The first week of June has come and past! But if you’re like me and find yourself doubting that summer is right around the corner, let out a sigh of relief because your neighborhood street fest is.

Every summer Chicagoland neighborhoods set up over 400 street festivals offering a variety of music, art and most importantly Food. So if it’s not hot enough to slip on your sandals and head to the beach, than lace up your gym shoes and take a walk down the block.

Already this past May has brought both the Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest and Maifest featuring, you guessed it music, art and food. I recently had the pleasure of working with Diane Himmel of Himmel’s restaurant (Lawrence/Oakley) who provided “2,700 pounds of potato salad” for Mayfest. That’s a lot of potato salad!

This weekend kicks off with the Andersonville Midsommarfest and the ever popular Ribfest featuring restaurants like defending champion Rub’s Backcountry Smokehouse, Robinson’s # 1 Ribs and The Smoke Daddy. So forget about swimsuit season and get ready for street fest season.

Can’t wait for the weekends? Visit www.fooda.com They’ll have your corporate lunch catered by restaurants like Himmel’s, Rub Backountry Smokehouse, Robinson’s # 1 Ribs, The Smoke Daddy and more.

— Michael-Rocco LaPorte