Taste Trekkers · Food and Travel

Lizzie and Sam are long-time residents of Cambridge/Somerville, Massachusetts with their great dane dog Maddie, foodies, and globe-trotters. We love exploring the world together and also supporter entrepreneurs of all kinds, especially locally.

What neighborhoods should people visit when they come to your city?

Somerville is right outside of Boston and conveniently located on the red line which also services Harvard Square. There are lots of great colleges and universities right at our doorstep and lots of fun things to do and culture around. We live in historic Davis Square and have a food tour that goes around there. We also have a tour of Union Square which is also a foodie mecca.

What is the best time of year to visit your city?

Sam and Lizzie love the Fall because New England is known for foliage. However, summers are also special in Somerville because of the relatively cool air and sunshine. There’s lot so recreational activities available year-round an we are also partial to the beautiful Spring flowers and romantic snow fall in the Winter.

Are there any events foodies should plan their trip to your city around?

Yes! We offer a lot of festivals in the area. For example, every September there is a famous Fluff festival in Somerville’s Union Square! We also have a Honk! marching band festival in October and a Porchfest musical festival in the summer. There’s always something going on in Boston, and we can’t wait to showcase our city to new folks!

What can people expect on your food tours?

Do you like off-the-beaten path finds? Our gastronomical food adventures give you the opportunity to sample food from many local Davis Square restaurants and shops in one tour. Our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides will lead you on a quirky, fun, and delicious walk through the colorful, historic Davis Square. Together you will hear stories from local entrepreneurs and understand the most interesting tidbits from the rich history of this hip New England neighborhood where Boston locals live and dine.

You’ll learn why Davis Square is considered one of Boston’s most diverse neighborhoods and best food scenes. We will sample innovative eats as well as family recipes such as gyros and crepes packed with flavor. You may even get to try your hand at New England’s candlepin bowling as we indulge in the area’s favorite pizza. Wrap your day up with a sweet award-winning treat.

This tour is suitable for all ages.

Yuma Wada is director of Ninja Food Tours Tokyo in Japan. Yuma enjoys exploring Tokyo to discover new restaurants and hidden gems.

What foods is your city known for?

Tokyo offers a wide range of foods and cuisines. You will be probably overwhelmed by a large number of food options. As for traditional Japanese foods, I recommend Yakitori (Chicken skewers) and Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes). In addition, how these dishes are prepared is different by region in Japan. For example, Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki has noodles in the pancakes while people put a lot of scallions in Kyoto-style Okonomiyaki pancakes.

Here is a list of foods you should try when you visit Tokyo or any cities in Japan. I do not want to overwhelm you so I limit some.

Sushi
Fresh sashimi
Ramen
Yakitori
Okonomiyaki
Grilled beef tongue (I know this is not for everyone)
Beef tripe stew (I know this is not for everyone)

What neighborhoods should people visit when they come to your city?

I will give you some recommendations:

1. Asakusa

Traditional Japanese temple and market street where you see a lot of restaurants and food vendors. Asakusa is pretty popular among tourists so you might already know this. Asakusa has been a hub for Japanese food and entertainment so if you go outside of the touristy areas, you will see very authentic restaurants and bars. Asakusa also offers a lot of Japanese comedy shows and some of them are in English if interested.

2. Shinbashi

One of the busiest business areas that offers various bars and restaurants. They are typically called izakayas (Japanese style bar) where people eat and drink after work. It is one of the most competitive areas in the food industry in Tokyo so you’ll enjoy great Japanese food at a reasonable price. Some places are really popular so I recommend you make reservations in advance. Saturdays are less busy and a lot of places are closed on Sundays because nobody works in Shinbashi (People commute to Shinbashi to work).

3. Shinjuku

Its station, Shinjuku station is one of the busiest stations in the world as Tokyo’s transportation hub. Shinjuku is famous for its neon town Kabukicho; a red-light and entertainment district. There are a lot of food options in Shinjuku and you’ll tend to see a lot of chain restaurants. There are also historically reserved areas since world war II staying away from the redevelopment of the city. You’ll need some research before going to Shinjuku to eat otherwise you may be overwhelmed and end up eating at one of those ordinary chain restaurants, which some people say are still good (I do not personally recommend though).

What is the best time of year to visit your city?

