1. Introduction
There’s something about summer in Chicago that makes everything feel alive.
Last year, I found myself walking through Grant Park with a skewer of jerk chicken in one hand and a watermelon lemonade in the other. The air smelled like barbecue smoke and fried dough, and every few steps, there was a different beat playing from a vendor’s booth. That moment? It felt like Chicago.
If you’ve never been, the Taste of Chicago isn’t just another food event, it's the Super Bowl of Chicago food festivals. And if you're going in 2025, you're in for something even bigger.
In this Taste of Chicago 2025 guide, I’m breaking down the must-try foods, how to navigate the madness, and the underrated bites people always miss. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, you’ll find something here to make this year’s visit the tastiest one yet.
2. What Is the Taste of Chicago?
I’ve been to food festivals all over from LA’s night markets to Austin’s taco throwdowns but nothing hits quite like Taste of Chicago.
It started back in 1980 as a one-day event. A few vendors, a few hundred people. Fast forward to now, and it’s become a three-day citywide feast that pulls in hundreds of thousands. If food had a pilgrimage site, this would be it.
For me, what sets it apart is the mix. You’ll find iconic deep-dish pizza next to Nigerian suya, right next to Korean corndogs and it works. That’s the magic.
In 2025, the festival is set to run from September 5th to 7th in Grant Park, with satellite pop-ups around the city leading up to the main event. If you're into local food festivals in Chicago, this one is still the crown jewel.
3. What’s New in 2025?
Every time I go back to Taste of Chicago, I tell myself the same thing: “I’ll just stick to my old favorites.” And every time, I get pulled into something new and I'm glad I do.
This year’s lineup is shaping up to be one of the strongest yet. I’ve been tracking the announcements closely, and here’s what caught my eye:
Fresh Faces on the Vendor List
For 2025, there’s a solid batch of newcomers that, frankly, I’m excited to try myself. There’s a Filipino BBQ stall from the South Side doing lemongrass skewers that’s already making noise on local food blogs. I also saw a small Georgian bakery getting a booth think khachapuri, but with a Chicago twist.
If you’re someone who likes discovering under-the-radar gems before they blow up, this is your year.
Pop-Up Dining & Chef-Led Tastings
Here’s something I didn’t expect: full-on chef-curated experiences inside a food festival.
I’ve personally signed up for one of these ticketed pop-up tastings this year. It’s being run by a chef who worked under Stephanie Izard and they’re promising a multi-course “Chicago street food reimagined” menu. Not your usual corndog-and-corn-cup situation.
You’ll still find the classic food trucks and casual booths, but these chef-led sessions add a whole new layer to the Taste of Chicago 2025 guide.
More Inclusive Food Options
As someone who’s eaten plant-based for months at a time, I know how frustrating it can be when vegan or gluten-free options feel like an afterthought.
This year, that’s not the case.
Several vendors are doing all-vegan menus. I spotted a Jamaican stand that’s doing jackfruit patties and coconut rice plates and yes, they’re certified gluten-free. You’ll also see allergen info more clearly marked, which honestly makes a huge difference when you're trying to navigate 70+ vendors.
Big Names, Bigger Collabs
One thing that always adds a spark? When the culinary heavyweights drop in.
Word is, there’s going to be a collab booth hosted by two Chicago legends one from the fine-dining scene, the other from the city’s underground supper clubs. If it’s anything like last year’s fusion taco collab (IYKYK), it’s going to be a Chicago food highlight.
4. The Best Food at Taste of Chicago 2025
Let me be honest every year I go in thinking “I’ll pace myself.” And every year, by hour two, I’m full but still going. This year’s lineup is packed, and from what I’ve already tasted and bookmarked, here’s what you shouldn’t skip.
a. Iconic Chicago Eats You Can’t Miss
Some things are just non-negotiable.
I always start with a slice of deep-dish pizza, and this year I’ll be sticking with Lou Malnati’s. The crust is still buttery, and the cheese pull is real. You can’t write a Taste of Chicago 2025 guide without mentioning that.
Next stop: Italian beef sandwich but dipped. I’ve had the dry version, but trust me, you haven’t lived until it’s soaked and topped with spicy giardiniera. Al’s Beef still delivers, but I’m hoping to catch a smaller joint doing a twist on this classic.
