Chicago Food Planet Wicker Park/Bucktown Tour
Recommended Walking and Tasting Tour Reviewed
Nov 2, 2009
Chicago Food Planet currently runs two separate walking and tasting tours in Chicago. The Near North Tour visits the Old Town, Gold Coast and Lincoln Park neighbourhoods, while their second tour visits eateries in the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighbourhoods. Each tour features stops at several eateries for food samples. Each tasting tour is led by a knowledgeable tour guide and lasts from fifteen to thirty minutes. Visitors are encouraged to go on an empty stomach as there is more than enough food to fill the heartiest of eaters in the course of the three hour walking tour, which also includes historical and cultural insights into these distinct neighbourhoods
The Wicker Park and Bucktown tour begins in the Bucktown area of Chicago. All starting and ending points of the tour are accessible by public transit and a detailed map and directions on joining the tour. The first stop is George’s Hot Dogs for a bite of one of Chicago’s favourite snacks.
George’s Hot Dogs- a Chicago Tradition
In business since 1948, George’s Hot Dogs has progressed from a take-out counter to its current incarnation with a dining area in addition to the traditional service counter window. One of the top rated hot dog stands in all of Chicago, George’s serves up fresh Vienna Pure Beef hot dogs made right in Chicago. For over 60 years, this family run business has been serving up traditional Chicago style hot dogs which are sampled on the tour. The Chicago Style hot dog is served on a poppy seed bun and topped with mustard, chopped onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, sliced tomato, hot pickled peppers and seasoned with celery salt.
Hot Chocolate Serves Up a Treat
The second stop on the tour is Hot Chocolate bakery and pastry café. Opened in 2004, Hot Chocolate is chef Mindy Segal’s restaurant. She has won numerous pastry awards including a nomination for the James Beard award for top pastry chef in the country. Here, the tasting includes a delicious hot chocolate made with milk and dark chocolate and caramel, served with a homemade marshmallow. In the summer months, an iced hot chocolate is served to tour groups.
Goddess & Grocer- A Deli with Style
Stop number three on the tour is Goddess & Grocer, a gourmet grocer and food counter serving freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Here diners enjoy a serving of pasta salad. A small location, Goddess & Grocer also offers many items for sale including coffees, beer, preserves and spreads, as well as dog biscuits and pasta toppings, as well as a large array of local and organic items.
Slice- Chicago Pizza and Brewpub
Entering into the Wicker Park neighbourhood, the next stop on the tour is Slice pizzeria and brewpub for a longer sit-down visit. The tasting here begins with a small glass of one of the brewpub’s own beers, followed by a slice of pizza. While not the traditional Chicago deep-dish style pizza, the thin crust pizza is just as delicious.
Sultan’s Market- Middle Eastern Cuisine
The fifth stop on the tour in Wicker Park is Sultan’s Market for a taste of the Middle East. Offering counter service and dine-in, as well as a self-serve take-out bar, the Sultan’s Market stop allows visitors to sample their freshly made falafel. With delicious homemade hummus and fresh cucumber, the falafel is one of the tour’s highlights, if visitors aren’t too full to consume this pita-based sandwich.
iCream- Unique Frozen Dessert
The final stop on the Wicker Park tour is at iCream, a unique concept ice cream parlour opened in 2009. Ice cream and frozen yogurt-based treats are designed on the spot by the customer and flash frozen using liquid nitrogen. With many flavour combinations and toppings to choose from, iCream is an ice cream lover’s dream come true. The liquid nitrogen creates a slightly different consistency to regular ice cream, but the result is just as delicious, and a perfect way to end the tour.
For information on booking this tour or the Near North Food Tour, visit Chicago Food Planet’s website.
 |
 |
 |
 |
