Taste Of Melrose Park — Restaurant in Proviso Township

The group of us that go look forward to the Taste every year. We by chance found excellent parking and really. Everyone trying to park and in the neighborhood are generally patient and helpful.

We never mind security and the the police woman and man (Sunday afternoon around 3pm) were friendly and patient and welcoming.

We found a great table and kudos to the cleaning staff - garbages and tables constantly cleared. The fest this year was amongst the cleanest we'd seen.

It's always great to go to a food fest and have everything at $5 and less. It makes it easy to try and share things and we really appreciate the consistency and keeping to that approach.

Our first stop is always sfinghi (sp?) and they never disappoint. Delicious.

Panzerott (so on all of these, apologize if not correct) was delicious, not overly fried and definitely coming out fresh.

Good marks for the ravioli, mustaccoli with basil marinara, calamari and a surprise for a first time Frank Sinatra.

Not so much on both types of meatball sandwiches, the sausage and the arancini (previously big favorites). We didn't have the linguini but heard the couple at the next table say it wa dry.

All of these are individual opinions and Italians always know their own noni makes it best.

Music is always good (loud so we found a place to hang away from the stage).

We always drink the Peroni -...

One of our favorite festivals to attend is Taste of Melrose Park. They have some Hispanic food, Italian, and a little polish. When you enter on either side they have security and police officers with metal detectors. Coming in from 25th Avenue they have a section of carnival rides. As you go towards the food you pass through tents that have local vendors from Car dealership to clothes. They also have some entertainment from time to time near the information booth. You pass that then you have the drinks booth were you need tickets to purchase drinks then you enter the food tents area. They do have outdoor bathrooms to use and some dessert tents. Favorite was the meatball sandwhichs the tacos and the tres Leche. Pass that they have the stage area for the live music at night. They also have stand up tables within the middle of the food tent and near the washrooms they have a seating area for customers and they have a tent for...

My understanding is that this is the second largest “Taste” in the Chicagoland area after The Taste of Chicago. I attend every year and with one good reason, Excellent! Melrose Park has a very diverse ethnic population with both Italians and Hispanics playing major roles. It’s also well known for its culinary diversity, most of which is truly authentic due to the large number of family-owned establishments. These are old-world original recipes prepared with the pride that only accompanies the definition of “family-owned”. So take a break from the large nationwide corporate franchises and re-experience a Taste of Home. There’s something here for everyone, including the most experienced consumer with the most discerning taste buds. Combine all that with its Carnival, LIVE Music and Free admission and parking, and you have a Winner on All Levels. I highly recommend it as well as the “Experience”. 5 Stars without a...