What is this picture missing? (Hint: it’s you)
It’s magical, undeniable, visceral. Brimming with vitality. The aroma alone induces salivation. Bodies, not automobiles, cram every corner of every sanctioned block of the direct center of the city. Vendors serving last customers in line, gasping a second’s breath, returning barely in time to receive another crowd of relentless patrons. The good AND the crappy bands drone en masse, entertaining drunken crowds of suburban mothers and budding hipsters. People pay dearly for it, the young and the old live for it, babies spring from the womb crying for it, Moses descends from the mountain holding tablets inspired by it. And some… have never been to or even heard of it. And that sucks to me, so for Moses’ sake, listen up:
If Taste of Cincinnati is not a ritualistic, habitual event marked on your calendar, you are sincerely missing out.
First, the food. Of course, it’s all that matters to me. Surprised? We should hang out more. Anyway, the whole shindig was originally inspired by it. In 1979, Karen Maier of Frisch’s wanted to host a one-day New York-inspired culinary festival in then Garfield Park. By 1988, it was was on Central and longer than a weekend. Now, for the fourth year in a row, Fifth Street is sectioned off for six blocks (between Race and Broadway) to accompany the almost half-million hungry peeps who overrun the swelling, busting-at-the-seams venue over the span of three days. Why? Street food at its greasiest and its best. Don’t expect to see Local 127 here. Instead, look for the guys holding sauerbratens and a Warsteiner. Or any of the superfluity of asian and pub fares. Courtyard Café and all their awards, especially their desserts. Arguably thebest gyro in the city. The friggin’ Melting Pot. And when you have barbeque places competing for the number one spot on the platform, everybody wins.
Second, some really, really varying music. (See, I can make up other reasons other than food) So many pop bands, so many 80‘s bands, but then you turn a corner and get the jazz band that blows your mind. It’s like finding your niche. Oh I see that theRusty Griswolds are playing… I think I shall be there. I also see there are comedians scheduled. How. Interesting.
Third, beer. That is all.
Fourth, Naked Cowboy. Yes, that’s right. A cowboy. Who is naked. Well almost, save a guitar. Actually is he even around anymore, or is he just working part-time at the Cadillac Ranch?
Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s expensive. So just suck it up, save up, buy an overpriced lemonade slushy and cancel the rest of your plans for this weekend. Because you need this more than it needs you.
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Wow, a great article, very inspirational, totally on the nose and already getting me pumped up for the Taste this weekend. Well done.
Good job Nathan!
Am I the only one who finds Taste to be pretty lame?
I had only just moved here and missed it last year so I have no basis for comparison as yet. Have you got any other suggestions for something similar but less “lame”?
For me personally, I guess I prefer the smaller festivals [which aren't focused on food per se but feature a more interesting mix of mostly or solely local vendors]. When I have checked out Taste, the number of chain vendors has been overwhelming [I'm sure this varies from year to year], and the offerings from any vendors have been mostly disappointing [this includes restaurants that I otherwise like]. Couple that with the drunks and hordes of screaming children, and I’ll take a smaller neighborhood event any day.
Nonetheless, Loki, you should definitely check it out for yourself, at least to cross it of your Cincinnati bucket list!
Oh I will. Hailing from the land of Jazz fest I’m pretty used to screaming crowds. I like the small events and the big ones.
You’re not the first I’ve heard talk about the predominance of chain restaurants, something that I am not a huge fan of. I wonder what it would take to get something with a purely local focus up and running?
Helping out with a friend’s wedding so I won’t get free ’till Sunday. Hopefully I can make it down.
@visualingual Disclosure: yes there are A: an abundance of mediocre chain restaurants, and B: a total lack of really awesome local places that aren’t even mentioned. (I was informed by the Nomerati that there isn’t to be any goetta this year, something my dad would literally cry with rage over) To have a more accurate representation would be more… accurate, but of course the organizers are responsible for the commercialization of it. Nevertheless I hope it’s still a decent representation, and the time you have there is what you make it, quite frankly.
I have heard it is really expensive in both cash & labor to participate. The labor part being the killer for small restaurants with small staffs to begin with. Spreading them out between the Taste booth & the original restaurants frequently isn’t practical.
From my research (haha) it seems like you have to be selling constantly to break even on a food booth for any festival.
It’s still a great event to get people downtown & engaging in something everybody does – eat.
You heard right Quimbob. I checked with Dilly Deli out in Mariemount. The cost is astronomical and if it rains it can easily wipe out some serious profits for a small vendor.
I go but to see the Cincinnati bands not for the food – Bad Veins had a rockin’ set as did Lions Rampant. The food was overpriced and Taste of Cincinnati could honestly be changed to Taste of Chain there were so many.
PF Chang’s is NOT Cincinnati!
I think most downtowners keep a low profile and give downtown to the suburbanites and their strollers for the weekend.
I don’t hate Taste, heck it gets people downtown, but its just too much, our cool downtown given over to festival lights and fair food. That said we went for an hour or so Saturday night and a quick in and out Sunday night.
Next year I’m going to do a condo swap with someone from Chicago or somewhere cool that wants to come back for the weekend.
I’m with visualingual, I much prefer smaller events like the OTR Summer Celebration.