Haven’t been since pre-pandemic but it was disappointing the last time we were there and, fwiw, it’s lost appeal among pizza obsessives. The last time we had a crawl, it didn’t make anyone’s list of places we wanted to try.
back in the 80s we were there so often, they’d see us join the line and wave us in.
I’ve often thought about giving tours myself–a food/history combo that focuses on the food aspects.
For example: a tour of Ladies Mile buildings discussing the department stores that used to be there, how the in-store restaurants allowed women to be seen alone while dining, and what the was on the typical menu in different eras.
Now if anyone but me is interested in such things, and would be willing to pay me to yammer on about them, I don’t know.
I think it’s common to talk about history/architecture/sights as one moves from point to point. I have some serious doubts about my ability as a tour guide after taking a tour in st. croix, the woman leading the tour came from a professional acting background and it was like watching a stunning one-woman play. I’ve done a lot of presenting in my professional life including some training for tv/video but nowhere close to that level.
I subject my friends and family to these food-art- culture tours pro luncho.
(Sometimes they buy me lunch, I share my thoughts, sometimes I’m choosing the lunch spot or the theatre because I like planning more than they do)
Its a tricky business. It feels like another lifetime at the moment but Ive done it for 4 years. I’m still ranked in the top 10 food and drink experience even though I havent done a tour in five years 
I was number #4 at some point.
It wasnt easy, but easily the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
Yes, I’ve been paid in lunch when I’ve given tours to my family. It’s hard to practice to be a pro with people I know well though. Do they ever give honest feedback?
Wow. You have some excellent reviews.
I don’t doubt it’s difficult. Coming up with an outline, where to go, arranging with local businesses–it’s like writing a book I would imagine.
Ha! I don’t know. They seem to like it.
I have a sort of tour laid out for Toronto’s neighborhoods, and Manhattan, that I tweak for various interests.
Almost certainly not.
When I was writing my first book, my partner had read the initial couple of chapters but I wasnt confident that I’d been given fully honest comment. So, I sent them to three people who, from online contact, I knew to be interested in the subject and would, I reckoned, give an honest view. Back came some insightful and generally positive remarks - particularly from the guy who was a professional writer (journalist).
Finding the right businesses to fit the schedule and the route, arranging with the businesses, showing up 30 minutes prior to the tour to make sure the Pasteis will be fresh, replacing closed businesses, finding the true nature of some owners, etc etc. I can def write a novel. But its a nice feeling at the end. Even though the more memorable ones will be the worst tours.
And you can easily tell whether they enjoyed it or not. It can be clear as soon as you meet them
Thank you for sharing your experience! I like giving informal tours to my family and friends and I’m not sure I’d ever make a living from being a tour guide. I’ve often thought of that as a “retirement job” to keep me busy.
I’m going to remain an amateur cook and historian for the time being. When the next batch of cousins come to visit NYC, I may give it another try.
why don’t you join one of our dinners/crawls? Or give our group a tour?
ziggy, what keeps you busy now?
The stock market, and wife’s business.
I still get requests from old customers, but I have no interest to do this again
I’ve wanted to join one of the HO group dinners. The last two I saw posted were on days I couldn’t make it. But the next one I will make time for. Thank you for the reminder 
Why don’t u farm out your business to @iluvcookies !
I will give all my “secrets” to whoever wants them. I even offered to give Ryan, the owner of Tasty Tours a walk in East Village. I may not remember all the little details but I remember the sites. A lot of interesting history. The only problem is that some of the vendors, if not most, are no longer in business. Harry and Idas, Foxface, Martina… the good ol’ days.
But my best tour was a driving tour of Brooklyn. No one is doing it as far as I know.
Brooklyn Heights
Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunset Park Chinatown
Coney Island
Brighton Beach
Red Hook
well there you go @iluvcookies , take Ziggy up on his generous offer, sweeten the deal by offering 20% of the profits for five years for his corporate structure/name since, as he says, it’s still in the top ten on tripadvisor, change your name to Ziggy, work your way up to number 1, hire a bunch of “Ziggy Tours” tour guides, before you know it, you invest, reinvest, re-re-reinvest (as I believe ralph kramden once said to ed norton), and you have ziggy tours in every country!
But wait, there’s more! I usually charge 10% for brokering this sort of deal but for a limited time, I’m offering you a one-time deal at the low, low price of 5% of profits for a year, bartered for tours!
let me know where to send the contract!
Don’t forget that 35% goes to the shareholders!
This is a nice idea… maybe one day I will work something out with Ziggy
