It will be possible to try a variety of taste sensations at Taste of the Prairie on Thursday, June 12. The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event, which will feature food from multiple local restaurants, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of Fat Pants Brewing Co., 8335 Crystal View Road.
A ticket ($35 in advance; $45 at the door) will get you food from all participating restaurants. Taste of the Prairie will also feature live music by School of Rock from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., yard games, vendor tables and booths hosted by local nonprofits. First Western Bank & Trust is the event’s main sponsor.
Pat MulQueeny, president of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, said the event is “more or less a block party-type atmosphere.” He added that the main goal is to showcase area restaurants, with 17 confirmed so far, offering a wide variety.
The idea had been in the works for some time. MulQueeny said Pizza Lucé had suggested a restaurant event over the years, and Fat Pants Brewing also approached the chamber. “The stars aligned to make this the year,” he said.
Once the event was a go, said Kirsten Barott, relationship and events manager for the chamber, “My favorite calls were the calls to restaurants saying, ‘We’re doing this!’”
Barott said the chamber suggested that restaurants use the opportunity to showcase either a new menu item or a local favorite. Participating eateries range from long-time Eden Prairie staples to newer businesses, including Smith Coffee, Pizza Lucé, TJ Hooligans, Buca di Beppo, and bb.q Chicken.
MulQueeny said the event is a way to remind residents of the city’s great restaurants – or introduce them to new ones.
Barott added, “People can come taste a sample of their food and say, ‘Hey, maybe we should go check out their location for more.’” She noted that local support helps a restaurant industry still facing post-pandemic struggles.
Free water will be available at Taste of the Prairie, with other beverages available for purchase. Fat Pants will serve beer and THC drinks, and Flying Dutchman Spirits and Boom Island Brewing will also be on site.
MulQueeny emphasized the community aspect of the event. While the spotlight is on restaurants, local nonprofits have also been invited to raise awareness. “It’s a value-add night where people can try a lot of food, hear live music and maybe walk away with a prize,” he said.
T-Mobile has donated giveaways for the first 500 attendees. Scheels has donated a grilling package that will be awarded through a drawing of pre-ticket sales. Other prize opportunities may be added.
Parking will be available in the Walmart lot and at the Eden Prairie Center lot near Target, with a shuttle service provided by Executive Transportation. “If the weather’s nice, Walmart is close enough to walk,” MulQueeny added.
If it rains, the event will move inside the taproom at Fat Pants, Barott said.
Tickets can be purchased at epchamber.org. Attendees will receive wristbands at check-in, with separate bands for alcohol purchases.
MulQueeny said the chamber hopes to make this an annual event. “We’d love to see it continue and grow,” he said. “If it gets too big, maybe we’ll explore another location. But Fat Pants is a great, central space for this first one.”
He encouraged residents to come out and enjoy the evening. “We’re hoping for 300 to 500 people this year,” he said. “We’re already seeing strong early ticket sales. It’s shaping up to be a really fun night.”
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