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The Bites & Brews
The Bites & Brews Food Tour
The Bites & Brews Food Tour
The Perfect Food Tour for Lovers of Beer, Great Food, and Local History!
Contrary to popular belief, beer and booze has flowed in the Beehive State since the earliest pioneer days and nowhere has it flowed more freely than Ogden! Capitalizing on the confluence of pristine mountain water, and ready access to malt, grain, and ice, this thirsty rail hub has seen its fair share of breweries over the past 170+ years.
While names like U.P. Brewery, Grove Brewery, Ogden City Brewery, and Becker Brewing and Malting may be lost to time, Ogden’s beer scene is healthy and growing with the likes of Roosters, Talisman, UTOG, and Ogden Beer Company, proudly taking up the torch.
Our “Bites and Brews” walking tour beckons! Sip and taste your way through historic downtown Ogden as you soak up the stories of this gritty railroad town.
Where the Bites & Brews Food Tour takes us…
Come with us as we sample the latest local microbrews and elevated pub grub at stops such as Slackwater, UTOG, and Roosters, the OG of the Ogden microbrewery scene.
Known for “taking their beer seriously”, Slackwater has you covered, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts, and everything in between. Pair a glass with their spectacular thin crust pizzas and you’ve got a winning combination of food, beer and fun!
Situated in a historic building that helped clothe our troops during both World Wars, the UTOG experience is immersive–with your beer coming out of the vats in the open brewer’s pit right below your table. With amazing dishes that pair perfectly with their award-winning brews, UTOG is on top of both their beer and food games.
Ushering in a renaissance of the Ogden beer scene and the revitalization of Historic 25th Street, they deserve all the accolades. Housed in a circa 1890 building, Roosters represents the heartbeat of OTown, as a gathering spot for good times downtown since 1995, love and laughter comes through in every poured pint and mouth-watering bite.
Whether après-ski, local, or visiting from out-of-town–let us do the planning! Join us as we say “Cheers to OTown!”
What people are saying about OTown Food Tours
“My husband and I were able to do O Town Food Tour for a Friday night! We had a blast with the other guests and Rick himself. Lots of funny stories and also great food! I was definitely hesitant about the brussel sprouts we had at Table 25 but they were absolutely amazing! For sure a must try. The poached pears we had were not only stunning to look at but the perfect dessert. One of our favorite parts of the tour was walking down 25th Street hearing about all the original brothels and darker history of Ogden. I definitely would do this tour again! My husband and I still talk about how much fun we had!”
Taste of Ogden Food & History Tour
Telling Ogden’s Story, One Bite at a Time!
What people are saying about OTown Food Tours
“My husband and I were able to do O Town Food Tour for a Friday night! We had a blast with the other guests and Rick himself. Lots of funny stories and also great food! I was definitely hesitant about the brussel sprouts we had at Table 25 but they were absolutely amazing! For sure a must try. The poached pears we had were not only stunning to look at but the perfect dessert. One of our favorite parts of the tour was walking down 25th Street hearing about all the original brothels and darker history of Ogden. I definitely would do this tour again! My husband and I still talk about how much fun we had!”
“We did the OTown Food Tour with friends and we absolutely loved it! Rick’s knowledge of the history of Ogden is amazing. During the walking tour, he shared many fascinating stories about the local haunts and cultural icons of the area. Ogden’s history is way more interesting than I ever imagined. I loved the restaurants we visited and the presentation of each dish was first rate. The food and wine pairings were also spot on. Will definitely do again!”
“Some friends of mine and I booked an OTown Food Tour last Saturday and, honestly, my mind was BLOWN! From the start of our journey at the train station to the very last stop, our tour guide (and founder), Rick, from OTown Food Tours, provided the perfect balance of fun facts and interesting history of Ogden’s historical 25th Street. Not only did Rick provide fascinating historical facts, he also provided a background of the restaurants that we visited along with details of how the food was conceptualized at each establishment. Needless to say, I had no idea how varied and amazing the dining is just a short drive up north. I’m definitely planning on scheduling a tour with my wife and family in the near future!”
Taste of Ogden Food Tour Calendar
Where the Taste of Ogden Food Tour takes us…
The story of any great town is told, in part, through its people and food. Food and community go hand in hand. Come with us as we taste and tell the story of OTown.
A sampling of what you’ll experience…
Railroad
Find out why Ogden became Junction City and how the iron rails brought people, power, and opportunity, along with vice, graft, and grifters.
Porters and Waiters Club and Joe McQueen, Local Jazz Icon
Hear how the Porters and Waiters Club rose from a respite for railroad “Red Caps” to a mecca for such greats such as Fats Domino and B.B. King through the influence of local jazz legend, Joe McQueen, and the indomitable AnnaBelle Weakley.
