Dining & Drinking at Market Days

So many booths, so many drinks and treats. The number of options for drinking and eating at Market Days is only surpassed by the number of shirtless men. So enjoy both by planning wisely. For the shirtless men, ogle away, that's why those guys go shirtless.

When it comes to eating and drinking your way through Market Days, unless you have an unlimited budget and a killer metabolism; that takes some judicious planning. We've surveyed a number of the food and drink vendors from Market Days to see what they will have on tap (or keg, or bottle or plate) for your enjoyment.

Hearty Boys is always a reliable gourmet spot, and this year is no exception. In addition to its popular blue cheese burgers, cilantro garlic pulled pork sandwiches and shrimp po' boys, they're doing a Chick Fil Gay sandwich.

Sidetrack offers sparkling versions of its frozen drinks; sparkling grape and sparkling cherry, here's hoping they have my fave, frozen mai tais!

Spin will be serving up Bud, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Shock Top, Shandy and 312 brewskis as well as wine, champagne, sangria and raspberry champagne slushies and, for those who need energy and booze; Chambulls.

Chicago Diner's bringing on an all vegetarian menu featuring corn dogs, gyros, nachos or burritos (or get a combo of the two) and Thai noodles. To slake your thirst, they'll have Barefoot Bubbly California, Domaine Chandon California Organic and Piper Heidsieck Champagne, mimosas, sangria and wine.

Kettle Kabin will be smelling sweet with its selection of cinnamon roasted nuts, Kettle Korn, smoothies, and banana swirls (a frozen banana treat similar to soft serve ice cream).

Churros Factory will be doling out its namesake treat as well as those other popular street food faves; funnel cakes. Also available, fresh squeezed lemonade and chocolate covered bananas (on which you can impress potential dates).

Reggie's will be serving up its famous burgers (with or without cheese), veggie burgers, pulled pork sandwiches and mac 'n' cheese.

Blackhawk BBQ and Seafood has a full plate including; BBQ sandwiches of pulled pork, beef brisket and boneless ribs and cheeseburgers. They've also got fish & chips, coconut shrimp, calamari, mozzarella cheese sticks, beer battered onion rings and bacon cheese fries in a bucket. One of its most popular items is the giant Vienna beef hot dog, after all, who doesn't want to wrap their lips around a giant sausage at Market Days?

Of course, if the street food thing is too much for you, head over to Kit Kat, which, in addition to serving up cocktails at its booth, will be serving up its "divalicious" brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday both inside the restaurant, and on its lavish terrace.

Northalsted Market Days opens Saturday, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. and runs through 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11 along North Halsted St. between Belmont Ave. and Addison St. There is a suggested $8 gate donation to benefit the Northalsted Business Alliance. The entertainment lineup includes Wilson Phillips, Aaron Carter, Kat Graham, David Cassidy, Lynda Carter, 10,000 Maniacs and Chicago's own Steve Grand and Branden James.

Complete Market Days schedule: Saturday, Aug. 10 | Sunday, Aug. 11