Reviews

Below you will find a sample of reviews from those who have taken a tour with Tastebud.

Review

My husband and I have lived in Chicago for quite some time so we were interested to find out what Tastebud Tours may offer us that we have not yet experienced. To our delight, the many restaurants we visited were those we had not yet tried while dining out in the city. “The Purple Pig,” for instance, is a brand new restaurant that we had wanted to check out, and were excited to have ended our “Magnificent Mile Tour” at this unique location. Unlike some of the other tours we have taken downtown, Tastebud did not skip out on the details. Each of our stops provided us with plenty of food to try and the facts were interesting but not overwhelming.  We highly recommend Tastebud Tours to anyone living in Chicago or for out of town guests who are looking to have a fun day eating, walking, and learning.

- Melissa and Jeremy Stump – Chicago

Review

We thoroughly enjoyed our Tastebuds Tour!  What a way to start off with Pizano’s Pizza and end with Cheesecake from The Grillroom.   Our guide Lynn, was full of informative facts on our Loop Tour and we had fun sampling the various treats along the way, especially the Root Beer and Brats at Berghoff’s.  The little sugar buzz from Sugar Bliss certainly hit the spot mid-tour. We will return for the other Tour when we are in Chicago.

- John & Joby Calhoon – Indianapolis, IN.

Review

I took the Magnificent Mile tour on 3/19/10.  I really enjoyed the selection of restaurants and wide variety of food offerings on the tour.  Everything I tasted was very high quality.  The commentary on Chicago architectural highlights and history was very informative. What an excellent way to spend a Friday afternoon in Chicago!

- Sam – Valparaiso, In.

Review

I can’t imagine a better way to get a “taste” of Chicago than what we experienced with Tastebud Tours during their Magnificant Mile tour. It was truly a dining adventure.  Not only did it feed my body but it fed my mind with all kinds of interesting facts shared by the very knowledgeable guides.  I will never think of Chicago in the same way.  The sights, the sounds, the good time will be a cherished memory.  I have never been impressed with the “Chicago” style pizza that I have had in Indy.  I guess it took real Chicago pizza from Pizano’s to make me a convert.  I wish they had delivery to Indianapolis.  Additionally, it was a good place to start the tour as the hospitality made me feel welcomed and excited about what was to come later in the tour. Our next stop to Sarah’s was fun for my sweet tooth. We got to try a brownie and look at all the other beautiful delicacies. What beautiful wedding cakes! I appreciated the opportunity to purchase some of the chocolates to take home to family.  I have not been given such an opportunity to do this on tours I have been on in other cities. Generous portions of New Orleans style cuisine of jambalaya, gumbo, and special corn bread with a sweet butter awaited us at Heaven on Seven.  I was not sure if I could eat anymore after that stop. Looking at the menu, I have decided that my next trip to Chicago will include a visit there to try some of their other specialties. Other stops included a Chicago style hot dog (one of my favorite foods) at Downtown Dogs and a cheeseburger at the Billy Goat Tavern (I felt like I was on the set of Saturday Night Live). All of the venues offered water along with the food which was also a nice touch.  The perfect end to a delightful day was found at The Purple Pig.  It was at this final stop that we were served some of the most delicious and unusual cuisine.  The slaw made from brussel sprouts was my favorite.  It was also nice that we could order from their wine list and enjoy more time with some of the new found friends that I met on the tour.  I would highly recommend this tour.

- Vicki from Indy – March 19.2010

Review

Thank you for the wonderful experience on March 19th.  I really enjoyed the food and all of the interesting facts along the Magnificent Mile Tour.

I was very impressed with Pizanos pizza, Heaven on Seven and the Billy Goat Tavern.  I plan on visiting those places again, and I will tell all of my friends about the great food and friendly faces I experienced on the tour.

Thanks gain for a wonderful time!

- Bill DiCianni – Roselle, IL

Review

As Chicago natives we are always looking for something fun to do in the city.  While doing some research we came across TASTEBUD Tours and decided to book a tour that would allow us to spend our Sunday afternoon touring the restaurants of the Magnificent Mile.  We would highly recommended this tour to anyone that is looking to try foods specific to Chicago and who would like to learn more about the city.  The food that was introduced to us was spectacular.  The next day we had to go back to Pizano’s Pizza and Pasta for more pizza.  Our tour was run very well and our tour guide was very knowledgeable.  We were very impressed with TASTEBUD Tours and look forward to booking a different tour with family and friends in the future!

