Gold Coast & Old Town Food Tour

We had a great time time on our Near North food tour. Jess, our guide, was knowledgeable about the area and the food we ate/tasted! This was a nice way of seeing things in Chicago we wouldn't have seen on our own! We highly recommend this tour!

The various stores and restaurants were all very interesting. The tasting food was delicious. I would like to go back to most of the stores and have time to shop. Heather was a great guide.

My daughter and I had a wonderful time on the food tour! It was a great way to taste different foods and also to get a short tour of the historical area. Our tour guide Nicole was awesome and very informative. We went back another day and revisited some of the places on the tour. We would highly recommend this tour!

A fun tour overall, but got off to a bad start with our group crowded into the sweltering deli's front section. Must have been 100 degress plus inside; all standing up, very uncomfortable. While the half rueben sandwich was good, the cheese was starting to curl in the heat, left out too long in advance. It made me wonder about the special mayo based sauce containing chopped eggs, etc., also on the table, as you had to assemble your own half sandwich while standing. Things improved at Lou Malnati's pizza, when we got to sit down, and were served ice water. The tour summary should mention about beverages included, as I didn't need to bring along my own water. In fairness, it did state that there was about 30 minutes of time seated; I just didn't realize it was all at one time at the second stop. On the plus side, all four of us felt full with food portions overall, and our guide Nicole was friendly and knowledgable. We were with out of town friends, but as Chicago natives, it was the first visit to this area since the 1960s for my wife and I, and enjoyed learning more about the area. Overall, an enjoyable tour, but on your feet for most of the time, so be prepared, and hope for pleasant cooler weather to withstand the start inside the tiny crowded deli.

This is a great way to get to know Chicago. We loved how it wasn't just about food and history of food, but we also got glimpses of different neighborhoods in just a few hours. We didn't feel overwhelmed by the information or the food. Our guide was incredibly lovely and enthusiastic. It was also nice that we were in a small group. Overall, a fantastic experience!

The first two tastings, a half reuben sandwich that was way too big to get in my mouth, followed by a whole slice of deep dish sausage pizza was way too much too fast. With such a large volume of food in a short time, it was difficult to enjoy each individually. With a heavy stomach, the walk was less enjoyable. The tea sampling was refreshing. The spice and oil/vinegar shop were interesting, but nothing special as anyone off the street could have the same experience without cost. Pastries were good. The tour guide was nice, but not from the area or familiar with the neighborhood beyond the script. The tour was further compromised as it occurred during a crowded street festival, making things a little tense. I do recommend their other tours in Bucktown/Wicker Park and Chinatown. These tours are more even-paced with neighborhood experts that are really from the neighborhood.

Our guide was Shane and he was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Enjoyed every one of the seven places we visited and went back to three of them to make purchases (spices, olive oil and vinaigrette and some chocolate). Took the Bucktown/Wicker Park tour last summer and was sure that would be the better tour, but was surprised that they were equally good. You won't be disappointed with either tour. Haven't taken the Chinatown tour, but that is next on our list. My brothers and sister-in-law came with us from out of town and really enjoyed seeing Chicago in this way.

We came from 25 miles south of city. Really fun tour. 6 friends celebrating a bday. Beautiful day in Chicago. Have ordered some things from the shops we visited. Colleen was amazing. Very knowledgable and very funny. Would love to do it again.

We had a hot day in Chicago for our food tour but it was still a wonderful experience. Coleen, who led our tour was excellent. The tastings were very good and the walk through the Gold Coast and Old Town neighborhoods and shopping areas was great fun. I would recommend you find out if there are any street festivals in the food tour area the day of your tour. We ran the gauntlet through the Old Town Art Fair. It was very crowded and was a challenge to get to a couple of our tastings as a group. It was shoulder to shoulder people, loud, with music and lots of soon-to-be overserved young people, etc. However, the tour itself was a great time and the neighborhoods (except the festival site) were beautiful.

Food was very good on first two stops (deli and pizza) however would have like them spaced apart as so much food. Tea and oil shops - not impressed. Chocolate place and bakery - not impressed with taste.