Quick Details
Join us for a tour of Chicago’s historic River North area along with a local guide who can show you the best spots for some of the city’s best-loved dishes. From deep-dish pizza to Chicago-style hot dogs, this tour leaves you filled with delicious local foods as well as some insider knowledge into the city’s culinary history and culture.
Your Chicago food tour takes you through the River North neighborhood — the original Chicago foodie destination — to sample some world-famous Chicago dishes, local favorites, and a sweet treat. It’s an afternoon that leaves you full of delicious food and memories for a lifetime!
We start with a very well-known Chicago dish: the Chicago-style hot dog. Perfect for summers at a baseball game (cheering on the Cubs or Sox, of course) or for a quick lunch on a work day, this local take on a hot dog is a debate-worthy food in Chicago and is taken very seriously by locals. Every Chicagoan has his or her own preference as to how the dog should be made, and you get a chance to try your guide’s favorite version.
Next up is the world-famous Chicago deep-dish pizza! An entire meal unto itself, this staple of the Chicago food scene originated in River North in the 1940s when workers and families needed filling dishes at low prices. Your guide takes you to a pizza place that’s an icon to Chicago natives to try the real deal for yourself.
After you’ve filled up on pizza and hot dogs, we take a stroll through two more establishments, each one essential when it comes to Chicago’s food culture. One is a sight to behold — this uniquely Midwest phenomenon is filled to the brim with kitsch and 1950s retro love, and you have to see it to believe it. The other stop is a restaurant born in Chicago and recognized by nearly everyone on earth. This location is something special, with impeccable design elements, a live vertical garden, solar panels, and a beautiful atrium.
We then continue our tasting journey with a classic Chicago sandwich: Italian beef. This hearty meal came about during the Depression, and it’s here to stay. Sample this sandwich in a real city institution — no-frills decor included!
Finally, it’s time for something sweet inside a truly local hangout. Your guide shows you to one of the oldest establishments in the city — either a classic Italian restaurant or a local watering hole with deep Prohibition roots. Enjoy a dessert with the opportunity to relax and purchase a beverage of your choice.
We conclude your Chicago foodie experience here, with easy access to the “L.” Even if you say you’ll never be hungry again, don’t forget to note some great dinner recommendations from your guide. You won’t regret it!
Inclusions: Local, English-speaking guide and a variety of food samples (such as a Chicago-style hot dog, deep-dish pizza, and Italian beef).
Exclusions: Additional food or drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Notes:
– Please dress comfortably and casually in weather-appropriate attire. Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
– This tour runs year-round and will proceed rain or shine unless such weather constitutes a dangerous situation.
– In the event of road or attraction closures, your guide will do their best to work around the obstacles or take your tour to alternate locations.
– We can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions with advanced notice. Please notify us if you have any dietary requests at checkout.