Food festivals swarm various parts of our nation throughout the year. Welcoming hungry participants to explore the world of food and to enlighten their taste buds with unique dishes from around the world. The Taste of Chicago is one of the most well-known food fests in the world.
Behind these festivals, is it possible that participants are being taken advantage of? How much is this food really worth, and is it good enough to pay up? You decide for yourself.
1. Rojo Gusano: Single Korean BBQ Beef Taco
What a winner. This taco was unlike any other–you go, Rojo. Although small and averaging out to over $6 a taco, these little guys had a kick.
2. Bacon Ranch Mac N’ Cheese Biscuit Bites
Yum. Sounds amazing, right? Wrong. This tasted like the amateur Kraft Mac N’ Cheese that I used to cook when I was 12 years old. Can you say anticlimactic?
3. Lobster On Board: Lobster Roll
It may have been because the bread was soaked in half a stick of butter or it may have been the lobster itself, but all I can say is, these guys know how to make a roll. As good as it was, this little guy was $16 and it robbed my bank.
4. Billy Goat Tavern and Grill: 1/2 Cheeseburger
The one and only Billy Goat Tavern and Grill. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re probably missing out. However, good or not, this miniature sized burger was the size of a small cookie.
5. Bacon Ranch Mac N’ Cheese Grilled Cheese
My first mac n’ cheese experience was a bust. So as any normal person would do, I went on the search for more cheese. About two bites in I realized that I was indulging in the same generic recipe that I ate before, just at a different stand and featuring a different carb. Waste my time 2017–awesome.
Although I left the fest full, it is hard to determine whether I was truly fulfilled. You decide for yourself, is the Taste of Chicago a waste or a win?