PILSEN — Pierogis, pasty pies and cupcakes are rolling into Pilsen this weekend.
The first-ever Pilsen Food Truck Social, staged on 18th Street between Throop Street and Racine Avenue, will bring more than 25 food trucks to the neighborhood Saturday and Sunday. The festival will run from 11 a.m. -10 p.m. both days.
A $20 sampler ticket gets festivalgoers five sample-size portions from any food truck on site and samples of Revolution beer, wine or spirits. Full-size food and drinks also will be sold.
Participants will be asked to give an optional $5 donation upon entering the fest.
The Food
Among other offerings, the Pilsen Food Truck Social will include:
• Empanadas from 5411 Empanadas (Saturday) and savory handheld pasty pies from Bridgeport Pasty (Sunday)
• Banh mis "with a twist" from Chicago Lunchbox, lobster rolls from Da Lobsta, meatball sandwiches from Getta Polpetta, steak sandwiches from Gino's Steaks and made-to-order sandwiches at The Fat Shallot
• Barbecue from Pilsen-based Honky Tonk BBQ and Husky Hog BBQ
• Calzones from Caponies Express, Neapolitan pizzas from Chicago Pizza Boss, deep-dish pizza from Giordano's
• Gold-seared pierogis from Pierogi Street
• Tamales from Pilsen-based Dia De Los Tamales and Tamale Spaceship
• Signature chicken wings from Haute & Ready
• Sausages and brats from Haute Sausage
• Gourmet burgers from Good Burger and Windy City Patty Wagon
• Beef and duck fat fries from Bruges Brothers
• Tacos from La Cocinita Food Truck and new American cuisine with Latin flair from Pilsen-based Azul18
• Modern Indian food from Naansense
• Modern Asian street food from Piko Street Kitchen
• Farm-fresh fare from The Corner Farmacy
• Frozen kefir and smoothies from Starfruit Café
• Doughnuts from Beavers Coffee & Donuts
• Cupcakes from Chicago Cupcake and Ms. Tittles Cupcakes
• Hand-crafted doggie treats from Fido To Go
The drink
Logan Square-based Revolution Brewing will provide all beer for the event, serving up Rosa Hibiscus Ale, Anti-Hero IPA, Fist City Chicago Pale Ale and a special brewpub-only beer, El Hefe Loco Hefeweizen.
Margarita punch made with tequila Azteka Azul and Tito's vodka and lemonade drinks will also be sold.
Will Duncan, beverage director at Punch House, will give a live punch-making demonstration and tasting at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Naked Juice will offer free samples throughout the weekend.
The music
The team behind Thalia Hall has booked an eclectic lineup to take the outdoor stage, sponsored by Revolution Brewing.
Saturday's lineup:
Noon: Chicago Mariachi Project
2 p.m.: Bailey Dee
3:30 p.m.: Rabble Rabble
5 p.m.: Population
6:30 p.m.: Treated Crew Teklife presents Mic Terror's Live from Your Mama's House
8 p.m. CumbiaSazo
Sunday's lineup:
11:45 a.m.: Chicago Mariachi Project
2:30 p.m.: Whitney (a new project from Max Kakacek of Smith Westerns)
3:45 p.m.: Peoples Temple
5 p.m.: Palace Sound
6:30 p.m.: Vockah Redu
8 p.m.: (((Sonorama)))
Family fun
Pilsen's EleVarte Community Studio and Yollocalli Art Reach, a youth initiative of the National Museum of Mexican Art, will provide creative art activities for kids and adults throughout the weekend.
Kids can also have their faces painted by Indige.
Artisans, retailers and nonprofits that call Pilsen home also will set up shop on the block this weekend.
Proceeds from the food truck social will benefit the Illinois Food Truck Owners Association and the St. Procopius Catholic Church soup kitchen and food bank.
The event is produced by Optimum Events LLC, Empty Bottle Presents in partnership with Thalia Hall, and the Illinois Food Truck Owners Association.
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