Posted 23 months ago in Trending
16 MIN READ – Established in 1980, Taste of Chicago, the uniquely-Chicago summertime tradition returns with an impressive array of eateries showcasing the city’s culinary excellence and diversity. Along with delicious eats, attendees will enjoy free admission to top tier musical talent, Chicago SummerDance lessons, family activities and more over six days of Taste of Chicago in the neighborhoods of Austin (June 11), Pullman (June 18) and Little Village (June 25) and a bite-sized Taste of Chicago in Grant Park (July 8-10) in the Chicago Loop.
This June, Taste of Chicago expands with a series of three free events on consecutive Saturdays from noon – 8 p.m. in the Chicago neighborhoods of Austin (June 11) featuring music by Soul City Blues, part of the Chicago Blues Festival; Pullman (June 18) featuring Chicago SummerDance; and Little Village (June 25) showcasing the best flavors of the neighborhood.
Additionally, Taste of Chicago returns to its well-known home in Grant Park alongside the Buckingham Fountain from Friday – Sunday, July 8 – 10, with over 30 vendors and three stages presenting free performances, dance classes, family activities and more. Note: There will not be Taste tickets this year; cash or credit card are accepted by all food vendors. All performances are free admission this year.
The Taste of Chicago reflects the vibrant diversity of the City of Chicago as the free event draws visitors from across the region, the United States and even the world. At least a third of the eateries at Taste are minority owned and about a quarter owned by women.
Taste of Chicago Austin
Saturday, June 11
noon – 8 p.m.
Featuring Soul City Blues
Austin neighborhood, 5720 W. Chicago Ave.
Free admission
Taste of Chicago comes to Austin with top local food vendors and live Blues music. Celebrating the living legacy of the Chicago Blues on the city’s west side, top talent from the Chicago Blues Festival perform throughout the day while guests enjoy everything from Caribbean bites and savory soul food to the best tacos, mouthwatering gumbo, and more.
Taste of Chicago Austin Food vendors include: Catered By Kish, Cooking from the Soul Catering, Cynthia's Gumbo Express, Doom Street Eats, Josephine's Southern Cooking, Mr. Quiles Mexican Food, Ms Tittle's Cupcakes, Razpachos, Robinson's No.1 Ribs, Schweet Foods, The Sole Ingredient Catering, and Whadda Jerk.
Taste of Chicago Austin Music schedule - Presented by Soul City Blues
12-1 p.m. Mzz Reese
1:20-2:20 p.m. Joe Pratt and The Source One Band
2:40-3:40 p.m. Mary Lane and The No Static Blues Band
4:00-5:00 p.m. Tail Dragger
5:20-6:20 p.m. Demetria Taylor
6:40-7:55 p. m. Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials
Taste of Chicago Pullman
Saturday, June 18
noon – 8 p.m.
Pullman Park, 11101 S Cottage Grove
Free admission
Taste of Chicago Pullman brings food vendors, music, and Chicago SummerDance classes to the neighborhood. Guests can fill up on tasty ribs, artesian sandwiches, exotic and gourmet sausages/hot dogs, and more, then dance it off with free introductory lessons followed by music. Taste of Chicago Pullman features a fun variety of DJ and live music performances hosted by Charise Bennett of Komikal1 Entertainment.
Food vendors include Don Paleta, Mr. Quiles Mexican Food, Ms Tittle's Cupcakes, Cynthia's Gumbo Express Inc, AUNTIE VEE'S KITCHEN, Catered By Kish, Taco Sublime, Razpachos, Robinson's No.1 Ribs, Yum Dum, Chicago's Doghouse, Southside Grinds, Coffee Co, JUS SANDWICHES, Burp Restaurant and catering, TRUTH Ribzzz and more.
