The Tastebud Gold Coast Adventure

This guided Tastebud tour visits 6 food tasting locations in the beautiful Gold Coast.  All food tastings, enough for lunch, are included in the Tastebud ticket price.

• Pizano’s A family tradition, serving “World famous gourmet deep dish pizza” for over 60 years.
• Heaven on Seven The best Louisiana Cookin’ outside of New Orleans, serving Chicago for 30 years
• Purple Pig Cheese, Swine and Wine.  Featuring house made Charcuterie, cheeses and classic Mediterranean fare plus extensive yet accessible wine list.
• Downtown Dogs Chicago Style Hot dogs served 1 block off the Magnificent Mile.
• Billy Goat Tavern Grill World famous tavern is a historic Chicago landmark with the famous “Cheezeborger, Cheezeborger,”  Est 1934
• Sarah’s Pastries and candies.  Sarah’s Wedding cakes were featured in March 2010 Brides Magazine
• Candyality The sweetest destination in Chicago, Candyality offers hundreds of candies to mix and match, gourmet chocolates & truffles
• Ta-Ze Olives and Olive Oil
• FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Cafe
• Depending on availability, last stop on the Gold Coast tour will be a tasting from TA-ZE and Gourmet chocolates from Candyality or a sweet treat at The Purple Pig
• Learn about the Chicago “ Magnificent Mile” the diners and shopper’s paradise
• Have your taste buds tantalized on the streets that Princess Dianna, presidents, movie stars and queens have walked.
• Walk  down the streets of the High Rise Chicago

Tastebud Tours will visit several locations and entertain you with the sites of the Gold Coast, amaze you with fun facts, and fill your tummy up with some of the best Chicago-style foods.

TASTEBUD TOUR INFORMATION

• Tours run 7 days a week all year round
• Go online at Tastebud Tickets  to check current schedule and ticket availability (click here)
• Purchase your Tastebud Tour tickets at Tastebud Ticket Center (click here)
• Tours start at 11AM and every 30 minutes thereafter
• Tastebud Gold Coast Tour meets at 864 N. State Street
• Tastebud Guests will receive food from each Tastebud food stop
• Price of tour includes all food
• Menu items vary – come hungry!
• Vegetarian options are available – please contact us
• Participating Tastebud food stops may be substituted due to seasonal  and/or unexpected circumstances
• Each tour includes enough food for lunch
• Capacity is 14 guests per tour
• Cost is  $44.00 plus tax per guest for the Gold Coast Tours.
• All gratuities for restaurant service have been covered in the price of your ticket. Tastebud guide Gratuities are always greatly appreciated.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing and dress for rain or shine….or snow!

More information

Tickets

The Tastebud Millennium Loop Tour

This guided Tastebud Tour visits 5-7 food locations in the historic Chicago Loop and Millennium Park.  All food tastings, enough for lunch, are included in the Tastebud ticket price.

Your adventure will visit and taste delicious foods from (subject to change):

• Pizano’s A family tradition, serving “World famous gourmet deep dish pizza” for over 60 years.
• Heaven on Seven The best Louisiana Cookin’ outside of New Orleans, serving Chicago for 30 years.
• Berghoff The oldest family run-establishment in the nation.  Opening in 1898, now serving Chicagoans’ “tradition with a twist”.
• Sugar Bliss A gourmet cake boutique, any one of the 20+ flavors, ranging from subtle to decadent sweetness, is sure to satisfy just about any sweet tooth.
• Gold Coast Dogs Home of THE Chicago style hot dog.
• Now We’re Pop’pin Snacks and treats from salty and sweet.
• Learn about the Chicago “Loop”,  the heart of Chicago, enjoy the sights and sounds of Millennium Park
• Have your taste buds tantalized on the streets that Al Capone and his gang cruised
• Walk back in time with the “L” elevated train rustling overhead.
• Tastebud Tours will visit several locations and entertain you with the Millennium Park and Loop sites, amaze you with fun facts, and fill your tummy up with some of the best Chicago-style foods!

