Sign with black text on white background reading "Tacos & Tequila".

Tacos & Tequila Presented by Square and US Foods

Thursday, September 24 | 6-9 PM | Harris Theater Rooftop
Tickets: $130+ taxes & fees

Starting the festival weekend with a kick, Tacos & Tequila brings the heat with gourmet tacos from some of Chicago's top chefs, premium tequila and agave spirits, and a vibrant evening of music, flavor, and celebration under the stars. Sip handcrafted cocktails, sample an impressive selection of tequila and mezcal, and enjoy bold bites that showcase the creativity and diversity of Chicago's culinary scene.

As the sun sets, the energy comes alive with live mariachi music, colorful Mexican folk dance and mojiganga performances, and a soundtrack that keeps the party going all night long. Whether you're dancing with a margarita in hand or savoring your next taco, this lively kickoff celebration is the perfect way to begin an unforgettable Chicago Gourmet weekend.

Chef Rick Bayless wearing a red and white striped shirt holding a bowl of food, smiling at an outdoor event with trees and colorful banners in the background.
SOLD OUT!

    • Location: Harris Theater Rooftop:
      205 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 

    • This event is 21+ 

    • Event is rain or shine 

    • What To Wear: Chicago weather can be unpredictable! Chicago Gourmet events are not formal and take place mostly outdoors, so layers and comfortable footwear are always a good idea. 

    • Reach for vibrant colors, bold patterns and festive details. The more energy and flair, the better. 

    • No valet will be available. We encourage all attendees to take a ride share or public transportation. There is a discounted parking  available via our partners at Millennium Garages. 

HOSTS

A middle-aged man with gray hair, glasses, and a goatee smiling in a dark studio portrait.
Silhouette of a person sitting in a meditative pose on a mountain top at sunset with a large circular sun behind.

RICK BAYLESS

Frontera Grill

A smiling man with a beard and short hair standing indoors in a brick building with a glass ceiling, string lights, and tables in the background.
Silhouette of a person sitting in a meditative pose on a mountain top at sunset with a large circular sun behind.

MARCOS CARBAJAL

Carnitas Uruapan

Silhouette of a person sitting in a meditative pose on a mountain top at sunset with a large circular sun behind.
Woman in traditional Mexican attire holding a mortar and pestle in a colorful kitchen with tiled wall and pottery.
A black-and-white illustrated snake with its tongue out.

DIANA DÁVILA

Mi Tocaya Antojería

TALENT
A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

CARLOS LOPEZ MUÑOZ

Istmo Oaxacan Cuisine

A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

JESSICA PERJES

Tacotlán
A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

JIM SHIRLEY

South Walton, Florida

ROBERTO VALENZUELA

Cruz Blanca

A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.
A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

ELTON AMBROSE

Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval, Chicago
A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

MARCOS ASCENCIO

Taquería Chingón / Mariscos San Pedro

CARLOS CAHUE

A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

Old Pueblo Cantina

A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

MARCO COLIN

La Luna/ La Lunita
A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

JUAN COVARRUBIAS

Xurro

A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

DAN HARRIS

Tuco & Blondie

OLIVER POILEVEY

Taquería Chingón / Mariscos San Pedro

A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.
A cartoon character with a big, toothy smile and spiraled eyes, wearing a mask and a cape.

LEO RAMOS & REYNEL MENDOZA

Kie-Gol-Lanee

PRESENTED BY

Black Solare logo with a stylized square icon followed by the word "Solare" in black text.
US Foods logo in green and red text.

SPONSORS

Graphic with the text 'CHICAGO' in large, bold black letters and smaller text below that says 'CHOOSE CHICAGO'.
1800 Tequila logo in black and white
Country Financial logo with white text on a green oval background.
JCDecaux logo on a white background.
Logo of EOLOAR in blue letters with a star at the center of the 'O'.
Logo of EOLOAR in blue letters with a star at the center of the 'O'.
OVC Hospitality logo featuring a blue circle with a gold tree inside, and the words "OVC Hospitality" in blue and gold.
Logo of SOAP.com with the tagline 'A CSI Company' underneath.
Logo for South Walton, Florida, featuring a blue square with a yellow curved line and a blue curved line representing waves, with the text 'South Walton Florida' underneath.
A logo featuring a stylized orange fleur-de-lis on the left. To the right, the text reads 'AQUA PANNA' in large orange letters, with the tagline 'THE FINE DINING WATERS' in smaller gray letters underneath. Below, the logo also includes a red star and the text 'S. PELLEGRINO' in dark blue letters.
The Patrón Tequila logo featuring a stylized bee with intricate wing details, the word 'PATRÓN' in large serif font, and the word 'TEQUILA' below in a smaller font.
TopChee brand logo with stylized text and tagline Hard Seltzer
A gray surface with the logo 'LCR' in silver and red 3D letters.
Logo for the hotel chain 'Saimont' in Chicago, located in Millennium Park, with elegant script font.
Bank of America logo with red, white, and blue stylized flag emblem.
Logo with a geometric star design in red, blue, and white, accompanied by the text 'McCORMICK' and the words 'SQUARE', 'PLACE', and 'MPEA' below it.
Logo of Chicago Magazine with the word 'CHICAGO' in large black letters and 'MAGAZINE' in smaller black letters underneath

EVENT PARTNERS

CHARITY PARTNERS

Logo of Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, featuring three brown silhouettes of people in academic caps and gowns and a blue rectangle with white text reading "Educational Foundation."
Logo with hands holding a heart inside a circle and the text 'Rae Restaurant Employee Relief Fund' with 'RELIEF' in red

TITLE SPONSOR &
OFFICIAL ETF PARTNER

Invesco QQQ logo featuring a blue mountain graphic and the words 'Invesco QQQ' in blue text.

FOUNDING PARTNER

Logo of the Illinois Restaurant Association featuring a blue map of Illinois, a fork, a knife, and a spoon.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PREMIER SPONSOR

Black logo of the company Square, with a square icon followed by the word 'Square' in bold black lowercase letters.
Black logo of the company Square, with a square icon followed by the word 'Square' in bold black lowercase letters.