At 11 a.m. last Friday, I arrived at the Taste of Chicago ready to sample all 253 dishes in a day. My pain is your gain: Here are my conclusions on which Taste treats are worth getting — or forgetting.
Which dishes stood out? Here is my Top 10 (in alphabetical order):
*Alcapurria at Sabor Latino: Earthy and flavorful fried green plantain fritter studded with tasty pork.
*Barbecued ribs at Sweet Baby Ray’s: Tender, smoky porky meat with SBR’s ambrosial sweet-spicy sauce.
*Bean casserole and fried plantain at Bolat African Cuisine: The earthy, creamy black-eyed peas balance beautifully with the candy-sweet plantain.
*Chicken and waffles at Lagniappe Creole Cajun Joynt: Flavorful fried chicken marries beautifully with crisp waffle and syrup.
*Chicken Vesuvio sandwich at Ricobene’s: Like a perfectly fried schnitzel blanketed with delicious garlic.
*Chocolate ganache with strawberries at Deleece: A civilized dessert in an uncivilized environment.
*Curry chicken stick on rice at The Noodle Vietnamese Cuisine: Generous, juicy marinated chicken on sticky jasmine rice.
*Rice pudding with mango and dried cranberries at The Grill on the Alley: Outstanding presentation in a martini glass with a topping of ruby cranberries is matched only by the creamy mango pudding.
*Sweet potato biscuit at C’est Si Bon!: Like a spicy sweet potato pie in a bun.
*Sweet potato chips at B.J.’s Market & Bakery: Greaseless, crisp and bursting with sweet potato flavor.
Here is my Taste checklist. The three verdicts are “Get it,” “Eh” and “Forget it.” (“Taste of Chicago” portions are not listed because they are smaller portions of other items.)
Note: Number after dish indicates tickets needed.
No. 1 BOLAT AFRICAN CUISINE
Jollof rice with oxtail (8) … GET IT
Coconut rice with sauteed goat (7) … GET IT
Bean casserole with fried plantain (6) … GET IT
Fried yam with tomato sauce (5) … GET IT
No. 2 PARS COVE PERSIAN CUISINE
Hummus shirazi (fresh herb-tomato-cucumber salad over hummus) (8) … GET IT
Lamb and beef koubideh (char-grilled seasoned chopped lamb and beef) (8) … EH
Pomegranate BBQ chicken (8) … GET IT
Baklava (4) … GET IT
No. 3 LA JUSTICIA
3 enchiladas (8) … FORGET IT
2 steak tacos (6) … FORGET IT
2 chicken tacos (6) … FORGET IT
Chicken burrito (9) … EH
No. 4 RICOBENE’S
Italian breaded steak sandwich (8) … GET IT
Combo beef and sausage sandwich (9) … EH
Chicken Vesuvio sandwich (8) … GET IT
Fresh cut fries with toppings (5) … FORGET IT
No. 5 CHICAGO JOE’S
Sloppy joe (8) … EH
Seafood gumbo (7) … FORGET IT
Chili (6) … EH
Fried calamari (9) … GET IT
No. 6 BILLY GOAT INN
Rib-eye steak (10) … FORGET IT
Cheeseburger (6) … GET IT
Double cheeseburger (9) … GET IT
Chips (2) … FORGET IT
No. 7 GUEY LON
Fried shrimp and vegetable tempura (8) … GET IT
Orange chicken with vegetable fried rice (9) … EH
Egg roll (3) … EH
“Crab” rangoon with kung pao chicken rolls (6) … GET IT
No. 8 BACINO’S PIZZA
Stuffed spinach pizza slice (8) … GET IT
Stuffed sausage pizza slice (8) … EH
Thin crust cheese pizza slice (6) … EH
Thin crust sausage pizza slice (6) … EH
No. 9 ABBEY PUB & RESTAURANT
Fish and chips (9) … EH
Corn on the cob (5) … GET IT
Corned beef sandwich (9) … EH
Irish curry fries (6) … EH
No. 10 VERMILION
Tandoori chipotle chicken burger (8) … GET IT
Cilantro steak empanada (8) … GET IT
Mango cumin-dusted fries with chutney (6) … EH
Chocolate-dipped ginger saffron cookies (4) … GET IT
No. 11 GRAZIE! RISTORANTE
Crab legs (10) … EH
Sicilian fried shrimp (8) … GET IT
BBQ buffalo burger (8) … FORGET IT