And yes, Chicago-style hot dogs. No ketchup. I repeat: no ketchup. I grabbed one last year from a lesser-known spot, Byron’s, and honestly, it was better than the tourist traps.
These are hands down the best food at Taste of Chicago if you want that “real Chicago” experience.
But if you want a local favorite that brings comfort and flair year-round, consider trying something like Loaded Cafe dishes before or after the festival. It’s a neighborhood gem that holds its own against festival icons.
b. Hidden Gems from Local Vendors
This might surprise you: the most memorable dish I had last year wasn’t from a big-name stall.
It was a tamarind-spiced chicken skewer from a tiny Laotian booth tucked away near the back of the park. No massive crowd, no Instagram wall, just incredible flavor.
I always make time to wander into the lesser-known rows. That’s where I’ve found Dominican empanadas, Haitian griot, and a Vietnamese iced coffee stand that could go toe-to-toe with anything I’ve had in Little Saigon.
If you want something beyond the usual, dig deeper into the stalls. That’s where the soul of the festival lives.
Reminds me of how people sleep on cafe food near me when traveling. Some of the most surprising meals I’ve had came from low-key spots I discovered by just typing that into Google.
c. Global Flavors That Stood Out
Jollof rice. Birria tacos. Kimchi corn dogs. Mango sticky rice on a stick. It’s not just Chicago food—it’s global, local, and everything in between.
It’s the kind of lineup that makes you rethink your go-to brunch or even your favorite healthy food options at Loaded Cafe, because now you’re tasting versions from the source.
d. Top Picks for Dessert Lovers
Tres leches in a cup. Ube soft serve. Peach cobbler egg rolls. Yes, these are real.
But sometimes after all that richness, all I want is something clean and refreshing, like the smoothie bowls and fruit-forward desserts at Loaded Cafe. If your sweet tooth needs balance, that’s your move.
5. Insider Tips for First-Time Visitors
Pack Smart. Bring water, carry both cash and card, and wear sunscreen.
Beat the crowds. Arrive early especially Friday.
Getting there. Skip the car. Take CTA or Divvy.
Watch the trending dishes. If social is buzzing, don’t wait.
Bringing kids? Head to the family zone with music, shade, and smaller portions.
Bonus tip? Start the morning with something hearty, Loaded Cafe breakfast burritos or avocado toast hit differently before a day of eating. Just saying.
6. Local Food Festivals in Chicago You Shouldn’t Miss
Taste might be the main event but it’s far from the only show in town. If you’re planning a food-filled summer, here are a few Chicago food festivals I’ve been to (and would gladly go back to):
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Ribfest Chicago – If you love ribs and don’t mind getting messy, this is your place. Some of the best BBQ I’ve had came from a no-name booth here.
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Chicago Gourmet – A little more upscale, but I’ve tried dishes from James Beard-winning chefs without dropping $100 on a tasting menu. Worth it.
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Logan Square Food Truck Festival – Funky, creative, and super laid-back. Last time, I found a grilled cheese truck doing kimchi melts. I still dream about it.
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Pilsen Taco Fest – Not as hyped, but packed with flavor. Think handmade tortillas, micheladas, and local bands playing cumbia. One of my favorite neighborhood events, hands down.
If you're browsing the best breakfast spots to kickstart these festival days, you’ll find options scattered all over town; but don’t sleep on neighborhood picks like Loaded Cafe Food either.
7. Final Thoughts
If I had to pick just one dish from all the times I’ve been? Easy. That smoky jerk chicken plate I had under a tent near the south end of the park last year. The rice was fluffy, the heat kicked in late, and the plantains were caramelized just right. I still talk about it like it was a religious experience.
But honestly, what keeps pulling me back isn’t just the food, it's the feeling. Taste of Chicago isn’t about chasing Michelin stars. It’s about standing in the sun with a plate in one hand, napkins flying, and tasting something that reminds you of a place, a story, or even someone.
What I love most is how diverse it all is: flavors from every pocket of the city, vendors who pour their heritage into what they serve, and the way strangers bond over a really good funnel cake. You don’t get that at just any food event.
So if you're diving into the Taste of Chicago 2025 guide to plan your visit, I’d say: come hungry, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to try something new even if it’s from a booth you’ve never heard of.
And if you’ve been before, drop your go-to dish in the comments. I'm always on the hunt for what others consider the best food at Taste of Chicago. You might just help me find my next favorite.
