Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour

ExperienceFirst
4.6
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Cancellation Policy
Up to 24 hours before your scheduled admission.
katieb797
10 days ago
Bryson was knowledgeable and friendly! We all agreed that the tour was a perfect mix of the food Chicago has to offer. It was just the three of us so we were able to hit the spots in a perfect amount of time. We would highly recommend this! Thank you!

Start your immersive walking tour at a Chicago icon: the Centennial Fountain at River Esplanade Park. From here, your guide will take you on a culinary and cultural adventure. Our first stop is the famous Billy Goat Tavern, where we recommend trying their signature "cheezborger." Next, we'll visit Pizzeria Uno, birthplace of Chicago’s legendary deep-dish pies. Then see where locals go for their hot beef fix: Al’s Beef, a favorite since 1938. Along the way, you’ll hear about the friendly rivalry with New York's pizza scene, Chicago's meatpacking roots, 1920s speakeasies, gangsters, and more. We recommend you bring around $30 for optional food purchases throughout the tour. Your guide will have tips on what to try at each stop. Our tour ends with a sweet finish at Firecakes, serving up doughnuts made from a secret recipe dating to the 1930s. It’s a sweet finish to our fabulous Chicago food tour!

Departure Point

  • Meet your guide at the Centennial Fountain at River Esplanade Park. Your guide will be standing on the side of the fountain closest to the river. The address is 401 E River Dr., Chicago, IL 60611.
Return Details
  • This tour ends at Firecakes Donuts.
Duration2 hoursLanguages Available
  • Human tour guide - English

Points of Interest

Stop At: River Esplanade Park401 E River Dr, Chicago, IllinoisAdmire the beauty of this scenic riverside park as you learn about its history and famous fountain.Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Billy Goat Tavern (The Original)Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611This old-school Chicago joint is known for its excellent meat, but it’s also been featured on Saturday Night Live.Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Pizzeria Uno29 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611Coined as the original inventor of deep dish, this storefront has served deep dish since 1943.Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Al's #1 Italian Beef1079 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607Mr. Beef draws tourists, but locals know Al’s Beef nearby can satisfy their hot beef cravings and serve up food fast. Try a sandwich at this local favorite and see if you agree with their claim to being Chicago’s No. 1 Italian beef since 1938. It’s that good.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Firecakes Donuts68 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60654A roster of artisanal donuts and coffee drinks is available at this quaint, counter-serve spot. This small location is the first storefront and dates back to the early 20th century.Duration: 10 minutes

Additional Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Your ticket covers the walking tour portion of this experience. We recommend bringing about $30 for food, but it's up to you if you want to purchase what your guide suggests at each stop.
  • This tour is great for families. Pizzeria Uno and The Green Door Tavern also offer kids menus.
  • This tour isn’t accessible for wheelchairs. However, guests can bring collapsible strollers that can be carried when we take stairs.
  • This tour covers about a mile and a half at a leisurely pace.
  • Note that some venues may change their opening hours, and may not be open on all tour departure dates - in these scenarios, our expert guides will ensure a great alternative is provided
  • Some venues may have queues during busy seasons, so please expect a wait for food at some venues.
Inclusions
  • Visits to historic restaurants like Billy Goat Tavern, Pizzeria Uno, and Firecakes
  • Professional local Chicago guide
  • 2-hour walking tour
Exclusions
  • Cost of food (choice to purchase food at recommended stops or not - total spend approximately 30USD)
Redemption InstructionsPlan to show up 15 minutes early. The tour starts promptly, and you may not be able to catch up if you arrive late.Voucher InfoMobile or paper ticket accepted

The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the ExperienceFirst in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon. This offer is not eligible for promo codes.

Need To Know Info

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings

Customer Reviews

4.6
based on Groupon 15 reviews
100% Verified Reviews
All Groupon reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant. Review requests are sent by email to customers who purchased the deal.
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katieb797
Bryson was knowledgeable and friendly! We all agreed that the tour was a perfect mix of the food Chicago has to offer. It was just the three of us so we were able to hit the spots in a perfect amount of time. We would highly recommend this! Thank you!
aidav386
I love this tour my guide lark was amazing ! I visited from Mexico and the explication was awesome ! I think that this is a great way to know Chicago
jerryandkimd
Enjoyed the tour! Very interesting and great food! I learned a lot of information I didn't realize about different places in Chicago
Traci_C
Nice tour. Make sure you have your walking shoes because there’s a lot of walking but worth it. Our tour guide was very informative with Chicago history. The food stops were of good food and inexpensive. Only downfall was not being able to taste deep dish pizza but we did get a coupon for later. Overall good experience.
michellepB2342QI
Lark was amazing!! Very knowledgeable and shared all the good food places!! I have been to Chicago before but had never done a tour like this one and it eas great!! Highly recommend!

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