On an early April weekend, nearly 100 UChicago students explored downtown Hyde Park’s vibrant dining scene, sampling menu items from several locally owned and operated restaurants through the 4th Taste of Hyde Park event. The event, hosted by UChicago Commercial Real Estate Operations (CREO) and Undergraduate Student Government, aimed to help students to step beyond the quad, support local businesses, and discover new favorite spots to return to. Tickets sold out within 24 hours.
Students sampled chicken tinga tacos from 5 Rabanitos, crispy falafel from Cedars, jerk chicken and rice from Jerk Yard, cheeseburgers from Small Cheval, ice cream sundaes from Kilwins, and gourmet baked goods from Strugglebeard Bakery.
Bridging Campus and Community
For participating local business owners, the event was a way to reach the student demographic, which can often feel siloed on campus and separated from the neighborhood.
“Connecting with UChicago students in a fun, low‑pressure setting helps us build awareness and … introduce them to what we do and hopefully build relationships that bring them back through our doors,” noted Erika Federschmidt, Small Cheval’s Executive Director of Service and Operations.
For some business owners, the event offered opportunities for new connections and outreach that extend beyond a typical restaurant visit.
"Taste of Hyde Park was an easy yes for us because it’s about community—and that’s at the core of everything we do,” said Quinton McNair, owner of Strugglebeard Bakery. “Strugglebeard Bakery was built from a real place, rooted in mental health, resilience, and creating a space where people can feel seen and connected, so being able to share that with the neighborhood meant a lot."
Personal Connections
The personal interactions with owners left a lasting impression on the participants as well. Third-year College student Lilia Atanda was struck by the personal stories of the small business owners, noting that the deeper understanding of their journeys made her more likely to support them in the future.
Other students made new discoveries that might find their way into their weekly dining rotations. “(I’ve) never had Caribbean jerk in my life before,” said first-year Emmanuel Munoz as he reflected on his visit to Jerk-Yard, “and I just had to try it again the next week.” He added that the experience encouraged him to venture further off campus to try local restaurants offering “the most authentic food that truly represents the diversity of Chicago.”
Amer Abdullah (AB’02), the second-generation owner of Cedars, said participating as a UChicago alum felt especially meaningful. Noting Hyde Park’s unique spirit of curiosity and openness, he saw the event as “a chance to introduce students to Palestinian hospitality” and “share Cedars as a reflection of the culture, hospitality, and neighborhood spirit we care deeply about.”