Get off the eatin' path with these options
Saucy baby backs, corn on the cob and deep-dish pies. Jus-soused Italian beef. Meat -- and more meat -- served on a stick (or left clinging to bones). The Taste of Chicago -- a feeding frenzy of possibilities or your worst nightmare, depending on how you stomach it -- is upon us, scenting the city with Chicago-style classics.
But there's something for the more jaded among us, too. Some offerings, despite the setting, seem downright sophisticated; others take mainstays in an interesting direction. Either way, it's refreshing to know interesting options exist.
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 26 through July 4; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 5
Grant Park (main entrance at Michigan and Congress)
Free. Food and beverage tickets sold in strips of 12 for $8
(312) 744-3315
So, loosen your belt (a few notches, at least) and prepare to partake in the gut-busting feast for the next 10 days..
• • Liquid nitrogen is all the rage. Garrett Popcorn Shops (Booth 52) is responding with the wacky, flash-frozen caramel and cheese popcornsicle -- courtesy of "Top Chef," no less -- that's attention-grabbing for novelty's sake alone.
• • Can't make it to New Orleans this year? Hoof it to Blue Bayou (Booth 14) for some savory, if scary sounding, gator sausage on a stick. While you're at it, temper the tang with a side of honey chili-buttered cornbread.
• • Moving beyond fast-food fodder, Oak Street Beach Cafe (Booth 41) reels in revelers with sweet and smoky, grilled slipper tail lobster with garlic potatoes.
• • Skip the trip to Devon Street (just this once) in favor of bhel from Arya Bhavan (Booth 51). It's a dish of Rice Krispies-esque puffed rice, crunchy chickpea noodles and puri (whole wheat chips) flavored with potatoes, onions, cilantro and garlic, hot and sweet chutneys.
• • Sabor Latino (Booth 50) turns up the heat with its steak jibarito, a sandwich that swaps bread for crisp-fried plantains. Almost as tempting is its Puerto Rican-style steak and onion sandwich, which is tucked into homemade criollo bread. For dessert? Pork-filled banana dumplings.
• • Goat may have gone haute, but Vee-Vee's African Cuisine (Booth 20) keeps it old-school, serving it in a fragrant tomato, red pepper and onion-flecked jollof rice dish. Alternatively (or in addition), try the sauteed goat meat with plantain.
• • While not groundbreaking, it's nice to see Connie's Pizza (Booth 38) serving its pepperoni pizza atop a thin and crispy, beer-infused crust.
• • Comfort food comes in the form of mango and dried cranberry-studded rice pudding at the Grill on the Alley (Booth 12). Also on hand: garden-fresh gazpacho garnished with avocado and chives.
While you're there, don't forget to venture beyond the food booths. There are a lot of interactive things -- from cooking contests to cookbook author appearances -- taking place at the Cooking Corner. For example, chef Phillip Foss from Lockwood at the Palmer House Hilton will reveal the recipe for his lauded lobster dog at noon today, while Luca Corazzina of 312 Chicago will do a cooking demo of capesante con grano (seared scallops with corn relish) at 2 p.m. July 3.
Jennifer Olvera is a local free-lance writer.