Japan offers four seasons and each season offers you different things so you can visit Tokyo any time. Here is why:

1. Spring

The weather gets moderate and you will see cherry bloom anywhere in the city. Ueno Park, Yoyogi Park, and Nakameguro are some popular spots for cherry blossom viewing in April. Some types of seafood taste better in this season such as Bonito, amberjack, baby squid etc.

2. Summer

The weather gets hot and humid, especially in August. However, you will get to see summer festivals and fireworks almost every week. As for food, you should try abalone, horse mackerel, cold ramen, and shaved ice.

3. Fall/Winter

You get to enjoy different types of activities in Tokyo in fall and winter such as autumn leaves viewing and hot springs (not limited to winter though). You should try oysters, yellowtail, and hot pots in Tokyo during this season.

What can people expect on your food tours?

We offer food and cultural food tours in Tokyo. Each tour lasts for about 2-3 hours journeying through Tokyo’s neighborhoods. We spend a lot of time exploring non-touristy areas and evaluating local food vendors as we believe that people can visit touristy areas on their own. We introduce you to Japanese history and culture while letting you try great local foods at mostly family-owned restaurants which meet our standards.

Here are some tours that we offer:

1. The Best of Izakaya Tour: We take you to hidden gems in Shinjuku, one of the busiest areas in Tokyo while visiting some historical places to feel the history and culture on the tour. The restaurants are carefully selected a bit outside of busy areas and it requires some walking (30 mins including historical spot visits). The tour starts at 5 pm daily for 3 hours.

2. Asakusa Food Hunt: You will explore the greater part of Asakusa outside of the famous temple and market street. Asakusa has been a hub for food and entertainment for such a long time and it is worth spending extra time to discover Asakusa that only locals know at family owned restaurants. The tour starts at 11:30 am for 2 hours.

Do you see any new food trends in your city?

The food industry in Tokyo is very competitive in Tokyo as there are always new restaurants in popular neighborhoods.
In my view, Tokyo is a bit behind for vegetarian or vegan food compared to other big cities such as New York and London. It is very hard to find vegetarian restaurants when you go out to eat in Tokyo. However, the situation has been changing rapidly with newly opened chopped salad restaurants and other organic food vendors.

Charmin & Antoine Members are the founders of Chicago Under-the-Radar Food Tours, the city’s first Citywide Food & Neighborhood Walking Tour company that goes beyond the touristy areas to help visitors and locals experience the true spirit of Chicago’s neighborhoods and local cuisine. Their wedding took place in Franschhoek, a town in South Africa’s Western Cape Wineland Region, which is rightfully known as one of the best food capitals of the world. It was their culinary and cultural experiences in South Africa that inspired them to start a food tour business in their own city.

What neighborhoods should people visit when they come to your city?

Nicknamed the ‘city of neighborhoods’ for very good reasons, Chicago is divided into 77 well-defined community areas, with one or more not so well defined neighborhoods in each. Each neighborhood has its own unique vibe and some have ethnic enclaves with expats from all over the world, many of which have opened their own restaurants making it possible to eat your way around the world in one day. Chicago has a neighborhood for every type of foodie traveler, making it hard to narrow it down to just a few recommendations.

For the foodie who appreciates quaint streets and long beer lists in a relaxed environment, we recommend Northside Lincoln Square. Roughly 10 miles from downtown and easily accessible, Lincoln Square is Chicago’s Germantown. We feature Germantown on one of our unFood Tours, and our knowledgeable tour guides are happy to recommend restaurants in the area for you to visit after the tour.

We absolutely love our neighborhood, the West Loop, and it is where we launched our very first food tour! While the West Loop is not so under the radar these days, it has only recently exploded and has some of the best restaurants in the city. If you are a foodie traveler who prefers to stay near the downtown core and still eat among locals at some of the best locally owned restaurants, West Loop is a foodies’ paradise less than 2 miles from the downtown core. Beyond that, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant with less than stellar service and delicious food, so you can’t go wrong here.

About 7 miles southwest of downtown sits Little Village which is also worthy of a visit, particularly if you are a foodie who loves authentic Mexican cuisine, as the area has very strong Mexican cultural roots. The neighborhood is also decorated with some of the most vibrant public street art you’ll ever see. You will not only eat good authentic Mexican food, but also encounter friendly people, and find unique places to shop when you visit Little Village.