Taste of Chicago Pullman Music schedule
Hosted by Charise Bennett of Komikal1 Entertainment
1-1:45 p.m. DJ Steve Miggidy Maestro
1:50-2 p.m. Lizzie G
2:05-2:15 p.m. DJ Steve Miggidy Maestro
2:20-2:30 p.m. Peter Jerico
2:35-3:30 p.m. DJ Steve Miggidy Maestro
3:35-3:45 p.m. Jabba44x
4:00-4:10 p.m. Kine Melik
4:20-5:00 p.m. DJ Steve Miggidy Maestro
5:15-6 p.m. Chicago Band Roster Spotlight
6-6:45 p.m. Meagan McNeal
7-8 p.m. Aniba & The Soul Starz
SummerDance at Taste of Chicago Pullman - Schedule
Free introductory dance lessons for all ages and skill levels followed by music
12 p.m. Salsa / Urbanity Dance Chicago
1 p.m. Line Dancing / Fre2Dance
2 p.m. Steppin' / Dawud & Lura Shareef
3 p.m. Footwork / The Urban Ark
12 – 4 p.m. Music by The Urban Ark
Taste of Chicago Little Village
Saturday, June 25
Noon – 8 p.m.
Ortiz De Dominguez School, 3000 S Lawndale Ave
Little Village neighborhood
Free Admission
Enjoy a slice of Taste of Chicago in the Little Village neighborhood with local food vendors and music. Note: No alcohol permitted onsite at this event.
Food vendors include Don Paleta, Mr. Quiles Mexican Food, Ms Tittle's Cupcakes, AUNTIE VEE'S KITCHEN, Taco Sublime, Razpachos, Yum Dum, Mr E Chef Catering LLC, Healthy Haven, Chicago's Doghouse, Prime tacos, Healthy Substance, Carnitas Y Tacos, Maravatio, and Ann's Flavored Cheesecakes.
Taste of Chicago Little Village – Music Schedule
12-12:15 p.m. Intro's
12:15-1:45 p.m. DJ Greedy
1-2 p.m. Jarochicanos
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Braided Janes
4 - 5 p.m. Quinto Imperio
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Malafacha
6:30pm - 7:45 p.m. DJ Jes
Taste of Chicago Grant Park
Friday, July 8 – Sunday, July 10
Noon – 8pm
Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain (Jackson & Columbus)
Free Admission
After two years, Taste of Chicago proudly returns to Grant Park with three days of incredible food, music, and activities around the iconic Buckingham Fountain. In addition to the more than 30 food vendors, guests can enjoy a designated beer hall, wine tent, cocktail lounge, and NBC Chicago Family Village in Grant Park.
Each evening presents a diverse mix of chart-topping, crowd-pleasing nightly concerts on the Taste Main Stage and the Goose Island Stage. Chicago Made, a DCASE initiative that supports Chicago’s makers and dreamers, presents top emerging talent as openers for the Taste Main Stage.
Food vendors include: Whadda Jerk, The Original Rainbow Cone, Don Paleta, Mr. Quiles Mexican Food, Decadent Flavor, Ms Tittle's Cupcakes, Haire's Gulf Shrimp, Buona Beef, Cynthia's Gumbo Express Inc, AUNTIE VEE'S KITCHEN, La Cocinita Food Truck, Taco Sublime, Josephine's Cooking, Robinson's No.1 Ribs, Churro Factory, Yum Dum, Mr E Chef Catering LLC, The Sole Ingredient Catering LLC, Doom Street Eats, Chicago's Doghouse, Prime tacos, Healthy Substance, Seoul Taco Chicago LLC, Eli's Cheesecake Company, Barangaroos Aussie Pies, BJ's Market & Bakery, SJL Inc DBA Arun's Thai Restaurant, Classic Cobbler Baked Goods Company, Tandoor Char House, Porkchop, Esperanza Kitchen Delights, Connie's Pizza, and Restaurante Franco Inc.
