DALEY PLAZA — The Taste of Chicago preview, it's not just for media anymore.
Hundreds of people lined up as the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events gathered just over a half dozen of the 60 restaurants selected for this year's 35th annual Taste of Chicago at Daley Plaza Wednesday to give people Downtown a taste of what's to come in Grant Park next month.
Those taking part included Porkchop, Dinky's Donuts, Chicago's Dog House, Dia De Los Tamales, Jerk's Jamaican Chicken, Mariano's and Taste staples Connie's Pizza and Robinson's No. 1 Ribs. Prices for the servings were generally under $10.
Reality TV chef Graham Elliot gave out samples of his truffled popcorn with parmesan, chive and sea salt — gone within a half hour even as he took photos with fans while handing the cartons out.
According to department spokeswoman Mary May, the preview has been thrown open to the public for the last several years, after previously being exclusive to the media.
Taste of Chicago takes place July 8-12 in Grant Park. Admission is free, but food is sold for tickets available in strips of 12 for $8.50, although restaurants also offer "taste of" portions for $2.50 or less.
The 19 new Taste restaurants include:
- Bruges Brothers
- Burger Bar Chicago
- The Crave Bar
- Dia De Los Tamales
- Dinky Donuts
- DonerMen
- Emerald Isle
- Farmer's Fridge
- Haire's Gulf Shrimp
- Jack's Fork in the Road
- La Bomba
- La Cocinita
- La Mexicana
- Luke's Lobster
- Miller's Pub
- Old Crow Smokehouse
- Puffs of Doom
- Sono Wood Fired
- Yum Dum
Popular favorite Eli's Cheesecake will return, marking its 35th anniversary alongside the 35th annual Taste in a ceremony set for midday July 11. Elliot makes a one-day appearance with his trademark lobster corndog on opening day, July 8.
The Taste will also include daily pop-up restaurants and food trucks, along with a "Food for Thought" culinary podcast area that DNAinfo Chicago is expected to take part in.
Nightly concerts are set for the Petrillo Music Shell. Again, they're free, but with tickets available for prime seating areas at $25 each. The shows include:
- Wednesday: Weezer
- Thursday: Erykah Badu (tickets sold out)
- Friday: The Chieftains
- Saturday: Spoon
- Sunday: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
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