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  1. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  2. Banana Leaf Restaurant

  3. Taste of Chicago

  4. Banana Leaf Restaurant

  5. Garrett Popcorn Shop, Popcornsicle

  6. C'est Si Bon!, Cajun Meatballs

  7. Hashbrowns, Sweet Potato Hasbrowns

  8. Robinson's, BBQ Ribs

  9. Carb�n, Tortilla Encrusted Tilapia Taco

  10. Tuscany, Italian Sausage Sandwich

  11. Tuscany, Italian Sausage Sandwich

  12. Eli's Cheescake Company, "Skinny Chocolate" Cheesecake

  13. C'est Ci Bon!

  14. Eli's Cheescake Factory

  15. The Noodle Vietnamese Cuisine

  16. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  17. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    O'Briens, Celtic Corn on the Cob

  18. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    O'Briens

  19. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Franco's Ristorante, Italian Lemon Ice

  20. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Adobo Grill, Cochinita Pibil Tacos

  21. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Adobo Grill, Cochinita Pibil Tacos

  22. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Lao Sze Chuan, Dry Chili Chicken

  23. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Lao Sze Chuan, Dry Chili Chicken

  24. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Free crush at Taste of Chicago

  25. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Pegasus, Loukaneko

  26. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Lagniappe-Creole Cajun Joynt, Chicken & Waffles

  27. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Lagniappe-Creole Cajun Joynt, Chicken & Waffles

  28. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  29. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  30. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Parrot Cage Restaurant, Red Velvet Cupcake

  31. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Parrot Cage Restaurant, Red Velvet Cupcake

  32. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  33. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  34. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  35. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  36. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Manny's Cafeteria and Delicatessen, Corned-Beef Brisket Sandwich

  37. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Manny's Cafeteria and Delicatessen, Corned-Beef Brisket Sandwich

  38. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  39. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    The Smoke Daddy, Pulled Pork

  40. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  41. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Iyanze, Bissop Sorbet

  42. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Iyanze, Bissop Sorbet

  43. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  44. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  45. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  46. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  47. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  48. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  49. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Taste of Chicago

  50. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    Harolds Chicken, Fried Chicken Wing with Fried Green Beans

  51. Photograph: Zach Weiss
    Photograph: Zach Weiss

    O'Briens, Gourmet Beef Hot Dog (Chicago Style)

  52. At the Taste

Taste of Chicago 2011 | What to hit, what to skip, plus photos

More than 40 tasting portions reviewed plus complete menus for every stand

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We came, we saw, we bought tickets and traded them for small paper plates of food. Day one of the Taste was a bit cooler than usual, just what we needed for running around several dozen stands to bring you TOC's hits and skips of the Taste 2011.

11 Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St.
Roasted Corn on the Cob; Fish and Chips (Fries); Irish Egg Rolls
“Taste Of”: Fries with Curry; Irish Egg Rolls 
We tried: Fries with Poutin gravy, 4 tickets
Notes: This Irish pub (complete with a real Irish guy) is famous across multiple festivals for juicy grilled corn on the cob dripping with butter and sea salt—its bursting yellow kernels get stuck in the teeth of Taste-going tourists and music-festival hipsters alike. And after trying these soggy fries swimming in flavorless gravy (Fries with Poutin gravy, 4 tickets), I was jealous of all the suits gnawing on cobs around me. 
Verdict: SKIP (or get the cob with butter)

48 Adobo Grill, 1610 N. Wells St.
Guacamole and Chips; Pork Tacos; Chicken Tamale; Churros 
“Taste Of”: Cheese Empanada; Churro 
We tried: Cochinita pibil tacos, 10 tickets
Notes: The cochinita pibil tacos (two bulky tacos for ten tickets) looked great with their crown of pink pickled red onions. But in reality, the pork needed something. BYO salsa. 
Verdict: SKIP

16 *Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph St. 
Falafel Sandwich with Jerusalem Salad; Chicken Kabob Basket; Beef Shwarma Sandwich; Hummus 
“Taste Of”: Falafel with Hummus; Baklava 
We tried: Baklava, 4 tickets
Notes: Poor Alhambra was experiencing an electricity outage when we visited, so the options were limited. However, this mega-hunk of baklava (Baklava, 4 tickets) exceeded our expectations. Its flaky layers were not too sweet, not too syrupy and layered with fresh nutty goodness. The size is so generous two or three people can get a decent-sized bite out of one order.
Verdict: HIT

56 Arya Bhavan, 2508 W. Devon Ave.
Samosa; Chana Masala; Geera (Cumin) Rice; Bhel 
“Taste Of”: Samosa; Bhel 

10 Bacino’s Pizza of Lincoln Park, 2204 N. Lincoln Ave. 
Stuffed Spinach Pizza Slice; Stuffed Sausage Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Cheese Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Sausage Pizza Slice 
“Taste Of”: Stuffed Spinach Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Cheese Pizza Slice 

20 *Banana Leaf Restaurant, 1948 E. 79th St. 
Four Jerk Wings with Rice; Blackened Tilapia with Rice; Jerk Lamb Chop with Rice; Curry Vegetable Stir Fry 
“Taste Of”: Two Jerk Wings; Curry Vegetable Stir Fry 
We tried: Two Jerk Wings, 4 tickets
Notes: Two jerk wings (4 tickets) were hot off the grill and had a bit of char to balance their seasoning. We ate our wings to the bone. 
Verdict: HIT

17 *Beggars Pizza, 310 S. Clinton 
Thin Crust Cheese Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Sausage Pizza Slice; Thin Crust Pepperoni Pizza Slice; Deep Dish Sausage Pizza Slice 
“Taste Of”: Thin Crust Sausage or Pepperoni Pizza; Mostaciolli with Marinara Sauce 

