City aims for a "healthy" "green" Taste of Chicago

[isilzha]

City aims for a "healthy" "green" Taste of Chicago

Posted by Chris Borrelli and Monica Eng at 6:15 p.m. CDT
Taste of Chicago -– that giant BBQ turkey leg of a tradition, synonymous with fried foods and summertime gorging -– asked each of the 65 restaurants with a booth to offer one healthy item this year. "And we were serious, too," said Megan McDonald, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, which puts on the festival running June 27-July 6.
McDonald said this during the Tuesday Taste of Chicago press preview, standing less than a foot from Mayor Richard Daley himself -– who sat inches from a plate of three plump fried empanadas from Las Tablas restaurant (photo right). She said that as part of this year's application each restaurant had to explain what its healthy item would be. "Some of the restaurants had a difficult time with this," she said with a laugh. "But I say, you know, if you fry a vegetable, it’s still a vegetable."
This must be how the Billy Goat Inn qualified with a menu featuring a ribeye steak sandwich, a cheeseburger, a double cheeseburger and potato chips. In case you’re wondering , the potato chips are the healthy item.
Explaining the reason for healthy initiative, the Mayor said he just wanted visitors to Taste of Chicago to eat something healthy at each booth.



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[Chefnot]

They need to worry more about......don't go there wilson, remember, you like this plsce.

[BerryBaby]

I don't think people attend these festivals in search of healthy food...just food they enjoy and wouldn't make at home.

[Food Network Fan]

I agree, many people go to these things just to treat themselves with the great food, even if it's not something they would eat everyday.

[BerryBaby]

Did get a laugh out of Billy Goat's...potato chips are their 'healthy' contribution!

I use to go there back in 1969, when the real Billy Goat was still alive. He'd stand at the door with his cane and flip the girl's skirts! Couldn't get away with that today, but it was a novelty(?) back then. I remember walking in holding my skirt down with both hands...yes, those were the days of skirts and dresses, no pants in the work place!

Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger!!!!!

[ibcheft]

to bad for the festival, usually when government involves itself in this sort of thing, it ends up dieing out. I seen festivals in the past do that. Seems to be less people want to be involve in them when it is controlled by government. Some things should be left alone. Seems some times the cities are greedy and want the money. I always go for the fattening stuff, I can eat healthy at home.

[isilzha]

Its nice to offer healthy alternatives, that way everyone can enjoy something even if they want to keep it healthy. But mandating just seems silly.

[Food Network Fan]

It would be interesting to see what would sell better if they offered both.