Ready for some eye candy? 

Take a look at some of the highlights from my trip to the Taste of Chicago.  While the organizers reported that numbers were down by as much as 700,000 this year, there was no evidence of that when I went on Thursday night – it was PACKED! 

Some people complain about the prices at The Taste.  Mr. Man and I shared 9 different things, and we did it all with only 4 strips of tickets – about $24.  Granted, we didn’t buy any alcohol, which is how they getcha at The Taste!  We weren’t full, but for me The Taste is about, well, tasting, rather than stuffing myself silly. 

Adobo Grill - cochinita pibil tacos

Full size portion, perfect for sharing!  Not the best pork tacos I’ve ever had, but good quality for a fest.

C'est Si Bon! - cajun meatballs

Tasting portion – I get these every year, I think they’re really good!  Just spicy enough for me, but if you’re a Hot Head, it might leave something to be desired.

BJ's Market - mustard-fried catfish

Tasting portion – A suggestion from a friend, and it was a win!  Tasty.  I also really liked their honey mustard.

Sabor Latino - jibarito

Tasting portion – Somehow I remember this being bigger last year?  This “farmer’s sandwich” is made of flattened plantains instead of bread.  The beef had a great flavor, and I loved the sauce.  I could never eat a full size one of these – those plantains are FILLING.

Bobak's - bacon-wrapped German frankfurter

Full size portion – I probably wouldn’t have gotten this (one sausage for 9 tickets?) but I’d heard great reviews.  Actually all the sausages from Bobak’s sounded really good.  This one had nicely crisped bacon around a juicy sausage with a good “snap”.  Yum!

Kasia's Deli - potato & cheese pierogi

Tasting portion – I was a little disappointed this year, because they weren’t offering saurkraut pierogis in the tasting size, and I love me some saurkraut!  Potato & cheese, slightly bland but still good.

Franco's Ristorante - lemon italian ice

DARN!  My photo of my delish lemon ice didn’t turn out!  I got a tasting portion of the lemon ice – the watermelon looked too freakishly artificial next to the pristine white lemon.  Super refreshing and zippy with real lemon flavor.  One of my favorite things of the day.  Lemon ice has quickly become one of my new favorite things!

Vee-Vee's - sauteed goat & jollof rice

Tasting portion – disappointing.  I’ve had this dish before, and I think we just got a bad piece of goat – it was nothing but bone, cartilage and fat.  The rice had good flavor.  Better luck next year.

Ricobene's - breaded steak sandwich

Tasting portion – also disappointing.  I used to LOVE Ricobene’s steak sammie, but in the last couple years the quality just hasn’t been there at The Taste.  It might be time for me to actually go sit down in a Ricobene’s and order one, to see if they really are as good as I remember.

Let us know if you tried something AMAZING.  Already looking forward to next year!