Fresh pineapple seafood salad (8) … EH
BEST BOOTHS
No. 12 BLU 47 RESTAURANT
Breaded calamari (9) … NOT AVAILABLE
Grilled wings with pesto aioli (6) … GET IT
Southwestern chicken tarts (6) … GET IT
Caesar salad served in a tortilla cone (9) … GET IT
No. 13 SUPAROSSA PIZZA
Stuffed sausage and spinach pizza (8) … EH
Thin crust sausage or cheese pizza (7) … GET IT
Buffalo wings (7) … GET IT
Gelato sandwich (6) … FORGET IT
No. 14 POLKA SAUSAGE & DELI
Polish sausage with sauerkraut (8) … GET IT
Bratwurst sandwich with sauerkraut (8) … GET IT
Grilled chicken with onions (8) … FORGET IT
Pierogis with sour cream (8) … GET IT
No. 15 BB’s
Binyon’s turtle soup (6) … EH
Mashed potatoes with gravy (6) … EH
Sweet potato pie (6) … EH
No. 16 THE GRILL ON THE ALLEY
Prime rib quesadilla (7) … GET IT
Grilled chicken, vegetable chopped salad (6) … EH
Gazpacho (5) … GET IT
Rice pudding (5) … GET IT
No. 17 ZAM ZAM
2 Vegetable samosas (8) … GET IT
Goat biryani (Zabiha-halal goat with basmati rice, spices and saffron) (8) … EH
Falafel sandwich (6) … FORGET IT
Chilly Chicken (Zabiha-halal spicy boneless chicken with pita) (6) … FORGET IT
No. 18 AUNT DIANA’S CANDY MAKERS
Chocolate-dipped frozen banana (5) … GET IT
Chocolate-dipped strawberry (4) … GET IT
Chocolate fudge (3) … GET IT
Fudge, baby banana and strawberry (7) … GET IT
No. 19 THE NOODLE VIETNAMESE CUISINE
Sesame beef on a stick (6) … EH
Seafood nest (shrimp, “crab” and scallop with vegetables on crispy noodles) (9) … FORGET IT
“Fired” chicken on rice (mild) (7) … EH
Curry chicken stick on rice (8) … GET IT
No. 20 C’EST SI BON!
Collard green egg roll with Cajun rice (6) … GET IT
Cajun sausage meatballs with Cajun rice (7) … EH
Cajun catfish taco with Cajun rice (8) … EH
Sweet potato biscuits (4) … GET IT
No. 21 VEE-VEE’S AFRICAN CUISINE
Jerk chicken with rice and red beans (8) … GET IT
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Sauteed goat with plantain (8) … GET IT
Seasoned rice with shrimp and vegetables (7) … EH
Rice and red beans with plantain (6) … GET IT
BEST BOOTHS
No. 22 ELI’S CHEESECAKE
Eli’s frozen chocolate chip crunch dipper (6) … GET IT
Oreo Cookie Cheesecake Smoosh with vanilla ice cream (7) … GET IT
Eli’s Totally Turtle Cheesecake Smoosh (6) … GET IT
Eli’s original cheesecake (plain; 5) or (with strawberries; 6) … EH
No. 23 ROBINSON’S NO. 1 RIBS
Boneless rib sandwich (9) … GET IT
Baby back ribs (10) … GET IT
BBQ turkey wings (9) … GET IT
Grilled chicken breast sandwich (8) … FORGET IT
No. 24 BELLA LUNA CAFE
Beer-battered artichoke hearts (9) … GET IT
Toasted cheese ravioli (7) … EH
Pizza bites (7) … GET IT
Chicken Parmesan sandwich (7) … EH
No. 25 CELEBRATION CREAMERY
Funnel cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate topping (10) … EH
Brownie with vanilla ice cream and chocolate topping (8) … EH
One scoop of ice cream in a waffle cone (6) … EH
One scoop of sherbet in a cake cone (5) … EH
No. 26 BUONA
Buona Italian beef sandwich (7) … FORGET IT
Italian sausage sandwich (6) … GET IT
Combo beef & sausage sandwich (8) … GET IT
2 cannoli (6) … GET IT
No. 27 VIENNA BEEF/GOLD COAST DOGS
Hot dog (6) … GET IT
Jumbo hot dog (8) … GET IT
Polish sausage (8) … GET IT
Pickle on a stick (3) … EH
No. 28 STAR OF SIAM
Pot stickers (6) … GET IT
Pad Thai noodles (vegetarian) (6) … GET IT
Grilled chicken satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad (9) … EH
Tempura shrimp and vegetables (9) … EH
No. 29 MAZZONE’S ITALIAN ICE
Italian ice duo (2 scoops; lemon, strawberry, mango or blue raspberry) (7) … GET IT
