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Taste of Melrose Park

Taste of Melrose Park
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  • Taste of Melrose Park

    Post #1 - September 1st, 2017, 8:43 am
    Post #1 - September 1st, 2017, 8:43 am Post #1 - September 1st, 2017, 8:43 am
    Taste of Melrose Park, September 1-3, 2017

    Taste of Melrose Park starts today. Vendors are mostly local households who make their family favorite foods and present them to their neighbors once a year. We're talking Louis Ariola's Artichoke Salad, Cervone's Homemade Cannoli, and Mama D's Braciole. Plus nuns make sfingi. Everything $3 or less.

    Somewhat disturbingly, it looks like Sicilianos are making mac n ' cheese this year rather than fried bologna sandwiches. I weep.

    More information here: http://www.melrosepark.org/36th-annual- ... ember-1-3/
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #2 - September 1st, 2017, 9:58 am
    Post #2 - September 1st, 2017, 9:58 am Post #2 - September 1st, 2017, 9:58 am
    David Hammond wrote:Somewhat disturbingly, it looks like Sicilianos are making mac n ' cheese this year rather than fried bologna sandwiches. I weep.


    Between that, and the disappearance of the monkey, I'm afraid the apocalypse is nigh.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #3 - September 1st, 2017, 12:26 pm
    Post #3 - September 1st, 2017, 12:26 pm Post #3 - September 1st, 2017, 12:26 pm
    It's true. Fried bologna is taking a year off, and we are serving mac n' cheese this year. Easier to do some of the prep work at home, and less at the booth. My health has been hit or miss over the past few years and I have had to miss time, so it is easier for my family this way in some aspects.

    However, we also do this for the fun of it and we don't have a restaurant. So, after a decade of bologna, we also just wanted to mix it up a bit. I would like to think my family does more than one thing well. We shall see. Either way, we are fortunate to have no rain in the forecast and the sfingi will still be here.

    If it helps at all, we already put down deposit for next year as fried bologna again. No promises on the monkey.
    There's always room for fried bologna. - d4v3
  • Post #4 - September 1st, 2017, 2:22 pm
    Post #4 - September 1st, 2017, 2:22 pm Post #4 - September 1st, 2017, 2:22 pm
    3 hours and counting! This is one of the very best festivals in Chicago.
  • Post #5 - September 1st, 2017, 3:41 pm
    Post #5 - September 1st, 2017, 3:41 pm Post #5 - September 1st, 2017, 3:41 pm
    Wish you guys would stop bringing up the monkey. It's a rather sore topic. I still have his picture in my office and fond memories of the night we met, me holding him, he frantically, furiously digging into my pockets for food or more drugs. We had an understanding. Every year I go back to ToMP, hoping to see my monkey there, but apparently it is not to be (Peggy DiFazio, event organizer, told me that they had to discontinue that attraction as he was freaking out the kids. Snowflakes!). Sniff.
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #6 - September 1st, 2017, 3:57 pm
    Post #6 - September 1st, 2017, 3:57 pm Post #6 - September 1st, 2017, 3:57 pm
    David Hammond wrote:Wish you guys would stop bringing up the monkey. It's a rather sore topic. I still have his picture in my office and fond memories of the night we met, me holding him, he frantically, furiously digging into my pockets for food or more drugs. We had an understanding. Every year I go back to ToMP, hoping to see my monkey there, but apparently it is not to be (Peggy DiFazio, event organizer, told me that they had to discontinue that attraction as he was freaking out the kids. Snowflakes!). Sniff.



    I haven't shaved in a couple days, I can go rifling through your pockets if it will help. :)
  • Post #7 - September 1st, 2017, 8:20 pm
    Post #7 - September 1st, 2017, 8:20 pm Post #7 - September 1st, 2017, 8:20 pm
    Oh Man! Thanks for the heads-up!
  • Post #8 - September 2nd, 2017, 10:53 am
    Post #8 - September 2nd, 2017, 10:53 am Post #8 - September 2nd, 2017, 10:53 am
    The artichoke casserole was the best I've had in years; a new brand of artichoke is being used.

    The winner for me of the entire place was the ceviche, clean bright flavor and a mix of the red and green salsas were just right.
  • Post #9 - September 5th, 2017, 9:16 am
    Post #9 - September 5th, 2017, 9:16 am Post #9 - September 5th, 2017, 9:16 am
    We weren't able to make it over to the ToMP, but were close enough on a rooftop in Forest Park to see the tops of the fireworks on Sunday evening. Very cool.
    -Mary
  • Post #10 - August 30th, 2018, 8:18 am
    Post #10 - August 30th, 2018, 8:18 am Post #10 - August 30th, 2018, 8:18 am
    Just a note for new members, the Taste of Melrose Park is coming up this Labor Day weekend (August 31-September 2, 2018). For us older posters, it is in our calendars, but new members might want to know that it is considered the food festival of the year: monkey, fried bologna, and all.
    Toast, as every breakfaster knows, isn't really about the quality of the bread or how it's sliced or even the toaster. For man cannot live by toast alone. It's all about the butter. -- Adam Gopnik
  • Post #11 - August 30th, 2018, 4:06 pm
    Post #11 - August 30th, 2018, 4:06 pm Post #11 - August 30th, 2018, 4:06 pm
    I've been before- and was- extremely-
    underwhelmed. :(
    Everything was overpriced-teeny-potioned-Low-value,
    meek-&-mildly-bland-Red-Sauce, with, the "Sauusseege"-
    no where near as good as
    say-Freddy's in Cicero, and in fact I'd add-
    every-single-thing-served-at-Freddy's,
    blows the "Taste"? of Melrose Park outta The Parking-Lot.


