After all the buildup, this is what it comes down to: three days of feeding a crowd big enough to be the second largest city in Illinois a menu as varied as the Lollapalooza lineup. Despite the storm which interrupted Saturday night’s shows for a couple of hours, Chow Town chugged along smoothly, turning out everything from burgers to octopus balls with relatively few hitches. Our man Huge Galdones was on the scene; here’s his slideshow report from the front lines, showing you much of the best being dished up over the weekend.
Stands waiting for the crowds to hit.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Chef Frank Brunacci showcases the power of the truffle at The Australian Truffle.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Australian Truffle mac and cheese.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
The Japadog, from Chizakaya.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Tako-yaki (octopus balls) from Chizakaya.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Gathering on the grass.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Peter Klein (Seedling Farm) and one of his fruit smoothies. If you missed them here, there’s always the Green City Market.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Buttermilk old-fashioned doughnuts with either chocolate or cinnamon sugar, from Do-Rite Donuts.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Lobster corn dog, from Grahamwich.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Not your normal samosa (Ashyana, Shikara, and Viceroy Restaurants/Catering).
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
MBurger and fries.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Chow Town South.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Eddie Lakin of Edzo’s, with the special French fry paper cone he found which includes a compartment for ketchup.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
One of the best surprises— the steak sandwich from Mercat a la Planxa.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Falafel sandwich from Goose Island Brewpub.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Dining al fresco.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
“Chicagoesque” dog from Franks ‘n’ Dawgs.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Chow Town North at peak time before the storm on Saturday.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
The Original Rainbow Cone.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
The rainbow-hued skyline of a great city, home to a great festival.
Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC