Taste of Ellicottville Returns with Food, Fun, and a Cause This Weekend
Taste of Ellicottville Returns with Food, Fun, and a Cause This Weekend
Ellicottville’s Beloved Food Festival Returns with Crowd Favorites, Hot Dog Contests, and a Mission to Support Pediatric Cancer Awareness
Ellicottville’s favorite food event is back, and it’s bringing more than just delicious bites to the table. The Taste of Ellicottville returns to the village this Saturday and Sunday, August 9-10th, transforming the streets into a walkable feast. With local restaurants spilling out onto Washington and Monroe Streets, visitors can enjoy café-style sampling of small plates, desserts, and signature creations from Ellicottville’s top chefs and eateries.
Tasting tickets, available at various booths throughout the festival, are just $1 each, with menu items priced between $1 and $5. No reservations needed, no complicated plans. Just show up, grab some tickets, and eat your way through the village.
But this year’s Taste isn’t just about good food - it’s about doing good, too. The event is partnering with Hope Rises and their Shine Gold for the Kids campaign, which supports pediatric cancer patients and their families. A portion of proceeds from several features throughout the weekend will go directly toward this powerful cause.
“We’re so excited to bring the Taste back, and even more excited to use it as a way to give back,” said Barb Pump, Executive Director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “From hot dogs to hope, everything we’re doing this year has a little extra heart behind it.”
TWO HOT DOG CONTESTS. ONE GREAT CAUSE!
New this year: The Hot Dog Topping Contest, sponsored by Sahlen’s, will take place on Saturday, and the Hot Dog Eating Contest, sponsored by Zweigle’s, will be held Sunday. Both are lighthearted crowd favorites with a purpose… all registration fees will be donated to Shine Gold.
Got a dream dog recipe? Enter it Saturday for a chance to see your creation featured at Balloons Restaurant. Feeling competitive? Step up to the plate Sunday and go for glory (and possible indigestion) in the hot dog eating contest. Either way, you’re supporting kids and families who need it most.
“These contests are a great mix of fun and fundraising,” said Pump. “People love them, and it’s just one more way the Taste is making an impact beyond the plate.”
A PREVIEW OF WHAT’S COOKING
While every booth is a chance to discover something new, here are a few fan favorites and can't-miss dishes to look for this weekend:
Alpine Bistro and Ellicottville Bake Shop are serving up their housemade cheddar biscuits - buttery, flaky, and loaded with sharp cheddar in every bite.
Villaggio is bringing back Nani’s Mini Meatballs, a staple that’s earned top billing status among Taste regulars. Made from scratch with an old-school Italian recipe, they’re small but mighty.
Edna’s at the Tamarack Club is rolling out golden Mac n Cheese Balls - crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy inside, it’s the ultimate comfort food in snackable form.
Katy’s Café is unveiling their elusive Blue Mushroom Soup, a savory specialty that only makes an appearance a couple times a year. Get it while you can!
Monroe Street Brick & Brew is sticking to their roots - and their dough. Head to their tent for fresh, hot pizza slices straight from the oven.
Watson’s Chocolates will once again serve up their locally famous Rice Pudding, a rich and creamy dessert they reserve exclusively for Taste weekend.
Tap & Bottle Taqueria is offering a sweet ending with their Tres Leches Crunch Cake, a moist classic with a crispy twist.
The Banq Cocktail Lounge will be shaking up Watermelon Mojito Mocktails - refreshing, fizzy, and perfect for summer sipping.
Hungry for more? This is just a sneak peek! Flip to page 04 for the full menu and map to guide your tasting adventure.
BEYOND THE BITES
While food is the star, it’s not the only reason to explore the village this weekend. Branding Buffalo will be on-site with custom Taste-themed apparel, with proceeds from select items going towards supporting Shine Gold. You’ll also find the dynamic team from the Ellicottville Playground project out and about, and representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association will be available to chat about their upcoming walk and how you can get involved and help make a difference. And of course, live music will set the vibe throughout the village all weekend long.
“It’s really become one of those signature events that brings everyone together - residents, visitors, and volunteers,” said Pump. “You come for the food, but you leave feeling like you were part of something bigger.”
For more information on the Taste and other Chamber sponsored events, visit ellicottvilleny.com.
