my block
Find an event

Summer Festivals

Taste of Chicago 2011 | What to hit, what to skip, plus photos

More than 40 tasting portions reviewed plus complete menus for every stand

Keenan Boyd, John Dugan, D.L. Hopkins, Julia Kramer, Tomi Obaro, Erin Osmon, David Tamarkin and Ruth Welte

Taste of Chicago 2011, Friday: Slide show one
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
[title]
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.017.jpg[title]148295731
  • [title]

    Banana Leaf Restaurant

    BananaLeafTaste476.jpg[title]148295152
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    TasteWoman476.jpg[title]148295353
  • [title]

    Banana Leaf Restaurant

    BananaLeafGrill476.jpg[title]148295374
  • [title]

    Garrett Popcorn Shop, Popcornsicle

    GarrettsTaste.jpg[title]148295255
  • [title]

    C'est Si Bon!, Cajun Meatballs

    CestBonTaste476.jpg[title]148295196
  • [title]

    Hashbrowns, Sweet Potato Hasbrowns

    HashbrownsTaste476.jpg[title]148295217
  • [title]

    Robinson's, BBQ Ribs

    RobinsonsTaste476.jpg[title]148295138
  • [title]

    Carbón, Tortilla Encrusted Tilapia Taco

    CarbonTaste476.jpg[title]148295239
  • [title]

    Tuscany, Italian Sausage Sandwich

    tuscanyTaste476.jpg[title]1482951710
  • [title]

    Tuscany, Italian Sausage Sandwich

    Tuscany476.jpg[title]1482952711
  • [title]

    Eli's Cheescake Company, "Skinny Chocolate" Cheesecake

    Elis476.jpg[title]1482952912
  • [title]

    C'est Ci Bon!

    CestBon476.jpg[title]1482953113
  • [title]

    Eli's Cheescake Factory

    ElisStand476.jpg[title]1482953314
  • [title]

    The Noodle Vietnamese Cuisine

    TheNoodleVietx476.jpg[title]1482953915
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.001.jpg[title]1482954116
  • [title]

    O'Briens, Celtic Corn on the Cob

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.002.jpg[title]1482954317
  • [title]

    O'Briens

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.003.jpg[title]1482954518
  • [title]

    Franco's Ristorante, Italian Lemon Ice

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.004.jpg[title]1482954719
  • [title]

    Adobo Grill, Cochinita Pibil Tacos

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.005.jpg[title]1482954920
  • [title]

    Adobo Grill, Cochinita Pibil Tacos

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.006.jpg[title]1482955121
  • [title]

    Lao Sze Chuan, Dry Chili Chicken

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.007.jpg[title]1482955322
  • [title]

    Lao Sze Chuan, Dry Chili Chicken

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.008.jpg[title]1482955523
  • [title]

    Free crush at Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.009.jpg[title]1482955724
  • [title]

    Pegasus, Loukaneko

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.010.jpg[title]1482955925
  • [title]

    Lagniappe-Creole Cajun Joynt, Chicken & Waffles

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.011.jpg[title]1482956126
  • [title]

    Lagniappe-Creole Cajun Joynt, Chicken & Waffles

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.012.jpg[title]1482956327
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.013.jpg[title]1482956528
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.014.jpg[title]1482956729
  • [title]

    Parrot Cage Restaurant, Red Velvet Cupcake

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.015.jpg[title]1482956930
  • [title]

    Parrot Cage Restaurant, Red Velvet Cupcake

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.016.jpg[title]1482957131
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.018.jpg[title]1482957532
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.019.jpg[title]1482957733
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.020.jpg[title]1482957934
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.021.jpg[title]1482958135
  • [title]

    Manny's Cafeteria and Delicatessen, Corned-Beef Brisket Sandwich

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.022.jpg[title]1482958336
  • [title]

    Manny's Cafeteria and Delicatessen, Corned-Beef Brisket Sandwich

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.023.jpg[title]1482958537
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.024.jpg[title]1482958738
  • [title]

    The Smoke Daddy, Pulled Pork

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.025.jpg[title]1482958939
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.026.jpg[title]1482959140
  • [title]