Much further south is lovely Beverly, which is our recommendation for the active foodie looking for a quiet and scenic neighborhood to walk around in that shows how sprawling this city is. Nicknamed the Beverly Hills of Chicago, the 15-mile trek from downtown is well worth it to see the city’s only Castle. We are pretty sure many of our visitors miss seeing the tree-lined streets and stately homes this area has to offer. In addition to being arguably the most scenic area in the city, Beverly also happens to be home to some really good eats and a local brew pub. Look out for our unFood Tour of Beverly coming soon, and be sure to bring your camera!

Are there any events foodies should plan their trip to your city around?

Are you kidding me? Of course! You can find fun things to do and great food to eat any day of the year in Chicago, but there are annual events that foodies will definitely appreciate. The Cinco de Mayo Festival in Little Village is a fantastic way to learn more about Mexican culture, enjoy live music, and sample a variety of authentic Mexican cuisine. We are putting together a Tacos & Tequila pop up Food Tour for those who want to add even more food and fun to their Cinco de Mayo celebration! The Cinco de Mayo festival is the (unofficial) kickoff to our summer festival season.

From May through October there are many festivals throughout the city. I must admit this one is not at all under the radar, but I would be remiss not to mention the Taste of Chicago, which is the World’s largest food festival, and the largest festival in Chicago! The Taste (as us locals call it) is held for five days in July at Grant Park – known as Chicago’s front lawn – and is a great way to enjoy views of Lake Michigan and the City’s skyline while taking a self-guided food tour. A neighborhood version of the Taste of Chicago is West Loop’s Taste of Randolph Street where you can enjoy live music and hang with the locals while tasting your way along the City’s ‘Restaurant Row’. Fairly new to the scene is James Beard Eats Week in April where nearly 100 restaurants offer a week of off the menu specials. You can also enjoy 3-4 course Prix Fixe meal deals starting from $22 per person for lunch, and $33 for dinner during our Restaurant Week in January.

What can people expect on your food tours?

People can expect to experience Chicago’s local vibe while sampling 5-7 delicious tastings at some of the City’s best locally owned restaurants that don’t get nearly the amount of hype they deserve. We understand the desire to try Chicago staples, but we want to show visitors that there is much more to our culinary scene than deep dish pizza and hotdogs. Having said that, we are happy to point you in the right direction to try those too. Since Chicago is so big and we offer tours throughout the city, local Chicagoans enjoy our tours as well. Unlike most food tour companies, our group food tours max out at 12 seats, so people will have a more personalized experience. We’ve been on food tours where we felt herded along and unable to engage with our guide, and we don’t want anyone to experience that on our tours. Also, most of our stops include a seat at the table so there are breaks between the walking and an opportunity to relax and actually be served. Last but certainly not least, people can expect excellent service at the restaurants they visit and from our tour guides. Our local guides know the city well and are passionate about sharing the rich history, culture, and architecture of the area as well as share fun food facts.

Do you see any new food trends in your city?

Yes, all the time! Food markets and food halls with multiple vendors are growing in popularity. Our favorite is the French Market, a European market and food hall combined. It has more than 30 locally owned food stalls to choose from for a quick lunch or dinner on the way home, and grocery items to conveniently grab on your way home from work to make dinner at home. Some of my favorites there are Saigon Sisters, Delightful Pastries, Pastoral, and Black Dog Gelato. While this market has been around for awhile, the city has 6 others, and a new one is in the works for later this year. We feature the French Market in our West Loop Food Tour.

Communal dining isn’t necessarily a new concept here, but it continues to grow in popularity, which tells us that diners are receptive to dining with strangers and like the social interaction. We love this because our food tours are about bringing people together! Whether you are a visitor or local Chicagoan, we want you to eat well, enjoy yourself, and feel part of a community.

