More than 1,000 students tested out Evanston restaurants ranging from Andy’s Frozen Custard to That Little Mexican Cafe on Sunday.

Thirty-two Evanston stores handed out free food samples as part of Associated Student Government and Downtown Evanston’s annual Big Bite Night.

Throughout the event, students could pick up a bag, a booklet with a map of participating restaurants and coupons in front of Whole Foods Market, 1640 Chicago Ave., and the Rebecca Crown Center.

Lulu’s owner Dan Kelch said he helped start Big Bite Night several years ago when he and other Evanston store owners were concerned not enough students were eating off campus.

“Now it has become more of a fun event for new students,” Kelch said. “There haven’t been any big changes because it’s worked great every year.”

He said Big Bite Night has become a routine experience for Lulu’s, 804 Davis St.

“At first it was difficult knowing how to organize and prepare for the event,” Cheesie’s Pub & Grub manager Chris Carr said. “Now, we know what we are doing and prepare the same dish every year.”

Carr said Big Bite Night also benefits new restaurants. He said although some restaurants make large amounts of the same dish for the event, they like to prepare a variety of items from the menu.

“That way students can try food they might not normally order,” Carr said. “They really get to know what the store is about.”

Weinberg senior Tanya Bhardwaj has gone to Big Bite Night every year while at Northwestern. She said she keeps coming back because she enjoys meeting new people.

“I remember sharing a warm pizza slice with a girl I had just met in my dorm,” Bhardwaj said. “We’re now good friends.

“The only frustrating part is waiting in long lines in front of some of the stores,” she added.

“It can get cold, so I would advise people to skip the long lines,” Bhardwaj said. “There’s so many stops to go to.”

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