Taste of Dallas spices up West End
Chow’s on! Taste of Dallas, the largest free festival in Texas, returns to the West End July 10-12. Organizers expect more than 300,000 visitors during the three-day food fest.
Foodies and fun seekers can stroll the rows of booth, sampling tasty nibbles prepared by area restaurants and chefs. The festival, now in its 23rd year, includes live entertainment, sports and children’s activities, plus arts and crafts vendors.
More than 40 popular area restaurants will be on site to cook up all the tastes of Dallas, including: Bangkok City, the Butcher Shop Steakhouse, Carl's Carribean Soul, Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House, Clay Pit, Fish Express, Frankie’s Sports Bar and Grill, Gator's Croc N Roc, Go Falafel, Hoffbrau Steakhouse, Istanbul Grill, Landry’s Seafood, Poblanos, RJ Mexican Cuisine, Texas de Brazil and Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse.
While admission is free, patrons should bring along some cash. Most of restaurant vendors will sell their sample treats for $2-$5. Coke products and water sell for $3, beer is $5 and frozen drinks are $6.
New this year, the festival and NBC 5 will host “nbcdfw.com's DFW's Got Talent” — a talent show competition modeled after the show “America’s Got Talent.” Performers can sign up Friday and Saturday for preliminary competition, with the finals on Sunday. The top talent will win $5,000.
Taste of Dallas also will feature two music stages with continuous performances by top local bands, including the festival’s “house band” The Foodies.
After all the tasting, some patrons may want to work off the calories with a little game of hoops at NBA Nation, where fans of all ages can show off their basketball skills in a special exhibition.
NBA Nation will also feature a variety of free interactive basketball activities, including the Kia Motors Performance Challenge. Participants will compete for a spot in the challenge finals on Sunday and a shot at the grand prize—a new Kia Soul or Kia Forte.
Fans can also take part in the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown, slamming down their best dunks before a panel of judges including Darryl Dawkins, NBA Nation Ambassador. One winner will earn a $1,000 prize.
Younger kids can explore activities like face painting, bounce houses, slides and more at Taste Town — sponsored by Disney. Taste Town will also feature meet and greets with three of Disney’s most popular stars:
- Chelsea Staub from “JONAS” on July 10, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Moises Arias from “Hannah Montana” on July 11, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Sterling Knight from “Sonny With A Chance” on July 12, 4 to 6 p.m.
To get up-to-date Taste of Dallas information throughout the festival weekend on their mobile phones, patrons can text “TASTE” to 77513.
Numerous pay parking lots surround the West End. They vary in price, but parking averages about $5 for the day. Because traffic is heavy during the event, organizers recommend riding the DART rail to the West End Station.
Posted by Jenn Emerson
