BarrieFest 2023
Dear Takeout 25 family,
It's BarrieFest time again! A neighborhood celebration featuring music, activities (including a climbing wall!), community updates, and of course FOOD! This year, Takeout 25 is proud to launch our community as Illinois' first Green Dining Hub at BarrieFest. This launch is both the culmination of months of work and collaboration, and also the start of a journey as we differentiate dining in our community by greening it through collective action. We are excited and proud of this journey and we want you to be a part of this excitement as we launch this at BarrieFest.
DATE: 9th September 2023
TIME: noon - 5 p.m.
PLACE: Barrie Park, 1011 S Lombard Ave., Oak Park
Green Dining Hub details: https://www.takeout25.org/green-dining-hub
At BarrieFest, we will proudly showcase 8 amazing local food establishments that truly represent our community's diversity and taste. Our partners Clean up Give Back and their OPRF High school volunteers will help manage the event sustainably. While BarrieFest is free to attend, food options will be available with tickets.
Ticket bundles may be purchased online here through Sep 7th. https://www.givesignup.org/TicketEvent/BarrieFest2023
$25 - 4 tickets
$50 - 9 tickets
Tickets bundles will be available for in-person purchase at the venue on Sep 9th
$30 – 4 tickets
$60 – 9 tickets
All food items will be available for 1 or 2 tickets.
GET THE TAKEOUT 25 T-SHIRT! Check out our Takeout 25 t-shirt! You can get yours for additional donations of $25 or more. September is Hunger Action Month and Takeout 25 is committed to using all donations received toward addressing the increasing local food insecurity challenge or enabling local sustainability.
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
TACO MUCHO (Mexican)
Khyber Pass Restaurant (Indian)
Mora Asian Kitchen Oak Park (Asian Fusion)
Carnivore Oak Park (American)
Happy Apple Pie Shop, LLC (Pies)
MediaNoche Berwyn Cafe (Cuban)
Poke Burrito Oak (Poke Bowls)
Candycopia (Candy)
This would not be possible without local businesses and business owners stepping up to support the event: Thank you to our community minded sponsors Delivery First, Sugarcup trading and 16 Suitcases. Special thanks also to our partners at SEOPCO South East Oak Park Community Organization, Clean Up Give Back - OPRF Chapter, and @Illinois Green Business Program.
We hope you are as excited to participate as we are to bring this to you!
Taste the Town at Fitzgerald's (2023)
Dear Takeout 25 family,
Takeout 25 Taste the Town, our signature event, is back at Fitzgerald's!
Last year was such a blast! So as we wind down Mother’s day celebrations today, let’s look ahead to Father's Day (June 18th). This year Takeout 25 Taste the Town is designed to show Dad a great time! We've got an irresistible lineup of local food & drinks and terrific live music, plus entertainment and activities for the whole family while supporting local social causes. There is something at Takeout 25 Taste the Town for everyone, and this year there is a lot for dads.
Date & Time: Father's Day, June 18, 4 to 7 PM
Venue: Fitzgerald's Club Outdoor Patio, 6615 Roosevelt Rd (tented to make sure that weather cannot play spoil sport)
Music: We're THRILLED to announce that the awesome Gerald McClendon (The Soul Keeper) and his fantastic band will be back! These guys slayed last year! We dare you to try to sit still!
Food: Delicious tasting portions from Babygold BBQ, Kettlestrings Tavern, Khyber Pass, MediaNoche Berwyn Cafe, Poke Burrito, Surf's Up, and Taco Mucho. Fabulous desserts by Happy Apple & Twisted Cookie
Activities for kids so dads can relax and enjoy music, drinks, and nosh (If you have ideas DM us)
Great giveaways for dads: prizes for the Dad Dance-Off, local trivia, etc. (If you have ideas DM us)
Beneficiary not for profit: New moms (We are proud to support the efforts of this impactful local not for profit)
Tickets
SPACE IS LIMITED! Venue Capacity 250.
Please note: To eliminate waste and to provide our restaurants with a better estimate of needs, we will close ticket sales June 15 at midnight.
$50 (Single Entry = 3 food coupons + music, entertainment & cash bar)
$100 (Couples Entry [kids 16 & under enter free with parents] + 7 food coupons + music, entertainment & cash bar)
Sign up soon! The first 25 dads on our ticket list will receive a free drink at the bar!
Get Tickets here: https://www.givesignup.org/Ticket.../TakeoutTastetheTown2023
Donations
If you are unable to attend – or in addition to your tickets – please consider donating. All donations will equally support New Moms or the immigrant crisis that we are experiencing with the end of Title 42. Waves of immigrants are reaching Illinois and our efforts will be focused on providing food from local restaurants as needed to the families arriving at the District 15 police station in Austin.
