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Frequently Asked Questions

You have asked and we’ve listened. This year, the Taste of Lakewood has plenty to eat, and plenty of fun for the whole family! Aside from eating your way through food from 30 award winning Lakewood restaurants, you can shop, listen to music from FireSide! and JellyNJamz, teach your kids some gardening basics, eat with your puppy at the canine cafè, hang out with NetworkinGuys at the Dive Bar, remember the day at the University of Akron photo booth, try slapshot hockey with the CLE Monsters, get a temporary Taste of Lakewood tattoo, vote for your favorite restaurant, help high school students get to college, and more. You might even get a glimpse of a local celebrity!

If you have a question that you don’t see an answer to, please feel free to visit us on facebook and we will do our best to answer promptly.

How do I get to Madison Park for the Taste of Lakewood?

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Walk or Bike

Lakewood is one of Ohio’s most walkable cities, and it’s very bike friendly. Avoid the traffic and get around easily by walking or biking to the event. A bike parking area is on the east side of the pool house.

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RTA Red Line

Take the RTA Red Line (Exit at W. 117th Street, walk or roll 1/2 mile west on Madison Avenue to Madison Park). According to the RTA website the bus is ADA accessible and makes bike racks available to riders.

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Drive

While VIP tickets include close parking, there is limited parking for general admission. Some parking is available at the north end of the park, at Harrison Elementary School (2080 Quail Street, 2 blocks east), or on neighboring streets.

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VIP Drive + Park

The VIP experience includes a parking pass which allows you to park directly adjacent to the event, off of Halstead. The lot is small and very accessible.

The main list

Quick list Q&A

How much does it cost to get in?

General admission is free, “pay as you go” at individual food vendors.

What is the VIP experience and how is it different?

VIP Experience at the Taste of Lakewood includes highly sought after amenities and provides a unique experience for event VIPs. The 2018 Taste of Lakewood VIP ticket ($50) includes:

  • VIP Parking (some say this alone is worth $50)
  • Seating in the Pier W VIP Tent from 1-4pm
  • Separate VIP Bar (beer & wine) and two drink tokens
  • Proximity to the First Federal Lakewood “Good Tunes” Stage
  • Two food items of your choice from participating restaurants, delivered to you at the VIP tent
  • Volunteer wait staff to retrieve your order
  • Special VIP-only dessert provided by Pier W
  • One free VIP-only Raffle ticket to win Pier W Complete Dinner for TEN (additional chances available for purchase at event)

VIP Tent sponsor Pier W has generously donated a ‘Complete Dinner for TEN at Pier W’ as a raffle prize only offered to Taste of Lakewood VIPs. The dinner includes a 4-5 course menu to be custom designed by Chef Regan Reik (based on chosen protein, seasonal ingredients & availability) with wine paired with each course. The ‘Complete Dinner for TEN at Pier W’ is valued at $2,000.

SORRY, WE ARE SOLD OUT

What time does the event start and end?

The event starts at 1pm and ends at 7pm. The VIP experience begins at 1pm and ends at 4pm.

How much does the food cost?

Prices vary by restaurant, generally in the $3-$7 range. Beer & wine ($5 tokens), soda ($2), and water ($1) are available for purchase as well.

If you purchase a VIP ticket, it includes two food items of your choice from participating restaurants, delivered to you at the VIP tent. The VIP experience also includes a separate bar (beer & wine) and two drink tokens.

 

Is the event kid-friendly?

Yes! From learning about growing vegetables at the Kids Garden to practicing slapstick hockey at the CLE Monsters tent, there are activities planned that kids will love! The Kids Garden Tent is sponsored by Cleveland Clinic Lakewood Family Health Center and will be open from 1-4pm.

Is the event dog-friendly?

Yes, on a leash (per City of Lakewood park rules). New this year, visit the Canine Cafe, sponsored by Lakewood Urgent Care.

I’m obviously over 21. Do I have to present an ID to buy drink tokens?

Yes. The Taste of Lakewood liquor permit from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control requires that we ID anyone purchasing tokens for alcoholic beverages.

Can I use a credit card?

Beer, wine, soda and water sold by the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is cash only. Some food vendors will accept credit cards, but it’s mostly a cash event.

Where are the nearest ATMs?

There are two ATMs at the event. One is north of the NetworkinGuys Dive Bar tent and the other is at the south end of the food vendor row near the stage.

I heard this event is for charity. Is that true?

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce scholarship program, funded in part with event sponsorship dollars and proceeds from The Taste of Lakewood, awards scholarships each year to four high school seniors from either Lakewood High School or St. Edward High School.

See this year’s recipients recognized on the Taste of Lakewood stage at 4:00pm!

What entertainment is on the Taste of Lakewood stage?

