“Eat, drink, and be merry” is the official summertime mantra (in that order) at Teton Valley’s Music on Main free concert series. You might not be familiar with Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers or March 4th Marching Band, but the street food alone is worth a trip over Teton Pass, where the weekly Victor social scene is putting to rest our image as the quiet side of the Tetons.
Long gone are the days when festival fare meant junk food only (although there is plenty of folks offering chips, sodas, hot dogs, and pizza). Each week a who’s who of restaurants and caterers in Teton Valley set up shop in the Victor City Park. You should show up early as they often sell out of the most popular items. Two weeks ago we got a preview of what to expect for the rest of the season, and the bar was definitely set high.
EAT:
Renowned for uber-healthy locavore fare, Forage was serving up melon-cucumber skewers, Lava Lake lamb meatball subs, and falafel lettuce cups with frosty Pelligrino sodas to wash it all down.
The Everest Momo Shack offered a variety of Indian and Nepali food for $7 or less, including samosas packed with potatoes, green peas, cilantro and mint, chicken momos (dumplings), chicken curry with rice, a Tandoori chicken wrap and the kid-friendly chicken or veggie chow mein noodles. Homemade Thai ice tea was a refreshing alternative to alcohol.
If you are a carnivore, be sure to check out South Fork Lodge BBQ (always hidden on the south end of the park) for plates like “raz” habenero chicken or a wasabi teriyaki rib sandwich served with potato salad or jalapeño coleslaw piled on the side.
Lighter fare from Teton Thai included finger food such as salad rolls and Vietnamese spring rolls; for a main course try their mango chicken curry or a generous portion of pad thai piled with shaved carrots, sprouts and lime to help beat the heat.
Dining In Catering mixed things up with fish tacos made with a crispy fillets and spicy slaw served on puffy flour tortillas and Tangiers kebabs made with chicken, kielbasa, and kalamata and green olives served with greens on Tandoori flatbread. Their cranberry limeade with huckleberries that sold out within the first hour.
From Scratch, just down the road in Victor, generous gyros packed with greens were on the menu, and they usually have a gourmet salad or two.
For the less adventurous eaters, easy to please American choices included sandwiches from Subway, fresh hot slices from Tony’s Pizza, and make-your own loaded baked potatoes for just $5 at the Wrap and Roll tent. And of course there’s dessert — lots of soda pop, popsicles and ice cream sandwiches.
If you’re lucky there will be huckleberry shakes from Victor Emporium and homemade cupcakes from Scratch this week. Joining the lineup this Thursday include Gourmet Mountain Dogs, Three Peaks Café and Catering, North End Bar and Grill, and Dragon Lady Teas.
DRINK:
As soon as you walk in the door you’ll see a line where you buy beer and wine tokens after you show ID and get a wristband. Buy enough tokens to last the night; it’s a bit of a pain. If you don’t use them you can use them the next week. Grand Teton Brewing is always on hand with cute boys pouring frosty brews.
BE MERRY!
JULY 11: Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers Bring the smoky sweet vocals of Bluhm backed by a big, rocking jam band, continuing the dance party and good times.
JULY 18: White Water Ramble High octane Rocky Mountain dancegrass that, according to their website, will send your body and soul rushing down the rapids of infinity!
JULY 25: March 4th Marching Band After an extremely popular show last summer, decked in whimsical costumes and combining a big ring circus with modern performances.
AUGUST 1: Monophonics, San Francisco’s premier psychedelic soul and heavy funk band, will cook up a hearty stew of funky rhythms for Music on Main fans.
AUGUST 8: Ray Wylie Hubbard is an alternative and outlaw country icon from Austin, Texas, with a live show that has been described as a church service held at the funkiest roadhouse bar this side of the Mississippi.
AUGUST 15: Vagabond Opera is as fun and entertaining as they are musically gifted, combining vaudeville with incredible talent for a show like no other.
Sponsored by the Teton Valley Foundatio, concerts are free, but donations at the door are highly encouraged.
