This is, without a doubt, the best food tour I’ve ever been on. However, to call it just a food tour is an understatement. The three hour (beginning at 11:45 a.m.) plus walking tour (about 1 mile and limited to a maximum of 7 people) does include a variety of food and alcoholic beverage samples at 6 different locations, including on the day I went: The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant and a well known Atlanta institution (FO (frosted orange and fried peach pie); the Livingston at the historic Georgian Terrace Hotel (shrimp and grits w/andouille sausage and wine); Cypress Street Pint and Plate (probably the best hamburger I’ve ever eaten, with fries and a beer sample); Villains (a tasty kale salad and peanut infused bourbon and coke beverage); Max’s Wine Dive (fried chicken, mashed potatoes and Prosecco); and finally Cafe Intermezzo for the dessert of your choice and coffee. Non alcoholic substitutions can be provided at each restaurant.
But beyond the food and introduction to restaurants, it’s as much a tour of the sights and history of midtown Atlanta. John Hannula, the owner and tour guide, and his wife have lived in midtown for 15 years, and he knows the area and its history like the back of his hand. Never boring, the conversation provide interesting and sometimes funny facts about the area and its residents, both past and current. John’s personality, knowledge of food, restaurants, facts/interesting stories about the midtown area, and attention to his guests are all exemplary. In addition to the restaurants on the tour, he also identifies other restaurants in midtown and the greater Atlanta area that are worth a trip.
Living in midtown myself, I was a bit unsure as to whether or not the tour would be for me. However, after taking the tour and learning new things about the area, I will recommend it highly to Atlantans and visitors alike and will definitely include the tour on my “must do” list for my out of town visitors.
On first glance, the tour may seem a bit pricey, but compares favorably with food tours in other cities, and is definitely worth every penny!