We’ve also noticed a growing appreciation for more authentic ethnic food. To help meet this desire, our food tours include stops at restaurants owned and operated by people from various regions around the world! Our Around The World Food Tour includes 8-10 food and beverage samplings representing all 5 regions of the world. We travel as often as we can in order to have a better idea of what the traditional food is in various countries. Our most recent trip was to Mexico (been to a few cities in MX, actually). This time while we were there we ate traditional Yucatecan food in Merida, like delicious cochinita pibil, and we found the best tacos al pastor we’ve ever had at a random food cart on the streets of Playa del Carmen. We are excited to showcase the most authentic Mexican street food in Chicago on our Little Village Food Tours starting this May. Our next trip is Cuba, which just may inspire a new food tour or pop up event! Stay tuned…

Chris Cox is the Digital Marketing Manager of Eating Europe Tours, and – appropriately enough – is a foodie who loves travelling around European cities. He has three cats, is married and lives in Brig

What foods is your city known for?

Rome: Pasta, such as bucatini all’amatriciana Florence – Bistecca alla fiorentina

London: Fish and chips (but there’s so much more!)

Amsterdam: The Indonesian cuisine

Prague: The amazing beer!

What neighborhoods should people visit when they come to your city?

We’re actually in Rome, Florence, London, Amsterdam and Prague! So lots of neighborhoods to choose from. However, Testaccio and Trastevere in Rome, and the Jordaan in Amsterdam, are important parts of our tours in those cities. They’re the slightly less-known places where we help you discover the best food secrets.

What is the best time of year to visit your city?

All year round?! Ok, that’s not helpful! I think just off-peak season (or the ‘shoulder season’ as travel industry geeks say), which is usually Autumn/Winter, is very often a great time to visit. The flights are cheaper, the weather is actually quite romantic and the touristy spots are quieter.

What can people expect on your food tours?

Our tours are funny, interesting, eye-opening and satisfying! They’re small groups of no more than 12 people, so you get a warm, friendly experience with a trained and trustworthy guide. Our customers are more than satisfied with the amount and variety of food and drink, and the tours are incredibly well-reviewed – do please just Google for Eating Italy, Eating London, Eating Amsterdam or Eating Prague, and you should see quickly what people think about us. My favorite thing about our tours is how you get really interesting bits of local history as you go round, which – combined with the local food – really brings the city to life.

Palemon Larios is an adventure seeker for his taste buds. He enjoys the mix of flavors that are traditional to create a completely new dish.

What foods is your city known for?

Guadalajara is known throughout Mexico to have a unique and original culinary culture. The traditional foods we are known for are:

Carne en su Jugo (Meat in its Juice): Its a plate of cooked thin sliced beef bathed with beef broth and boiled pinto beans. Topped with white onion and cilantro. You can’t miss the fresh made tortillas!
Torta Ahogada (Drowned Sandwich): Its a long, salted and hardened bread roll (typical to this city) that is cut in the middle and stuffed with re-fried beans and carnitas (pork meat). It is then drowned in a tomato sauce thus giving its peculiar name and taste.
Birria (Goat Stew): This is a dish from the 1700’s colonial period that is well alive today. It is the representation of the mix of cultures from the Spaniards and indigenous people of Mexico. It is goat meat stewed in a tomato and spicy sauce for at least 12 hours in low heat. Before it is served the meat is broiled to caramelize it and give it an even greater taste.
Jericalla: This is the Mexican take on Crème brûlée. It is made with egg yolks, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and sugar. The only difference is hat we don’t broil the top after it has been baked. We add condensed milk or cajeta (cooked goat condensed milk).
Pozole Rojo (Red Pozole): Most pozoles in Mexico are made the same way and with the same ingredients: pork meat, hominy, water, spices and a lot of patience. The only difference is that people in Guadalajara add tomato and chili sauce to the stew thus making it red. It is a tradition to make the three colors of pozole, red, white and green, when we celebrate Mexican Independence day.

What neighborhoods should people visit when they come to your city?

If you want to experience the culinary culture of this city you must visit the following neighborhoods and markets:

Providencia Neighborhood
Lafayette and Americana Neighborhood
Santa Teresita Neighborhood
Downtown Guadalajara Neighborhood
Chapultepec Market
Mexico Market

Are there any events foodies should plan their trip to your city around?

Yes! In October, you can come and enjoy the many artisan beers in the Beer Festival. Here you will enjoy all national and international beer – remember that Mexico makes plenty of great beers. Also in October, you can not miss Fiestas de Octubre (October State Fair) were you can enjoy an array of traditional Mexican street food.

