Naperville diners have a unique opportunity to enjoy a variety of the city’s culinary offerings with the first-ever Taste of Naperville. From October 9 to October 18, over two dozen restaurants are providing special deals on their signature meals, with prices starting as low as $5.
The participating eateries range from downtown favorites such as Empire Burgers + Brew and Bangkok Village to south Naperville spots like Bar Louie and Kabab King Grill. Monica Conners, President of Naperville Development Partnership, remarked, “This event aligns well with current economic conditions, offering budget-friendly options amidst rising gas prices.”
The original plan for Taste of Naperville was to host an outdoor festival similar to Taste of Chicago. However, this idea was postponed due to the substantial investment required. Conners explained, “It’s a significant commitment for restaurants, especially for a first-time event with unknown expectations.”
Despite future aspirations for a larger festival, Conners believes this smaller initiative will greatly benefit both restaurants and customers. It serves as an excellent lead-up to Restaurant Week. Notably, businesses that typically don’t take part in Restaurant Week, such as ice cream shops, are participating in Taste of Naperville. These establishments often find the fixed meal structure of Restaurant Week impractical.
Malachi Aviles, General Manager for Tapville Social, expressed enthusiasm for the event, saying, “Being new to the company, this is a great way to get our name out, engage with the community, and create a vibrant atmosphere.” Tapville Social offers eight different bites priced from $5, including beer cheese fries and honey-butter chicken sliders. Aviles hopes to attract numerous customers, noting, “After eight years here, some people are still discovering us, and when they do, they enjoy the unique experience.”
Bar Louie is aiming for a 15-20% growth in customer numbers through Taste of Naperville. Ashley Rambo, General Manager, mentioned that business has been steady, aided by the relaxed happy hour restrictions. Rambo sees the event as a delightful twist akin to Restaurant Week, presenting additional reasons for diners to explore their menu. Bar Louie offers special deals, including three $10 options: bruschetta, cheese quesadilla, and Bavarian pretzels with garlic butter glaze, plus a $15 chicken nachos deal.
For details on participating restaurants, visit Taste of Naperville.