Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour
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!
Options
Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour
What's included in Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
River Esplanade Park
Admire the beauty of this scenic riverside park as you learn about its history and famous fountain.
This old-school Chicago joint is known for its excellent meat, but it’s also been featured on Saturday Night Live.
Coined as the original inventor of deep dish, this storefront has served deep dish since 1943.
Inclusions
- Visits to historic restaurants like Billy Goat Tavern, Pizzeria Uno, and Firecakes
- Professional local Chicago guide
- 2-hour walking tour
- Cost of food (choice to purchase food at recommended stops or not - total spend approximately 30USD)
- Gratuities
- 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.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- 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.
End Points
- This tour ends at Firecakes Donuts.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
Plan to show up 15 minutes early. The tour starts promptly, and you may not be able to catch up if you arrive late.