1:00-3:00pm FireSide Lakewood live music
3:15-6:00pm JellyNJamz live music
4:00pm 2018 Scholarship Recipients recognized
4:15pm VIP Raffle Drawing: Pier W Dinner for Ten
6:30pm 2018 Dollar Challenge Best Restaurant Awarded

How do I vote for my favorite restaurant?

Go to the Dollar for Scholars Challenge tent and cast your vote with a dollar. The restaurant with the most cash in their bin gets recognized as People’s Choice Best Restaurant for 2018. Proceeds support the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Scholarship fund.

How do I get a temporary Taste of Lakewood tattoo?

Temporary Taste of Lakewood tattoos are given out as our way of saying thank you for voting for your favorite restaurant and supporting the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Scholarship fund (while supplies last).

How do I know if my favorite was voted best Taste of Lakewood restaurant?

The restaurant with the most cash in their bin gets recognized as People’s Choice Taste of Lakewood Best Restaurant for 2018 and will be recognized on stage at 6:30pm.

If the weather does not cooperate, does the Taste of Lakewood have a rain date?

No. The Taste of Lakewood will be on Sunday, June 10 from 1:00-7:00pm, rain or shine!

How can I remember my fabulous day at the Taste of Lakewood?

The Roo & You photo booth, sponsored by University of Akron Lakewood, is a fun way to capture the moment. The photo booth is located by the north end of the restaurants.

How do I find a particular restaurant?

The restaurants are positioned along the north and east side of Madison Park’s event area. They correspond to the numbers on this map:

  1. Angelo’s Pizza
  2. Yuzu
  3. SmoQued CLE
  4. Thai Thai
  5. TJ’s Butcher Block & Deli
  6. Melt Bar and Grilled
  7. Salt+
  8. Forage Public House
  9. LBM Bar
  10. Upper Crust Pizza
  11. Barrio Lakewood
  12. India Garden
  13. Sweet Amelia’s
  14. Woodstock BBQ
  15. Goodkind Coffee
  16. Distill Table
  17. Dewey’s Pizza
  18. The Sweet Spot
  19. Pepper’s Italian Restaurant
  20. Voodoo Tuna Sushi Bar & Lounge
  21. The Root Café
  22. El Carnicero
  23. Deagan’s Kitchen & Bar
  24. Humble Wine Bar
  25. Campbell’s Sweets Factory
  26. Donatos Pizza
  27. Aladdin’s Eatery
  28. Georgetown
  29. Beer Engine
  30. Addicted Coffee & Ice Cream
Treat yourself and help a student

A portion of VIP Ticket proceeds contribute to the future of young minds

VIP Experience at the Taste of Lakewood includes highly sought after amenities and provides a unique experience for event VIPs. The 2018 Taste of Lakewood VIP ticket ($50) includes:

  • VIP Parking (some say this alone is worth $50)
  • Seating in the Pier W VIP Tent from 1-4pm
  • Separate VIP Bar (beer & wine) and two drink tokens
  • Proximity to the First Federal Lakewood “Good Tunes” Stage
  • Two food items of your choice from participating restaurants, delivered to you at the VIP tent
  • Volunteer wait staff to retrieve your order
  • Special VIP-only dessert provided by Pier W
  • One free VIP-only Raffle ticket to win Pier W Complete Dinner for TEN (additional chances available for purchase at event)

VIP Tent sponsor Pier W has generously donated a ‘Complete Dinner for TEN at Pier W’ as a raffle prize only offered to Taste of Lakewood VIPs. The dinner includes a 4-5 course menu to be custom designed by Chef Regan Reik (based on chosen protein, seasonal ingredients & availability) with wine paired with each course. The ‘Complete Dinner for TEN at Pier W’ is valued at $2,000.

SOLD OUT

2017 waiters gather together under the VIP tent. As part of the VIP experience, seated customers order from their table and their waiter retrieves the order, then runs the food back to the table. Volunteer 2018 waiters will be from the LTA (Lakewood Teachers Association). Tips this year will be donated to the scholarship fund.

Event Details

EVENT CO-PRESENTERS
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
Cleveland Magazine
EVENT CO-PROMOTER
Convey360
TASTE OF LAKEWOOD 2018
Sunday, June 10
1:00pm — 7:00pm
Madison Park, Lakewood, Ohio
General Admission is FREE
VIP EXPERIENCE

Includes reserved parking, seating, personal waiter, food and drink tokens, special dessert, and one raffle ticket to win dinner for 10
SOLD OUT

Taste of Lakewood is named one of Cleveland Magazine’s Best of the West 2018 Finalists!

Contact Us • Note on Music

HAVE A QUESTION? CONTACT US.
Please note: Bands have already been chosen for 2018 and will be announced soon. Please let us know if you are interested in 2019 or beyond.

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