8 Billy Goat Tavern & Grill, 1535 W. Madison Ave. 
Rib Eye Steak Sandwich; Double Cheeseburger; Single Cheeseburger 
“Taste Of”: Baked Potato Chips; 1/2 Cheeseburger 
We tried: 1/2 Cheeseburger , 4 tickets; potato chips, 2 tickets
Notes: Billy Goat's was by far the loudest booth in the area we reviewed. They were hawking their wares with an unmatched enthusiasm that was both delightful and enticing. After we heard them scream "cheeseburger" 50 times, we suddenly wanted to try a cheeseburger. How strange. For four tickets, you could taste its signature burger, and for measly two tickets you could get a bag of the regular potato chips. However, even though their salesmanship won us over, the one taste option, the half a cheeseburger we received (for four tickets!), was dry, the meat was thin, and the cheese was terrible. 
Verdict: SKIP.

31 BJ's Market & Bakery, 8734 S. Stony Island Ave. 
Mustard-Fried Catfish; BBQ Turkey Tips; Fish Taco; Sweet Potato Chips 
“Taste Of”: Mustard-Fried Catfish; Peach Cobbler 
We tried: Mustard-Fried Catfish, 4 tickets
Notes: We got three good-sized nuggets of catfish, crispy on the outside and moist and meaty on the inside. Served with a smile and a friendly recommendation that we try the delicious sweet-and-tangy honey-mustard sauce that sits in squeeze bottles on the counter, it was a favorite of our group, and easy to share.
Verdict: HIT

1 Bobak Sausage Company, 5275 S. Archer Ave.
Maxwell Polish Sausage; Beer Bratwurst Sausage; All Natural Chipotle Chicken Sausage; Ultimate Sausage Sampler Platter 
“Taste Of”: Mini Maxwell Street Polish Sausage; Mini Chipotle Chicken Sausage 
We tried: Mini Chipotle Chicken Sausage 
Notes: At Boback’s stand, we were warmly greeted by the manager who informed us about Boback’s prolific sausage skills. It had two small taste items, the mini chipotle chicken dog and the mini street Polish, each for four tickets. We got the mini chicken and it came drizzled in a lovely purple ribbon of sugary cranberry sauce. As the largest supplier of Polish sausage to the U.S. military, it made us feel oddly patriotic. If you like supporting the troops and eating sausage, then this is a no-brainer, people. 
Verdict: HIT.

21 Carbón, 300 W. 26th St. 
Fire-Grilled Steak Taco; Tortilla Encrusted Tilapia Taco; Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast Taco; Sampler Platter (all four tacos) 
“Taste Of”: Fire Grilled Steak Taco; Fire Roasted Veggie Taco 
We tried: Tortilla Encrusted Tilapia Taco, 5 tickets
Notes: We traded up from a tasting portion (chicken or roasted veg are available) to the tortilla encrusted tilapia taco (5 tickets) and found it worth the extra currency. The fish had a light, crispy tortilla crust that went well with the medium salsa verde. What we wouldn’t have given for a cold Pacifico to wash it down. 
Verdict: HIT.

25 C'est Si Bon!, 643 E. 47th St. 
Sweet Potato Cheesecake; Collard Green Egg Roll; Cajun Meatballs; Spicy Chicken Wingettes & Sweet Potato Biscuit 
“Taste Of”: Cajun Meatballs; Fresh Fruit Cup 
We tried: Cajun Meatballs, 4 tickets
Notes: We might have done better to order the famed Collard Green Egg Roll, but being conservative with our tickets we went for what seemed a no-brainer: a tasting portion of Cajun Meatballs, two to be exact. They’re reminiscent of an old Italian family recipe that no one is particularly protective of, but the Cajun spice bit was almost elusive—coming so late it felt more an aftertaste and afterthought. 
Verdict: SKIP.

19 *Chicago Sweet Connection Bakery, 5569 N. Northwest Hwy. 
Atomic Cake; Eclairs; Sweets on a Stick; Parfait cup, Oreo 
“Taste Of”: Parfait cup, Oreo; Eclairs 

7 Chicago Joe's, 2256 W. Irving Park Rd. 
Popcorn Shrimp with Fries; Calamari with Fries; Jumbo Fried Shrimp with Fries; Cheesy Seasoned Fries 
“Taste Of”: Cheesy Seasoned Fries; Firehouse Chili 
We tried: Firehouse Chili tasting portion, 4 tickets
Notes: Chicago Joe’s was serving up some pretty decent-looking food. As we walked over, the smell of fried shrimp and fries washed over us, but it was the chili we were really after. We just had to try the chili that's rated No. 1 in Chicago. For four tickets, it was well worth it. Although this stall was really nothing special, and its food was pretty typical festival fare, it was solid and comforting.
Verdict: HIT.

15 Churro Factory, 2214 S. Wolcott Ave. 
Churros; Funnel Cake; Ice Cream; Frozen Bananas 
“Taste Of”: Churritos; Bunelos 
These four (adorable!) mini churros (Churritos, 4 tickets) covered in either chocolate or strawberry sauce were crisp on the outside, doughy on the inside and covered in cinnamon and sugar. They are perfect for sharing. Did we mention they are also super cute? Because they are.
Verdict: HIT

44 Connie's Pizza, 2373 S. Archer Ave. 
Deep Dish Cheese Pizza Slice; Deep Dish Sausage Pizza Slice; 10” Gluten Free Pizza Slice; Frozen Banana 
“Taste Of”: Mini Meatball Sandwich; Slice of Gluten Free Pizza 

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