Posts Tagged With: Food Tour NYC

The Ultimate Chinatown Food Tour

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Ziggy

Since I still get food tour requests four years after quitting touring, I’ve been on a mission to find a solid alternative. A local who possesses the kind of knowledge, energy, and passion for NYC food, especially street food. Someone who will take you to places even locals dont get a chance to discover. A guide with an actual sense of humor, not the kind of dad jokes I shared with many of you.

I’m tempted to write “I’m still looking”, but that would be just another ego inspired bad dad joke. The fact of the matter is the entire Ziggy clan, including the food snubs, thoroughly enjoyed the Ultimate Chinatown Food Tour with Scott the other day. And in case you are wondering right off the bat, yes I paid for it.

Food tours is a subject near and dear to my heart. The reason I got into this business to begin with was that the offerings 10 year ago were quite poor, and I wanted to do something no one else did. Judging by the fact that I reached #4 on Trip Advisor (out of 250 experiences), I’d say it succeeded, but the market got saturated and commercial in a hurry. Even foreign based entities like Spain’s Devour are now offering tours in NYC.

As a guide, and one that took many food tours around the world (including Devour in Spain), I will share with you the formula. Food tours are half food, half location/places, and half guide! You need a fun and energetic guide, delicious and varied food, and places that come with interesting stories. The rest like history, general knowledge isnt as important (not that it was lacking here). With Scott its an easy check, check, check.

I’m not going to spoil this for you by naming any of the places. I think its best not to know much. But there were quite a few surprises even for someone like myself and my oldest that spends much time in the area. I can tell you that I had some exceptional Szechuan, fantastic noodles, and a delicious item at a place I frequent but never had it. On top, you get a good sense of the local cuisine breakdown that will help you understand what Chinatown is all about.

And doing all this with Scott is the icing on the cake. He developed a special rapport with the vendors, and even learned some of the language. Seeing Chinatown on your own or through a local like this is unquestionably night and day. Its not only the preferred way, but a potential highlight of your entire trip. But I would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to locals as well.

https://ultimatefoodtours.com/

Tasty Tours – Eating With Ryan

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Ziggy

Yep, I took a food tour in NYC. Something I havent done since I took a relatively mediocre Free Tour by Foot tour of East Village. Free Tours and food dont really go well together in NYC, even if free means very cheap ($1-$2 each item). But generally for me, taking a food tour in NYC always felt like an experienced auto mechanic getting oil change lessons. Probably boring, but I may learn a thing or two.

Well, I actually did. I learned a few things about Washington Square Park, and even Taylor Swift, among other tidbits I never picked up in the almost 40 years of living here. For a while I thought a Swifty was a cleaning supply. I just figured it would be something fun to do with my daughter. Playing tourist in my own town, and someone else feeding me for a change, I must say it felt good. The element of surprise, coupled with some of the tastiest snacks in the area, and a fun guide to boot.

Tasty Tours is a newish tour operator started by a young enthusiastic fella named Ryan. As with any food tour, you have to have the right personality for it. The reviews suggested it, and I’m happy to confirm. Ryan is easy going, funny, and just the right guy you want to spend a few hours with. As a tour guide you feel obligated to share your knowledge, often ignoring the risk of overdoing it. But Ryan got the formula right. Just the right amount of history, trivia, customer engagement, and even the proper amount of food.

Although Ryan doesnt mind me sharing the food we ate, I rather not. I think the lack of any preconceptions and the element of surprise is part of the fun. But if you want to know, you can easily find that info on his site. Its a nice mix of classics that you may already know about and some less known spots. I can tell you that out of the 6 stops, only one of them I probably wont return, and at least two of them I’d like to return very soon. I’m sharing one food picture, but I wont tell what it is. You’ll need to guess 😉

One thing I miss the most from my guide days is that moment right after a good tour. I felt that after this one. As I told Ryan, its unfortunately the bad ones that will stick out and become most memorable, as you are also in the mercy of the people you meet. Food tours is an experience at its core. Dont take one strictly because someone you know told you to take one. Take one if you want to meet a local and other travelers, learn a thing or two about the area you are visiting, and eat tasty food in the process. Come to think of it, who wouldn’t want that.

https://www.tastytoursnyc.com

Categories: New York City, West Village | Tags: food, Food Tour NYC, Tasty Tours, Tasty Tours NYC, Travel | Leave a comment

Brooklyn Tour FAQ

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Ziggy

Updated: Jan 25th, 2020

What is the Brooklyn Tour?

Its a full day driving/walking tour of Brooklyn where we explore about 6 distinct neighborhoods not very easily reached otherwise. While there will be plenty of interesting food involved, the tour is more of a cultural immersion experience with the goal to show visitors the “real” New York

What time does it start and finish?

