Lollapalooza is full of tough decisions. Lana Del Rey or J. Cole? Vic Mensa or Disclosure? And perhaps most importantly, lobster corn dog or triple truffle fries? (No, those last two aren’t newfangled band names.) Former “MasterChef” host Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot Bistro) curates a festival food mecca known as Chow Town, offering the top local and national treats to hungry music lovers. We hit the fest to find out what’s worth the wait.
Click here for all of the options at Chow Town, and follow along with our festival coverage here.
1. Vegetarian chili nachos ($10) at County Barbecue: Finally, a meatless nacho snack that’s worth the wait. This veggie mountain includes a meat-free chili mix of black beans, carrots, peas and corn beneath melty nacho cheese, sour cream and optional pickled jalapenos, for the spicy snackers.
2. The Loaded Chicagoan ($9) at Franks ‘n’ Dawgs: This brioche bun-swaddled bacon sausage dog is locked and loaded with creamy mustard potato salad, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and fresh chives.
3. Greek fries ($6) at The Purple Pig: A deceivingly greasy-spoon treat from the top-notch River North piggery, these beer-battered fries topped with feta powder, oregano and red wine vinegar are a most delicious vehicle for moving the star of the show—tangy, refreshing tzatziki dip made with Greek yogurt, creme fraiche, radish, cucumber and lemon juice—into your mouth.
4. Watermelon and lemon-lime paletas ($3 each) at La Mexicana: Jam-packed with real fruit flavor, these water-based popsicles are the most colorful way to cool down between sets.
5. Chicken & waffles ($7) at MAD Social: Rise and shine with this soft Belgian waffle that’s topped with hand-breaded chicken, a healthy hunk of crispy pork belly, powdered sugar and maple syrup.
6. Pig Candy ($3) at Pork & Mindy’s: This handheld treat won’t go bacon your heart. Smoked in brown sugar for two-plus hours, these meaty slabs are sweet, salty and crunchy all over.
7. Crack pie ($6) at Momofuku Milk Bar: Hailing from New York, this little slice of heaven is a delightful spin on chess pie with a toasted oat cookie crust filled with a melt-in-your-mouth brown sugar-butter custard that would make Paula Deen proud.
8. Iced tea ($4) at Dark Matter Coffee: Smoky, light and mildly fruity, this curious blend of coffee cherries and rooibos tea from the local craft coffee roastery is as refreshing as it is a palate teaser.
9. The Tenderizer ($10) at Cheesie’s Pub & Grub: If you’re looking to knock out lunch and dinner, opt for this colossal grilled cheese with cheddar, mozzarella, bacon, fried chicken tenders, barbecue sauce and Frank’s hot sauce. Boom!
10. Jalapeno and cheddar corn dog ($7) at Greenridge Farm: They say everything’s better on a stick, right? We’re crazy about this battered and fried jalapeno-cheddar sausage that’s dripping with spicy aioli and green onions.
11. Pizza cups ($4) at Bella Bacinos: Pizza, good. Cupcakes, great. Pizza cupcakes? Amazing. Try them in cheese and spinach or cheese and fennel sausage.
@OhItsHeather & @redeyeeatdrink
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