Taste of Naperville: Culinary Delights Await Diners

Naperville invites residents and visitors to explore its diverse dining scene with the inaugural Taste of Naperville. This event spans from October 9 to October 18, featuring over two dozen local restaurants offering special deals on signature dishes, starting at $5.

Key participants include downtown favorites such as Empire Burgers + Brew and Bangkok Village, alongside south Naperville’s Bar Louie and Kabab King Grill. With rising gas prices, the event presents a budget-friendly activity for the community.

Monica Conners, President of the Naperville Development Partnership, emphasized the event’s accessibility in the current economic climate. While an outdoor festival akin to the Taste of Chicago was initially considered, it was deemed too large an undertaking for a first-time event.

Conners expressed enthusiasm for possibly hosting a larger festival in the future. Meanwhile, the current format serves as an effective precursor to Restaurant Week, attracting businesses that typically do not participate, including ice cream shops.

“It’s a great way to get involved, have fun, and engage with the community,” stated Malachi Aviles, general manager of Tapville Social, which offers eight different bites, including beer cheese fries and honey-butter chicken sliders for $5.

Providing new customers an opportunity to experience their unique offerings, Aviles aims to increase foot traffic, noting that many are discovering Tapville’s distinct concept for the first time.

Bar Louie anticipates a 15-20% increase in their customer base during the event. General Manager Ashley Rambo mentioned that although business is steady, the Taste of Naperville offers a fresh twist akin to a restaurant week, encouraging new patron visits with special $10 and $15 menu items like bruschetta and chicken nachos.

Rambo highlighted the chance to showcase their culinary offerings and engage with Naperville’s vibrant community, eagerly participating in this exciting local event.

Visit the event’s website for a complete list of participating restaurants: Taste of Naperville Participating Restaurants.