Taste of Chicago 2016: Your Complete Guide

Chicago, IL — Although the first day of summer has come and gone, many locals gauge the season's start using a different annual marker — The Taste of Chicago.

Its 36th year kicks off Wednesday, July 6, in Grant Park, where an array of food is complemented by music and family-friendly activities. The festival will, once again, include the popular featured pop-up fare in addition to the restaurants offered for the event's five-day long haul.

Here's everything you need to know before digging in at The Taste of Chicago:

Admission

• FREE
• Food and beverage tickets are sold on site
  • $8.50 for strip of 12
    • Price includes $2.50 charge for Taste amenities
  • $2.50 or less for "Taste of" portions

Dates and Times

• Wednesday, July 6: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Thursday, July 7: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday, July 8: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, July 9: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunday, July 10: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Location

• Grant Park
  • South Columbus and East Jackson drives, Chicago IL 60602
  • Downloadable City of Chicago Map
  • Downloadable Taste of Chicago Map

Vendors

*New for 2016

• * Abundance Bakery
  • 105 E. 47th St.
• Beat Kitchen
  • 2100 W. Belmont Ave.
• Billy Goat Tavern & Grill
  • 1535 W. Madison St.
• BJ's Market & Bakery
  • 8734 S. Stony Island Ave.
• Bobak Sausage Company
  • 4550 W. Jackson Blvd.
• Caffe Gelato
  • 2034 W. Division St.
• Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
  • 300 W. 26th St.
• Chicago's Dog House
  • 816 W. Fullerton Ave.
• Churro Factory
  • 2214 S. Wolcott Ave.
• Connie's Pizza
  • 2373 S. Archer Ave.
• Dia De Los Tamales
  • 939 W. 18th St.
• Dinky Donuts, Inc.
  • Located at Markets throughout Chicago
• The Eli's Cheesecake Co.
  • 6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr.
• Farmer's Fridge
  • 108 N. State St.
• Franco's Ristorante
  • 300 W. 31st St.
• * Frannie's Café Inc
  • 623 S. Wabash Ave.
• The Fudge Pot
  • 1532 N. Wells St.
• Gold Coast Dogs
  • 225 S. Canal St.
• Iyanza
  • 4623 N. Broadway
• Kasia's Deli
  • 2101 W. Chicago Ave.
• La Bomba Restaurant
  • 3221 W. Armitage Ave.
• La Mexicana
  • 4171 S. Archer Ave.
• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • 805 S. State St.
• Miller's Pub
  • 134 S. Wabash Ave.
• Oak Street Beach Café
  • 5700 S. Cicero Ave.
• O'Briens Restaurant & Bar
  • 1528 N. Wells St.
• Porkchop
  • 941 W. Randolph St.
• Punky's Pizza & Pasta
  • 2600 W. Wallace St.
• Ricobene's on 26th Street
  • 252 W. 26th St.
• Robinson's No. 1 Ribs
  • 225 S. Canal St.
• Star of Siam
  • 11 E. Illinois St.
• * Texas de Brazil
  • 210 E. Illinois St.
• Tuscany
  • 1014 W. Taylor St.
• Vee-Vee's African Restaurant
  • 6232 N. Broadway

Pop-Up Food Trucks

• * Armi
  • 1829 W. Chicago Ave.
• * BRGRBELLY
  • 5691 N. Milwaukee Ave.
• * Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
  • 4801 N. Broadway
• * Doom Street Eats
  • Located at Markets throughout Chicago
• Garifuna Flava: A Taste of Belize
  • 2518 W. 63rd St.
• * Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
  • 847 W. Fulton Market
• Jin Ju Restaurant
  • 5203 N. Clark St.
• * MAD Social
  • 1140 W. Madison St.
• * nana
  • 3267 S. Halsted St.
• * Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine
  • 5212 N. Clark St.
• * Pork & Mindy's
  • 1623 N. Milwaukee Ave.
• Puffs of Doom
  • Located at Markets throughout Chicago
• Riva
  • 700 E. Grand Ave., Navy Pier
• * Rojo Gusano
  • 3830 W. Lawrence Ave.
• Stan's Donuts & Coffee
  • 2800 N. Clark St.
• * Taco in a Bag
  • 4603 N. Lincoln Ave.
• Yum Dum
  • Located throughout Chicago

Musical Performers

The festival offers a diverse mix of award-winning, crowd-pleasing acts with headliners including The Roots, KONGOS, The Decemberists, Billy Idol and The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald and Ernie Isley. Admission to the Taste of Chicago is free, but you'll need to buy tickets for some of the shows. The full schedule of performers can be found on the Taste of Chicago site.

Kids' Fun

Admission to the Family Village is free and the area will have family games, arts and crafts with area museums, face painting and a baby changing area with free diapers provided by Dominick's.

Street Closures

• Columbus from Monroe to Balbo and from Balbo to Roosevelt (Balbo is open to traffic).
• Jackson from Michigan Ave. to Lake Shore Drive and Congress from Michigan Ave. to Columbus.

Dos and Don'ts

You can bring folding chairs to the Taste, but are not allowed to set them into the area around the Petrillo Music Shell.

Here is the list of things you should leave at home. Most should be pretty obvious. (We hope):

• Alcoholic beverages
• Barbecue grills or open flames
• Fireworks or explosives
• Illegal substances
• Weapons
• Pop-up tents or canopies
• Pets (except service animals)

Metra and Parking

If you plan to ride the Metra to the festival grounds, remember there are no bikes allowed on the train during Taste of Chicago days. Check out Metra schedules here.

Millennium Garages

• Parking Details: Park right below the action! Garage locations are Millennium Park Garage and Millennium Lakeside Garage at 5 S. Columbus Drive, Grant Park North Garage at 25 N. Michigan Ave. and Grant Park South Garage at 325 S. Michigan Ave.
• Packages: $35 parking/Millennium Park Garage and Millennium Lakeside Garage (regular rates apply at Grant Park North & Grant Park South Garages)