The Taste of Peoria is next Wednesday, and I am already hungry! Gates at 4pm and close at 11pm on August 10th. So bring your appetite.

It costs $2 to get in. And there is even a shuttle route provided by PACE for FREE downtown. Click here for that.

There will also be live music from Brian Dennison, Coco Loco, Wolf & Gypsy, House Cat, Stone & Snow, and JammSammich.

And I don’t know about you, but there are a few things I am already clamoring for. Here are the 5 things I can’t wait to eat at this year’s Taste of Peoria.

1) Raber Packing Company Pork Burger 

I can’t get enough of Raber’s Pork Burgers at the HOI Fair, so I saw they were going to be at the Taste of Peoria and I about lost my mind. These things are fantastic! Put a slice of cheese and some bbq sauce on them and your life will be changed forever. Get one, or 3… because it’s hard to stop at just 1!

2) Kenny’s West Side Pub Quesadilla

Kenny’s is getting ready for a big move downtown Peoria, so it’s exciting to see local business succeeding in central Illinois! And last year at the taste I got my hands on one of Kenny’s corned-beef quesadillas and I went back for another. It can be St. Patrick’s day EVERY DAY when you eat at Kenny’s. Make sure to grab one.

3) Slim Chickens Mac n Cheese

Mac n Cheese! I mean, the cheesiest! GET IN MY BELLY! This is comfort food at it’s finest, and I’m fine eating mac n’ cheese until I can’t walk anymore. You know, when you eat something so good that you can’t stop, then you can’t stop sitting down. It’s that good.

4) Aurelio’s Pizza 

Aurelio’s Pizza is, hands down, the best pizza in Peoria. Don’t believe me? Try it at the Taste. The sauce, the cheese, the thick cut toppings… The best! Once you have Aurelio’s Pizza, you will stop getting mediocre pizza. It truly can’t be beat.

5) Paradice Hotel & Casino Artichoke Spinach Grilled Cheese

I haven’t had this yet. But I saw it on the menu and it definitely sparked my interest. I love grilled cheese. I also love spinach artichoke dip. So, I can only imagine the combination of the two will be mind blowing. So, if you see brains all over the ground by the Paradice stand, those would be mine.

If you want to check out the full menu of restaurants, foods, bands, and free ride routes, click here.

And if you want to win $50 in Taste Bucks, click here!

– ORyan