Taste of Chicago 2009 – Chicago Events in Grant Park

The summer season is fast upon us, and you can bet that festival season is right behind it.

As I mentioned previously, food festivals are one of my favorite things in the world. In fact, I just attended the Taste of Addison festival here in Dallas a couple weeks ago (even met Ted Allen). While I’ve been to my fair share, I’m ashamed to say I have yet to experience the pleasure of Taste of Chicago, the world’s largest food festival.

Imagine it: scores of restaurants, hundreds of dishes, dozens of concerts, millions of people and the awesome beauty of the Windy City as a backdrop – what could be better, especially in a food town like Chicago?

Like most modern “Taste of…” festivals, the Taste of Chicago is free to attend, with individual items offered at restaurant-sponsored booths for arguably reasonable prices, $1-3 for smaller items and non-alcoholic beverages, $4-8 for large items and the hard stuff. Taking a play from county fairs everywhere, at Taste of Chicago you must purchase food tickets or coupons, which will run you 12 for $8 at the festival, or 12 for $6 at participating Dominick’s Grocery Stores (limited supply).

What’s great about Taste of Chicago, especially for non-locals, is the opportunity to sample all those famous Chicago delicacies without hunting them down or visiting as many different restaurants. Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, barbeque ribs, polish sausage, cheesecake and, of course, the sin of all sins, Chicago-style deep dish pizza (insert Homer Simpson noises).

That’s what it’s all about for me: delicious, regional food from some of the best restaurants in Chicago. That’s my idea of vacation. But if it’s still not enough, there’s plenty more to enjoy at Taste of Chicago 2009. Two music stages, the Petrillo Music Shell and the Taste Stage, will host live concerts every day and evening of the festival. The Petrillo Music Shell is the place to see big name acts like Counting Crows, Barenaked Ladies, Buddy Guy and Booker T, while the Taste Stage hosts an eclectic blend of local and national acts based on a new theme each day (cover bands, tribute bands, power pop, world music, Latin music and so forth).

These concerts are free, but seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so arrive early if you want to see a show. Additional grass seating is available in front of the big screen if you can’t find a suitable venue seat.

If food events are more your thing, drop by Dominick’s Cooking Corner for seminars, cooking classes, demonstrations and even a celebrity sighting or two. Famous TV Chef Emeril Lagasse will headline the first night.

Taste of Chicago 2009 will be held daily in Chicago’s famous Grant Park from June 26 – July 5, 2009. Event schedules and directions are available at the Web site. Historically, July 3 (Independence Day Eve) is the busiest day of the festival.

Practically located in Grant Park, and just a great hotel all around, is the historic Silversmith Chicago Hotel & Suites, another of our favorites. They have several of Chicago hotel deals to help you get the most of your trip, assuming you don’t want to spend absolutely every minute at the festival. Not that I’d blame you.

Have fun!

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