- Brad and Gina Schmitt – Willow Springs, Illinois

Review

As a resident of Indianapolis, I have been to Chicago many times but I have never experienced it like I did last weekend.  As a gift, a friend took me on a Tastebud tour of the Chicago Loop.  What fun!  We went to 7 food venues and learned much about the history and unique style and culture of Chicago.  The well versed guides kept us entertained with their “fun facts”  while the food venues kept us well fed.  The starting point Pizano’s Pizza was welcoming and delicious.  I can see why Oprah endorsed it as her favorite thin crust.  I have never experienced food New Orleans style until this tour.  Heaven on Seven served a really fine gumbo.  I was not brave enough to try any of the hot sauces as it was seasoned to my liking.  To satisfy our sweet tooth we made stops and tried some carmel corn at Now We’re Poppin and cupcakes at Sugar Bliss.  I had to take a picture of the case of beautiful gourmet cupcakes.  The tour let us purchase and so I took a dozen assorted cupcakes home. They were a hit!  I wish I would have tried an icing shot but with all the other food to come I showed some restraint. I will need to go back.   Except for the sweet stops all of the venues served water with their food but the homemade root beer served with a mini brat and German potato salad at Berghoffs really hit the spot.  Of course what would a tour of Chicago eateries be with out a Chicago style hot dog?  There was no lack of food on this tour.  At the final stop we had the most delicious cheesecake and a chance to sit back and talk.  Food, fun and fellowship, I  would definitely recommend it to my friends.

- Helena Jackson – Indianapolis

Review

“For so many years I’ve heard Chicagoans brag about their Deep-Dish pizzas, real Chicago-style Hot Dogs and the “Cheeseborgor, Cheeseborgor, Cheeseborgors” made famous on SNL. The Mag mile Tastebud Tour was tasty ,we want to go on the Loop tour too!

Rick Steinman – Riverside IL

Review

I had the opportunity to go on the “Loop Tour”.  We came from Indianapolis and once in Chicago – it snowed the whole tour. However, that did not deter from the tour and we had a great time.  My favorite was Pizano’s Pizza and wish I could get more of that in Indianapolis. The Sugar Bliss was a nice surprise with excellent cupcakes!  Berghoff is not somewhere that I would have picked to eat – but I would after this visit. Great samplings of brats and potato salad, along with a rich history.  Lots of great tid bits picked up along the way.  It was a great way to sample the taste of Chicago!

Ellen McClimans – Indianapolis, Indiana

Review

I enjoyed the Tastebud tour of Chicago’s Loop.   From the Chicago hot dog with all its fixings to the delicious cheesecake, each taste was truly a Chicago experience.  In addition to the great food and  historical stories our guide added made for a most enjoyable afternoon.  I’m looking forward soon to experiencing Tastebud’s Mag Mile tour.

Jerry Broz – Loop tour on Saturday, March 27, 2010

Review

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour from Pizano’s to the Grill Room.  The food was delicious at all venues.  We were impressed with Pizano’s pizza and will definitely revisit this charming  Italian eatery.  Gold Coast Dogs was our first encounter with a genuine Chicago hot dog and it was a real taste treat.  We will return to Heaven On Seven for some more authentic New Orleans fare…….We heartily recommend  Tastebud Tours for a rich Chicago gastronomical experience coupled with local color and history as related by our guide.  We have mentioned Tastebud Tours to several friends and they are enthusiastic about the tours.  We will definitely return for a repeat tour.
Bob and Dena Simmons, Valparaiso, IN.

Review

Stupendous!!  Wow, what an enjoyable experience!!  Samples of seven Chicago taste treats were outstanding on their own but you also get the history and fun facts about all the visited establishments plus different sites along the walking route.  Pizano’s Pizza, Now We’re Poppin, Heaven on Seven, Sugar Bliss and Gold Coast Dogs were all great; but Berghoff was probably my personal favorite.  Its history is indicative of the American dream, and the fact that they made a famous root beer to get them thru Prohibition was intriguing.  However the tasty miniature brat on its petite bun along with the delicious German potato salad and the fantastic mug of their famous root beer highlighted the visit there.  Then came The Grillroom and its’ delectable cheesecake.  Wow, my tummy was happy, my brain was expanded and my feet were pleased with the enjoyable walking tour that TASTBUD Tours shared with me and a reasonably sized group where questions were received and responded to enthusiastically.  Don’t plan on lunch before or after your tour, your stomach won’t have room.  This was a great value….three hours of enjoyable, educational entertainment and fantastic samples of seven of Chicago’s taste treats along the loop.  I highly recommend that you come and enjoy any of the tours that TASTEBUD TOURS sponsors in Chicago.

