Chicago Dine Around’s progressive dining option for private groups gives out-of-towners the chance to experience an interactive city tour aboard a luxury coach bus while en route to visit three different restaurants: one for appetizers, one for the main course, and one for dessert. Tour guides encourage interaction by quizzing attendees on Chicago trivia during the three-hour event, and there’s also the option to end with a post-meal show at a local theater. The private tour is available for as many as 450 guests; packages start from $65 per person.
Based in Dallas, Food Tours of America offers two customizable options for private groups: a two-and-a-half-hour walking tour, which costs $65 per person and includes three stops at sit-down restaurants plus a made-from-scratch dessert, or a three-and-half-hour walking tour of the city’s Uptown neighborhood, which costs $85 per person. In addition to seated tastings of local grub such as barbecue brisket nachos, chicken shawarma, fried pickles, and chimichangas, the second option also includes a visit to a local art gallery and a souvenir tour photo. Alcohol pairings and wine tastings can be added on for an additional fee. There is a maximum of 18 people per tour guide, but larger groups can book multiple guides.
