July 30--Checking out the music at Lollapalooza, which runs Friday through Sunday in Grant Park, means making tough choices. With dozens of bands divided among multiple stages, it's physically impossible to hear them all, and sometimes two of the bands you most want to see are playing at the same time, on opposite ends of the festival grounds.
At Chow Town, Lolla's collection of food and beverage kiosks representing restaurants from all over Chicago, the challenge is less that of outwitting the space-time continuum than a matter of human endurance. There are more than three dozen kiosks lining Chow Town, and you can't get to them all.
(We, on the other hand, can; check back here for our reports on Lolla's top dishes, beginning Friday.)
Already we can see battles brewing. Among hot dogs, for example, do you go with Chubby Wieners' signature dog or its veggie dog ($7); the lobster corn dog ($9) that's Graham Elliot's go-to festival move; or Franks 'N' Dawgs' outstanding Southerner pork sausage with cherry-bourbon barbecue sauce ($11)?
For bratwurst lovers, the fight is on between Da Brats' "Big A$$" brat ($8) and the jalapeno-cheddar, andouille sausage and beer-brat offerings ($9 each) at Publican Quality Meats.
Leghorn Chicken will be in Chow Town, but its fried chicken sandwich ($7) will be challenged by the fried chicken sandwich ($8) at Do-Rite.(Better known for its artful doughnuts, Do-Rite got into the fried-chicken-sandwich game last year.)
The burger battle will be fought by Edzo's, offering a cheeseburger ($7) or Wisconsin bacon-cheddar burger ($8); M Burger, offering a cheeseburger ($6) and double cheeseburger ($9); and, surprisingly, Robinson's No. 1 Ribs, which lists a BBQ Angus burger ($8) on its menu.
Italian beef? Choose between the versions at Tuscany ($8) and Labriola ($9). Pulled-pork sandwich? Will it be Smoke Daddy's version ($8), offered with several sauce choices, or the Carolina-style, mustard-barbecue version ($10) at County Barbeque? Pizza? Get it by the slice at Connie's ($5), Lou Malnati's ($4) or Pizano's ($5).
We'll find out, starting Friday. Meantime, here are a few other stands I have my eye on:
Cheesie's Pub Grub: I've yet to try the sandwiches ($9 and $10) at this grilled-cheese specialist. Now is the time.
Dark Matter: The hometown coffee roaster has done magical things with coffee and chocolate before, making its chocolate iced coffee ($4) a must-try.
Dia De Los Tamales: This restaurant had an impressive debut at Taste of Chicago this year and is reprising its roasted pepper and goat cheese tamale ($6, two for $10); the vegetarian, gluten-free tamale should be a big hit.
Franco's Ristorante: Known for its Italian food and especially Italian ices, Franco's is at Lolla this year with a barbecue-bacon slider ($7) and, more intriguing, something called "caramel-coated bacon on a stick" ($6). I'm definitely trying that.
Original Rainbow Cone: This South Sider skipped Taste this year, so I'm jonesing for a multicolor fix in a waffle cone ($7) or bowl ($6).
Owen + Alchemy: If you haven't experienced this self-named "juice apothecary" before, this is your chance. I've got my eye on the cold-pressed watermelon, cucumber, ginger and mint drink ($6).
Tank Noodle: Fingers crossed that the chicken banh mi sandwich ($8) is as good as it sounds.
Wow Bao: Two buns (mongolian beef, barbecue pork, teriyaki chicken) for $7. Too good to pass up.
Phil Vettel is a Tribune critic.
pvettel@tribpub.com
Twitter @philvettel