In March is the COME International Food Festival. Here you can enjoy the different flavors from the city and other states of Mexico and from around the world.

December is another time of year to visit Guadalajara. During that time you can enjoy buñuelos, champurrado and a fruit punch with a touch of tequila or mezcal. Don’t forget the tamales!

What can people expect on your food tours?

You can expect authenticity as we will take you by the hand and away from the touristy areas to lead you to were the real Tapatios (nickname for the people who live in Guadalajara) eat and buy their groceries. You will have have fun learning about the history of this 400+ year-old city with its many secrets, legends and way of life.

Do you see any new food trends in your city?

Yes. Many new and upcoming restaurants and “mom & pop” type shops are going back to the old methods of cooking and fusing them with what they have learned in culinary school or on their own to create new dishes. An example of this is the use of the many dried and fresh chilies that are available in Mexico. Many use them in desserts, soups, body lotion and even shampoo!

Dwight Furrow, the author of American Foodie: Taste, Art, and the Cultural Revolution, talks about the philosophy of food. We discuss everything the impact of everything from automobile to Alice Waters to the Slow Food movement have shaped the way Americans think about food.

Inbal Baum

Inbal Baum, the Founder of Delicious Israel, joins us to talk about where foodies should eat when they travel to her country.

Shakshouka is a popular dish in Israel
Israeli Breakfast is a distinct and important meal
The modern cherry tomato has roots in Israel
Tel Aviv and Jerusalem top the list of cities you should visit
Beach season runs from April to October
Rosh Hashana is a great time to visit Israel
When you visit Tel Aviv, go to the Carmel Market, the Levinsky Market
Try the date syrup, Silan

Food for Thought

Q: After pita bread, what is the most common food used to “wipe” humus?
A: Raw onion.

Out of the Frying Pan

Favorite Spot for Outdoor Dining: Milgo & Milbar
Favorite Place to Buy Spices: Cafe Arma in Levinsky Market
Herbs to Try: Za’atar and Hawaij (in Yemenite Coffee)
Favorite Winery: Sphera
Favorite Place for Dessert: The Malabia
Favorite Food Experience for Kids: Max Brenner
Chef to Watch: Eyal Shani
Dish to Try at Different Places: Shakshouka and sabich

Bennett Jacobstein

Bennet Jacobstein, author of The Joy of Ballpark Food: From Hot Dogs to Haute Cuisine, talks to us about what foodies can find at different baseball stadiums around the country.

Hot dogs and sausages are not the same thing.
The quality of ballpark food was elevated in the 90s as new stadiums were built and food television shows took off.
Stadiums have highlighted regional foods.
Gordon Biersch‘s founder Dan Gordon introduced garlic fries at Candlestick Park in 1994.
The song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” was written in 1908.
The Yankees replaced Cracker Jacks at one point, but brought it back after a public outcry.
San Francisco Giant Gordon Biersch Garlic Fries

Veggie Happy spearheaded the movement to get veggie dogs sold at ballpark stadiums.
Andrew Zimmern has a stand in the Minnesota ballpark.
Rocky Mountain Oysters are bull testicles.
“The Big Six” are the food companies that service the major ballparks.
As you go from ballpark to ballpark, try the hot dogs at each to see how they’re done differently.
Proceeds from Bennett’s book go to Second Harvest Food Bank.

Food for Thought

Q: In what year were Cracker Jacks first served at a baseball game?
A: 1896 in Atlantic City.

Out of the Frying Pan

Here’s what Bennet recommends you try at each ballpark:

Yankees Stadium in New York City: Chicken and Waffles.
Fenway Park in Boston: Lobster Roll and a cuban sandwich.
Wrigley Field in Chicago: Chicago-style hot dog with Vienna beef.
Turner Field in Atlanta: Boiled peanuts.
Marlins Park in Miami: Cuban dishes.
Safeco Field in Seattle: The Ivar’s hot dog (with fish) and cream cheese hot dog.
Nationals Park in Washington D.C.: A cauliflower hot dog and presidential cupcakes.
Chicago White Sox Chicago-Style Hot Dog

Busch Stadium in St. Louis: The BBQ.
Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles: Tommy Lasorda Spumoni ice cream.
AT&T Park in San Francisco: Crab salad, lamb sausages, and Gordon Biersch garlic fries.