The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

The Friday Buffet

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 29, 2007 3:00PM

2007_06_taste.jpgThis week, we're going event-specific and focusing on Taste of Chicago.

We know it's a polarizing event, what with the music, bargains, lack of chef star power, all that overeating, and the crowds. We're praying that no one abandons their kids there this year, no matter how enticing the thought.

But it's a popular event, and folks want some recommendations on where to visit. to that end, our own Amelia Levin came up with a list of vendors to hit up this year, with their offerings. Some are old. Some are new. Some probably borrowed to participate in the Taste. At least one is Blu.

Thanks, Amelia, for putting this together.

Must tries and new guys:

Deleece: Grilled chicken sandwich with tomato, smoked mozzarella and pesto mayo; grilled chicken Caesar salad; sweet potato salad; chocolate ganache with fresh strawberries

Blu 47 (New): Breaded calamari; grilled wings with pesto aioli; Southwestern chicken tarts

Bobtail Ice Cream and Coffee: Frozen s’more; chocolate-dipped ice cream cake on a stick; two scoops of merlot, chocolate chip and/or chocolate bourbon ice cream in a waffle cone; root beer float.

Potbelly Sandwich Works (New): Turkey sandwich, meatball sandwich; roast beef sandwich; oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Vermilion (New): Tandoori chipotle chicken burger; cilantro streak empanada; mango cumin-dusted fries with tamarind chutney; chocolate dipped ginger saffron cookies

BB’s (New): Binyon’s turtle soup; mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potato pie


Old favorites:

Giant turkey leg from Helen’s Restaurant

Chocolate covered strawberries and frozen bananas from Aunt Diana’s Candy
Makers (get both with the combination)

Sweet Baby Ray’s pulled pork sandwich

Baby back ribs from Robinson’s #1 Ribs

Double cheeseburger from Billy Goat


More Gluttonous additions:

Chocolate-dipped cheesecake from Eli’s Cheesecake World

Homemade potato chips from Harry Caray’s


Good pizza picks:

Lou’s

Home Run Inn


For the vegetarian:

Beer-battered artichoke hearts from Bella Luna Café

Corn on the cob from Abbey Pub or O’Briens

Anything from Arya Bhavan: Samosa (crisp patties with potatoes, peas, coriander and spices); chana masala with bread); pav bhaji with bread
(vegetarian stew with cauliflower, peas, eggplant, tomatoes and spices); bhel (puffed rice, sev and puri mixed with diced potatoes, onions, cilantro, garlic, and hot and sweet chutney sauces)

A Natural Harvest (7122 S. Jeffery Blvd.): Roasted corn on the cob with soy butter and Cajun/Creole spice; cheese fries (plain or Cajun/Creole); marinated, grilled, herbed tofu cutlets with sesame garlic and ginger tamari; vegetarian tamales (one mild, one spicy)

Photo courtesy of City of Chicago's Taste of Chicago website.