    Iyanze, Bissop Sorbet

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.027.jpg[title]1482959341
  • [title]

    Iyanze, Bissop Sorbet

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.028.jpg[title]1482959542
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.029.jpg[title]1482959743
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.030.jpg[title]1482959944
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.031.jpg[title]1482960145
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.032.jpg[title]1482960346
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.033.jpg[title]1482960547
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.034.jpg[title]1482960748
  • [title]

    Taste of Chicago

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.035.jpg[title]1482960949
  • [title]

    Harolds Chicken, Fried Chicken Wing with Fried Green Beans

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.036.jpg[title]1482961150
  • [title]

    O'Briens, Gourmet Beef Hot Dog (Chicago Style)

    Photo: Zach Weiss331.Tasteofchicago.rv.037.jpg[title]1482961351
  • [title]

    At the Taste

    TasteFamily476.jpg[title]1482961552

Taste of Chicago

Photo: Zach Weiss
06/24/2011

We came, we saw, we bought tickets and traded them for small paper plates of food. Day one of the Taste was a bit cooler than usual, just what we needed for running around several dozen stands to bring you TOC's hits and skips of the Taste 2011.

11 Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St. 
Roasted Corn on the Cob; Fish and Chips (Fries); Irish Egg Rolls
“Taste Of”: Fries with Curry; Irish Egg Rolls 
We tried: Fries with Poutin gravy, 4 tickets
Notes: This Irish pub (complete with a real Irish guy) is famous across multiple festivals for juicy grilled corn on the cob dripping with butter and sea salt—its bursting yellow kernels get stuck in the teeth of Taste-going tourists and music-festival hipsters alike. And after trying these soggy fries swimming in flavorless gravy (Fries with Poutin gravy, 4 tickets), I was jealous of all the suits gnawing on cobs around me. 
Verdict: SKIP (or get the cob with butter)

48 Adobo Grill, 1610 N. Wells St.
Guacamole and Chips; Pork Tacos; Chicken Tamale; Churros 
“Taste Of”: Cheese Empanada; Churro 
We tried: Cochinita pibil tacos, 10 tickets
Notes: The cochinita pibil tacos (two bulky tacos for ten tickets) looked great with their crown of pink pickled red onions. But in reality, the pork needed something. BYO salsa. 
Verdict: SKIP

16 *Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph St. 
Falafel Sandwich with Jerusalem Salad; Chicken Kabob Basket; Beef Shwarma Sandwich; Hummus 
“Taste Of”: Falafel with Hummus; Baklava 
We tried: Baklava, 4 tickets
Notes: Poor Alhambra was experiencing an electricity outage when we visited, so the options were limited. However, this mega-hunk of baklava (Baklava, 4 tickets) exceeded our expectations. Its flaky layers were not too sweet, not too syrupy and layered with fresh nutty goodness. The size is so generous two or three people can get a decent-sized bite out of one order.
Verdict: HIT

56 Arya Bhavan, 2508 W. Devon Ave.
Samosa; Chana Masala; Geera (Cumin) Rice; Bhel 
“Taste Of”: Samosa; Bhel 

10 Bacino’s Pizza of Lincoln Park, 2204 N. Lincoln Ave. 
Stuffed Spinach Pizza Slice; Stuffed Sausage Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Cheese Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Sausage Pizza Slice 
“Taste Of”: Stuffed Spinach Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Cheese Pizza Slice 

20 *Banana Leaf Restaurant, 1948 E. 79th St. 
Four Jerk Wings with Rice; Blackened Tilapia with Rice; Jerk Lamb Chop with Rice; Curry Vegetable Stir Fry 
“Taste Of”: Two Jerk Wings; Curry Vegetable Stir Fry 
We tried: Two Jerk Wings, 4 tickets
Notes: Two jerk wings (4 tickets) were hot off the grill and had a bit of char to balance their seasoning. We ate our wings to the bone. 
Verdict: HIT
Categories
Restaurants
June 24, 2011
Share with your network
Comment
Comments

There are no comments

Copyright © 2012 Time Out Chicago Partners LLLP