I was really a bit disappointed with the festival this year. Yes, It was 95 degrees and hot as hell but they have no control over that.
My complaints this year are that this is "A Taste of Charlotte" I would think that it should focus on hometown restaurants ans services so what kills it for me is when they let the chains participate.
But some of the chain names sound similar to local restaurant names...for instance, Mama Fu's is a chain but when I was at the festival, I confused them with Wan Fu. Shame on me. Oh well, I'll give them credit for the Chicken Curry Roll. It's was very good.
Had some bacon wrapped Chicken and beans and rice from Brazas Brazillian restaurant and that was pretty good.
From another chain, I had a smoothie from smoothie king which cooled me down for a little while
I was quite disappointed with the cupcake from Polka Dot baking company. I'm glad I didn't go with them for my birthday party. I could have done better at Harris Teeter.
And the best part of the festival was the beer...Bass and watching people.
I'm not sure if this is worth attending every year. The only thing that really changed was they moved the arts and crafts people to South Tryon St. instead of N. Tryon.