Foodies will have the chance to hit the streets of Pilsen on Tuesday to enjoy samples of signature dishes in nearly two dozen restaurants.
¡Buen Provecho! Taste of Pilsen, organized by the Economic Strategies Development Corporation, puts a spotlight on the eateries across the Southwest Side neighborhood. Now in its 12th year, the event is intended to promote Pilsen’s culinary scene and drive foot traffic into restaurants people may not know exist.
But this year is unlike years past.
Chicago’s summer festival circuit has essentially been nonexistent due to restrictions on mass gatherings during the public health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus.
But Becky Lopez, spokeswoman for the Economic Strategies Development Corporation, said they have been working with the participating restaurants to make sure Taste of Pilsen can go on safely.
A complete list of restaurants can be found on Economic Strategies Development Corporation’s website. The event kicks off Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25, plus taxes and fees, and must be purchased online, in advance. No tickets will be sold at the event.
The emphasis will be on orders-to-go from each restaurant, in hopes of minimizing large gatherings. Ticket-holders will be given a tote bag and a map of participating restaurants. Eateries will prepare sample-sized entrees, and can place them in the tote bags, so there is minimal contact.
Customers will have three-and-a-half hours to visit as many places as they can.
“It is like trick-or-treating for adults,” said Becky Lopez, spokeswoman for the Economic Strategies Development Corporation. “Folks can take a walking tour of the neighborhood, take in our culturally influenced murals while checking off on the map what places they visited. People will try to go to as many places as they can.”
Special precautions are put in place to adhere to city and state guidelines for safe gathering, Lopez said. That includes mandatory mask wearing, social distancing and constant cleaning of hands. Each restaurant will have marking on the grounds to keep people safely spread a part.
Lopez said they are expecting about 200 people to show up.
“We were on the fence of doing the event because of what’s going on,” Lopez said. “But we have been doing this for 12 years and it’s especially important now because we want to bring awareness to Pilsen and let people know we are open for business.”
Carlos Garcia, owner of El Berrinches Restaurant, 1807 S. Ashland Ave., is excited about taking part in Taste of Pilsen for the first time. His gourmet-style Mexican food has been in the neighborhood only seven months, so he feels it will be a great way to introduce what he offers. Garcia couldn’t reveal what his samples would be but whatever it is, “it will be good.”
“It will probably be one of our signature tacos which is what we are known for,” Garcia said. “This is ultimately just good exposure for us, especially with coronavirus.”
Lopez said it was difficult to recruit many restaurants for this year’s Taste of Pilsen because coronavirus has altered some hours of operation. Last year 29 restaurants participated; 21 signed up this year.
“We are hoping people are able to experience what Pilsen is really like from a diversity and cultural standpoint,” Lopez said. “These businesses are working hard to keep going during this hardship and we hope people will come back to enjoy what each of them offer.”
Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago’s South and West sides.
