Summer indulgence at the Taste of Elmwood Park

Still going strong in its 41st edition, the Taste of Elmwood Park lays out a family feast of delicious bites and activities Aug. 6-9 in Central Park, at the corner of 75th and Fullerton.  This local festival welcomes people from all over Chicagoland and offers something for everyone. 

Food, live music, carnival rides and arcade games, and arts and crafts guarantee fun and full tummies for all. “The Taste of Elmwood Park is iconic in Chicagoland,” said Village President Angelo “Skip” Saviano. “We have some of the best food around from restaurant owners right here in Elmwood Park, so come hungry and you’ll leave happy.”

For those who like a little competition, the legendary meatball-eating contest is on Saturday Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. and is hosted by ESPN 1000’s Carmen DeFalco. The Mayor’s Bocce Cup Tournament runs all four days.

Thirty-one food vendors offer up an amazing variety of delicious dishes, everything from pizza to barbecue; tacos to gyros; pasta to fried rice; sausages to kebobs; with ice cream, Italian ice, funnel cakes and more sweets to top it all off.  

Serving up their best, in alphabetical order, are: Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, Armand’s Pizza, Ava’s Italian Ice, Big Daddy Donuts, Blue Fire Restaurant, Circle Tavern, Donny G’s Ristorante, Elmcrest, Johnnie’s Beef, Ethos Taverna, Fit to Be Fried, Grecian Kitchen, Gringo & Blondies, Jimmy’s Red Hots, La Michoacana, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, Massa Cafe Italiano, Massa Pizza Company, New Star Restaurant, Old World Pizza, Pompei Elmwood Park, Russell’s BBQ, Rosebud Restaurant, Schwings, Sicilian Bakery, Spizzico, Strawberry Slushies, Tacos 2 Go, The Italian Experience, Tri Cafe, Top Butcher.  Also worth exploring is the 75th Avenue Market featuring Sergio’s Seafood with shrimp, clams, calamari and more. 

In the Taste Lounge thoase 21 and over can enjoy cocktails and dancing with local bands and DJ’s spinning late into the evening.

The park will be rockin’ with bands of all genres taking to the bandstand. Thursday The Prissillas kick it off with “classy rock” at 6 p.m. followed by Icons of Country; Friday features a rock and pop line up starting with Full Volume at 4 p.m. followed by Drawers, Yacht Rock-ettes and Hi Infidelity; Saturday’s music starts at 1 p.m. with rockers Triangle Park followed by Prairie Station playing mixed country, the soulful rock of One of The Boyzz, R Gang’s R&B and Wedding Banned with, you guessed it, party hits.  Sunday music starts at noon with Sam Fazio Quintet playing standards, Ocean’s Rat Pack with the sounds of Frank, Dino and Sammy, the mixed country of Ginger Road, Sucker Punch playing pop and Mike & Joe closes out with modern rock. 

And don’t forget to start your day off right before hitting the food stands. Try Fitness in the Park with a class on Aug. 8 at 11:30 a.m. and yoga on Aug. 9 at 9:30 a.m., both offered free by The Barre Studio 

Entry is free. Drink, ride and game tickets will be sold on-site, and you can buy your food directly from the vendors.  

Whether you are 7 or 70 there is fun to be had at the Taste of Elmwood Park, so head over to 75th and Fullerton and try it all!