Donate here: https://www.givesignup.org/.../TakeoutTastetheTown.../Donate
The first 80 donations of $25 and over will receive a Takeout 25 t-shirt.
Takeout 25 is a nonprofit 501(c)6 with a mission to enable and empower the local small food businesses sustainably while addressing food insecurity. Supporting a unique event like this strengthens our community as a whole. Let’s come together to help build community.
Dining in our Community - Past, Present and Future
Dear Takeout 25 family,
I'm excited to announce that Takeout 25 is partnering with the OPRF History Museum to curate a special event for you. We believe food represents the taste and diversity of a community and is the backbone of the local economy.
Presenting:
Dining in our community - Past, Present and Future.
Venue: OPRF History Museum, 129 Lake St
Date & Time: April 23rd (Sunday), 4 to 5:30 PM
We bring together local food experts (e.g. restaurant owners, chefs, food writers) in a moderated panel discussion to understand more about the history and evolution of dining in our community. $25 tickets for the event includes local beer and pizza. Space at the museum is limited (50 seats). So please get your tickets without delay at
http://oprfmuseum.org/store...
We really appreciate the OPRF History Museum reaching out to partner with Takeout 25 on this idea. Special thanks to Fran, Frank ad Rachel from the OPRF History Museum for making this possible.
We look forward to seeing you there for an interesting conversation and an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday evening learning together.
Owner's Meet - April 2023
Dear Takeout 25 family,
The 3rd Takeout 25 restaurant owners/managers meet up at Exit strategy. We looked back at our journey together and looked ahead and brainstormed ideas on how we can together build great dining experiences for you and make our community special. We did a workshop around building and promoting our community as Illinois’ first green dining hub.
And remind me to be very careful the next time about organizing a potluck with restaurant owners. The food was amazing. Thank you for showing up to collaborate with your fellow owners and managers and for bringing something to share. You are awesome!
Water Box Soft-Launch
Dear Takeout 25 Family,
I am beyond thrilled to announce the soft launch of Takeout 25 boxed water. It is a single concept that addresses sustainability, local small business support and food insecurity and I'm so pleased with the way it turned out. Please grab a Takeout 25 boxed water and scan the QR code on the box with your phone. Check out local dining specials and support local businesses. We’ve tried to make it easy and convenient for you but would really appreciate your feedback about the experience. Especially the digital experience once you scan the QR code. Thank you!
Check out this video for more details:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwp-jmFTPwE
You can find the Takeout 25 boxed water at Carnival Grocery, West Cook YMCA starting today and Candycopia, Fritzi's Delicatessen, Chubby's Hot Chicken, Fitzgerald’s, Fitness Formula Club (FFC) Oak Park, OakParkApartments.com, Prairie Land Title Co and Sugar Beet Food Co-op shortly. And soon available at many more local locations near you.
Let’s reduce plastic bottles water consumption by 25% (Takeout 25)
Let’s support local dining specials 25% more by easily and conveniently accessing them in one spot. (Takeout 25)
Feel free to take a picture with the box and post here and let us know where you got it from and also let us know where you would like to see it next so that it’s more convenient for you.
Thanks to our sponsors Carnival Grocery, West Cook YMCA, Pillar Financial Advisors, Oak Park Apartments.
Emergency Warming Shelter
Dear Takeout 25 family,
Like last year, Takeout 25 is honored to partner with Housing Forward, Oak Park Homelessness Coalition in providing food from our local restaurants to the emergency shelter at St Catharine/St Lucy Rectory. I was at the opening of this shelter this week where we were able to walk through the shelter.
Over the holidays we raised funds to cover about 3 weeks of food to the shelter. We are hoping to be able to support the shelter between January 16th and March 16th (8 weeks). This also helps our participating local restaurants get some steady business over the lean winter months. Through these efforts we address food insecurity while also enabling the local businesses. Both important to our mission.
If you are able please support with a contribution. Thanks to everyone who has already contributed. We've made it easier for you to support by creating tickets that represent the impact you can have on the residents of the shelter.
Click here: https://www.givesignup.org/TicketEvent/Warmup2023
I want to thank the partnering restaurants and Delivery First for agreeing to support this initiative with delivery services like last year. And thanks to Housing forward and Oak Park homelessness coalition for inviting Takeout 25 into this effort.
Chicago Sun Times article for further details: https://chicago.suntimes.com/.../emergency-shelter-oak...
Employee Appreciation Month
Dear Takeout 25 family,
January is employee appreciation month here at Takeout 25. We appreciate employees nominated by our local restaurants to show our appreciation for their service and say thank you. We would like our community to be the best place to come work in. We show our appreciation by giving cash, local products or services as gifts and acknowledging their service with daily posts on our Facebook page.
