Taste of Chicago, a Chicago tradition showcasing Chicago’s culinary scene since 1980, returns to its Grant Park location near Buckingham Fountain Friday, Sept. 8, to Sunday, Sept. 10, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will also offer a wide variety of onsite events and activations for guests to complement more than 35 food vendors, 15 food trucks and a slate of musical performances. As always, admission to Taste of Chicago is free.
Adult Beverage Stations: Enhanced for 2023, the Adult Beverage Stations will include a designated beer hall, a wine garden with a wide range of varietals and cocktail lounge stations offering a variety of selections including a new frozen beverage station featuring Vodka Strawberry Lemonade and Windy City Punch slushie cocktails. Additional cocktail offerings will include Arnie’s Raspberry Kiss featuring vodka, sweet tea, raspberry and lemon; Cucumber Jalapeño Cooler featuring tequila, cucumber, jalapeño, citrus and lime; Windy City Punch featuring rum, tropical fruits, pineapple and orange; and a Melon Malört-garita, featuring the Chicago spirit plus watermelon, citrus and orange.
Throwback Quad: In a nod to Taste of Chicago tradition, the festival will celebrate longtime food vendors Eli's Cheesecake, Lou Malnati's, Robinson's No. 1 Ribs and BJ's Market by featuring them in a classic Quad on Columbus Drive in the heart of this year's festival layout.
Made in Chicago: Food Trivia at Taste of Chicago: Food history enthusiasts will have the opportunity to show off their Chicago food knowledge when Monica Eng and David Hammond, co-authors of Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites (2023) and Jacoby Cochran, host of the City Cast Chicago podcast, present together Made in Chicago: Food Trivia at Taste of Chicago. Taking place on the Chicago Sings Karaoke Stage from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday – Sunday, the game will center on the people and places behind 15 Chicago bites. Friday’s program will be led by Hammond and Cochran, Saturday’s program will be hosted by Eng and Cochran and Sunday’s program will be hosted by Eng and Hammond. Eng and Hammond's book will be available for purchase onsite and they will be on hand to sign copies for a limited time following their respective programs.
Friday Night Flights: Serving as a pairing for Taste of Chicago’s culinary offerings, Choose Chicago will host the Friday Night Flights tasting event from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8. Taste guests will have the opportunity to choose 10 sample size portions from 25 local breweries. Tickets for Friday Night Flights are available for $25 in advance or $30 onsite while supplies last. Participating breweries include Adams Street Brewery, Alarmist Brewing, Around the Bend Beer Company, Begyle Brewing, Burning Bush Brewery, Casa Humilde Cervecería, Cruz Blanca Brewery, DryHop, Corridor, Crushed By Giants, Duneyrr Fermenta Winery and Brewery, Dutchbag Brew Co., ERIS Brewery and Cider House, Funkytown Brewery, Goose Island Beer Co., Haymarket Beer Company, Illuminated Brew Works, Lake Effect Brewing, Maplewood Brewing Company, Moderne Dune, Moor’s Brewing Company, Old Irving Brewing Co., Pipeworks Brewing Co., Ravinia Brewing, Revolution Brewing, Turner Häus Brewery and Twisted Hippo.
Eli's Cheesecake Birthday Celebration: Taking place on Saturday, September 9, Eli’s Cheesecake will host their annual Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration on the SummerDance Stage, continuing a Taste of Chicago tradition. Beginning at 11 a.m. with a performance by The Happiness Club, the morning will also feature performances by The Hiplet Ballerinas at 11:30 a.m. and the Jesse White Tumblers at noon, culminating in the arrival and cutting of the 1,000-pound Eli’s Cheesecake at 12:30 p.m. Attendees will receive a free piece of cake following the ceremony, while supplies last.
Food vendors for Taste of Chicago 2023 include: Cumin Club Indian Kitchen, Sapori Trattoria, Arun’s Thai Restaurant, The Original Rainbow Cone, Healthy Substance Kitchen, LC Pho Restaurant, Yum Dum, Churro Factory (Xurro), African Food Palace, Porkchop, The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, Esperanza, Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs, Classic Cobbler Baked Goods Company, Tacotlan, JJ Thai Street Food, Doom Street Eats, Badou Senegalese Cuisine, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Billy Goat Tavern, Chicago Eats, Gaby’s Funnel Cakes, Frannie’s Café, Prime Tacos, The Sole Ingredient Catering, BJ’s Market & Bakery, Connie’s Pizza, Seoul Taco Chicago, Chicago’s Doghouse, Tandoor Char House, Pies of London, Banato, Mr. E Chef Catering, Josephine’s Cooking, Yvolina’s Tamales and a wide variety of food trucks.
