Lakeview festivalgoers sample tacos from Chicago eateries

As Mary Young nibbled on her $9 Todos Santos fire-roasted chicken taco, she started using lots of positive adjectives to describe the flavor, like “fresh” and “tasty.”

The 61-year-old Naperville resident was visiting her daughter who lives in Lakeview, and they decided to check out the Cabos Tacos booth Sunday at the Lakeview Taco fest. She was definitely pleased with her selection, she said, on top of the live music.

“I’ve lived around this area for three years now, and so I always enjoy when the street festivals are happening. It’s really cool,” said her daughter, Heather Young. The 26-year-old savored her $10 grilled Baja shrimp taco from the same stand.

About 10,000 to 15,000 people showed up for Saturday and Sunday’s taco festival on North Southport Avenue, according to organizer Kevin Pipkens. Chicago Special Events Management worked with the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce to plan the event, Pipkens said. He added that there were 57 vendors, including many neighborhood eateries that competed for the title of “Chicago’s Best Taco.”

Pipkens said some of the notable Sunday bands included Modern English, best known for its song “I Melt with You,” and Sixteen Candles, an ’80s cover band. Other attractions included Mexican wrestling and a kids zone with inflatables.

“It’s really great, everybody gets to know the vendors,” Pipkens said. “Usually the festival circuit all know each other and are very cordial to each other, and it’s a great way for them to make their money for the food carts.”

Aaron Wolfson, the owner of Cabos Tacos, said it was his first year at the fest, and he hoped to try out the dishes with a new audience. The eatery focuses on special events and catering, currently sharing space with Chicago’s Dog House. But Wolfson said he hopes to open a bricks-and-mortar store soon.

He said the cuisine has a Baja California vibe, with shrimp and lobster tacos being some of their most popular dishes. He also said the vegan taco with onions, cilantro and hot sauce is really tasty.

“It’s awesome, it’s a beautiful day out,” Wolfson said of the festival. “It’s a great neighborhood, and I grew up in this neighborhood.”

Pipkens said organizers were asking for $10 donations at the entrance, and that the money helps pay for the bands, security, cleanup and other neighborhood programs such as beautification projects. He said they put bag checks in place to keep everyone safe, given concerns these days about the prevalence of violence including mass shootings.

“Anything that you can give helps to do these every year,” he said.

Others also said the festival helps out their business. Khaled Ibrahim, vice president of operations for 4 Star Restaurant Group, helped take orders and hand out food at the Tuco and Blondie stand. He said about 25 employees worked at the stand, starting at 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

Ibrahim said some of their most popular dishes were $6 carne asada, $10 nachos and a $5 “vegetal,” a chipotle cauliflower taco.

Tuco and Blondie has a restaurant in Lakeview, which Ibrahim said embraces the idea of “Mexifun” with American-inspired Mexican food. Other 4 Star restaurants include The Perch in Wicker Park and Frasca in Lakeview.

“We are a big part of this community, and it means a lot to us, so we want to be a part of the community,” he said. “It’s a different way of dining instead of sitting down. It’s well worth it.”

rjohnson@chicagotribune.com

Originally Published: Aug 27, 2023 at 4:58 pm