Last year we had local spas offering massage sessions, art spaces offering art kits and sessions, cash cards from Delivery First & Sean Olis at Guaranteed Rate, etc.
This year the Takeout 25 employee appreciation month is sponsored by Oak Park Bank (A Wintrust community bank). Special thanks to Chris Griffith for the partnership!
See more information and our appreciation posts on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/takeout25oakpark
Holiday Gift Card Bundle
Dear Takeout 25 Family,
Takeout 25 turns 2 today! To celebrate our anniversary and to kick off our holiday season we are announcing our Holiday gift card bundle program that was very popular last year. This time Candycopia, a key addition to our Hemmingway business district, is stepping in to sponsor this effort. Thank you Alycia & Patrick.
Takeout 25 is offering holiday gift card bundles from local restaurants. Use them as gifts, stocking stuffers, or treat yourself this season! Sold in $25, $50, $100, and $250 packages, each bundle contains a "secret Santa style" assortment of $25 gift cards to local restaurants, offering you a surprise mix of your already-favorite places, plus a chance to discover that new restaurant you've been meaning to try!
The bundle you purchase will be available for pick up on Dec 10th between 10:30 and 12:30 at Oak Park Regional Housing Center 50th Anniversary Champagne Brunch at St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy Catholic Church, 38 N Austin Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302.
We are helping the Oak Park Regional Housing Center celebrate their 50th anniversary. The first 25 people to purchase Takeout 25 gift card bundles will get entry to the OPRHC Champagne Brunch. In addition, we are offering a special $150 bundle that gets you two $25-gift cards, PLUS admission for one to the Oak Park Regional Housing Center 50th Anniversary Champagne Brunch (a total value of $200). Takeout 25 restaurants (Mora, Asian Kitchen, Kribi Coffee, The Daly Bagel, Top Butcher Market, Twisted Cookie) will be serving some amazing brunch and beverages at this event on Dec 10th.
As always, you have the option to make additional donations and all donations over $25 will receive freshly designed Takeout 25 T-Shirts.
Additionally, on November 26th (small business Saturday), a life time Oak Parker bought $1000 in Takeout 25 Holiday gift card bundles and donated it back to us for distribution to people in need in our community. We are constantly amazed by the generosity of our community members. This kind soul, who has requested to stay anonymous, has further committed to match any gift card donations from other community members. We hope this act of kindness moves you to make a donation of your own so that we can maximize our collective impact on economic enablement of our restaurants while also addressing food insecurity in our community. Please let us know if you would like your bundle to be donated below!
Click here to get your bundle and to make donations: https://www.givesignup.org/.../TakeoutHolidayGiftCardBund...
We want to thank our anonymous donor for the trust placed on Takeout 25 with this act. Needless to say, Takeout 25 will ensure these gifts reach folks in need and we commit to doing that in a transparent way while respecting the privacy of the recipients.
Get your bundles now! Sales close on Wednesday, December 7 at midnight. Gift cards will be available for pickup only on December 10.
Stop by the Takeout 25 booth at the entrance to the OPRHC 50th Anniversary Champagne Brunch and join the festivities. Happy holidays from all of us at Takeout 25!
BarrieFest
Dear Takeout 25 family,
BarrieFest is back! After a very successful event last year, Takeout 25 is once again joining hands with SEOPCO South East Oak Park Community Organization to put together a one-of-a-kind event for you.
YOU ARE ALL INVITED!
A neighborhood celebration featuring music, activities (including a climbing wall!), vendors, and of course FOOD!
DATE: 10th September 2022
TIME: Noon - 5 p.m.
PLACE: Barrie Park, 1011 S Lombard Ave., Oak Park
September is Hunger Action Month and Takeout 25 is committed to addressing the increasing local food insecurity challenge. This time we are partnering with Austin Eats as our non-profit beneficiary. Austin Eats is a collaborative initiative to address the food access ecosystem in the Austin neighborhood.
At BarrieFest, we will proudly showcase 10 amazing local food establishments that truly represent our community's diversity and taste.
While BarrieFest is free to attend, food options will be available with tickets. Tickets are available in two packs:
$25 = 4 tickets
$50 = 9 tickets
All food items will be available for 1 or 2 tickets.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE! www.givesignup.org/TicketEvent/BarrieFest
GET THE TAKEOUT 25 T-SHIRT! Check out our cool new Takeout 25 t-shirt design! You get yours for additional donations of $25 or more.
