Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tour
Looking for a unique way to experience Pittsburgh? Since 2008, Burgh Bits & Bites Food Tour has offered food tasting and historic walking tours of the ‘Burgh. They boast exceptional customer service and aim to treat everyone like family. These tours are educational as well as tasty!
About the Tours
1. Strip District Market Tour: This is a Thursday and/or Friday afternoon tour which explores behind the counters of several eateries in the ‘Burgh’s historic market district. The tour travels along Penn Avenue with tasting of Italian pastries, Mediterranean delights, European cheeses and French bread.
2. Little Italy Tour: This tour travels through Bloomfield on Saturday afternoons. Taste Italian culinary delights such as gelato, pizza, pasta, bruschetta and others.
3. Mt. Washington Grandview Tour: Besides getting a sampling of food from upscale local restaurants, participants will get a spectacular view of Pittsburgh from the overlook. The tour begins with a ride on the Duquesne Incline and travels to three different establishments on top of Mt. Washington.
4. The Strip District TGIF Wine Tasting Tour: This tour, which occurs one Friday evening a month, highlights the active nightlife and tasty beverages of the area. The tour includes samples of various wines and cheeses, a coffee roast and other unique treats.
Tours typically last between 2-2.5 hours. Meals planned after the tours are usually not needed. The tasting tour tends to satisfy customer’s appetites.
Do you have someone in your group that doesn’t speak English? No problem. The tours are offered in German and French as well.
Their Value
Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tour is offering Living Pittsburgh viewers $10 off their Strip District Market Tour. That’s almost 30% off the retail price! Considering it’s a 2+ hour guided tour including yummy food, it’s a pretty sweet (and savory) deal for $25! Mention you saw this exclusive deal on Living Pittsburgh when making your reservations.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Do NOT send any billing information through email. Once confirmation is received, you will then have the option to pay with a Visa, AMEX, or MasterCard via PayPal.
Private tours can be arranged for six or more people. Call 412-901-7150 or email reservations@burghfoodtour.com.
Their History
The company was started in 2008 by Sylvia Emmenegger-McCoy. Sylvia grew up in the South Hills but her family’s roots spread across Switzerland and Germany. In the 90’s, she took what was planned to be a short trip abroad, and ended up being an eight year journey. She visited Switzerland, her father’s native country, and worked there. During her stay, she explored different European regions varying from Alsacian vineyards to beaches in Greece. She also visited several Italian islands and countrysides in France. During this cultural experience, she gathered all of the cultural differences: varying in sights, sounds and flavors.
Once Sylvia returned to the United States, she decided to discover her hometown again. She became an Assistant Director for Business Development at Executive Education at Katz Graduate School of Business. Sylvia soon became a tour guide, volunteering her for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance and the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation (PHLF).
Their Guides
In addition to Sylvia, Gabe and Jen provide a unique perspective on the Burgh Bits and Bites tours. Gabe, who was a part of the PHLF, met Sylvia while conducting a tour for the organization. Gabe enjoys giving tours, but his personal history stands out as a primary reason for his appreciation of the company’s purpose.
“I have a great time giving these tours. It brings back fond memories of my grandfather who owned a grocery store and would visit the Strip to buy goods,” Gabe said.
Jen met Sylvia after taking one of the company’s tours. She fell in love with the Strip District and decided to join the team. Giving tours allows Jen to relive her past travels abroad.
“In the Strip, I’m able to find the foods and authentic ingredients to recreate the dishes I enjoyed during my travels,” Jen said.
The group of tour guides provides a diverse mixture for customers. Each person has their own story to tell during the tour. The three guides work together, yet they hold a unified appreciation for the community and family values.
author: Rebekah Coleman