TASTEBUD TOUR INFORMATION

• Tours run 7 days a week all year round
• Go online at Tastebud Tickets  to check current schedule and ticket availability (click here)
• Purchase your Tastebud Tour tickets at Tastebud Ticket Center (click here)
• Tours start at 11AM and every 30 minutes thereafter
• Tastebud Loop Tour meets at  Pizano’s 61 E. Madison St.
• Tastebud Guests will receive food from each Tastebud food stop
• Price of tour includes all food
• Menu items vary – come hungry!
• Vegetarian options are available – please contact us
• Participating Tastebud food stops may be substituted due to seasonal  and/or unexpected circumstances
• Each tour includes enough food for lunch
• Capacity is 14 guests per tour
• Cost is  $44.00 plus tax per guest for all Tours, exception, Sunday Millennium Loop Tour is $39.00 plus tax per guest.
• All gratuities for restaurant service have been covered in the price of your ticket. Tastebud guide Gratuities are always greatly appreciated.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing and dress for rain or shine….or snow!

Please note:  On Sundays only, Heaven on Seven and Bergoff are closed.  Tastebud Millennium Loop Tours  tickets on Sunday only are $39.00 per ticket.

More information

Tickets

Slice of Chicago Pizza Tours

Slice of Chicago Pizza Tours is the original deep-dish pizza walking tour featuring samples of Chicago’s best deep-dish pizzas and deep-dish pizza history. 

What is your favorite pie, crust, cheese and sauce? You decide.

On this Chicago food tour you will:

(1) Sample three of the best Chicago style deep-dish pizzas without long lines or waiting times–pizza is hot and ready upon arrival!

(2) Learn about Chicago pizza history and its legendary creators.

(3) Enjoy the sites and sounds of downtown Chicago while burning off the calories that you consume!  Locals and tourists will also learn more about Chicago history, nightlife and restaurants.

A unique aspect of this Chicago food tour is that you will be able to compare several different Chicago style deep-dish pizzas within about two hours.  Compare the pizza crusts, cheese and sauce, all while learning the history of the restaurants, their owners and the pizza ingredient suppliers.  While others may wait up to 2 hours for their pizza, you will learn, eat and enjoy the pizza tour in the same amount of time.

We will not stuff you with deep-dish pizza to the point of food coma, but will give you a chance to sample several Chicago stye deep-dish pizzas, learn deep-dish pizza history and have fun with other pizza-lovin’ people.

Roster of Deep-Dish Pizzerias:

On the tour you will sample Chicago style deep-dish pizza at three pizzerias.  The Chicago pizzeries were selected based on their historical significance, taste, uniqueness and overall contribution to the Chicago deep-dish pizza industry.  Sample 3 out of the following 4 deep-dish pizzas and compare some of Chicago’s best pies in about 2 hours.  We look forward to sharing this unique food and history walking tour with you.

PIZZERIA UNO: Established in 1943, Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza has been handcrafted and made fresh daily in their own kitchen and baked to perfection.  Please join us to learn the unique role Pizzeria Uno and its founders played in helping create deep-dish pizza as it is known today. Not only has the pizza played a role in Chicago’s cultural heritage, so has its long-time employees with consistent pizza and service.

GIORDANO’S: Located one block from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, Giordano’s World Famous Stuffed Pizza is Chicago’s leader in stuffed deep-dish pizza.  As Giordano’s states, they are “stuffing America one pie at a time.”  Check out the photo, which is an accurate reflection of what you can expect from one of the cheesiest stops on our pizza tour.

PIZANO’S PIZZA & PASTA: Known for its award-winning deep-dish pizza, Pizano’s is located in the heart of the River North neighborhood, just blocks from the world famous Water Tower Place and Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.  Pizano’s is a great neighborhood restaurant where you will often find local celebrities, visiting stars, athletes and hear great stories.

PIZZERIA ORA: Also located in the River North neighborhood, Pizzeria Ora offers traditional Chicago style deep-dish pizza with bold flavors.  Pizzeria Ora maintains a personal touch with the local owner often there to greet customers and meet our pizza tour groups.  Kick back, relax, enjoy the delicious pie and learn about a local favorite off the beaten-path at Pizzeria Ora.

*Pizza tours start at Pizzeria Uno at 29 E. Ohio St. every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 312-623-9292 in advance to reserve your space and purchase your tickets.  General tours have a maximum capacity of 16 people per tour.

*We highly recommend that you bring a bottled water or beverage to start the tour!

*Please see the Schedule/Tickets and FAQs pages for ticket information and more tour details.

Second City Pizza Tours

Chicago style pizza is a favorite for both residents and visitors alike, but there are so many choices! Deep dish pizza? Thin crust pizza? How to choose? Join us

Chicago style pizza is a favorite for both residents and visitors alike, but there are so many choices! Deep dish pizza? Thin crust pizza? How to choose? Join us for one of our Chicago pizza tours and try them all!

