| Rating |
Date Attended |
Reviewer [v] |
Gender |
Age |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
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What a great afternoon!
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| Fri, Jun 12 11:00 AM |
empyre137 |
Female |
20-29 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| My mother and I went to Chicago together for a girl's weekend. My mom's friend recommended this tour and it was amazing! I had done something similar in New York City, but the Chicago tour was awesome! I really enjoyed the food and it was a wonderful day to walk around Old Town, etc., and learn about the architecture, too. I went to places I would never have known about and I can't wait to go back to do the other tour! Thanks, Jessie! You were a great tourguide! |
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DELICIOUS & INFORMATIVE TOUR!
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| Wed, Jul 18, 07 11:00 AM |
EMERSHANNON |
Female |
30-39 |
International Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| I VERY MUCH ENJOYED THE FOOD TOUR, IT WAS EVEN BETTER THAN I HAD ANTICIPTED. THE GUIDE WAS SO FRIENDLY AND INTERESTING AND MADE EVERYONE ON THE TOUR FEEL WELCOME. I REALLY ENJOYED ALL THE DIFFERENT PLACES/FOODS WE TRIED. THE WALKS THROUGH THE VARIOUS NEIGHBOURHOODS WAS EXTREMELY INTERESTING TOO-I WOULD NEVER HAVE FOUND ALL THOSE NICE SPOTS BY MYSELF IN THE FEW DAYS I HAD IN CHICAGO. NICKI MADE ALL THE INFORMATION SOUND FRESH AND INTERESTING EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS PROBABLY GIVEN THE TOUR HUNDREDS OF TIMES. THE YOUNG MAN, TROY, WHO WAS IN TRAINING WITH NICKI WAS ALSO VERY PLEASENT AND INFORMATIVE. IT WAS VERY GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY AND I WOULD RECOMMEND THE TOUR TO ANYONE GOING TO CHICAGO. |
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Incredible in so many different ways!
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| Thu, Jul 2 11:30 AM |
emeast06 |
Female |
20-29 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Couple on a Date |
| The Near North tour was an incredible experience from buying the tickets to buying from some of the great establishments after the tour was over. First of all, I bought my two tickets over the phone. Both times I called (I had called earlier that morning to simply ask some questions), the person on the other end was very helpful, patient with my many questions, and professional.
Arriving at initial meeting place of the tour, Ashkenaz Deli, the tour guide, Jennifer, came out to greet us. Noticing we had run to get there on time and that I was fanning myself fervently, she offered that I use the restroom in the next establishment to freshen up. She gave me a token so that I could get into the restroom and told me not to worry; I had some time. When I joined the group a few minutes later, she asked if I wanted a bottle of water and got it for me from the deli.
Jennifer started off by introducing herself and then having us nine tourists do the same. This made for a comfortable, sociable atmosphere throughout our tour. The six locations we went to had, for the most part, very unique tasters that were very enjoyable. At each place, Jennifer and/or someone who worked there would teach us rather interesting information about their product (cinnamon comes from the bark of particular trees), and those who worked there were always excited and proud of what they served. Almost every place was so special in some way, with its own character that we felt couldn't be found in other cities, except for perhaps the world market deli. Certainly, this was a nice stop, but it did not compare to the others, in either historical interest or food. There we were served gouda and hummus, which are pretty common in any deli in any city. Some of us also agreed that we had tried better hummus before. However, if the rest of the stops were around a 9 or 10 out of 10, the world market was still at a 7.
All along our walk, Jennifer had us stop in front of buildings of particular interest and she would explain the story behind each. She was an incredible story-teller, and clearly excited in the information she herself presented to us. We asked questions, and she usually knew the answer, but if she didn't, she mentioned that she would have to find out. Considering her overall passion for her city, I don't doubt that she will!
Our last stop of the tour was Bacino's pizza, where our server was personable and hospitable, chatting with us, filling up our waters frequently, taking group pictures for us, and breaking change for me to tip our guide, which he so discretely returned to me.
After the tour, my boyfriend and I returned to two of the places we had visited with the group, the tea shop and the spice shop, and were again treated very hospitably by people who showed great interest and knowledge of their products. Overall, this tour was an amazing experience, and well worth the price. In fact, we plan to try the other tour during our next trip to Chicago! |
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Awesome
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| Sun, Nov 1 11:00 AM |
embarton |
Female |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| I decieded to take this tour as part of a day and a half I had to visit Chicago and could not be happier. Jessica the tour guide was wonderful, full of lots of great information on food and the areas we were visiting. I retraced my steps back to the beginning and purchased items at most of the stops. I can honestly say I have been using the tea and spices I bought and am waiting for the oil and vinegar I ordered to arrive. I would reccomend this tour to anyone coming into Chicago. |
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Not just Food...so much more!
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| Wed, Nov 11 11:00 AM |
elschult |
Female |
20-29 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| My husband and I did this food tour while we were on a mini vacation in Chicago. We were a bit skeptical about it but we truly enjoyed the tour. It's not about eating the entire time. It's about tasting a variety of food and learning some things along the way. Jen our tour guide did a wonderful job giving us a bit of history about the neighborhoods we walked through and she also did a wonderful job teaching us the history of food and it's orgin. Without a doubt the the food tour was one of the best things we did in the city. I highly recommend it. |
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Enjoyed the tour and the shops.
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| Sat, Aug 5, 06 11:00 AM |
EllenZach |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| Our tour guide was very personable and charming. At each stop he was well prepared and very enthusiastic. The tour went to great restaurants and shops. I had a great time and have already recommended to friends. The only suggestion I would make is for the guide to keep learning about the areas we walked thru for additional architectural details/information. |
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if your in chicago you need to do this
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| Sun, Oct 4 11:30 AM |
ellcessor |
Male |
30-39 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Couple on a Date |
| Scott & Scott from Toledo. We came to chacago just to do a food thing. so glad we found these 2 tours. we like to cook and found the near north so interesting with the tea,spice and the oil stores after we got done with the tour we acctually back tracked and went to all the stores all over again and bought so much we had to have it shipped back home. the guides were so friendly and helpful...... i hope they add more tours so we can come back to do it all over again |
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A great way to spend an afternoon in Chicago
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| Sat, May 24, 08 11:00 AM |
elizab |
Female |
30-39 |
Unspecified |
Group of Friends |
| My friend (a local) and I (a visitor) had a wonderful time on the tour. The weather was perfect, all of the food stops were delicious, and our guide (Nicky) was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I would highly recommend this tour to both out of town visitors and Chicago locals.
I also appreciated the coupons in the handout. After the tour, I went back to several of these business and bought gifts to take home to my family. |
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great activity
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| Sun, Nov 2, 08 11:00 AM |
ELISAOB |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| Esp enjoyed the info on local architecture and neighborhoods. Good food tastings as well. Hard to make purchases unless you go back to shops. Merchants very nice. |
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Fun and informative
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| Thu, Oct 18, 07 11:00 AM |
elinor |
Female |
60-69 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| Would enjoy more ethnic eateries like the jewish deli. Guide was very informative and fun. |
