EEEEEATSCON New York, a food festival founded by The Infatuation, a digital publication known for its food guides, returned to New York for its fifth year over the weekend attracting thousands of hungry guests. Presented by Chase Sapphire, the two-day event on October 12 and 13 featured more than 30 restaurants from New York and across the country. EEEEEATSCON also showcased special appearances by celebrities, including, The Bear’s Matty Matheson.
Held once again at the sprawling Forest Hills Stadium—since it launched in 2018—this year’s festival was a huge success and offered guests a unique culinary experience. EEEEEATSCON was created in the spirit of a music festival, but with restaurants as the headliners, and attendees enjoyed their time eating exclusive dishes made from collaborations between popular chefs and buzzy restaurants.
The most in-demand collab at this year’s fest was between Shake Shack and Thai Diner, a kitschy downtown hotspot located on Mott Street in Manhattan known for its delicious Southeast Asian cuisine. Together, they prepared the Thai Diner Shack, a burger with Angus beef patty, American cheese, evil Jungle Prince Shack Sauce, and pickled bamboo topped with green chili relish and Thai basil. Long lines immediately formed as soon as the festival opened. “Wow, I could eat 10 of these burgers,” raved Adam Washington from Queens, New York.
Other exclusive collaborations at the festival that were a hit with attendees included Los Angeles’ Community Goods (a beloved coffee shop) with New York’s Apollo Bagels and Cloudy Donut Co. with Sugar Hill Creamery. EEEEEATSCON also featured some of The Infatuation’s best-reviewed restaurants from New York City and across the country, including Gotham Burger Social Club, Hojokban, Lucali Pasta Shop, Charles Pan Fried Chicken, Brooklyn Curry Project, Salt & Straw, Sushi 35 West, and L’industrie Pizzeria.
While festival-goers ate and checked out the different restaurant stalls, the guests who were Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers had access to exclusive perks, including a complimentary beverage and bites from Momofuku all within the cozy Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge. The Knockturnal was invited to the lounge and it was the perfect spot to sit, relax, and retreat away from the sunny weather. Another huge perk for Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred cardmembers was access to EEEEEATSCON at 11 am, one hour earlier than general admission tickets. That’s a big advantage! Lastly, pre-sale tickets were first available exclusively for Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred card members and for a discounted rate.
In addition to the incredible food, EEEEEATSCON featured conversations with food tastemakers like The Bear’s Matheson. Not only is he an actor, but he’s also a chef, restaurateur, and a two-time New York Times best-selling author. Christina Tosi, the founder of Milk Bar, was also at the event on Saturday. She gave insights about her life as a baker and made a Cacio e Pepe cake during her panel discussion on Saturday.
For many, EEEEEATSCON New York is about eating and being entertained, but most importantly, the festival was created to connect with a community and get inspired. EEEEEATSCON achieved their goal as countless strangers sat together at shared tables and bonded while eating. They left the festival with new friendships and their bellies full.
