The Friday Buffet
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 29, 2007 3:00PM
This 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.