I've looked forward to Taste of Charlotte every year, especially this year since it will be my last one I attend unless fate brings me back to Charlotte. But I was kind of disappointed with it this year mostly for the reasons Jeff S and Demetria stated. I think it should be more of a focus on locally owned restaurants as opposed to chain ones and it just seemed lame last year compared to last. Plus, you would think it would draw in more of a crowd but there wasn't alot of people there. If they wanna play with the big cities, they definitely need to expand it whether it be more entertainment, vendors and more space. One street isn't gonna cut it. You're crammed in with people near cookers and it feels like hell. I don't like sweating while eating but that's something you have to deal with Taste of Charlotte. They definitely need to open up another street and ban those damn strollers. The coins are a decent deal but if you're expecting to get full, eat ahead of time or after if you want to keep yourself somewhat on a budget. Thanks to fabulous Yelp, I got to try chicken satay, bbq slider, a mini cupcake and a water since i was ill prepared with my water situation. The coins are weird, some places give you a good apoint of grub for 3, not enough for 2 and sometimes a good portion for 1. However, it always leaves me in a slot machine situation where I have to buy more coins or give them away. \n\nThis was my first time going to Taste of Charlotte on my own (as opposed to previous years where I just walked down from work) and I wouldn't make a \"special\" trip again to go.