Grant Park Cafe

© Ben Newman

The infamous lolla lobster corn dog.

Forget about the music for a minute. One of the best things about a music festival is the food. Think about it: you can get almost anything at a music festival. Gyro? Yes. Burrito? Yes. Corn on a cob on a stick? Yes. Now put a music festival in the dead center of Chicago and you know you're in for something special.

Some of the great Chi-town eating started before we even got to Grant Park, with visitors and locals alike planning breakfast pit stops before their Lollaventures began each day. Some headed to famed diners like Lou Mitchell's, while others ran in for a quickie over at the nearest Dunkin Donuts. And, since sleep was a huge factor for the late-night partiers, some just decided to grab something at the park; after all, Grant Park's double-arena of goodies was the perfect cure for both a hangover and hunger pangs.

Brag Bites

Known for its diverse culinary palate, Chicago has a tempting approach to serving up quick, tasty plates. Just a month before Lollapalooza, another wild Taste of Chicago wrapped in Grant Park, so there were expectations for foodies and fest-goers from the moment they walked through the gates.

There were high hopes that some of the ToC's top vendors would make a cameo, and we were in luck. Food innovator Graham Elliot brought one of the most popular menu items to boast all weekend. His lobster corn dog with a lemon aioli drizzle was the talk of the park. Loaded with tons of lobster meat and a spicy kick, the upgraded classic was the foodie meal of choice. Paired with a Budweiser, this deep-fried friend from the sea was an absolute hit.

Hometown Hits

Connie's Pizza represented the hometown with their hearty deep-dish sausage pizza. Locals and Lolla tourists hit up this booth so they could get a taste of the goods. Out-of-towners were glad to flirt with their girl Connie, so they could leave saying they had at least tried the "deep dish," even if it didn't take a full 45 minutes to bake up at a signature sit down. Connie's freshly-squeezed lemonade was a refresher and a lifesaver from heat stroke on Saturday and Sunday.

Brats and sausages were another popular quick-fix. It was a pleasure not having to hit up the campsite and fire up the grill, since Lolla is an event for daywalkers only. Paulina Market Bratwurst and Haus of Sausage hooked it up with juicy links. From German to Andouille to wieners and grilled onions, it seemed the wurst was at its best, and much more enjoyable than a plain 'ol Chicago dog. Props to Haus of Sausage, conveniently located in the Biergarten, so hop-lovers could indulge in brews like Shock Top, Stella Artois and Hoegaarden instead of that predictable sponsored domestic.

Of course, there were sweet treats too. Festies indulged in crepes, Italian ice, frozen cheesecake and even Frozen Kefir. There was so much great food to go around many of us found ourselves asking "what's for dinner?" hours ahead of schedule. But that's what a good fest'll do to you - take you out of your routine and drop you smack dab into audio, visual and gastronomical heaven.