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
Taco Mucho (Mexican)
Khyber Pass (Indian)
MORA Asian Kitchen (Asian Fusion)
Billy Bricks (Pizza)
Carnivore Oak Park (American)
Happy Apple Pie Shop, LLC (Pies)
Cafe Cubano (Cuban)
The Brown Cow (Ice Cream)
Candycopia (Candy)
Kribi Coffee Air Roastery (Coffee)
This would not be possible without local businesses and business owners stepping up to support the event: Thank you for your support, Sean Hennessy at Delivery First, Rob Guenthner at Kettlestrings Tavern, and Sean Olis at Guaranteed Rate. Special thanks also to our partners at SEOPCO and Austin Eats.
We hope you are as excited to participate as we are to bring this to you!
Stay tuned for an exciting Takeout 25 product launch that addresses local sustainability while strengthening our economy. Details to follow!
Takeout 25 - Taste the Town @ Fitzgerald’s
Y’all ready for this?!
We’re so excited to announce that Takeout 25 – Taste the Town is BACK AND IN PERSON at FitzGerald’s! As you’ve come to expect, we’ve got amazing food from local restaurants. And because there is so much more to “tasting a town” than just sampling its food, we’re bringing it ALL to you: a great lineup of local food & drinks, live music, art & entertainment, and tourism – all brought to you with a sustainability focus while supporting local social causes.
There is something at Taste the Town for everyone. But equally importantly, supporting a unique event like this strengthens the community as a whole. Let’s come together to help our community heal and recover from the pandemic. Please share with your friends and let’s put our community on the map as a Chicagoland hot spot!
Date & Time: 26th June, 4 to 7 PM (Nestled between Juneteenth and July 4th as we celebrate freedom and independence, let's also celebrate this amazing community we live in)
Venue: FitzGerald’s Club Outdoor Patio, 6615 Roosevelt Rd
Music: Thrilled to announce that the awesome Gerald McClendon (The Soul Keeper) and his amazing band will be playing – Sponsored by Byline Bank
Non-Profit Beneficiary: Beyond Hunger
Featured Restaurants: Amerikas, Babygold Barbecue , Kettlestrings Grove, Khyber Pass, Poke Burrito Chicago, Surf's Up Oak Park, Schweet Cheesecake (dessert), Twisted Cookie (dessert)
Tickets
Buy your tickets here before June 21st or while tickets last (in-person capacity 250 people)
(Not-for-profit ticketing platform charges 6%+$1 per transaction)
In person Food (Taste portions) + Music + (+Cash bar) - Venue Capacity 250
$50 (Single Entry + 3 food coupons + Music)
$100 (Couples Entry [Kids16 & under enter free with parents] + 7 food coupons + Music)
Takeout tickets (Pick-up at the venue between 5pm & 6pm and Delivery between 5pm & 7pm at the address on the order)
We have separate tickets for pick-up and delivery for you to choose from. There is a $7 charge added for delivery orders. With these options we want to make it as inclusive as possible. The delivery and pick up food servings will be put together for you by the event team.
$25 (2 restaurant food tastings)
$50 (4 restaurant food tastings)
$250 (Devour the Town) - Surprise
Delivery sponsored by Delivery First.
Art, Entertainment, Tourism & Philanthropy
If you are unable to attend – or in addition to your participation – please consider donating. All donations will go toward addressing local food insecurity, sustainability, and enabling the local economy. Beyond Hunger is collaborating with Takeout 25 as the not-for-profit beneficiary for Taste the Town.
The first 80 donations of $25 and over will receive a ticket, a pass, or a voucher toward visiting one of our amazing local art, entertainment, or tourism attractions. Thanks to these local gems for supporting the event with over 80 tickets! Please come visit these attractions as we recover from the pandemic. We have so much to offer locally.
Classic Cinemas Lake Theatre - Movie ticket for one (Popcorn and soda included)
Unity Temple - Ticket for one to Unity Chamber Music Series for the 2022/23 season (Single performance)
Frank Lloyd Wright Trust - Ticket for one to the Interior Home and Studio tour
Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum – Pass which represents complementary entry for two
OPRF Museum - Weekday entry pass for one
Wonder Works Children's Museum - Entry pass for one
Escape Factor - Escape Room: A Puzzling Adventure - One $25 gift voucher
Oak Park Area Arts Council - (Ticket for one to Symphony of OPRF, Festival Theatre, Chicago Acapella and more)
Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters at Byline Bank, Delivery First, OPRF Mortgage (Sean Olis at Guaranteed Rate), Cadence Group and West Suburban Garage Doors who care deeply about our community. Please support them with your business.
Restaurant Owners Meetup
Brining together local restaurant owners and managers who have participated in Takeout 25 but have not had the opportunity to meet and get to know each other in an informal setting. This is the first of these meet ups and Takeout 25 plans to host them periodically moving forward.