Come enjoy a delightful Chicago walking tour through downtown and the Gold Coast as we make stops at some of the city’s old time favorites, as well as some of its hidden gems. Guests on this Chicago food tour will sample the delicious pizza at each of the five stops on our pizza tour, including Gino’s East, Uno’s, Giordano’s, Quartino, and Castel Gandolfo (three deep dish pizza restaurants and two thin crust pizza restaurants), while learning about Chicago history and some of its spectacular architecture.

Come Hungry, Leave Stuffed!

The Second City Pizza Tour is the best way to experience all of the different flavors of Chicago Pizza. Guests of this tour will be guided by a fabulous docent to five of Chicago’s finest pizza venues and sample the pizza at each location. The pizza is specially prepared for our group’s arrival, so that means no 45 minute waits to have the pizza cooked. The tour should be taken in lieu of a meal as each guest receives a full slice of pizza at each location. You will not be hungry after this tour!

The Second City Pizza Tour is conducted every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from April to mid November. The tour is 2 1/2 hours long and begins at 11:30am. Reservations are required as we limit the tours to 12 people.

The tour meets in front of Giordano’s restaurant, located at 730 North Rush Street, on the corner of Rush Street & Superior Street. Please arrive a few minutes shy of 11:30am on the day of your pizza tour.

Price: The Second City Pizza Tour is $36 for adults and $28 for students and children 8-18 years old. Children 7 years or younger are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Info & Tickets

Chicago Food Tours – Bucktown/Wicker Park Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour

Our guided, narrated Bucktown/Wicker Park Food Tour visits 6 food tasting locations in the artists’ colony and foodie favorite neighborhoods of Bucktown and Wicker Park. All food tastings, enough for lunch, are included in the ticket price.

Delicious food specialties are served on the Bucktown/Wicker Park Food Tour from (subject to change):

• George’s Hot Dog’s: #1 rated Chicago-style hot dog “stand” (est. 1948)
• Hot Chocolate: Chicago’s top pastry & dessert restaurant (est. 2004)
• Goddess & Grocer: A gourmet foods & organic grocer (est. 2004)
• Sultan’s Market: Middle Eastern food store and falafel deli (est. 1985)
• Piece: New-Haven style pizzeria & award-winning brewpub (est. 2001)
• iCream: Designs and creates ice cream instantly on the spot (est. 2008)

Chicago Bucktown/Wicker Park Food Tour Information

• When: Tuesday through Saturday, April – November
• Check current schedule and buy tickets online
• Time: Tour starts at 11:30 am to early afternoon
• How long: 3 hours
• How much: $42 per adult ticket
• What’s included: All food tastings, enough for lunch
• Who: All age groups and fitness levels
• Capacity: 14 people per tour
• What to wear: Comfortable clothing and shoes
• Weather conditions: Tour takes place rain or shine
• Where: Meets near North, Milwaukee, and Damen Avenues
• (Exact meeting location information provided with ticket purchase)
• Buy Tickets: Zerve Ticket Center or call (212) 209-3370.

Chicago Food Tours – Near North Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour

Our guided, narrated Near North Food Tour visits 7 food tasting locations in the historic, delicious Gold Coast, Old Town, and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. All food tastings, enough for lunch, are included in the ticket price.

Delicious food specialties are served on the Near North Food Tour from (subject to change):

• Bacino’s Pizzeria: Award-winning Chicago-stuffed pizzeria (est. 1978)
• The Spice House: America’s top spice & herb specialty shop (est. 1957)
• Delightful Pastries: An authentic European bakery & pastry shop (est. 1998)
• Ashkenaz Deli: An authentic Ashkenazic Jewish deli (est. 1975)
• Old Town Oil: A balsamic vinegar & olive oil specialty store (est. 2007)
• Tea Gschwendner: A specialty loose tea & tisanes merchant (est. 1978)
• The Fudge Pot: A chocolate confectioner and fudge shop (est. 1963)

Chicago Near North Food Tour Information

• When: 7 days a week, April – November
• Check current schedule and buy tickets online
• Time: Tours start daily at 11 am to early afternoon
• How long: 3 hours
• How much: $42 per adult ticket
• What’s included: All food tastings, enough for lunch
• Who: All age groups and fitness levels
• Capacity: 16 people per tour
• What to wear: Comfortable clothing and shoes
• Weather conditions: Tour takes place rain or shine
• Where: Meets near Michigan Ave and Lake Michigan in Gold Coast
• (Exact meeting location information provided with ticket purchase)
• Buy Tickets: Zerve Ticket Center or call (212) 209-3370.