OUR STORY
A CULINARY EXPERIENCE COMPANY
The story behind Sidewalk Food Tours of San Francisco goes back three years. Two friends with a deep love of food, history, and the city of San Francisco found themselves constantly taking friends and family on private walking tours. One day a friend of theirs said, “You guys always give us such informative and delicious food tours. You should start a food tour company, so other people will be able to 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 San Francisco, so people can revisit these neighborhoods with confidence and enjoy the array of cultural options they have to offer. We’re self-proclaimed foodies. We’ve made it our mission to eat our way through San Francisco, doing a lot of delicious research (and some not so appetizing) to bring you the best food options San Francisco has to offer.
There is no better way to learn about the history and culture of a neighborhood than to eat its food. The food, and the people who prepare it, tells a story about the neighborhood. Tease your taste buds and join us in either the old Italian enclave of North Beach or the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco, The Mission District; or the oldest Chinatown in North America.
We eat foods from decades-old establishments, which have stood the test of time, as well as 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 San Francisco.
Bon voyage,
SIDEWALK FOOD TOURS OF SAN FRANCISCO
OUR TOURS
EXPLORE NEIGHBORHOOD DELIGHTS
Sidewalk Food Tours of San Francisco boasts a food tour repertoire that includes tours of North Beach, the Mission, and Chinatown. Not only do our guides know where to take you for the tastiest flavors, but they also have a wealth of knowledge about each neighborhood to share as you stroll.
Our tours allow you to eat like a San Franciscan and gain local insights into the blocks you walk. While we want you to enjoy all of 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 North Beach, the Mission, and Chinatown such notable locales.
Our tastings are robust and unique; oftentimes, 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 if you need a great gift idea for your favorite Bay Area foodie, check out a Sidewalk Food Tour of San Francisco!
Make your most delicious decision yet!
MEET THE TEAM
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 six 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 PHAM
PARTNER
We are honored to have Chieu Pham 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.
Tory is a former math teacher and Philadelphia native with a passion for travel. Having lived overseas in Scotland, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates, he is always on the lookout for his next adventure- and those adventures will always involve trying new foods. His goal is to travel to and eat at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Outside of work, you can usually find him coaching baseball, endlessly scrolling through Netflix, or in pursuit of high-quality BBQ food.
Favorite Cocktail: Bourbon on the rocks
Born and raised in NYC’s Lower East Side, Elaine grew up watching her dad make dim sum in some of Chinatown’s busiest restaurants. After living in Boston, Sydney, and New Zealand, she arrived in San Francisco in 2009 and quickly ate her way through the city. She has been with Sidewalk Food Tours for 3 years and also teaches Vinyasa Yoga as well as studying to be a massage therapist.
Favorite cocktail: Depending on my mood, either Moscow mule or amaretto sour
Favorite restaurant: House of Prime Rib
Lauren is fascinated by the history and evolution of cuisine, and as a result, believes the concept of “authentic food” is a myth. She asserts that food choice is a performance of identity, saying more about how we see ourselves than the actual food itself. What she loves most about being a food tour guide is the ability to transform a common action that we do multiple times a day into a powerful memory that could last a lifetime.
As a third-generation Californian, Nick has always loved fresh food and abundant sunshine. He also likes to travel and experience new cultures and cuisines. Even after visiting 20 countries, San Francisco is still Nick’s favorite city in the world. During weekdays, you might also find him doing improv or studying interior design.