Grab the forks and napkins, it’s time for the Taste of Buffalo.

Billed as the largest two-day food festival in the country, this year’s event has made a few small changes.

The biggest? Tickets are now $1 each, with “taste-sized” samples going for two tickets each. Other items might cost up to five tickets, or $5, each.

In past years, tickets were 50 cents each but more tickets were needed for samples.

As always, tickets are sold in $5 sheets both at the festival and in advance at Tops markets across Western New York. Tickets sold at Tops come in $10 and $50 increments.

Tasty Treats As Far As The Eye Can See

Now that that’s out of the way – the Taste of Buffalo showcases nearly 60 restaurants and food trucks from across the region, with each bringing samples and larger offerings of some of their favorite dishes.

Each restaurant will have a healthy option, clearly marked with a heart. These items are lower in fat, cholesterol and sodium without skimping on flavor.

Each restaurant also offers both smaller “taste” portions of a signature dish for two tickets, with a larger portion available for four tickets. Those items will be indicated with a special symbol that looks like a fork.

Newcomers might be surprised at the variety of foods available for tasting.

Some restaurants offer their spin on Buffalo favorites, from chicken wing dip and banana pepper pierogis to sponge candy cannoli and beef on weck.

Looking for something different? How about Mexican street corn chowder or braised and fried pork belly? Vegetarian and vegan diets are welcome, too, with plenty of foods to be enjoyed that are meat and dairy free – including a plant-based ice cream.

Entertainment On Deck

Walking from one end of the Taste of Buffalo to the other, guests will pass by several tents featuring live music all weekend, from pop to rock to country.

There’s also the free Kidzone inside Niagara Square, featuring a teddy bear hospital, pop-up food play exhibit and the Explore & More Children’s Museum’s milking cow.

Parking

The festival means street closures, of course, mainly on Delaware Avenue and around Niagara Square. Signs and barricades will start to pop up toward the end of the week, from Delaware south of Niagara Square by City Hall up past Chippewa Street to Johnson Park.

Parking will be limited to a few lots along the way in addition to side streets along the festival, so public transit might be worth some consideration.

And be sure to use #tastybuf on Twitter while you're at the event. Your photos will show up on our special online feed at spectrumlocalnews.com/tasteofbuffalo.