9 am to around 4-5 pm although an earlier finish time can be requested. I’m usually around the pickup location 15 minutes prior.

How much does it cost?

At the time of this writing its $100 per person for 3 or more people in the tour (regardless if its the same group or not), and $125 per person for just 2 people. Private tours can be arranged as well.

Is Food included?

Yes. In all three tours (East Village, Hell’s Kitchen, Brooklyn) food is always included

Can I come solo?

Yes! But as long as I can combine you with another group. Many solo travelers have joined this tour, and its a great way to meet other people. But I need at least two people for the tour. If I dont have any tours scheduled on your dates, I would dot your name/email and contact you as soon as I schedule a tour

When should I book?

As early as possible, and as soon as you know your dates. Considering the size of the tours, these book fast

How do I book?

Just send me an email with your dates, and the number of people. EatingWithZiggy@gmail.com

How many people can the tour include?

4 to 5, or as many as I can fit into an SUV with a folding third raw. 4 comfortably plus 1 smaller person in the back.

Where is the pickup location?

Mattress Firm Tribecca – 140 Church St. Thats in downtown Manhattan, not Brooklyn. Its very convenient to most subway lines and our purpose. The goal is to leave Manhattan asap and have as much time as possible in Brooklyn. I may on occasion, depending on the situation pick from convenient locations in Brooklyn (most Brooklyn locations like Williamsburg are not very convenient for this tour)

Where is the drop off location?

Just across the river in or near Brooklyn Heights. Traffic patterns in the afternoon often make it very difficult to drive to/from Manhattan, but I will make it as convenient as I possibly can for you. Many prefer to be dropped in Dumbo and walk Brooklyn Bridge back, concluding a wonderful day in Brooklyn. Some prefer to be dropped at the most convenient subway station. Its just one quick subway stop from the pickup location.

What neighborhoods are we going to see in Brooklyn?

Dumbo – Brooklyn’s most scenic, Instagrammable hood
Red Hook – One of NY’s most trendiest, up and coming neighborhoods.
Green-Wood Cemetery – Possibly the most beautiful and important cemetery in the US. Once the number one attraction in the city.
Brighton Beach – The nations biggest Russian speaking neighborhood.
Coney Island – Perhaps the most iconic Brooklyn neighborhood.
Sunset Park – Home to the most genuine Chinatown in the US, and largest in NYC.
Brooklyn Heights – Brooklyn’s oldest and most affluent neighborhood.

If we have time: Prospect Park South – An historic district consisting of large homes in a park-like environment

What are we going to eat?

All sorts of good stuff. Nothing is set in stone as some places close sometimes and the tour does change on occasion (it gets better). But it may include a visit to a chocolate factory, experience the best key lime pie in NYC, Portuguese egg tarts, Chinese, Uzbek, Uyghur, Georgian. We will also visit some International stores and supermarkets.

Should I make dinner plans?

No! Unless its late, after 8:30 or so. You will probably not be hungry for a while. This may be a good day to have some late pizza and I can certainly help with that.

What about gluten-free, vegetarian, allergies?

Yes, all can be accommodated. The only thing I cant promise is avoiding the possibility of cross contamination. Also, many of the people working in some of these places have extremely limited English but I will do my best.

My husband is a very picky. Will he starve?

I had plenty of picky eaters so far that came back very satisfied. If anything, some of this may change your views on food. And there’s always Nathan’s!

You are not available for my dates. Can you recommend a similar tour?

I get this asked often. I’m not aware of anything remotely close to this tour unfortunately. The closest I know are the various pizza tours like A slice of Brooklyn and Scott’s Pizza Tour. These are bigger, more organized bus tours that are fun no doubt, but you can get amazing pizza in Manhattan as well. I concentrate on the things you cant.

Can I customize the tour with you?

Only if you are the only people in the tour. If you want to see other parts or eat other foods like pizza, we can.

How much walking is involved?

Not much. Between 15 to 30 minutes in each neighborhood with plenty of stops to rest

What about rain, hurricanes, sharknedo?

I normally dont cancel unless its severe weather… snow storm or 100% heavy rain throughout the day. Most of the time this can only be predicted the morning of, or the night before.

What movies can I watch in preparation for the tour?

Moonstruck
Saturday Night Fever
Mister Robot (TV show)
Brooklyn
The Warriors
Lord of War
Sophie’s Choice (Let me know if you watched it as I may need to take a detour)

What if I fall asleep in the car. Will you drive around the drop off location for a while until I wake up, and put some easy listening in the process?

Yes, I’ve done that too.