    Why-Bother?
  • Post #12 - August 30th, 2018, 4:25 pm
    Post #12 - August 30th, 2018, 4:25 pm Post #12 - August 30th, 2018, 4:25 pm
    :o :shock:

    For some folks them's goin' be fightin' words.

    But that's why it's called Taste of Melrose Park; it's a matter of taste.
    Toast, as every breakfaster knows, isn't really about the quality of the bread or how it's sliced or even the toaster. For man cannot live by toast alone. It's all about the butter. -- Adam Gopnik
  • Post #13 - August 28th, 2019, 2:52 pm
    Post #13 - August 28th, 2019, 2:52 pm Post #13 - August 28th, 2019, 2:52 pm
    Taste of Melrose Park is this weekend: Friday August 30, Saturday August 31, Sunday September 1.

    This is the food festival beloved by many (tho' not all) LTHers.
    Toast, as every breakfaster knows, isn't really about the quality of the bread or how it's sliced or even the toaster. For man cannot live by toast alone. It's all about the butter. -- Adam Gopnik
  • Post #14 - April 9th, 2020, 5:19 am
    Post #14 - April 9th, 2020, 5:19 am Post #14 - April 9th, 2020, 5:19 am
    Facebook

    With a heavy heart we regret to inform you, like many events across the world, the 2020 Taste of Melrose Park has been cancelled.

    While we hope that by Labor Day weekend we’ll be speaking of COVID-19 in past-tense, that is not a certainty, and continuing with our festival is not a chance The Village of Melrose Park is willing to take. The priority right now is health and safety.

    Please abide by local, state and federal guidelines for the remainder of this outbreak. We don’t like being cooped up any more than you do, but it saves lives.

    The Taste of Melrose Park will be back and better than ever in 2021!!! We love and look forward to seeing each and every one of you next year!!!
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #15 - April 9th, 2020, 8:29 am
    Post #15 - April 9th, 2020, 8:29 am Post #15 - April 9th, 2020, 8:29 am
    It is frightening that events in September are being cancelled (especially ones as beloved as ToMP). Let us hope that the LTH Picnic won't be the next victim, although I suppose that we could have a virtual picnic, but somehow it wouldn't be the same!

    I imagine that ToMP is an important fundraiser for the village, for churches that have booths, and for a lot of local food providers. A lot of people will take an economic hit. It seems early to decide, but, I assume, planning needs to start early. :cry:
    Toast, as every breakfaster knows, isn't really about the quality of the bread or how it's sliced or even the toaster. For man cannot live by toast alone. It's all about the butter. -- Adam Gopnik
  • Post #16 - April 9th, 2020, 10:19 am
    Post #16 - April 9th, 2020, 10:19 am Post #16 - April 9th, 2020, 10:19 am
    I'm sure that events in September that are cancelled today are events that require a lot of early planning. People do not want to go through all the planning and then have to cancel.
  • Post #17 - April 9th, 2020, 7:55 pm
    Post #17 - April 9th, 2020, 7:55 pm Post #17 - April 9th, 2020, 7:55 pm
    lougord99 wrote:I'm sure that events in September that are cancelled today are events that require a lot of early planning. People do not want to go through all the planning and then have to cancel.

    Or find they have to give up money to non-refundable deposits.

    Illinois State Fair sent a press release advising they will be open for business. At this point: seeing is believing.

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #18 - August 28th, 2021, 5:35 pm
    Post #18 - August 28th, 2021, 5:35 pm Post #18 - August 28th, 2021, 5:35 pm
    Taste of Melrose Park 2021 has been cancelled by Mayor Ron Serpico. :( However, he promises that Taste of Melrose Park 2022 will be the best ever. :D

    I believe!
    Toast, as every breakfaster knows, isn't really about the quality of the bread or how it's sliced or even the toaster. For man cannot live by toast alone. It's all about the butter. -- Adam Gopnik
  • Post #19 - August 28th, 2021, 9:44 pm
    Post #19 - August 28th, 2021, 9:44 pm Post #19 - August 28th, 2021, 9:44 pm
    GAF wrote:I believe!


    Don't stop that.
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #20 - August 28th, 2021, 10:12 pm
    Post #20 - August 28th, 2021, 10:12 pm Post #20 - August 28th, 2021, 10:12 pm
    David Hammond wrote:
    GAF wrote:I believe!


    Don't stop that.


    You got a feeling?
  • Post #21 - August 16th, 2022, 3:57 pm
    Post #21 - August 16th, 2022, 3:57 pm Post #21 - August 16th, 2022, 3:57 pm
    Has there been an update for Taste of Melrose Park. Is it still planned to take place? I’ve not been, but look forward to attending.
    Find good food and eat it.
    Sapatero
  • Post #22 - August 16th, 2022, 4:11 pm
    Post #22 - August 16th, 2022, 4:11 pm Post #22 - August 16th, 2022, 4:11 pm
    sapatero wrote:Has there been an update for Taste of Melrose Park. Is it still planned to take place? I’ve not been, but look forward to attending.

    https://www.melrosepark.org/40th-annual ... r-2nd-4th/
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #23 - September 2nd, 2023, 10:34 am
    Post #23 - September 2nd, 2023, 10:34 am Post #23 - September 2nd, 2023, 10:34 am
    This is the weekend for the Taste of Melrose Park (September 1-3, 2023). It may be our most beloved food festival. Read the past posts.
    Toast, as every breakfaster knows, isn't really about the quality of the bread or how it's sliced or even the toaster. For man cannot live by toast alone. It's all about the butter. -- Adam Gopnik

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