EEEEEATSCON, the food festival sponsored by restaurant review site The Infatuation, is returning to Chicago for its second year. While there are a ton of summer food festivals for Chicagoans to choose from, there are four reasons to make EEEEEATSCON a priority. First, it’s at the Salt Shed, one of the most exciting new venues to open in Chicago this century. Second, the event includes celebrity speakers (like Chrissy Teigen and Chance the Rapper) and live musical performances. Third (and most important), EEEEEATSCON offers a great lineup of excellent local, independent restaurants. And fourth, Lyft will give you $5 off your rides there and back, while supplies last. To make sure you make the most of the event, here are the participating local eateries that are most popular among Lyft riders.

Use code ECCHI24 to get $5 off your rides to and from EEEEEATSCON. Discount applies to the fare, service fee, tolls, and taxes only. Limited quantity available. Valid July 13 to 14, 2024. Pickup or drop-off must be within the coverage area. Cannot be combined with other offers. Subject to Lyft’s Terms of Service.

If you don’t spend a lot of time near Chinatown, you might have missed this sushi restaurant hiding inside 88 Marketplace. Even if you have walked past, you might not have thought much about a supermarket sushi counter, but think again — chef Joe Fung is a former chef at Sushi-San, and this spot is not typical “grocery” sushi but a worthy destination in itself. In addition to a wide variety of maki and nigiri, 312 Fish Market boasts a wide selection of donburi, super fresh sashimi served over sushi rice with various garnishes; the scallop don with seared scallop, pickled onions, and daikon is the perfect snack for a hot day.

Chef Steven Sandoval comes from the Rick Bayless empire and spent time at Lena Brava, the wood-fired palace of Baja cuisine in the West Loop. Now, he’s struck out on his own with Diego, and his version of Baja street food has been garnering raves. While the restaurant is known for its seafood dishes, like the gobernador taco with shrimp, pickled onion, and queso, it’s also gotten attention for its super-thick TJ Hamburguesa, served with pickled jalapeño and white cheddar.

You couldn’t get a better lineup than the three chefs behind Lilac Tiger, who previously led such stalwarts as Wazwan, Kimski, and Arami. (In fact, Lilac Tiger is located in Wazwan’s old space.) The menu is a collision of Korean and Indian flavors, with Tandoori honey chicken (lovingly referred to as THC) popping up all over the menu.

Soul & Smoke is the hottest name in Chicago barbecue, with three locations, a food truck, and a line of grocery items. This will be its first year participating in EEEEEATSCON, but owner Heather Bublick is hyped, using the event to roll out some exclusive menu items. “We made the cauliflower burnt ends specifically for this,” says Bublick. These are vegan and served with an avocado sauce and crispy onion crumble. For the carnivores, pastrami burnt ends are also exclusive to the event and served with a Carolina gold sauce.

This Avondale spot, an offshoot of cult-favorite Honey Butter Fried Chicken, is best known for its Cubano, featuring mojo pork from Slagel Farm, local cheese, pickles, chipotle aioli, and mustard butter. (If that’s too meaty for you, check out the vegetarian version, made with local Phoenix Bean tofu.) Its EEEEEATSCON menu also includes a Honey Butter Fried Chicken Donut, which is dipped in honey butter and sprinkled with “chicken crust crunches.” HBFC owner Christine Cikowski is pumped for TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop’s EEEEEATSCON debut: “All our friends who have participated have loved the festival, and it’s such a cool venue!”

Use code ECCHI24 to get $5 off your rides to and from Eeeeeatscon. Max savings of $5 per ride. Discount applies to the fare, service fee, tolls and taxes only. Limited quantity available. Valid July 13-14, 2024. Pickup or drop-off must be within the coverage area. Cannot be combined with other offers. Subject to Lyft’s Terms of Service.