There are 5 available tours for Chicagoans to take including Lakeview, Mag Mile, south Loop, downtown Loop, and the French Market. My Mag Mile tour started bright and early at 9:45am and is deemed the “Breakfast of Champions” by founder Valerie Beck. Our day starts at the 900 shops and a visit to Teuscher. This Swiss chocolatier offers up a champagne truffle made with a Dom Perignon cream center surrounded by a dark chocolate ganache, coated in milk chocolate and sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar. Chocolate and a little “Dom” before lunch, why not?!
A short walk down Delaware takes us to More Cupcakes. With cupcakes exploding in popularity, it’s only fitting that we stop in for a chocolate/chocolate cupcake. Rich and very moist, this little treat made me come back after the tour to pick up a few of their other varieties. Next stop is Oak street, not for the shopping but rather more chocolate! Sarah’s candies offered up a dark chocolate, caramelized almond, roasted pistachio, and crispy rice brittle that tests the strength of ones teeth.
A stroll down Walton brings us to Hendrickx Belgian Bakery. The twist here is that we are not having a piece of chocolate or something that outwardly even looks like chocolate. Nope, instead we sample a flaky hand made croissant filled with heavenly Belgian chocolate. This hand made treat is so special that it actually takes 18 hours for them to create it! Last stop is at Argo Tea for a surprising cup of chocolate chai. Sweet and spicy, this tea is a nice way to cap off our chcocolate adventure.
Each tour includes a knowledgable guide to help navigate your journey and even offer some chocolate fun facts. Tour prices are $40 per person for public tours and $50 for group tours. Tours run from Wednesday thru Sunday and operate all year long. Bottom line is that food tours are fun, chocolate food tours are a blast! Grab a friend and get ready to smile for the next 2 hours!
Tour Locations and Times
Wednesdays at 5:45 pm - Chocolate Locations of the South Loop: Canady le chocolatier, Panozzo's, ~new~ Flirty Cupcakes (when available), Marble Slab Creamery, Little Branch Cafe (note: wine will be served at the final stop!). Meet outside of Canady le chocolatier, 824 S. Wabash Avenue. Walking level: Easy to Intermediate.
Thursdays at 12:45 pm - Chocolate Locations of the Downtown Loop: Sarah's Pastries and Candies at Macy's, Frango - Loop, Charbonnel at Macy's, ~new for summer~ Katherine Anne Confections, ~new~ Wow Bao, Hannah's
Bretzel, Argo. Meet at the old Marshall Field's / Macy's at 111 N. State Street, by the information desk on the ground floor by the fountain. Walking level: Easy to Intermediate.
Fridays at 12:45 pm - Chocolate Locations of the Loop: Sarah's Pastries and Candies at Macy's, Frango - Loop, Charbonnel at Macy's, ~new~ Wow Bao, Hannah's
Bretzel, Argo. Meet at the old Marshall Field's / Macy's at 111 N. State Street, by the information desk on the ground floor by the fountain. Walking level: Easy to Intermediate.
Fridays at 5:45 pm - Chocolate Locations of the French Market: rotating selection among Canady le chocolatier, Flip Crepes, raw, Vanille Patisserie, Pop This, Sweet Miss Giving's, Delightful Pastries, Pappardelle's, Pastoral. Meet at the French Market, 131 N. Clinton. Walking level: Very Easy.
Saturdays at 2:45 pm - Chocolate Locations of Lakeview: Paciugo, Argo, House of Fine Chocolates, Bobtail Ice Cream, Chicago Popcorn Works, Baladoche. Meet outside of Paciugo at 3241 N. Broadway. Walking level: Intermediate.
Saturdays at 9:45 am, 12:45 pm, and 3:45 pm - Chocolate Locations of the Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast: Teuscher Chocolates, More Cupcakes, Sarah's Pastries and Candies, Hendrickx Belgian Bakery, Argo - Gold Coast. Meet at the information desk inside at 900 N. Michigan Avenue. Walking level: Easy.
Sundays at 1:45 pm - Chocolate Locations of the Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast: Teuscher Chocolates, More Cupcakes, Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie, Sarah's Pastries and Candies, Argo - Gold Coast. Meet at the information desk inside at 900 N. Michigan Avenue. Walking level: Easy.
Sundays at 3:45 pm - Chocolate Locations of Lakeview: Paciugo, Argo - Lakeview, Bobtail Ice Cream, Chicago Popcorn Works, Baladoche. Meet outside of Paciugo at 3241 N. Broadway. Walking level: Intermediate.
