Last year, dining reporter Monica Eng showed up at Taste of Chicago ready to eat every item available in one day, all 253 dishes. She then rated them, giving her favorites a “GET IT” rating. We’ve reprinted those here with their 2008 booth numbers (yes, some booth numbers changed). As for the 70 or so new items, Eng plus restaurant critic Phil Vettel and dining reporter Christopher Borrelli will be at Taste of Chicago 2008 the minute it opens, tasting all the new eats. Watch for their reports throughout the week on The Stew (chicagotribune.com/stew) and in the July 3 At Play dining pages.
Bolat African Cuisine
* Jollof rice with oxtail
* Coconut rice with sauteed goat
Ricobene’s
* Italian breaded steak sandwich
Chicago Joe’s
* Fried calamari
Billy Goat Inn
* Cheeseburger
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* Double cheeseburger
Guey Lon
* Shrimp and vegetable tempura
* “Crab” rangoon
Bacino’s Pizza
* Stuffed spinach pizza
Abbey Pub & Restaurant
* Corn on the cob
Grazie! Ristorante
* Sicilian fried shrimp
Suparossa Pizza
* Thin-crust sausage or cheese pizza
* Buffalo wings
Polka Sausage & Deli
* Polish sausage with sauerkraut
* Bratwurst sandwich with sauerkraut
* Pierogis with sour cream
The Grill On The Alley
* Prime rib quesadilla
* Gazpacho
* Rice pudding
Aunt Diana’s Candy Makers
* Chocolate-dipped frozen banana
* Chocolate-dipped strawberry
* Chocolate fudge
* Fudge, baby banana and strawberry
The Noodle Vietnamese Cuisine
* Curry chicken stick on rice
C’est Si Bon!
* Collard green egg roll
Vee-vee’s African Cuisine
* Jerk chicken with rice and red beans
* Sauteed goat with fried plantain
* Rice and red beans with fried plantain
Eli’s Cheesecake
* Eli’s frozen chocolate chip crunch cheesecake on a stick
* Oreo Cookie Cheesecake with vanilla ice cream
* Eli’s Turtle Cheesecake
Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs
* Boneless rib sandwich
* Baby back ribs
Bella Luna Cafe
* Beer-battered artichoke hearts
* Pizza bites
Buona
* Italian sausage sandwich
* Cannoli
Vienna Beef/Gold Coast Dogs
* Hot dog
* Polish sausage
Star Of Siam
* Pot stickers
* Pad Thai noodles
Mazzone’s Italian Ice
* Italian ice duo (2 scoops; lemon, strawberry, mango, blue raspberry)
* Crepe with bananas, whipped cream and chocolate sauce
Helen’s Restaurant
* Barbecue turkey leg
* Pulled pork sandwich
Tutto Italiano
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* Fried ravioli marinara
* Steak burger with blue cheese, mustard sauce
* Italian fries
Harry Caray’s
* Fried dough
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
* Cheese pizza
Sweet Baby Ray’s
* Boneless rib sandwich
* Barbecue ribs with bread
* Barbecue meatball sandwich
Harold’s Chicken No. 71
* Chicken wings with bread
* Chicken nuggets
Home Run Inn Pizza
* Mozzarella stuffed breadsticks
Polo Cafe & Catering
* Rum-battered fried tilapia fillet
* Garlic-mozzarella cheese bread
Tuscany
* Italian beef
* Italian sausage
Dominick’s
* Roasted ultra sweet corn
B.J.’s Market and Bakery
* Mustard-fried catfish
* Sweet potato chips
Connie’s Pizza
* Meatball sandwich
Fireplace Inn
* Barbecue baby back ribs
* Barbecue boneless rib sandwich
* Fried mozzarella sticks
Oak Street Beach Cafe
* Grilled spicy chicken wings with potatoes
* Garlic potatoes
O’Brien’s Restaurant
* Celtic corn on the cob
* Spicy buffalo shrimp
* Smoked pulled pork sandwich
Franco’s Ristorante
* Lemon Italian ice
JR Dessert Bakery
* Plain cheesecake with strawberry or caramel pecan sauce
* Frozen chocolate-dipped cheesecake
* Key lime pie
* Apple pie with ice cream
Costa’s
* Gyros
* Greek chicken on pita
* Baklava
Kasia’s Deli
* Pierogis
* Grilled Polish sausage with sauteed onions
Tiparos Thai Cuisine
* Pot stickers
Lagniappe-Creole Cajun Joynt
* Cajun chicken and waffle
Sabor Latino
* Alcapurria (pork-filled banana dumpling)
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Arya Bhavan
* Samosa
A Natural Harvest
* Vegetarian tamales
* Cheese fries (plain or Cajun/Creole)
Chicago Chocolate Company
* Chocolate-dipped strawberries
Taqueria Los Comales
* Steak tacos * Steak torta sandwich * Tacos al pastor (pork)
Bobtail Ice Cream and Coffee
* Two scoops of merlot, chocolate chip ice cream
* Root beer float