(Chicago, IL) May 21, 2010 — The Windy City. Wrigley Field. The Bears. The Magnificent Mile. Chicago has its share of icons, but one of its most famous attractions – delicious world-famous pizza – is receiving special attention with the launch of Chicago Pizza Tours, LLC.
The brainchild of Chicagoland native Jon Porter, the concept for Chicago Pizza Tours began with a gourmet foods walking tour his wife participated in with coworkers. While the group sampled a number of items from the city’s various neighborhoods there was one specialty missing from the list: pizza. Porter quickly got the ball rolling, surveying dozens of friends, family and even strangers to identify their favorite pizza venues. “I felt it was important to get a wide array of feedback in order to provide a good variety on the tour. Chicago has so much great pizza and it’s not all deep dish – in fact, most Chicago natives gravitate toward and grew up eating mostly thin crust.”
Representing each of these types on a foot tour wasn’t viable and to conquer the distance between some of his favorite restaurants, Porter decided to put some power behind his tour and decided to host his tours via bus. “I really want folks to see the Chicago neighborhoods and not just what surrounds the concentration of hotels that most stay at when visiting. There are a lot of popular pizzerias within a mile of each other in those areas, but those don’t always depict Chicago’s pizza culture with accuracy. The bus also allows me to give the tour year round. As anyone living here knows we can experience all four seasons in one day!”
The company’s three-hour tour now chauffeurs passengers in comfort via a fifteen passenger bus through at least five of Chicago’s most famous neighborhoods. Participating pizzerias include Pizano’s Pizza and Pasta, Gino’s East, Coalfire, Reggio’s, Frasca Pizzeria and Italian Fiesta Pizzeria, a favorite of President Obama and his family. In addition to their gastronomical journey, participants also learn about the neighborhoods, historical landmarks and, of course, about what makes each of the pizzerias visited unique.
Chicago Pizza Tours gives tours year round on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 2pm. Tour maximum is 15 people with at least a full slice at 4 pizzerias. Tickets are $55 each. For information or to purchase tickets go to www.chicagopizzatours.com
About Chicago Pizza Tours
Launched in 2010, Chicago Pizza Tours delivers the city’s premiere pizza experience, offering visitors and locals alike a new way to explore one of Chicagoland’s most famous foods and has been featured on The Chicago Tribune’s Food Blog: The Stew (http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2010/05/chicago-pizza-tours.html) and The AV Club Chicago (http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/you-must-be-this-fat-to-get-on-the-ride-finding-th,41157/). Tour guide Jon “The Chicago Pizza King” Porter, introduces participants to a variety of pies from thin crust to Neopolitan and the classic deep dish. Connect with Chicago Pizza Tours via Jon’s blog, http://www.thechicagopizzaking.blogspot.com/, or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ChiPizzaTour.
