Lollapalooza's Has Released Its Delicious 2017 Chow Town Lineup
By Anthony Todd in Food on Jun 27, 2017 6:24PM
Apple Oat.
Who cares about famous music acts and their celebrity headliners? Bring on the food! Today, Graham Elliot, the chef-curator of all the food at Lollapolooza's Chow Town, announced the lineup for 2017, and it's got some high points and some low points.
Sadly, gone is the headline story of last year: momofuku Milk Bar will not be returning to Lolla for 2017. Neither will Franks 'n' Dawgs (closed), Graham Elliot Bistro (closed), Greenridge Farm, La Mexicana, Shade Tree Organic Lemonade or Purple Pig.
But on to better news: what's new? Honestly, we're only excited about one new vendor. Kuma's Corner is coming to Lolla, which is pretty great. Other new vendors include BJ's Market and Bakery, Broken English Taco Pub, Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro and Tallboy Taco. Plus, an entry labeled "Graham Elliot," though he doesn't have any Chicago restaurants left.
While pulling together a food court made entirely of local businesses is a difficult task, and it's great that Lolla puts in the effort, when we look back at previous years it seems like a lot of the more interesting (and often smaller) vendors have fallen off the list over time. For example, in 2013 guests could munch on pizza from Bar Toma, goodies from local favorite River Valley Ranch, Glazed and Infused donuts and Big Fork bacon sausage. In 2014, you could order Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, Stella Barra pizza and Gale Gand-designed root beer floats. 2015 brought Do-Rite, Publican Quality Meats and Labriola. Last year, of course, brought Momofuku crack pie. All of those are gone, btw, and it feels a little like Chow Town is becoming Taste of Chicago lite.
On the other hand, Kuma's!
BEHOLD! The 2017 @lollapalooza #ChowTown lineup! pic.twitter.com/BIik9sqyr2
— GRAHAM ELLIOT (@grahamelliot) June 27, 2017