Ever wondered what a restaurant had to offer without having to worry about spending a ton of money? Just want to try something new?

It is time again for quite possibly my favorite food festival. The Taste of Bloomington. Taste is like my birthday and Christmas and Thanksgiving all wrapped into one.

On Saturday June 21, some of Bloomington's restaurants will be gathering together to serve food and raise money for charity. Located at Shower's Commons on the corner of 7th and Morton streets, Taste raises money for Hoosier Hills Food Bank and the Community Kitchen of Monroe County. With a $6 admission, From 3 to 11 pm over 40 of Bloomington's restaurants will offer a few select items off their menus for $3 or less.

Local standards such as Aver's Pizza, Crazy Horse, and Opie Taylor's are joined by chains like Cheeseburger in Paradise, O'Charley's, and Starbucks. There are international offerings from Basil Leaf's Asian fusion to El Norteno's authentic Mexican cuisine. There will even be famous options from FARMbloomington with three star chef and Hoosier native Daniel Orr, Janko's Little Zagreb is rumored to be often visited by John Mellencamp, and Mother Bear's Pizza was named one of the nation's best pizzerias by People Magazine. There will even be vegetarian fare from Mixed Greens and Roots.

As you can see there is something for everyone. Go ahead and step outside of your safety zone though. You will only be out three bucks.

If you have any questions about any food or restaurant topic feel free to contact me at mattmason628@sbcglobal.net