Paste's Summer Festival Guide 2010: Festival Food That Doesn't Suck

Man cannot survive on Pronto Pups alone. You’re at a festival, you’ve gotta eat—but what? Everyone knows the usual options: mini-pizzas, fried meat on sticks, overpriced beer. Still, a few fests offer more than the outdoor equivalent of a mall food court. The champ here is Pitchfork (Chicago, July 16-18), which features a bevy of stands from area restaurants, including Southern-food favorites Robinson’s Ribs and Wishbone, veteran German sausage specialists Berghoff, Thai powerhouse Star of Siam, and vegan fare from Chicago Diner. In Seattle, Bumbershoot (Sept. 5-7) has a number of quality stands. Make sure to hit Bringer Farms’ Giant Strawberry Shortcake, plus the two Corn Roasters stands for whole cobs and a plethora of toppings. Remember, too, that sometimes food-court staples become that way for a reason. Siren Festival (New York, July 17) takes place on Coney Island, meaning you can line up for a Nathan’s Famous hot dog at the chain’s original location. History counts, right?