Great Tastes by the Lake

Fourth of July weekend 2004, I rode up to Chicago with my friend, Dardo.  He grew up on the Southside & was heading back to visit family & friends.  

I had never been to that part of Chicago & it was a cool experience, staying at his folks place.   The next day we took the El to Wrigley Field for a Cubs/Sox game.  It was his first MLB game & it ended up getting rained out after Sammy Sosa blasted a home run in the pouring rain.  

The day after we went to Grant Park for the Taste of Chicago.  I was amazed by how many different types of pizza you could sample for a single $20 ticket.  Endless tents created a festival of smells & smoky sights.  It felt like every restaurant in town had come out to participate.  And, why not?  I'm sure that it was great exposure to get your food in front of the holiday weekend masses.  

I couldn't help but wonder what a Mad Munch booth would have looked like at such a grand event.  Piping hot grilled cheese, cut into small bite-sized pieces for everyone to try.  It would be a few years before I got up close & personal with "tent life," but I would never forget my first real big city taste of it.