What's new at Taste of Chicago 2024

After a summer of neighborhood mini-Taste festivals, the main Taste of Chicago kicks off Friday in Grant Park with 40 food vendors, 16 food trucks, a beer hall, cocktail lounge and smorgasbord of musical acts.

Why it matters: The once massive July festival has downsized to just three days in September, but it still attracts loads of visitors and remains one of the few events showcasing food from nearly every part of the city.

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Friction point: Festival-goers have complained in recent years about long lines driven by complicated security checks and the transition to cash and credit card payments from the old ticket method.

• Organizers promise a "streamlined entrance process," but the tickets are not coming back.

Food debuts: Seven restaurants and six food trucks will make their premiere appearance this year, including It's Just So Delicious Food, Monster Dogs, Royal Caribbean Jerk, Ponce, Mano Modern Cafe and Zeitlin's Delicatessen.

Here are some eats I'd recommend:

New vendor: Oooh Wee! It Is! , a modern soul food eatery with locations in Chatham and south suburban Burnham.

• Get: The pot roast cupcake ($10), pictured above, featuring a corn muffin base topped with mashed potatoes, cheese and tender stewed beef.

Brisket and rib tips from Soul & Smoke. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

New vendor: Soul & Smoke food truck, purveyor of the tenderest brisket in town.

• Get: The taste portion of smoked Duroc rib tips ($5) and smoked prime brisket sandwich ($17).

Saucy chicken and fries from Uncle Remus. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

New vendor: Uncle Remus , known for crunchy chicken and a sweeter mild sauce than Harold's.

• Get: The wing with fries ($5) or the Taste Trio of two wings, two tenders and one fish ($15).

Empanadas, arepas and a carimañola from Arepa George in Humboldt Park. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

New vendor: Arepa George, a Colombian Humboldt Park spot serving up dinner platters but also classic street fare.

• Get: Cornmeal-based empanadas filled with beef, chicken or cheese and plantain ($4) or the Colombian Bites Sampler of an empanada, stuffed potato, stuffed yuca and mini stuffed arepa ($18).

Bonus: With its new September time slot, Taste will be rockin' under pleasant 60-something temperatures again this year.

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