| Rating |
Date Attended [v] |
Reviewer |
Gender |
Age |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
 |
Recommend tour |
| |
Sat, Apr 26 12:00 PM |
DiannaArias |
Female |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family With Children |
| |
We enjoyed our "windy" day touring the various areas of Chicago; however, these are my comments: 1.) it was a bit more walking than I anticipated 2.) tour guide was new, although she seemed well informed. 3.) the tastings were very far between each other for the most part 4.) excellent information at the Spice House with educational value 5.) the Fudge Pot was interesting, but a demostration would have been educationa/informative 6.) it seemed that we walked a long way to a tasting and then was fairly rushed through..i.e. the pizza place. 7. nice opportunity to meet people from other parts of the country. I just experienced the walking culinary tour of Greenwhich village in NYC and it was more of an "educational foodie" tour and not 2 hours of walking in the 3.5 hour span. With all of that said, it is nice that the city has this culinary tour to offer because Chicago is so rich in its food cultures. |
|
Great Fun |
| |
Sat, Apr 26 12:00 PM |
JaniceThomas |
Female |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Other |
| |
I learned so many things about herbs & spices, tea and even chocolate. It was a lot of fun and great exercise! |
|
Informative |
| |
Sat, Apr 26 11:30 AM |
maircb3 |
Female |
40-49 |
Local |
Couple on a Date |
| |
The walking tour was more informative than tasting. The foods, spices, and oils were all very good and interesting. The oils and spices were very unique and were a nice touch to the tour. I would have added another food tasting rather than have two chocolate places since I am not a big chocolate fan. There was a stretch of the walk where we walked for 25 minutes without tasting or receiving information, which was a bit long. Also, it would be nice to arrange with store owners the use of their restrooms for tour members rather than waiting until nearly the end of the tour to go. It would also be nice to have time limited shopping, so people from out of the area could have a chance to purchase some of the unique items we sampled.
The tour guide was informative and super friendly. She was engaging and accommodating. The places we visited were very quaint and had their own unique style. The employees were receptive and engaging, helping the tour be enjoyable. I loved the oil and spices portion of the tour so much that I went back with my out of town guests the following week. We all walked out of each place with something we liked. I loved walking through each neighborhood and seeing the differences that set each apart from the other.
Chicago is a wonderful city with lots to offer. for all the locals, get out and see the different neighborhoods. The tour is VERY affordable and you get plenty to eat and if you don't think yo do, you may be able to slip in purchasing something to eat or drink while others are still sampling at some places. DO wear comfortable shoes and bring extra water, but remember, only one bathroom stop, unless you have a nice tour guide like we did who accommodated some of us. Don't forget he camera because you will get a chance to see some architect, art, and homes. That was a nice perk of the tour since I thought it was only going to be walking and eating. We got a history lesson of each neighborhood and that added to the interest of the tour.
Enjoy!!! |
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Excellent Tour a little too much walking &chocolat |
| |
Sat, Apr 26 11:30 AM |
heidirbauer |
Female |
30-39 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| |
We were a group of 9 women on a weekend away from children and husbands. I heard about the tour through a group of friends who had already done it. Overall, our group enjoyed the tour. Our guide was friendly and had great knowledge of the area. The only two things that we question was the amount of walking (25 min. walk to get to a pizza place in chicago seems a little much) and (even though we are all perimenopausal women) we thought two chocolate places was to much.
I definately would recommend it to those in good shape and remind them to bring their walking shoes.
Heidi |
 |
Food tour gets an A+ |
| |
Fri, Apr 25 11:00 AM |
mmurf5 |
Female |
30-39 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Group of Friends |
| |
The food/architectural tour was great. Our tour guide, Nikki, was friendly and knowledgeable. It is the best way to see the city and get to know your way around. The store owners were helpful. The businesses chosen on this tour were very well thought out. The spices and oils delicious. The deep-dish pizza tasty. All the chocolate mouth watering. The architecture seen was magnificent. Chicago is a beautiful city. |
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Highly recommended-well worth the $! Lots of fun! |
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Fri, Apr 25 11:00 AM |
veemcbride |
Female |
50-59 |
International Tourist(s) |
Group of Friends |
| |
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour & food tasting was fabulous-such a variety-you definitely don't need lunch. Our guide was friendly & very knowledgeable-learned lots! Only thing I would say is that you might want to stress that this is a lot of walking but I suppose people realize that when it's there in black & white that this is a 3 1/2 hr walking tour. You might want to stress it tho cause I consider myself to be quite healthy & felt it was a long walk-feet were sore! Otherwise fabulous!!! |
|
Chigago with a Twist |
| |
Thu, Apr 24 11:00 AM |
patkearon |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| |
I expected just a culinary experience and got so much more. The guides were friendly, enthusiastic and obviously enjoyed what they were doing. I always ask lots of questions and they did not seem impatient or annoyed by any of them. We visited several neighborhoods and while we did have tastings in each the information and " inside stories" about each neighborhood were the best. The food was not abundant if that is what you are looking for but the tastings were just enough to whet the palate and have you return. Unusual teas and spices were intriguing. The Pomegranite Vinegar was the best new taste for me. I learned so much more about this wonderful city than I expected to. Thanks!! |
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Perfect way to start exploring |
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Wed, Apr 23 11:00 AM |
julesosu |
Female |
20-29 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Couple on a Date |
| |
My husband and I enjoyed every minute of our walking tour. It was a great way to try new things and see a part of Chicago that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Nikki, our tour guide, made us feel like "locals" with all the great information she gave us and places she pointed out. The stops on the tour opened our eyes to new tastes and knowledge and my husband is now hooked on hot tea in the morning.
Following our short vacation in Chicago I attended a leadership conference for the American Marketing Association, headquartered in Chicago, and their staff is going to check out the tour and start recommending it to AMA members who ask them what to do while they are in town. |
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Interesting & Fun |
| |
Mon, Apr 21 11:00 AM |
schumerdoll |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Couple on a Date |
| |
I don't know when I have received a better return on my vacation dollar. The tour was very interesting, many local historical sights were pointed out to us. We saw many local neighborhoods, Old Town, Lincoln Park, the Gold Coast, that we would never have seen on our own.
And, as an avowed foodie, the tour was paradise. All the food was excellent and it was a pleasure to find such excellent sources for purchasing spices and olive oils.
The guide was friendly and fun. I would do it again!!! |
|
Nice Way to Get Your Bearings in Chicago |
| |
Mon, Apr 21 11:00 AM |
CFG1159 |
Male |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| |
I really enjoyed this tour. I actually learned a lot while enjoying some tasty samplings of a variety of foods and walking about some of the Chicago neighborhoods. It was a great way to get my bearings on my second day in the City. If you have a huge appetite, you may not be totally satisfied with the food provided, after all it is a tasting/sampling tour. However, we were given enough tasty delights were a normal appetite would be satisfied ... or at least held until dinner. The tour guide, Tad, was enthusiastic about what he was showing us and the constant smile on his face was refreshing. It showed he was enjoying showing us about as well. If you, the reader, are contemplating this tour, I highly recommend it. You will also get some really nice ideas about where to come back for nice dinners and lunches. Enjoy!!!! |