Italian ice trio (3 scoops, any combination) (9) … EH
Crepe with bananas, whipped cream and chocolate sauce (8) … GET IT
No. 30 HELEN’S RESTAURANT
BBQ turkey leg (10) … GET IT
BBQ pulled pork sandwich (9) … GET IT
Red beans and rice (8) … EH
Caramel apple (7) … EH
BEST BOOTHS
No. 31 TUTTO ITALIANO
Fried ravioli with marinara sauce (6) … GET IT
Steak burger with blue cheese and mustard sauce (8) … GET IT
Tiramisu (6) … GET IT
Italian fries (seasoned fries tossed with herbed Romano cheese) (5) … GET IT
No. 32 HARRY CARAY’S
Fried dough (8) … GET IT
Homemade potato chips (8) … GET IT
Toasted cheese ravioli … NOT AVAILABLE
Chocolate chip cookie (2) … EH
No. 33 LOU MALNATI’S PIZZERIA
Cheese pizza (6) … GET IT
Cheese and sausage pizza (6) … GET IT
Bruschetta (6) … FORGET IT
Chopped salad (6) … FORGET IT
BEST BOOTHS
No. 34 SWEET BABY RAY’S
SBR boneless rib sandwich (9) … GET IT
SBR “Boss” pulled pork sandwich (9) … GET IT
SBR BBQ ribs with bread (10) … GET IT
SBR BBQ meatball sandwich (9) … GET IT
No. 35 HAROLD’S CHICKEN No. 71
Chicken wings with bread (9) … GET IT
Chicken nuggets (7) … GET IT
Fried okra (7) … EH
Fries (5) … FORGET IT
No. 36 HOME RUN INN PIZZA
6-inch personal sausage pizza (7) … EH
6-inch personal cheese pizza (7) … EH
Mozzarella stuffed breadsticks (6) … GET IT
12-ounce cup of frozen grapes (6) … GET IT
No. 37 POLO CAFE & CATERING
Pound cake pop with fig vodka butter syrup and chocolate (7) … EH
Oven-baked crab cake nuggets (8) … FORGET IT
Rum-battered tilapia fillet (9) … GET IT
Garlic-mozzarella cheese bread (6) … GET IT
No. 38 FRANCO’S RISTORANTE
Lemon Italian ice (7) … GET IT
Watermelon Italian ice (7) … FORGET IT
Lemon and watermelon Italian ice (7) … EH
Stracciatella gelato (7) … EH
No. 39 B.J.’s MARKET AND BAKERY
Mustard-fried catfish (8) … GET IT
Honey-barbecue chicken tenders (8) … EH
Sweet potato chips (6) … GET IT
Peach cobbler (5) … EH
No. 40 O’BRIEN’S RESTAURANT
Celtic corn on the cob (5) … GET IT
Spicy buffalo shrimp (7) … GET IT
2 mozzarella cheese sticks (6) … FORGET IT
Smoked pulled pork sandwich (7) … GET IT
No. 41 LOS DOS LAREDOS
2 tacos (1 steak, 1 chicken) (6) … EH
Steak gordita with lettuce, tomato, cheese (7) … FORGET IT
Steak burrito with lettuce, tomato, beans, cheese (5) … GET IT
Cheese nachos (7) … FORGET IT
No. 42 FATHER & SON PIZZERIA
2 crab cakes (7) … GET IT
Shrimp on a stick (garlic or hot-n-spicy) (9) … EH
Sausage and pepperoni pizza (7) … EH
Cheese pizza (6) … EH
No. 43 REGGIO’S PIZZA
Deep-dish sausage pizza (8) … GET IT
Thin crust turkey Italian sausage pizza (7) … EH
Thin crust cheese pizza (8) … EH
Cherry Italian ice (6) … FORGET IT
No. 44 ORIGINAL RAINBOW CONE
Original Rainbow cone (chocolate, strawberry, Palmer, pistachio and orange sherbet) (7) … EH
Rainbow ice cream cake roll (8) … GET IT
Cookie dough or butter pecan ice cream cone (8) … EH
Low-fat vanilla yogurt (8) … EH
No. 45 TUSCANY
Italian beef (8) … GET IT
Italian sausage (7) … GET IT
Combo beef and sausage (9) … GET IT
Toasted ravioli (6) … EH
No. 46 DOMINICK’S
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Cherries/ seedless grapes (8) … EH
“O Organic” baby peeled carrots (6) … EH
Seedless watermelon (4) … EH
Roasted ultra sweet corn (5) … GET IT
No. 47 CONNIE’S PIZZA
Deep-dish cheese pizza (7) … EH
Deep-dish sausage pizza (8) … EH
Pizza in a cone (7) … GET IT
Meatball sandwich (6) … GET IT
No. 48 FIREPLACE INN
BBQ baby back ribs (9) … GET IT
BBQ boneless rib sandwich (8) … GET IT
Fried mozzarella sticks (6) … GET IT
