Iconic Foods of Chicago

Devour all four of the iconic “Chicago-style” dishes from the eateries that perfected them on our most popular downtown tour.

About

• Get up close and personal with all five of the "Chicago Style" dishes - pizza, hot dog, Italian beef, popcorn and brownie in 3 hours or less
• Take advantage of our exclusive restaurant partners as we go behind the scenes and offer an insiders glimpse into local artisan chefs
• Skip the long lines at the top-rated, #1 iconic brand names with VIP access to Lou Malnati's, Garrett's, Al's Beef and Portillo's
• Your local food expert will provide an insiders look into the incredible history, culture and architecture of Streeterville and River North
• Relax on the #1 Rated Chicago Activity with more than 3,700 TripAdvisor Reviews as you eat and drink your way through Chicago

What to Expect

On our #1 TripAdvisor Rated Iconic Foods of Chicago tour, a local food guide navigates you through the bustling River North and Streeterville neighborhoods, as you discover the fascinating history, architecture and culture of downtown Chicago while noshing on all of the top-rated, iconic Chicago-style dishes and recipes from the artisans that perfected them. Stroll through the main streets near the Loop Chicago which offers a wonderful concentration of museums, restaurants, bars and historic landmarks uniquely mixed with modern architecture, shops and art galleries. You’ll cross over Michigan Avenue and enjoy the Magnificent Mile with historic landmarks including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and the Chicago Water Tower.

Chicago is known across the world for inventing and perfecting five authentic dishes that are “must eats” and the Iconic Foods of Chicago tour is the only culinary event in the city that visits them all. You’ll enjoy VIP, exclusive access on visits to Lou Malnati’s (Chicago-style deep dish), Al’s Beef (Italian Beef Sandwich), Garrett Popcorn (Chicago-style Popcorn), Portillo’s (Chicago-style Hot Dog) and the Chicago-created brownie (Sweet Mandy B's).

On this 3-hour culinary adventure, your expert guide will offer a taste of daily life in two of Chicago’s premiere neighborhoods as you indulge in full-size tastings at the venues that locals still cherish and meet the colorful characters behind these classic eats and hear their amazing stories. Join us today on the Iconic Foods of Chicago tour and connect with iconic Chicago foods in unexpected ways!

Where We'll Eat

Lou Malnati's
Considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, Lou Malnati's iconic Chicago-Style Deep Dish pizza is regarded as the best in the city. Taste it for yourself!

Garrett Popcorn
Savor the popcorn recipes that were born out of a family competition and carried over from the Garrett's Milwaukee home to their first Chicago shop in 1949.

Al's Beef
The history of Al’s #1 Italian Beef Restaurants dates back to 1938. Al's founder Chris Pacelli, started a neighborhood beef stand in Chicago’s “Little Italy” neighborhood.

Portillo's Hot Dogs
The famed Portillo’s was founded in 1963 by Dick Portillo. After returning from serving in the Marines, Dick (with help from his brother Frank) opened a humble hot dog stand.

Sweet Mandy B's
Conclude with a stop at Sweet Mandy B's to sample the Chicago brownie, which was invented in Chicago in 1893!