POP CULTURE TOURS
Ever wanted to visit Al Capone’s hideouts? Want to taste test some of the finest Chicago pizza? Chocolate lover? There’s a tour for that.

Several tour companies have created pop culture tours that will introduce you to some of the unique and interesting characteristics of Chicago’s famous culture. From hauntings to hunger, these tours show you some of quirky sides of Chicago’s traditions and history.

Untouchable Tours
Hit some of the gangster’s hot spots in this two hour narrated tour that gives you accounts of Capone, Dillinger, Moran and their boys. Tours run twice a day during the week and several times on the weekends. Cost is $28 per person with reservations strongly suggested.

Slice of Chicago Pizza Tours
Known for the deep dish pizza, Chicago has a wide selection of pizza parlors each with its own special recipes for crust and sauce. Two tours daily ( Thurs – Sun. ) will let you sample three of the best Chicago has to offer as you learn the history of pizza and secrets of the trade all while devouring slices of cheesy, savory slices all for only $40 per person.

Chicago Film Tour
Batman, Ferris Buehler, and Dr. Richard Kimble have all been featured in movies filmed right here in Chicago. And of course, the Blues Brothers. Local film enthusiast, John Brinkman will tour you through some of the famous movie sites right here in Chicago with both educational and entertaining information. Two tours operate daily from Thursday through Sunday and run $30 per person.

Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tours
Ghost hunter and Paranormal researcher Ursula Bielski will take you on a tour of Chicago’s creepy sites from Fort Dearborn to our most infamous graveyards and all points in between. The cost is $30 per person ($20 for children 12 and under) and run nightly Tuesday through Sunday.

Chicago Food Tours
Tastebud Tours present a walking and dining tour of Chicago. A three hour tour runs four times daily and will take you on a food tasting tour of some of the most popular dining spots in the Windy City from restaurants to specialty food shops. Tours are about $45 per person.

Chicago Chocolate Tours
For anyone with a sweet tooth, this walking tour will guide you to Chicago’s finest chocolate shops, bakeries and cafes. Just over 2 hours this tour will take you to some traditional as well as non- traditional chocolate locations. Tours vary by day and times and cost $40 per person.

Any of these tours should give you a unique and interesting perspective to some of the more unusual and tasty traditions in Chicago.

Please come see the concierge for more information or booking.

Enjoy!
Jeff

If you were a pizza what would you be?

Chicago is big on many things but one stands out more than any other– pizza. There are many flavors and styles to choose from and they all depend on what type of person you are. I have created a short list matching pizzas to personalities. So, if you were a pizza what would you be?

Call Me Cheesy – Head to Pizzeria Uno on the corner of Wabash and Ohio and order their Four Cheese Pizza: mozzarella, cheddar, romano and feta with basil pesto and plum tomatoes. This deep dish pizza pie will satisfy any appetite and also make those cheesy jokes that much funnier.

The Sausage King – Try out the butter crust pizza at Lou Malnati’s on Wells Street . You can order crumble or patty sausage – but go for the patty and your pizza will have a layer of sausage on top. Also, for the gluten free eaters, they offer a gluten free pizza with the sausage patty as the base.

The Oprah Fan – If you tend to agree with Oprah, and many do, then try out Pizano’s on State Street . They received the best pizza vote from Oprah, so it must be good. Try out their famous butter crust– same family as Lou Malnati’s – and the spicy pepperoni pizza. Add a beverage and you’ve got Oprah’s favorite meal, just don’t jump on the couch.

Popeye – For those of us who remember to eat their spinach, head to Giordano’s on Rush Street . Their deep dish spinach pizza is incredibly fulfilling and will make you strong to the finish. Olive Oil not included.

The Vegetarian – For a more “natural” experience with your food, order the Shroom Pizza -woodland mushrooms, spinach, béchamel, wild herbs, goat cheese & parmigiano-reggiano - from Crust in Wicker Park . Their “Eat Real, Drink Real” philosophy blended with traditional Italian flatbread pizzas makes for a great dining experience.

The Meat-a-tarian – Meat, meat, and more meat. Gino’s East on Superior Street piles it high with their Meaty Legend deep dish pizza. The combination of Pepperoni, Italian sausage, Canadian bacon, and bacon will make any meat lover go crazy. As an added bonus, bring a marker because they let you write your name on the wall.

East Coast – For all you New Englander’s who rather eat foldable, crisp, thin crust pizza, head to Coal Fire on Grand Ave. Their coal fired oven bakes the pizza at 800 degrees so the crust is crisp and burnt around the edges. Try the Fiorentino, mozzarella topped with tomato sauce, layered with hot Calabrese salami and roasted red peppers.

Meatball – If you’re feeling like a meatball, head to the Chicago Oven and Pizza Grinder on Clark Street . Their pizza isn’t in the usual form, but in a pot pie which you order by the half or full pound. This giant lump of pizza will definitely fill your appetite.

GQ - For guys like me, we eat at Pequod’s on Clybourn Ave. Their pan pizza was voted top 25 in the USA by GQ Magazine. Don’t expect a fancy dining room – a long bar, lots of high top seating, and plenty of locals. Try their sausage and fresh basil pan pizza – just what you need to boost your ego before a night out on the town.

Cheeseburger – The debate over the best after hour food has finally ended. Ranalli’s on Clark combines a greasy cheeseburger with thin crust pizza. They deliver late which makes it is an excellent choice for after a night out on the town.

Hopefully this will be useful in deciding where to eat and also provide a little insight to what pizza you really are. In case you would like to know, I am a Cheesy-GQ-Sausage King.