crust: Empanadas from this suburban spot started by two sisters are baked and tout creative fillings, including Philly cheesesteak, chicken curry and macaroni-and-cheese. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Tatas Tacos: Unique taco fillings such as seared scallops and steak, bacon-wrapped shrimp and rib-eye in a plantain tortilla make for a fun experience at this Portage Park restaurant. West Englewood Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
TeaGeschwendner: Fine and refreshing teas bursting with eclectic flavors have been the specialty at this State Street tea shop since 1978. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Teertsemasesottehg: This North Shore pop-up operates in secret as an underground dining concept, but with chef Q. Ibraheem in charge, you know whatever you’re eating will be delicious. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Vermilion: This acclaimed Near North restaurant fuses Indian and Latin American cuisine in ever-inventive ways. Let’s Talk Women Picnic (Sunday)
Whadda Jerk: This Caribbean food truck specializes in finding clever ways to serve up everything from jerk chimichangas to jerk quesadillas to jerk deep-fried wings. West Englewood Pop-Up Taste (Saturday)
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