OUR STORY
A CULINARY EXPERIENCE COMPANY
The story behind Sidewalk Food Tours goes back 13 years. Two friends with a deep love of food, history, and the city found themselves constantly taking friends and family on private walking tours.
One day, a friend said, “You guys always give us such informative and delicious food tours. You should start a food tour company so other people can enjoy your tours as much as we do.” And the rest, as they say, is history.
Our goal is to provide exceptional walking food tours of Nashville so people can revisit these neighborhoods confidently and enjoy their various cultural options. We’re self-proclaimed foodies. We’ve made it our mission to eat our way through Nashville, doing a lot of delicious research (and some not-so-appetizing) to bring you the best food options Nashville has to offer.
There is no better way to learn about a neighborhood’s history and culture than to eat its food. The food and the people who prepare it tell a story about the neighborhood. Tease your taste buds and join us in either Downtown Nashville or East Nashville.
We eat foods from decades-old establishments, which have stood the test of time, and newer places with award-winning chefs. Join us on a real foodie adventure as we eat our way through these delicious neighborhoods and uncover the off-the-beaten-path food spots of Nashville.
Bon voyage,
SIDEWALK FOOD TOURS OF NASHVILLE
OUR TOURS
EXPLORE NEIGHBORHOOD DELIGHTS
Sidewalk Food Tours of Nashville boasts a food tour repertoire that includes tours of Downtown Nashville and East Nashville. Our guides know where to take you for the tastiest flavors and have a wealth of knowledge about each neighborhood to share as you stroll.
Our tours allow you to eat like a Nashvillian and gain local insights into the blocks you walk. While we want you to enjoy all the tasty treats, we also want you to learn some things along the way. That’s why you experience the culture, learn the history, and see the landmarks that make Downtown and East Nashville such notable locales.
Our tastings are robust and unique; often, our guests say they’ve eaten enough to cover lunch by the time their tour has concluded. Whether you’re a local or a visitor or need a great gift idea for your favorite Nashville foodie, check out a Sidewalk Food Tour of Nashville.
Make your most delicious decision yet!
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.
TREE LILY BUTCHER
GUIDE
Born on Halloween in Nashville, Tennessee, Tree Lily Butcher has always had a passion for stories. The greatest stories are usually told around a dining table. This sparked a passion for hospitality and food that lead to her becoming a food tour guide. Tree Lily lives that #lakelife with a loving partner of 12 years, an adorable toddler, and a tiny dog in Nashville, TN.
LILY JAREMSKI
GUIDE
Raised in Augusta, GA, Lily knows Southern cuisine inside and out. She has spent the last seven years getting to know the best eateries in Nashville and loves giving recommendations. When she’s not leading groups on a culinary adventure, she enjoys karaoke, line dancing, and hanging with her elderly chihuahua, Pink Pink.
SEAN MCCORMACK
GUIDE
Sean has spent an inordinate amount of time eating and talking all over the world. A spirited food adventurer who once traveled to Lisbon for the octopus and ended up spending 2 months in Spain for the boquerones, he’s a regular poor man’s Anthony Bourdain. Sean loves a good yarn and did I mention he likes octopus? But where was I? Ah yes – Sean is a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a quick witted laddie, and a lover of people and life. You’ll probably feel like the long lost cousin he never had if you want to know the truth. “My goal is to fill your belly with great food, your head with great knowledge and your heart with song.” Sean told me this once while we were waiting to be served pan-seared octopus at this little seaside town in Calabria.
CHELSEA KINSER
GUIDE
Chelsea moved to Nashville in 2006 and has proudly called Music City home ever since. With a strong background in the hospitality industry, she loves welcoming visitors with a dose of true Southern hospitality. Chelsea is passionate about sharing not just the must-do sights, but also the must-eat spots that make Nashville unforgettable. As the “Mrs. Daddy” of Daddy’s Dogs, she has a unique connection to the city’s vibrant food scene and loves bringing that insider knowledge to every visitor. Though not originally from Nashville, Chelsea has had the pleasure of watching the city grow and transform into the incredible place we see today.
ALI VAN OVERBEKE
GUIDE
Ali moved to Nashville, TN to move to a city where the fun things happen first. Although she has only lived here two years, she’s taken advantage of all Nashville has to offer and loves being a tourist in her own town!