Block Party Block Party Eats
posted by on July 30 at 10:00 AM
Some people get excited about live music and, while I count myself among them, I’d be just as happy to sit down in front a table full of carnitas tacos and good friends. Street fairs and festivals traditionally provide some of the greatest summer eats—grilled corn on the cob, sausages, elephant ears, kettle corn, and ribs come to mind—so I set out to find out if The Block Party + The Block Party Food Options = Two Great Tastes that Taste Great Together.
Day One
I’m a little ashamed to admit that on Friday evening, I never made it beyond the barbecue pork and Miller High Life in the VIP area. Oops. But you can hardly blame a person for failing to see past a free buffet of roasted pork, spicy beans, and tangy (if a little watery) coleslaw. And buns with which to make sandwiches.
All I can say is that the lady responsible for procuring the food from Pig Iron Bar-B-Q, Kerri Harrop, is a good woman.
Day Two
Committed to exploring the full range of food options on Saturday, I had a quick High Life then made a beeline for the what appeared to be the de facto food court in the Havana parking lot.
The culinary highlight of the Block Party was seeing Roshita, owner of Annapurna Cafe, and her family serving up Himalayan food. Annapurna may not be traditional street food fare, but the homemade steamed dumplings, filled with ground chicken, onions, and ginger, were incredible. Roshita’s vegetarian spinach dumplings were also tasty; both come with a subtle, spicy tomato chutney and peanut sauce.
I heard from a few folks that the peanut sauce that the Thai-ger Room was dishing out was “overwhelming” and “really really sweet.” I had two mediocre spring rolls and a very sweet Thai Iced Tea, and went on my way.
The busiest food vendor was Hot Dog Joe’s and, while I suspected this was due to the fact that they were the only food vendor (besides the hot dog cart guys in front of the Comet) serving classic street food, Dominic, Hot Dog Joe’s manager, convinced me otherwise.
Hot Dog Joe’s, Dominic explained, is about great service that’s efficient (they’ve got an impressive system in which you’re telling the griller directly what you want on your dog) and that also provides a full range of toppings anyone could ever want, including tiny crunchy potato sticks. (I had a polish sausage with sauerkraut, grilled onions, jalapenos, and spicy mustard. Very satisfying.)
Touché, Dominic.
I stopped to visit Joel Leshefka, proprietor of vintage clothing store 20Twenty, to see what he was eating.
Joel, who prefers healthier fare, felt his options were a little limited, so he picked up some fruit and vegan pizza from Madison Market up the street.
This dude, working next door to Joel at his girlfriend’s booth, Revival Ink, was eating Shave Ice, but he told me that what he was really missing was some fried food.
And, actually, so was I—no french fries, elephant ears, or funnel cake in sight. Sigh.
My favorite food folks of the day weren’t food people at all—they were the Vera Project’s donut girls, who were going around recruiting contestants for their Donut Eating Contest, which I was sorry to miss.
I ended my Block Party eating experience with a long chat and visit with Eli, the bouncer at Havana.
Like me, Eli (who was essentially chained to his barstool out front the entire weekend) was a little disappointed by the lack of variety of food at the Block Party. Eli wisely noted that during all day outdoor affairs people are less likely to eat a full Thai or Himalayan meal, but instead want snacks to graze and plow through throughout the day. He also mourned the lack of sweet treats—strawberry shortcake, specifically.
After one more quick Hi Life in the VIP area, I left the Block Party, still hungry, still craving corn on the cob. I think next year they should have a taco bus.
Thanks for not patronizing or promoting the hot dog guy in front of the Comet. He actually physically moved the Vera Project table from our location so that he could set up, forcing us in front of Sugar, where we had to close early so that they could open. The guy had no more right to be there than us (in fact, he had less of one, since our spot was arranged with the Block Party and he had no official standing at all), but we had no recourse short of starting a street brawl. Takes a real big man to muscle a couple of volunteers for an all ages non-profit out of his way so he can sling meat tubes to the drunken masses.
Boycott the Comet Hot Dog Guy!
Very mediocre food across the board at the block party. (Sorry, most of us didn't have access to the 'VIP' food.) But it was easy enough to walk out and get some decent pizza (and wine) at Via Tribunale, or walk a block down to Ayathaya or Rosebud. Why anyone would eat that truly awful thai food on site when you could get excellent thai food a block away is beyond me.
Oh calm down Vera project.
That dude is partners with the owner of The Comet, stores his equipment inside there and makes his living outside of that place every night where you don't, new fish. Yes, while to the letter of the law he has no more right of way than you, you could say the same about the produce stands out in front of the little produce market on King street in the I.D. Why don't you go there really early and set up your shit and shake your fist at the little old lady when she tries to open for business tomorrow.
Also, I went to Caffe Presse for some much-needed real food and wine. Easy walk, and they were slow so my food came out super quick.
the comet hot dog guy is a total ass! There's no way he has a permit, and his cart is not even close to code. I know the block party organizers were pissed he set up where he did because I saw them arguing with him trying to get him to move because he was totally blocking the flow of traffic in front of the mainstage. Forcing Vera to move their booth is fucked. If this dude owns the comet, people should boycott the comet. What an asshole.
The food was indeed disappointing, but ultimately not why I was there. Regardless, the first day I had a hot dog and the second, I actually left for an hour and just ate at Taco del Mar.
I bet the people who own restaurants inside the block party were psyched there weren't so many food booths. If you wanted tacos, there was cha cha, pizza at Tribanali, Asian food at Ballet, more at Oasis, pizza, sandwiches, burgers and fries at wild rose, coffee at vita, not to mention all the other food in the hood.
angela, i applaud your excellent taste. pig iron bbq kills it. you gotta get down to their spot and have some of the jalapeno spinach casserole, it will blow your damn mind.
seriously.
and, agreed on taco bus. it was actually something i briefly considered for vip lounge this year but couldn't get it together in time.
Oh, si.Boycott The Comet. And everyone be sure to check that the street meat you buy is up to code.
"Hot Dog Wars". this plays out like a script written for John Heder.
Yeah, Hot Dog Soldier. May be you should go to the matresses with The Vera. Take out the competition Chicago style. Word.
...but those dudes are chodes. We agree on that anyway.
t@6, agreed, the food is clearly not the main draw, but a major appeal of outdoor festivals is food. or at least it should be. better food options would, i think, make a better event.
frank@7, i hear you, but the point was to look at the food vendors at the block party itself, not just patronize the already successful businesses in the hood. also, sorry, but i don't look to bimbos for real tacos.
and kerri harrop, i will be getting back you shortly re: jalapeno spinach casserole.
apparently none of you made it over to Big O's BBQ, in the beer garden. This BBQ KILLED the BBQ in the VIP, and everything else in sight. How did you not notice this?
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