Near North Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour

We really enjoyed the tour. Our guide was very informative and friendly, yet professional. The tour covered a good variety of restaurants and shops with unique items.The local culture was apparent in the descriptions and information from our guide and the shops. The samples were good , although a wider variety of samples would have been better. This tour was a positive note to our trip. Even if you are a local it was fun to walk the neighborhoods and learn something new. It is a lot of walking, so be prepared with comfortable shoes! It is a good pace though. I will have to say my favorite stop was the Oil market. The Bakery was very good also. I loved the ethnic diversity.

This is a great tour - Jess was terrific.

I enjoyed getting to walk through Chicago neighborhoods that I would not have toured on my own and being introduced to local shops and restaurants with some distinctive neighborhood tie. Frankly, I would have walked right by the Ashkenaz deli and Bacino's if I were on my own--it takes an insider to know that they are a distinctive part of the neighborhood and have award-winning food, so it was really fun to experience them (and the food was great!). It was also fun to try all of the olive oils and vinegars and to learn about the right way to steep tea. Chicago Food Planet has also done a very thoughtful job of planning, covering the little necessities such as bathroom breaks, water, and opportunities to sit and rest while still learning something. Our guide was enthusiastic and dynamic and did a nice job pointing out interesting or historically significant places along the way.

THis is great, a perfect way to see the city and taste great food at the same time!

Living in the far South Suburbs of Chicago my husband and I were completely satisfied with our tour. Jess, our guide was exquisite! Her knowledge of the city and the tour stops, (for her obvious adorable youthful age) was impressive. Her smile lit up us awaiting "tourees" within the first few minutes in which she started the tour, when she demanded that we close in the gaps between us as she began her introduction and we introduced each other to all. All stops on the tour were delightful as well and the food tasting and portions were delicious. We both learned things that we hadn't known before the tour and were treated kindly at all stops by each shop's staff. Even with a 90 degree day at its peak, we walked the tour's route right back to make all the stops again and select our purchases. We recommend this tour for anyone across the country and for those who do not get out much to the city. And yes, do yourself a favor and see if Jess will be your guide - she will not let you down! Thanks again for having us. Mr. and Mrs. Walsh

We had a wonderful time during our walk through some very beautiful parts of Chicago. We have been to Chicago many times in the past and never saw or experienced it this way. Fantastic time and Jess was great. Very knowledgeable and very cheerful. If you can request your guide, ask for Jess. The stops we made and the food tasting was just perfect. Well planned out. Tons of Walking but we love that. Even our 15 year son really enjoyed it. Highly recommend this tour well worth every penny. Susan from Toronto Canada

We highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in seeing and tasting local Chicago. The food stops were varied enough to keep you wanting more but not so out of the ordinary you were thinking ...what now....! This is a must do and see.

My husband and I love good food and enjoy history. What a fabulous job Hillary did of providing just that on this tour. This is our second trip to ChiTown and we did the shopping thing last time...this time was food! The best pastrami I ever tasted (grew up in Pittsburgh, PA), the best and least greasy pierogi ever eaten...spices so fresh I was sure just using them would bring me closer to "top chef". Trip 3 will definitly have another food tour, but which one?

The tour was just amazing. Beyond the food, it was listening the history of the buildings and the neighborhoods. I would have never ventured out into those neighborhoods by myself and would have missed it all ! Loved it !

I took this tour as a devoted foodie and Chicago fan. I was a party of one but felt right at home with my group and our wonderful tour guide Hillary. Hillary was very informative and fun. The food stops were all good but I've got to say the first one, the Jewish deli, was my favorite. The best pastromi reuben ever! This was hands-down the hottest day of the year but the food and fun were worth the walk and the heat.