Lollapalooza is back on Thursday, and when you’re not busy rocking out to the music, you may stop by the festival’s various food kiosks for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink.
This year’s food offerings include 34 new vendors, plus the return of Pretty Cool Ice Cream and Sugar Bliss, which haven’t been at Lollapalooza since 2021 and 2019, respectively.
Chow Town, the main area of food vendors, will stretch along Columbus Drive as in years past. Dessert Island, which debuted last year, is back by the Bacardi stage along Van Buren Street with 21 vendors offering festivalgoers a variety of sweet treats, from ice cream and funnel cakes to snow cones.
There are two new food areas this year: Plant Base and Vibe Village.
“It’s the 20th year in Chicago and we try to think of ways to keep the festival fresh every year, but especially on this 20th year,” said Kevin Noonan, senior food and beverage manager at C3 Presents, which puts on Lollapalooza.
Vibe Village is, well, all about the vibes. Think food creations worthy of showing off in photos on social media, like soft-serve ice cream served in fish-shaped cones ($10) topped with rainbow sprinkles and rainbow mochi from Taiyaki Chicago or those viral corn dogs from Kong Dog that are rolled in Hot Cheetos crumbs ($13) or drizzled with condensed milk ($12).
“There’s going to be really cute, photo-worthy food and beverage, primarily desserts, like ice cream cones with great flavors and presentation,” Noonan said of the new area, which will be located by the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage.
For festivalgoers looking for lighter fare, Matcha Cita will offer frozen smoothie bowls (starting at $17) served with strawberries, blueberries and coconut. Or pick up some coconut water in a coconut shell ($16).
Plant Base, which will be by the intersection of Balbo Avenue and Columbus Drive, offers 100% plant-based options, as well as a specialty nonalcoholic bar. The space is part of the festival’s partnership with Re:Wild, an organization focused on conservation.
“We saw it was a need with the guests,” Noonan said. “These guests are so appreciative when they have more options for vegan dietary restrictions than just french fries.”
The area features 10 local vendors that will offer tacos, nachos, wings, mac and cheese, empanadas, cookies, sorbet bars and more.
Vegan Plate Chicago will serve soy orange chicken and kung pao beef (both $18), while Alice & Friends will have a Burmese noodle salad and a six-piece crab rangoon (both $13).
Elephant & Vine’s offerings will include an Ele burger with a vegan burger patty, American cheese, pickle, onion, ketchup and mustard ($12); a Mammoth burger with two vegan burger patties, American cheese, lettuce, pickle, onion and “elephant sauce” ($18); and three-piece vegan chicken tenders ($12), plus fries ($6) and sweet potato fries ($7) as sides.
“In addition to this specialty area that is 100% vegan, we also did increase our vegan offerings throughout Chow Town and Dessert Island, as well,” Noonan added.
Of course, some beloved Chicago classics are back on the menu in Chow Town, including Harold’s Chicken, Lou Malnati’s and The Original Rainbow Cone.
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