I've taken several of these tours in various cities, but this one was a bit of a let down. It's not on our guide; Alex was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining. It's the structure of the tour that didn't exactly meet our expectations. The tour consists of going to about 5-6 food locations (which were all delicious), and just "hearing" history about Hell's Kitchen while eating. Other food tours I've done incorporate the history visually, as well, by going to important locations, buildings, landmarks, etc. This was more like sitting or standing in a dozen different classrooms with food and hearing a lecture. For us, too much time was spent on organized crime, specifically James Coonan, et al, and not enough on how the current culture, including the food culture, came to be.
Response from Host
Nov 2024
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the food stops and Alex’s company during the tour. We appreciate your thoughtful input, and I’m grateful you took the time to share it with us.
Our tours don’t follow a set script or dotted yellow line. Instead, our guides share the history that most interests them, which in Hell’s Kitchen revolves around its people—particularly the impact of organized crime on the area. Hell's Kitchen lacks the iconic landmarks that other parts of New York are known for, and the history we focus on reflects the lives of the residents who shaped the neighborhood. We understand that each guest has different expectations, and we truly appreciate your suggestion to explore more of the neighborhood's evolution and current culture.
Your feedback helps us improve, and I’ll be sure to share it with our team. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you on another tour soon!