BBQ meatballs (6) … EH
No. 49 OAK STREET BEACH CAFE
Grilled lobster tail with garlic potatoes (10) … EH
Grilled shrimp on a skewer with potatoes (10) … EH
Grilled spicy chicken wings with potatoes (9) … GET IT
Garlic potatoes (4) … GET IT
No. 50 JR DESSERT BAKERY
Plain cheesecake with strawberry (5) or caramel pecan sauce (7) … GET IT
Frozen chocolate-dipped cheesecake (6) … GET IT
Key lime pie (6) … GET IT
Apple pie with ice cream (7) … GET IT
No. 51 COSTA’S
Gyros (9) … GET IT
Greek chicken on pita (9) … GET IT
Saganaki (fried cheese) (6) … GET IT
Baklava (4) … GET IT
No. 52 KASIA’S DELI
Pierogis (7) … GET IT
Chicken kebab with curried rice, honey mustard (9) … EH
Grilled Polish sausage with sauteed onions (8) … GET IT
Potato pancakes with applesauce or sour cream (7) … FORGET IT
No. 53 VOLARE
Fried dough with strawberry topping and whipped cream (7) … EH
Cannoli (6) … GET IT
Churro (4) … FORGET IT
No. 54 TIPAROS THAI CUISINE
Pot stickers (6) … GET IT
Chicken tender with sweet and sour sauce (6) … FORGET IT
Grilled chicken satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad (9) … EH
Shrimp fried rice (9) … EH
No. 55 LAGNIAPPE CREOLE CAJUN JOYNT
Jambalaya (8) … EH
Crawfish boil with potatoes and Illinois corn (9) … EH
Beignets (5) … FORGET IT
Cajun chicken and waffle (6) … GET IT
No. 56 SABOR LATINO
Steak and onions with rice and pigeon peas (9) … EH
Puerto Rican steak sandwich (8) … FORGET IT
Jibarito (plantain sandwich with steak) (9) … GET IT
Alcapurria (pork-filled banana dumpling) (4) … GET IT
BEST BOOTHS
No. 57 DOCK’S
Catfish nuggets (7) … GET IT
Shrimp on a stick (9) … GET IT
Crab bites (6) … EH
Spicy curly fries (4) … GET IT
No. 58 ARYA BHAVAN
Samosa (4) … GET IT
Bhel (puffed rice, sev and puri mixed with potatoes, onions, cilantro, garlic, and hot and sweet chutney sauce) (8) … FORGET IT
Chana masala with bread (chickpeas made with traditional North Indian spices) (8) … EH
Pav bhaji with bread (vegetarian stew with cauliflower, peas, eggplant, tomatoes, spices) (8) … EH
No. 59 A NATURAL HARVEST
Corn on the cob with soy butter and Cajun/Creole spice (5) … EH
Tofu cutlets with sesame garlic-ginger tamari (8) … GET IT
Vegetarian tamales with cheese sticks (6) … GET IT
Cheese fries (plain or Cajun/Creole) (6) … GET IT
No. 60 CHICAGO CHOCOLATE COMPANY
Jumbo Turtle (8) … EH
Chocolate-covered fruit kebab (8) … EH
Chocolate-covered strawberries (4) … GET IT
Chocolate-covered Rice Krispie Treats (6) … EH
No. 61 TAQUERIA LOS COMALES
Steak tacos (6) … GET IT
Steak torta sandwich (7) … GET IT
Tacos al pastor (pork) (6) … GET IT
Flan (3) … FORGET IT
No. 62 POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS
Turkey and Swiss sandwich (6) … GET IT
Meatball and provolone sandwich (6) … GET IT
Roast beef and provolone sandwich (6) … GET IT
Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie (6) … GET IT
No. 63 DELEECE
Grilled chicken sandwich with tomato, smoked mozzarella and pesto mayonnaise (9) … EH
Grilled chicken Caesar salad (9) … GET IT
Sweet potato salad (5) … EH
Chocolate ganache with strawberries (5) … GET IT
No. 64 BOBTAIL ICE CREAM AND COFFEE
Frozen s’more (7) … EH
Chocolate-dipped ice cream cake on a stick (8) … EH
Two scoops of merlot, chocolate chip and/or chocolate bourbon ice cream in a waffle cone (6) … GET IT
Root beer float (7) … GET IT
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IN THE WEB EDITION: Monica Eng tells the saga of sampling every single menu item at Taste of Chicago at chicagotribune.com/taste.