- Patty – Troy, MI

Review

As a transplanted suburbanite, it was great fun to spend time walking the Magnificent Mile while enjoying Chicago’s great comfort foods–deep dish pizza, a Chicago dog and a cheeseburger!  I also loved being introduced to newer, trendy places like Sarah’s and her mouth-watering brownies and The Purple Pig which I hope to enjoy again soon for a full-course meal and their large wine selection.

Ellen – Morton Grove, IL

Review

“Recently I went on a Tastebud Tour and I had a fabulous time.  Even though I am from Chicago I really enjoyed learning new things about the City’s history and seeing and experiencing some of the city’s most significant and fun restaurants through new eyes.  Our tour guide was fabulous, knowledgeable and fun.  The Tour is set at a nice pace, not too long in any place but not rushed at all.  This is a tour I highly recommend for people visiting or those from Chicago who want a new look at the City.”

Joan

Review

I took the Tastebudtours magnificant mile tour on Mar 21, 2010. I have taken several tours of Chicago, but this was a most unique tour. The walking allowed close up views of an area of Chicago I had visited often, but never saw. I learned many interesting and fun facts about the history of Chicago, and I tasted Chicago as I never have before. I had a tour of the traditional Chicago, with the pizza, “cheezebouger” and the perfect chi town dog, and some new tastes of chicago New Orleans , sweets and the hot new place. This three hour tour introduced me to the perfect tour of a slice of Chicago with the perfect pairing of the taste of Chicago. I would recommend this tour to friends on tour, new comers, and natives that are looking for a fun new experience.

Cindy Leland Valparaiso, In

Review

I was on your 3/27/10 Loop Tour. If someone is looking for a great way to enjoy an afternoon in Chicago this is it.   Being able to sample 7 of Chicago’s own unique restaurant’s, learn about each and learn about the history of Chicago .  Wow what an enjoyable way to see the loop area.   All the restaurants were very good, my favorite being Berghoff’s.  Tastebud Tours should be the talk of the town and will be a must do activity when I am back in Chicago.

Thanks for a great time!!!!!

Rodger Rader

Review

My husband and I did the Magnificent Mile Tour with Tastebud Tours on 3/28.  We loved the Pizano Pizza crust with the cornmeal crust and my husband also loved the sauce. We’ll be sure to go back there. I’m not a hot dog lover, but liked the Downtown Dogs. My husband, who is an expert, gave it high marks.  Billy Goat is already a regular stop of my husbands because he loves the place. The Purple Pig is a new, vibrant restaurant.  Don’t be afraid to try something new.  Heaven on 7 was our favorite.  It has a fun atmosphere, great friendly service and LOTS of good food.  We have walked by this place dozens of times, next time we will not go by.  The guides were fun, informative and ensured that everyone had a good time.  The walking pace was good, not too fast. We loved hearing the Chicago history as we went along and gave our stomachs a break.  There was no waiting to get into any of the restaurants and the food was ready when we got there.  We haven’t stopped talking about the tour to our friends.

Bill & Sue.  Kalamazoo, MI

Review

My husband and I recently took the Tastebud Loop tour in Chicago. As frequent visitors to Chicago  we are always looking for something new and unique to do in the city and the Tastebud food tour was definitely worth it!  A wonderful way to experience the sights, sounds, and food of Chicago!  We have been on similiar tours in New York City and our Tastebud tour in Chicago was better by far. Wonderful food: hard to pick a favorite, although Heaven on Seven, Berghoff’s, Pizanno’s pizza, and the cupcakes at Sugar Bliss were wonderful. Bringing home caramel corn from Now We’re Poppin’ and cupcakes from Sugar Bliss was great! It was nice to see  this company using and supporting Project Onward at the Chicago Culteral Center.  Tastebud Tours is a good for Chicago! We will be back and look forward to new and upcoming things from Tastebud!!

Georgette and Rodger Rader – Plymouth, Indiana