CHICAGO — The next big "real" holiday is not until Labor Day, but if you need an excuse to celebrate something/anything, there are a bunch of food-focused holidays coming up, beginning Wednesday.
Here's a roundup of where to celebrate chicken wings, lasagna, International beer, watermelon and oysters, all in the span of eight days!
National Chicken Wing Day is Wednesday: FREE WINGS
Established in 1977, National Chicken Wing Day will be celebrated at The Fifty/50, 2047 W. Division St. Wing lovers can enjoy half-priced orders of 8, 16 or 50 wings, plus 10 orders of wings tossed in the bar's new wing sauce — a mix of mango, habanero and tamarind — will be given away for free, to random customers during the dine-in only festivities.
The upscale sports bar serves its jumbo chicken wings in regular, boneless or smoked varieties. Other sauces by Fifty/50 Chef Martin Arellano include buffalo, BBQ, spicy garlic, bourbon BBQ and teriyaki. More info, full menus available on TheFifty50's website.
National Lasagna Day is also Wednesday: $5 Lasagna!
Francesca's Forno in Gold Coast, 200 E. Chestnut St., will be honoring the heavy Italian dish with three varieties of Chef Massimo Salatino's lasagna, priced at $5 each, according to an email. Fun fact: Lasagna is cartoon cat Garfield's favorite food, say the peeps at National Day Calendar.
International Beer Day is Saturday: FREE Pilsner Mug!
River North's Bohemian House will be having a party with a representative from Pilsner Urquell, who will offer free tastings of the popular Czech golden ale. The first 24 guests will get a free mug, too. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at 11 W. Illinois St.
National Watermelon Day is Monday: Healthy Hydration!
Paying homage to a pinkish melon that is 92 percent water and used to spark seed spitting distance contests is billed as "the perfect excuse to detox and rehydrate!" as well as cap off Lollapalooza's hot and sweaty weekend.
Protein Bar’s new cold-pressed "Whatamelon Juice" can be found at any of its six spots, including Lincoln Park, 1953 N. Clybourn Ave. ($6.49). Native Foods Cafe's refreshing Watermelon Fresca, long a personal fave, is always a nice way to wash down sweet potato fries. Native Foods flavors the drink with organic agave nectar, too. ($2.79).
(l.) Whatamelon Juice from Protein Bar; Watermelon Fresca at Native Foods Cafe (Provided)
National Oyster Day is Aug. 5 (Wednesday)
Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave is offering $1 oysters all day on Aug. 5. (Typically on Wednesdays they offer $1 oysters during 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Oyster lovers can enjoy the delicacy for lunch and dinner beginning at 11 am. and wash the appetizer (or meal if you eat a bunch!) down with a $5 glass of wine, discounted for the holiday, too. Chop Shop indoor and patio hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m; the oysters will be available only while supplies last.
Oysters at Chop Shop will be $1 all day on Aug. 5 at Chop Shop. (Provided)
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