Table Twenty Five is a family-owned restaurant located on historic 25th Street in Ogden. Emphasizing locally-sourced, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients, served in an approachable, yet refined atmosphere. Creative, comforting and delicious.
Prostitution, Crime, and Corruption
Learn about the seedy side of 25th Street – how prostitution proliferated under multiple madams and murder was commonplace, while city coffers swelled and police, politicians and businessmen grew wealthy on the sin tax system.
Immigrants
Come hear how immigrants from all over the world called Ogden home and helped make it into what it is today.
Tona creates edible works of art that are a feast for the senses, emphasizing sustainably sourced, local and seasonal ingredients. A multi-award winning establishment that combines beauty with delicious and original flavor combinations that pack a punch.
Prohibition
It’s been said that alcohol was more plentiful in Ogden during Prohibition, than anytime before or after. Learn how businessmen transformed their bars into soda parlors, ingeniously built for booze.
A family-owned Sicilian bakery and bistro, specializing in made-from-scratch unique pastries such as cassata and sfogliatella, as well as world class cannoli, along with authentic, savory dishes such as bolognese. Delicious, exceptional, and always made from the heart.
Boom Times and WWII
Find out about the boom times when Ogden was living large and how soldiers and sailors helped spread the word of infamous Two Bit Street to the four corners of the globe.
Gorgeous, decadent little jewels, handmade by Crisi and her crew daily. Stunning to look at, even better to eat, these tasty little sweet treats make great gifts, stunning desserts, or an awesome indulgence for one. No need to go to Paris–when Crisi’s got you covered right here in OTown!
Decline
See how the development of the interstate highway system led to Ogden’s decline and how key visionaries saved her historic landmarks before it was too late.
An Ogden gem, locally owned and operated, hiding in plain sight on historic 25th Street. A delightful emporium of books, handcrafted gifts, toys, and myriad other items carefully curated by the owner, with a stunning selection of chocolate of the highest quality taking center stage. Locally-produced, single origin, and unique chocolate from all over the world.
Revitalization
See OTown as she is coming into her own. Learn how tenacious entrepreneurs dug in and helped revitalize Historic 25th Street and how the Winter Olympics and investment accelerated her transformation into who she is today.
Whether you’re planning to visit Ogden or live here year-round, an OTown Food Tour is the perfect way to learn about the history of the town and have an amazing culinary experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I wear on the tour?
A: As our tour covers up to 1.5 miles of walking and standing over the course of 2.75 hours, please wear comfortable and supportive footwear. We operate rain/snow or shine and are outdoors for a good part of the tour, so please dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Q: How long does the tour take?
A: Our Taste of Ogden tour lasts about 2.75 hours.
Q: Do you accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions?
A: Our Taste of Ogden tour features a curated menu of pre-selected tastings highlighting the best our taste partner restaurants and shops have to offer–think: “Love on a Plate”. For this reason, substitutions are generally unavailable. Tastings may include gluten, meat and seafood, eggs, dairy, or other ingredients not conducive to those with food allergies.
We are pleased to offer private tours for guests wanting a tasting menu curated to meet their dietary needs. Please contact us for information and availability.
Q: Where does the tour begin and end?
A: Our Taste of Ogden tour begins in front of Union Station and ends between the 100 and 200 blocks of 25th Street. Your guide is happy to walk with you back to Union Station at the conclusion of the tour.
Q: How much will we eat on the tour?
A: Guests will partake of 4 savory and 3 sweet tastings over the course of the tour. We take the Goldilocks approach on how much food is offered–not too much or too little. The amount of food provided should be plenty for the average eater.
Q: What types of things will we eat on the tour?
A: Tastings possibilities include hand-rolled maki, sushi, sashimi, scratch-made pasta, to-die-for brussels sprouts, shrimp and grits, authentic cannoli, gelato, fresh-baked macarons, and local artisan chocolate, among others.
Q: Are tips expected?
A: While a 20% gratuity is built into the tour price for the staff at our tasting locations, tips are welcome and appreciated, should your guide provide you with an exemplary tour experience. A pre-tipping option is available for your convenience when you book or you can tip cash or Venmo at the end of the tour.
Another way to show appreciation would be to leave a review on Google or other platforms, such as Trip Advisor or Yelp.
Q: Where should I park?
A: Guests taking our Taste of Ogden tour can find parking lots to the north and south of Union Station. Parking is also available behind the north side of the buildings on the 100 block of 25th Street just across from Union Station.
Q: What are the minimum and maximum number of guests for your tours?
A: We will conduct our tours with as few as two guests; we also cap our tours at 8 guests in order to ensure the highest quality experience possible. Private tours are available for large groups up to 25, as well as for those seeking a more intimate experience. Please contact us for more information.
Q: Do you offer gift certificates?
A: Yes! They can be purchased here.