OUR STORY
13 YEARS OF FOOD TOURS IN CHICAGO
Sidewalk Food Tours was founded in New York City in 2011 with a simple idea: one of the best ways to get to know a neighborhood is through its food.
We brought Sidewalk Food Tours to Chicago in 2013, and after 13 years of leading food tours here, we’ve eaten our way through a lot of Chicago. We’ve found some great places along the way—and, as you can imagine, a few that didn’t make the cut.
Today, our food tours take guests through River North and Wicker Park, two neighborhoods we love for very different reasons. We visit a mix of longtime Chicago establishments and newer neighborhood favorites, with plenty of food along the way.
But we don’t think a great food tour should just take you from restaurant to restaurant.
The food is part of a much bigger story. Our guides talk about the history, architecture, people and cultures that shaped each neighborhood and explain how some of the foods you’re eating became part of Chicago’s story.
We put a lot of thought—and a lot of eating—into choosing our stops. The food has to be delicious, but that’s only the beginning. We also look at the people behind the restaurant, its connection to the neighborhood, the story we can tell there, and how it fits with the rest of the tour.
After five food stops, you’ll have eaten enough for a hearty meal. More importantly, we hope you leave knowing Chicago a little better and with a few restaurants and places you’ll want to come back to on your own.
Whether you’re joining one of our public tours, planning a private food tour with family and friends, or bringing your company together for a team-building food tour, we’d love to show you the Chicago we’ve gotten to know over the past 13 years.
Bon voyage!
SIDEWALK FOOD TOURS OF CHICAGO
OUR TOURS
EXPLORE NEIGHBORHOOD DELIGHTS
Explore Chicago One Bite—and One Story—at a Time
There’s a lot you miss when you only see Chicago from a car or tour bus. Our walking food tours get you out into the neighborhoods, where you can experience the food, history, architecture, and people that give each part of the city its personality.
Our tours are led by local Chicago guides who know the neighborhoods and have plenty of stories to tell. Between food stops, you’ll hear about Chicago’s history, architecture, culture, and some of the characters who helped shape the city.
We’ve always believed you should leave a great food tour with two things: a full belly and an inspired mind. That’s why our tours aren’t just about tasting food. Over five stops, you’ll eat enough for a hearty meal while exploring the neighborhood and learning the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
By the end of the tour, we hope you’ve discovered a few foods you love, learned something about Chicago you didn’t know before, and found a neighborhood you’ll want to come back and explore again.
MEET THE TEAM
JOSHUA HIRSCH
OWNER
On a six-hour historical tour of Lower Manhattan, Joshua’s stomach began to grumble as the guide pointed out some delicious food spots. It was then that he had an “aha moment.” He decided to include his favorite food places on a history and culture walking tour, so folks wouldn’t be hungry while discovering the city!
He wanted his tours to tell the story of the neighborhood through its food and the people who prepare it. The rest, as they say, is history. Sidewalk Food Tours, a culinary experience company, was born. He has since expanded into ten delectable cities. His goal is to expand to every major U.S. city you travel to, so you can experience its food and culture on a Sidewalk Food Tour.
CHIEU HIRSCH
PARTNER
We are honored to have Chieu Hirsch on our team. She plays an integral part in the company’s overall success. Her family bravely refuged to the U.S. from Vietnam in the 1980s. She brings years of business experience, previously working for Sprint, Principal Financial, Morgan Stanley, and Hartford. In addition to her business acumen, she is extremely passionate about feng shui, astrology, food, and culture. She loves meditation, traveling, and hiking to beautiful mountaintops. Spending quality time with her eight nieces and nephews is what brings her the most joy.
ROBBIE BRUENS
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Robbie Bruens designs, develops and manages food experiences for Sidewalk Food Tours. In addition to food (the highest art form, as we can all agree) he is also passionate about movies, books, paintings, and architecture. With that in mind, he recommends you watch Big Night (1996) directed by and starring Stanley Tucci and read Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, as these combine the culinary arts with cinema and literature.
BEN GIBSON
GUIDE
Ben Gibson Bishop is an actor and writer based in Chicago. Originally from Arkansas, Ben moved for the performance opportunities and stayed for the weather. He gives tours because he loves talking, history, food, and making 3-hour long friends.
LAUREN EILOLA
GUIDE
Lauren is a travel blogger who loves wine tourism, food, and new experiences. Originally from Delaware, she has since lived in Washington DC, Madrid, Los Angeles, Atlanta and has been happily calling Chicago “home” since 2019. Lauren loves movies, reading and fine dining and is always looking for recommendations!
JAKE WILKOFF
MANAGER
Jake is a fun loving and hungry guy who loves to cook for his wife, Margaret, in their Chicago neighborhood of Old Irving Park. When he isn’t sampling tasty food and drinks he might be at the hockey rink where he coaches a youth hockey team and adult learn to play hockey classes and games, or you might find him volunteering with the Union League Boys & Girls Club.
Favorite cocktail: Old Fashioned from the Violet Hour in Wicker Park
Favorite local food: Oiimen Ramen at Oiistar in Wicker Park
Favorite local restaurant: MingHin Cuisine (dim sum) in Chinatown
ADELINA MARINELLO
GUIDE
Adelina is a performer/playwright/teaching artist based in Chicago. In her free time, Adelina enjoys thrifting, reading Sarah J. Maas, and hunting for the best local coffee shop. For food recs and finds follow @adelinamae on Beli (make a foodie friend)!