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SAIGON TO STOCKHOLM FOOD TOUR

Quick Details

Person All Ages
$75

Discover Argyle & Andersonville, two of Chicago’s best neighborhoods, on one Chicago food tour!

Enjoy foods from Vietnam, the Middle East, and Sweden.

  • Explore Asia on Argyle. Chicago’s ‘other’ Chinatown is now home to the city’s Southeast Asian community.
  • Experience the mouth-popping contrasts of Vietnamese flavors and learn how the cuisine has evolved over time.
  • Meet the generations of migrants and immigrants who have crafted Chicago’s Uptown into the unique neighborhood you’ll see today.
  • Discover a forgotten silent film studio and hear why Hollywood’s biggest star turned his back on Chicago.
  • Celebrate Andersonville’s Lebanese, Persian and Turkish cultures with a guided Middle Eastern spice tasting.
  • Immerse yourself in the vibrant, welcoming culture Swedish settlers brought to Andersonville.
  • Find a treasure trove of quirky, independent shops that you won’t see on the Mag Mile.
  • Sink your teeth into the pie that made Food & Wine’s list of Best in America.

WHAT TO EXPECT

During our one and a quarter-mile walk, we’ll make two stops at Vietnamese restaurants in the Argyle neighborhood, then take a short walk to Andersonville for a spice tasting in a dazzling Middle Eastern market. Then we pop into the Swedish American Museum before finishing with a short walk to a cozy pie shop.

The tour ends at 5357 N. Ashland Avenue, just shy of one mile from the starting point. Please consider the extra activity when determining if this tour is right for your group. Public transportation is available to return to the starting point.

A great mix of cultures from authentic family businesses

  • Nha Hang Viet Nam: This is the hidden gem restaurant that your friends will thank you for finding. Simply the best Vietnamese food in Chicago.
  • Ba Le Sandwich Shop: Chicago’s first and favorite banh mi shop has won many Michelin and Zagat awards.
  • Middle East Bakery & Grocery: This Andersonville institution has been serving up the freshest Mediterranean food since 1981. Browse their impressive grocery selection in between bites.
  • Swedish American Museum: Follow the footsteps of Swedish settlers as they reshaped Chicago and browse the beautiful Nordic-inspired gift shop.
  • Lost Larson Bakery: Enjoy a modern taste of Sweden crafted by the city’s premier pastry chef.
  • First Slice Pie Cafe: This cozy non-profit eatery makes a sweet end to a fun adventure.

Special diets are easily accommodated. You will be able to indicate your needs during the booking process.


WHERE TO MEET

Your guide will greet you inside of Nha Hang Viet Nam, 1032 W. Argyle Street, just 2 blocks east of the Argyle Red Line stop.

Parking

  • Parking lot at 5017 N. Winthrop $6 for 12 hrs thru ParkWhiz or SpotHero (recommended).
  • Free side street parking is usually available on Winnemac, Carmen or Winona streets just west of Broadway Avenue. Allow 15 minutes to find street parking.
  • Metered parking: only recommended with ParkChicago app, due to time limits.
    Public transportation.
    CTA/Train: Red Line to Argyle stop.

Rideshare

  • First-time Lyft users receive a $5 credit when using CHICAGOFOODWAYS referral code.

Public Transportation

  • CTA/Train: Red Line to Argyle stop

FAQ

Not your average pizza and hot dogs tour - way more!

We LOVED our “From Saigon to Stockholm” food tour led by Phyllis. Phyllis was an absolute mine of fascinating information about the immigrant journey in Chicago and the wealth of new foods and cultures that have left their mark on the city…Generous food portions meant we definitely were not hungry at the end of the tour!…Looking forward to hearing about new tours from Chicago Foodways so we can explore more of the city with Phyllis!

– Suzette B. | TripAdvisor
Experience Argyle and Andersonville as a local

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed touring Argyle and Andersonville and were so happy to see, taste and feel Chicago as a local. We felt a total immersion into the neighborhoods that we visited and came away with a more holistic understanding of the where/what/why of the neighborhoods. Phyllis was a wealth of knowledge and a great tour guide as we walked through these neighborhoods. And! the food was fantastic. The variety, coupled with Phyllis' explanation of it, can't be beat. A very well spent 3 hours.

– Mary Jo S | TripAdvisor
Saigon to Stockholm was fantastic!

My husband, son (13), and I took this tour recently and we were blown away with the experience. We'd never been on a food tour before. It was like we'd called up a good friend and asked if they could take us out to some great local spots. Phyllis was professional and knowledgeable about the history of the neighborhoods and the cuisines. She made the experience fun and educational. If you've ever wanted to try some great local, ethnic places but are intimidated to try one, this is the way to go.

– homefrontgirl | TripAdvisor
Saigon to Stockholm

Phyllis was the perfect host to guide us through the food, history and culture of Uptown. I’ve been a resident of the neighborhood for 30 years and I still learned new things and tasted foods that I had never tried before. Excellent way to spend an afternoon whether you’re a tourist or a Chicagoan.

– Nancy P. | TripAdvisor
Terrific mix of food and history

We were a group of girlfriends visiting Chicago and we did the Saigon to Stockholm tour. We loved it! It was a great mix of tasty food and history of the Argyle and Andersonville neighborhoods. Phyllis was a wonderful guide and has put together a fantastic tour. I would definitely recommend this tour and we are hoping she will have another tour we can do when we visit next year.

– pudgy_groundhog | TripAdvisor
Saigon to Stockholm Tour

I highly recommend this tour, whether you're a local or a tourist, and it makes a great gift for a person who has everything. We sample a very well-chosen array of foods from Vietnam, Sweden and the Middle East. In addition, Phyllis was a fountain of knowledge of the neighborhoods and their history…She was friendly, personable and easy to talk to. I'm going to give this as a gift to friends.

– Barbara | TripAdvisor