Taste of Chicago - Food Festival in Grant Park

Taste of Chicago is the world's largest food festival and Chicago's signature event. Each summer, approximately 3 million foodies indulge their taste buds at over a hundred food booths.

The menu features an endless variety of regional and ethnic products. Local specialties include the very, very generous Chicago-style pizza (or deep-dish pizza, invented at Chicago's Pizzeria Uno), the Chicago hot dog, which proponents claim is the healthiest hot dog in its category, bursting with greens and without a drop of ketchup. Then there's the barbecue ribs, Eli's cheesecake, Italian beef or Maxwell Street Polish sausage.

In addition to local restaurateurs, some of whom are well-known, we find, surprisingly, the main fast-food chains, which, even more surprisingly, manage to find customers in this Mecca of gastronomy and discovery. Amazing, isn't it?

In addition to the food stands, there's plenty of entertainment: cooking demonstrations, a wine garden (don't forget to bring your ID), concerts, etc.

The Taste of Chicago festival is held every summer in Grant Park in downtown Chicago. It runs for 10 days, from the Friday before the 4th of July to the following Sunday. Admission is free and many booths offer free samples of their products.

• 301 S. Columbus Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
• chicago.gov