Near North Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour

Hillary was our tour guide and she was very knowledgeable and friendly. We were impressed with the cultural information provided. Not to mention the food tastings were wonderful. We ended up going back to only one of the merchants due to rain that came later after our tour. Would have gone back to a couple more if not the downpour. We had a great time on our tour and look forward to doing it again next time we visit Chicago. Even my husband, who was unsure about a food tour, really enjoyed it.

I can't wait to try the other tours! I was expecting great food and fun restaurants/shops that I wouldn't find on my own, which is exactly what I got. What I didn't expect was the fun and incredibly interesting 5 minute lessons on the food we were tasting. My parents and I are into food, but much of the information was brand new to us. The tourguide was fun and personable, and didn't give all of the obnoxious tourist anecdotes I've heard a million times because the tour was much more neighborhood-specific, and even included some architecture commentary. Also, I appreciated that there was enough walking and small enough portions that I didn't feel stuffed, just full. The price sounded steep at first but was incredibly cheap for the entirety of the experience. What a great way to spend 3 hours!

I really enjoyed the tour and learned so much local history and facts about chicago. I really want to try one of the other tours when the weather warms up!

Jess was an amazing tour guide. The places were unique and the group was fun. It is worth the money.

This tour was a gift for my boyfriend's birthday, and we were not disappointed. We had a great time; learned a lot about the food at the establishments we visited, as well as the architecture we passed along the way. We are both Foodies so learning about food we know little of, and even learning new things about old goodies is always appreciated. The treats we tasted along the way were delightful, and I plan to visit these places again. Our tour guide, Jess, was friendly and interested in what she talked about and it showed. We never felt like she was tired of answering, what must have been, frequently asked questions. I have already begun recommending the Near North Tour, and look forward to trying the others! Thanks for a fantastic experience!

We booked this tour after finding it listed on Trip Advisor - and the positive comments we read there were exactly right! Our tour of the River North, Gold Coast, and Old Town sections of Chicago - and the seven food stops within - was entertaining and informative. Our guide pointed out architecture highpoints, outlined the history of each neighborhood, and thoroughly described the food specialities we sampled at each store. The food consumed on the tour is sufficient for a lunch - and you have the opportunity to stay at the last stop - a pizzeria - and order more if desired. We travel to Chicago three or four times a year and have seen all the "tourist sites" repeatedly. This food tour was a welcome new adventure. We will sign up for the other two tours on our future trips. We highly recommend this tour!

I have lived and worked in Chicago all my life (as a chef, nonetheless). I found the tour to be enlightening, exciting and interesting. The guide was well-versed, the establishments we visited were welcoming and enjoyable, and I saw parts of Chicago I have never seen before. Thank you!

I had a great experience and will definitely recommend the tour to friends visiting Chicago for the first time and locals alike. Ariana was a great guide and very knowledgeable about the food, architecture and history relevant to the tour.

Culinary & culturely totally satisfying.

I really enjoyed this tour overall. Our guide, Chris, was great. Very nice and enthusiastic. With some of the restaurants, there was more history on the restaurant itself, and others more history on the food. I prefer the restaurant history, i.e. when it opened, the signature dish, etc. I wish there was more of that with the restaurants that were focused more on the actual food, or at least information specific to chicago. The tea place was my least favorite; it wasn't local, and the info was all about tea which i'm not that into. i don't consider it food, although i appreciated a warm drink. I would find a local coffee shop instead to substitute or combine with the pastry (for a hot drink) and add another location. Maybe a hot dog place? In the spice store, although it was interesting to hear about the different spices, I was also interesting in hearing about the owner, how we got started, if he sells to different local restaurants, maybe some recipes, etc. Overall I did really enjoy this tour. I learned a lot and visited places i normally wouldn't.