The 35th Annual Taste of Chicago, which runs from July 8-12 in Grant Park, will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Photo by Mike Shadle

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the lineup of 60 restaurants that will participate at the five-day food and entertainment festival Taste of Chicago – the world’s largest food festival – July 8-12 in Grant Park. Showcasing Chicago’s diverse culinary scene, the list of five-day vendors, pop-up restaurants and food trucks will offer Taste-goers an endless variety of dining options to suit every palate.

“As our culinary reputation has grown on the national stage, the Taste of Chicago continues to reflect the vibrant and diverse restaurant community of Chicago with new, exciting culinary experiences along with long- time favorites,” said Emanuel.

Taste of Chicago is excited to welcome 19 newcomers to the event in 2015 – including six new five-day restaurants, five new food trucks and eight new pop-up participants who will sell for one or two days. The new restaurants and food trucks are: Bruges Brothers, Burger Bar Chicago, The Crave Bar, Dia De Los Tamales, Dinky Donuts, Inc., DönerMen, Emerald Isle, Farmer’s Fridge, Haire’s Gulf Shrimp, Jack’s Fork in the Road, La Bomba Restaurant, La Cocinita, La Mexicana, Luke’s Lobster, Miller’s Pub, Old Crow Smokehouse, Puffs of Doom, Sono Wood Fired and Yum Dum.

“We are excited to welcome these new participants to the 35th annual Taste of Chicago,” said Michelle T. Boone, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. “Chicago’s dining scene is always evolving, so it’s fitting that the City of Chicago is adding new restaurants, new cuisine and new neighborhood representation to the many vendors that have made Taste great for the past 35 years.”

All vendors will offer signature items, as well as the popular “Taste Of” portions priced at $2.50 or less, allowing guests the opportunity to sample an even greater variety of items. Many will also include Humana Healthier Choice selections for those seeking lighter options. Admission to the Taste of Chicago is free, and tickets for food and beverages can be purchased in strips of 12 tickets for $8.50.

Also new this year is the “Food For Thought” area, featuring lively discussions by culinary podcasts from across the country. Included in this year’s schedule are Dan Pashman of Sporkful, Dan Gebert of Airwaves Full of Bacon, Stephanie and Arden of Your Chicago Podcast, the Radio Misfits Network including On The Road with Eddie V, and many more. In the Kitchen With Mariano’s will again offer cooking demonstrations, and the popular Pure Leaf Celebrity Chef du Jour dining pavilion will offer Taste-goers the opportunity to enjoy a three- or four-course, sit-down meal created by one of Chicago’s James Beard Award semi-finalists, nominees or recipients. Advance tickets for Chef du Jour go on sale Friday, May 29.

“We are proud to have been involved in Taste of Chicago since its inception,” said Sam Toia, President & CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “This annual tradition shines a bright spotlight on our diverse culinary community and continually evolves to reflect Chicago’s rich dining culture. We’re pleased to present a robust lineup of long standing favorites, as well as a variety of new vendors and pop-up restaurants that will surely be a hit with this year’s attendees.”

Five-Day Restaurants

• Beat Kitchen 2100 W. Belmont Ave. – Epicurean Taste
• Billy Goat Tavern & Grill 1535 W. Madison St. – Classic Chicago Taste
• BJ’s Market & Bakery 8734 S. Stony Island Ave. – Taste of the Sea
• Bobak Sausage Co. 5275 S. Archer Ave. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Caffe Gelato 2034 W. Division St. – Sweet Tooth Taste
• Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill 300 W. 26th St. – World Tour Taste
• Chicago’s Dog House 816 W. Fullerton Ave. – Epicurean Taste
• Churro Factory 3755 W. Armitage Ave. – Sweet Tooth Taste
• Connie’s Pizza 2373 S. Archer Ave. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Dia De Los Tamales 939 W. 18th St. – World Tour Taste
• Eli’s Cheesecake Co. 6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Emerald Isle 6686 N. Northwest Hwy. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Farmer’s Fridge 111 E. Wacker Dr. – Epicurean Taste
• Franco’s Ristorante 300 W. 31st St. – World Tour Taste
• Gold Coast Dogs 225 S. Canal St. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Iyanze 4623 N. Broadway St. – World Tour Taste
• Kasia’s Deli 2101 W. Chicago Ave. – World Tour Taste
• La Bomba Restaurant 3221 W. Armitage Ave. – World Tour Taste
• La Mexicana 4171 S. Archer Ave. – World Tour Taste
• Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp 2120 S. Canal St. – Taste of the Sea
• Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria 805 S. State St. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Mariano’s Chicagoland Locations – Classic Chicago Taste
• Miller’s Pub 134 S. Wabash Ave. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Oak Street Beach Café 5700 S. Cicero Ave. – Taste of the Sea
• O’Briens Restaurant 1528 N. Wells St. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Porkchop 941 W. Randolph St. – Epicurean Taste
• Punky’s Pizza & Pasta 2600 S. Wallace St. – World Tour Taste
• Ricobene’s on 26th Street 252 W. 26th St. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs 225 S. Canal St. – Classic Chicago Taste
• Star of Siam 11 E. Illinois St. – World Tour Taste
• The Fudge Pot 1532 N. Wells St. – Sweet Tooth Taste
• Tuscany 1014 W. Taylor St. – World Tour Taste
• Vee-Vee’s African Restaurant 6232 N. Broadway St. – World Tour Taste

Pop-Up Restaurants

• Burger Bar Chicago 1578 N. Clybourn Ave. – Epicurean Taste
• Dinky Donuts, Inc. Located at Markets throughout Chicago – Sweet Tooth Taste
• DönerMen Located throughout Chicago – World Tour Taste
• Garifuna Flava: A Taste of Belize 2518 W. 63rd St. – World Tour Taste
• Haire’s Gulf Shrimp 8112 S. Vincennes Ave. – Taste of the Sea
• Jin Ju Restaurant 5203 N. Clark St. – World Tour Taste
• Luke’s Lobster 134 N. LaSalle St. – Taste of the Sea
• Old Crow Smokehouse 3506 N. Clark St. – Epicurean Taste
• Puffs of Doom Located at Markets throughout Chicago – Epicurean Taste
• Riva 700 E. Grand Ave., Navy Pier – Taste of the Sea
• Sono Wood Fired 1582 N. Clybourn Ave. – Epicurean Taste
• Stan’s Donuts & Coffee 1506 N. Damen Ave. – Sweet Tooth Taste

Food Trucks

• Beavers Coffee + Donuts – Sweet Tooth Taste
• Bruges Brothers – Epicurean Taste
• Chicago Cupcake – Sweet Tooth Taste
• Chicago Lunchbox – World Tour Taste
• Gino’s Steaks Truck – Classic Chicago Taste
• Giordano’s – Classic Chicago Taste
• Harold’s Chicken – Classic Chicago Taste
• Jack’s Fork in the Road – Epicurean Taste
• Jerk. Modern Jamaican Grill – World Tour Taste
• La Cocinita – World Tour Taste
• Ms. Tittle’s Cupcakes – Sweet Tooth Taste
• Starfruit Café – Sweet Tooth Taste
• The Crave Bar – Sweet Tooth Taste
• The Fat Shallot – Epicurean Taste
• Yum Dum – World Tour Taste

Taste of Chicago is produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in coordination with the Illinois Restaurant Association, which manages food and beverage operations.

For more information on the free admission festival, call 312.744.3316 or visit tasteofchicago.us. Join the conversation on Facebook at Taste of Chicago and follow us on Twitter, @TasteofChi (#TasteofChi) and Instagram, @ChicagoDCASE (#TasteofChi).