The harvests are coming in, there’s lots of fresh fruit and vegetables on the table, and in Chicago, there are lots of things to do in August, many involving food and just about all of which will be held outside.
1 Taste of Chicago – Marquette Park (6743 South Kedzie) Since 1980, the Taste has laid a kaleidoscopic buffet of the most popular foods in the city, and this year you can catch up with it all at Marquette Park. August 5
2 Ginza Holiday Festival (Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 West Menomonee) Teriyaki chicken, taiko drumming and Japanese dances—as well as Edo woodcuts, origami and ceramics—create a “Land of the Rising Sun” vibe on Chicago’s North Side. August 11-13
3 Sangria Festival (3021 West Division) Warm weather is the time for sangria and of course there’s going to be a lot of the Spanish beverage flowing at the Sangria Festival, as well as flamenco dancers, artisan vendors, a samba parade and food, lots of food. August 19-20
4 The Great American Lobster Fest (Navy Pier) As the Blue Angels shriek overhead during the annual Air and Water Show, sit down to chow down on lobster flown in fresh from the East Coast. August 19-20
5 Twenty-Fourth Annual Romanian Food and Folk Festival (5828 North Mozart) Don’t know much about Romanian food? Here’s your chance to hear Eastern European tunes while eating langos (fried dough filled with cheese), Romanian-style skinless sausages and clatite (think crepes). August 26-27
Dining and Drinking Editor for Newcity, David also writes a weekly food column for Wednesday Journal in Oak Park and is a frequent contributor of food/drink and travel pieces to the Chicago Tribune, Plate Magazine and other publications. David has also contributed chapters to several books, including Street Food Around the World, Street Food, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. Contact: dhammond@newcity.com
Dining and Drinking Top 5: August 2022 Food and drink events are coming on strong in August. Is this the last big blowout month before the invasion of Monkey Pox? Could be. So just to be on the safe side, go outside and have a good time while you can.
Dining & Drinking Top 5: April 2023 April showers? No problem! As long as it’s not snowing and cold, we’re good to go, and this April, there are lots of events popping up—like daffodils, or whatever—around the city and suburbs.
Dining & Drinking Top 5: March 2023 March is the month that starts us tentatively thinking that maybe, just maybe the cold weather is over and warm spring is on the way. Well, we shall see, but one thing for sure is that there are, indeed, some cool things to do (and eat, and drink) in March.
Dining & Drinking Top 5: January 2023 January is traditionally the month for recovering from weeks of rollicking good times and feasting…but that doesn’t mean the good times—or the feasting—must end. Sure, you may have resolved to maybe modify your food and alcohol intake, but there are many amusements this month... and many involve eating and drinking.
Dining & Drinking Top 5: February 2023 T.S. Eliot was wrong. February is the cruelest month: wet, gray, cold and generally not so much fun. Still, there are entertaining options, and here are five of them.