Taste of Chicago, a Chicago tradition showcasing Chicago’s culinary scene since 1980, returns to its Grant Park location near Buckingham Fountain Friday, Sept. 8, to Sunday, Sept. 10, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will also offer a wide variety of onsite events and activations for guests to complement more than 35 food vendors, 15 food trucks and a slate of musical performances. As always, admission to Taste of Chicago is free.
Adult Beverage Stations: Enhanced for 2023, the Adult Beverage Stations will include a designated beer hall, a wine garden with a wide range of varietals and cocktail lounge stations offering a variety of selections including a new frozen beverage station featuring Vodka Strawberry Lemonade and Windy City Punch slushie cocktails. Additional cocktail offerings will include Arnie’s Raspberry Kiss featuring vodka, sweet tea, raspberry and lemon; Cucumber Jalapeño Cooler featuring tequila, cucumber, jalapeño, citrus and lime; Windy City Punch featuring rum, tropical fruits, pineapple and orange; and a Melon Malört-garita, featuring the Chicago spirit plus watermelon, citrus and orange.
Throwback Quad: In a nod to Taste of Chicago tradition, the festival will celebrate longtime food vendors Eli's Cheesecake, Lou Malnati's, Robinson's No. 1 Ribs and BJ's Market by featuring them in a classic Quad on Columbus Drive in the heart of this year's festival layout.
Made in Chicago: Food Trivia at Taste of Chicago: Food history enthusiasts will have the opportunity to show off their Chicago food knowledge when Monica Eng and David Hammond, co-authors of Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites (2023) and Jacoby Cochran, host of the City Cast Chicago podcast, present together Made in Chicago: Food Trivia at Taste of Chicago. Taking place on the Chicago Sings Karaoke Stage from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday – Sunday, the game will center on the people and places behind 15 Chicago bites. Friday’s program will be led by Hammond and Cochran, Saturday’s program will be hosted by Eng and Cochran and Sunday’s program will be hosted by Eng and Hammond. Eng and Hammond's book will be available for purchase onsite and they will be on hand to sign copies for a limited time following their respective programs.
Friday Night Flights: Serving as a pairing for Taste of Chicago’s culinary offerings, Choose Chicago will host the Friday Night Flights tasting event from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8. Taste guests will have the opportunity to choose 10 sample size portions from 25 local breweries. Tickets for Friday Night Flights are available for $25 in advance or $30 onsite while supplies last. Participating breweries include Adams Street Brewery, Alarmist Brewing, Around the Bend Beer Company, Begyle Brewing, Burning Bush Brewery, Casa Humilde Cervecería, Cruz Blanca Brewery, DryHop, Corridor, Crushed By Giants, Duneyrr Fermenta Winery and Brewery, Dutchbag Brew Co., ERIS Brewery and Cider House, Funkytown Brewery, Goose Island Beer Co., Haymarket Beer Company, Illuminated Brew Works, Lake Effect Brewing, Maplewood Brewing Company, Moderne Dune, Moor’s Brewing Company, Old Irving Brewing Co., Pipeworks Brewing Co., Ravinia Brewing, Revolution Brewing, Turner Häus Brewery and Twisted Hippo.
Eli's Cheesecake Birthday Celebration: Taking place on Saturday, September 9, Eli’s Cheesecake will host their annual Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration on the SummerDance Stage, continuing a Taste of Chicago tradition. Beginning at 11 a.m. with a performance by The Happiness Club, the morning will also feature performances by The Hiplet Ballerinas at 11:30 a.m. and the Jesse White Tumblers at noon, culminating in the arrival and cutting of the 1,000-pound Eli’s Cheesecake at 12:30 p.m. Attendees will receive a free piece of cake following the ceremony, while supplies last.
Food vendors for Taste of Chicago 2023 include: Cumin Club Indian Kitchen, Sapori Trattoria, Arun’s Thai Restaurant, The Original Rainbow Cone, Healthy Substance Kitchen, LC Pho Restaurant, Yum Dum, Churro Factory (Xurro), African Food Palace, Porkchop, The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, Esperanza, Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs, Classic Cobbler Baked Goods Company, Tacotlan, JJ Thai Street Food, Doom Street Eats, Badou Senegalese Cuisine, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Billy Goat Tavern, Chicago Eats, Gaby’s Funnel Cakes, Frannie’s Café, Prime Tacos, The Sole Ingredient Catering, BJ’s Market & Bakery, Connie’s Pizza, Seoul Taco Chicago, Chicago’s Doghouse, Tandoor Char House, Pies of London, Banato, Mr. E Chef Catering, Josephine’s Cooking, Yvolina’s Tamales and a wide variety of food trucks.
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