YOUR GUIDE TO TASTE 2018
The 38th edition of the Taste of Chicago kicks off Wednesday. The celebration of Chicago food drew an estimated 1.6 million people last year — the most since Taste moved to a five- day format in 2012, according to the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Here’s what you need to know about Taste 2018.
When is it?
Taste of Chicago runs Wednesday through July 15 in Grant Park. Hours are 11 a. m. to 9 p. m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a. m. to 9 p. m. both days next weekend.
Where is it?
Taste of Chicago has made its home in Grant Park since 1981.
Does it cost anything?
It’s free to get in — but you’ll need food and beverage tickets. Strips of 14 tickets go for $ 10, with vendors setting the prices of their items.
What can I eat?
There will be 71 food vendors, including 36 stalls that will be there for all five days, 22 pop- up stalls and 13 food trucks. New to Taste this year are:
Aloha Wagon
Arun’s Thai Restaurant
Aunty Joy’s Jamaican Kitchen
bettyBOT Shop
BITES
Blackwood BBQ
CheSa’s Gluten Free Food Truck
Chiya Chai Cafe
Classic Cobbler
Esperanza
Frönen Foods
Garifuna Flava: A Taste of Belize
Get Off the Couch Catering
Grill City ( Seafood City)
Hakka Bakka Indian Kati Rolls
Josephine’s Cookin’
Output Lounge & Sports Bar
Papa Luke’s Gravy Balls
Premier Rollin BBQ
Sausagefest
So Forking Great
Sun Way Barbecue Restaurant
These Wingz?
Wood Fire Counter
Who’s performing?
There will be a concert at the Petrillo Music Shell every day at 5: 30 p. m. Headliners include Brandi Carlile ( Wednesday, with openers Martha Redbone Roots Project); Juanes ( Thursday, with openers La Santa Cecilia); Yasiin Bey & Talib Kweli are Black Star ( July 13, with opener Madame Gandhi); The Flaming Lips ( July 14, with openers Le Butcher- ettes and Half Gringa); and George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic ( July 15, with openers BJ the Chicago Kid and The Boy Illinois).
You can watch any of the five concerts at the Petrillo Music Shell for free from Butler Field. For a proper seat closer to the stage, you’ll have to buy tickets ($ 18-$ 50).
What else is happening?
Taste is introducing the “Taste Oasis,” an air- conditioned lounge where a $ 50 day pass will get you access to food samples, a private bar and free water.
Chicago SummerDance will be performing at Buckingham Fountain every day. The events will be held 6 to 9 p. m. Wednesday through Friday and 4 to 7 p. m. on Saturday and Sunday.
There will be art installations, including an artist garden featuring work by artists Hector Duarte, Carolyn Ottmers, Juan Angel Chavez and Emmanuel Pratt.