Throughout the day, Chicago SummerDance, the largest annual outdoor live music and dancing series, turns Buckingham Fountain Plaza into a dance party with free dance lessons and live music. Highlights include classes featuring the four unique dance styles born in Chicago, the Chicago Children’s Theatre & The Q Brothers presenting a special family show and more.
Taste Main Stage – Schedule of Performances
Friday, July 8
Host and DJ for the evening: DJ Mike P
5 p.m. Shayln B and John The Author, presented by Chicago Made
6 p.m. AMI
7:15 p.m. Nelly
Saturday, July 9
DJ for the evening: Sandra Treviño
5 p.m. Vivian Garcia and Pinqy Ring, presented by Chicago Made
6 p.m. Girl K
7:15 p.m. Aterciopelados
Sunday, July 10
DJ for the evening: Miss Alex White (White Mystery)
5 p.m. Rebecca Brunner and Marina City, presented by Chicago Made
6 p.m. Local H
7:15 p.m. Drive-By Truckers
Goose Island Stage – Schedule of Performances
Friday, July 8
10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. DJ Janesita
Bandwith Chicago
12:30 - 2:15 p.m. DJ Ayana Contreras
4 - 5 p.m. Happy Hour Karaoke with The People's Stage
5 - 6 p.m. Stroll Exhibition, hosted by Lizzie G with DJ Breathlezz
6 - 8:30 p.m. Trqpiteca
Saturday, July 9
10:45 a.m. - 2 p.m. DJ Johnny Jones Lingo Chicago
Lane Tech Varsity Band
12:30-2 p.m. Eli's Cheesecake Birthday Celebration
2-3:30 p.m. DJ Lady D
3:30-4:30 p.m. Happy Hour Karaoke with The People's Stage
4:30-6:30 p.m. Sadie Woods
6:30-8:30 p.m. DJ Mike P
Sunday, July 10
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. DJ Chuck Wren
Lakeside Pride Marching Band
12:15-2 p.m. DJ Machede
2-3:30 p.m. DJ Selah Say
Chicago SummerDance at Taste – Schedule
Friday, July 8
SummerDance kicks off Taste with four dance styles born in Chicago! Guest emcee Jennifer Billock, author of “Here Are 4 Dance Styles Born In Chicago To Mark The ‘Year Of Chicago Dance’” (Block Club Chicago)
12 p.m. Line Dancing, featuring the Cha-Cha Slide / Janelle E. Brown
1 p.m. Steppin’ / Shaun Ballentine
2 p.m. Polka Hop / Arletta Gromek
3 p.m. Footwork / Christopher “Mad Dog” Thomas
12- 4 p.m. Music by DJ Mwelwa
Saturday, July 9
11:30 – 1 p.m. A Walkie Talkie Dancey Party! Presented by Chicago Children’s Theatre & The Q Brothers
1 p.m. Ballroom Basics (for kids and families) / Dancing With Class
2 p.m. East Coast Swing / May I Have This Dance
3 p.m. Merengue / May I Have This Dance
1 – 4 p.m. Music by May I Have This Dance
Sunday, July 10
12 p.m. Salsa / La Mecca Dance Chicago
1 p.m. Kizomba / Shafeeha Monae
2 p.m. Bachata / Chicago Dance
3 p.m. Afrobeat / Stacy “Jukeboxx” Letrice
12 – 4 p.m. Music by DJ Kimani Rashad
Taste of Chicago 2022 is presented by John Deere and produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in coordination with the Illinois Restaurant Association, which manages food operations. The festival is sponsored in part by Goose Island Beer Company, Pepsi, NBC 5 & Telemundo Chicago, Chicago Transit Authority, Eli's Cheesecake, Illinois Lottery, Millennium Garages and WGN TV.
For more information on the FREE-admission festival, visit TasteofChicago.us. and follow on Facebook at Taste of Chicago, on Twitter @TasteofChi and Instagram @ChicagoDCASE (#TasteofChicago).
