All you have to do is eat
DIY Food Tours
All you have to do is eat
WELCOME, I'M THE GOURMET ARCHAEOLOGIST
My name is Matthew Singer, not only do I curate DIY Food tours, I do other stuff too! I am an Archaeologist based out of Winnipeg, Canada and I dig food. I love discovering and sharing incredible foods and as an avid traveller and lover of indigenous cuisines I have started a series called, “Ancient Dishes”, that combines my love of culinary traditions and ancient peoples. In this series, I hope to introduce you to some tasty traditional foods and provide some information on their history, development, and cooking techniques.
“I am not interested in a cook that can make 10,000 different dishes, I am interested in a cook that has made 1 dish, 10,000 times”
The Gourmet Archaeologist
ebook "ancient dishes & where to eat them"
I spent a month in Oaxaca researching this book in January 2024. This guide will focus on the food stalls in the markets and streets however, some dine in restaurants are also featured.
ebook "ancient dishes & how to make them"
Learn to make local ancient dishes including tamales, tlyudas, memelas, tetelas, empanada, nieves, and the 7 moles of Oaxaca.
DIY FOOD TOURS
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What is DIY food tours?
DIY Food Tours allows you and your friends to experience curated, unique food tours that will introduce you to incredible dishes at sometimes unexpected locations.
tasting types
There are 6 different tasting types. The first is a Must Try tasting, which means the dish provides a real sense of pleasure, leaves an everlasting impression, evokes something exceptional, and will be remembered. The second is a Tasting Hack, that is for example, a tasting that is combined with another tasting on the tour, that together, create a better tasting experience. A Seasonal tasting is only available during certain times of the year. A Vegetarian tasting does not contain meat (only verified vegetarian tasting are identified). A Best-In-Class tasting is an identification of a top tasting destination. A Cook At Home tasting is where you purchase in store, but cook at home.
Must try
Must try food tasting
Tasting Hack
Special manipulated tasting
Seasonal
Seasonal tasting
Vegetarian
Vegetarian tasting
Best-in-class
Top tasting destination
Cook at home
Tasting you purchase in store, but cook at home
DIY FOOD TOURS
new featured tour
This tour features Mr. Joe Rogan’s favourite dishes in Austin, Texas
Number of stops: 12
Number of tastings: 14
Tastings: Braised Beef Cheek Ragù Tagliatelle Pasta, NADC Burger (6oz of RC Ranch Wagyu Beef, American Cheese, Secret Sauce, Onions, Pickles, Slightly Tamed Jalapeños), S12 Spicy Seafood Soup, Beef & Pork Combo (Lunch Only) (Available only for lunch Monday – Friday 11am – 3pm. Chadolbagi (Beef Brisket), Beef Bulgogi (Regular or Spicy) or Hawaiian Beef, Pork Bulgogi (Regular or Spicy), & Non-marinated or Soy Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal). Meat platter includes 1 Gyeran Jim (Korean Steamed Egg), Salad, Banchan (Korean Side Dishes), & choice of Jjigae (Soup)), N2: Toro Nigiri, Cochinita Pibil (slow-roasted Heritage pork shoulder wrapped in banana leaves with Sour Orange, Recado Rojo, Salsa Chiltomate, Tatemada, and enjoyed with handmade corn tortillas), Scallops and Oyster, 50 Day Dry Aged USDA Prime Tomahawk Ribeye (Served Sliced with Roasted Shallot Butter) and Wood Roasted Akaushi Beef Bone Marrow (served with Grilled Country Italian Bread and Shaved Grana), Beef Ribs, Oak Smoked Butchers Cut (shishito salsa verde, cilantro, pickled onion), Omakase Experience, Dinner-Cut Pork Chop (Carved tableside on a hot cast iron plate Hand selected in the Midwest specifically for Perry’s, this sweet, smoky, sizzling chop is cured, roasted, slow-smoked and caramelized, served with homemade apple sauce)
Left: NADC Burger from NADC Burger (photo credit @nadcburger)
CANADA
Calgary, Alberta
Dry Ribs from Comery Block Barbecue (photo credit @comeryblock
17th Avenue SW is a vibrant and diverse street in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is home to a variety of businesses, restaurants, bars, and cultural institutions. The avenue is a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike, and is known for its lively atmosphere.
Number of stops: 10
Number of tastings: 10
Tastings: Dry Ribs, Bluefin tuna tartare (tuna, avocado, miso emulsion, udon crackers), Pepperoni pizza (San Marzano tomato sauce, house-made pepperoni, mozzarella), Macaron of your choice, Nim’s Classic (Spicy. Nashville spiced chicken thigh (choose heat), coleslaw, pickles, comeback sauce on a brioche bun), Chicken Shawarma, Arancini (deep-fried mozzarella stuffed carnaroli rice balls with white wine), Pabellon Arepa (shredded beef, black beans, ripe plantains, avocados, garlic sauce), Fried Coconut Squid (pineapple, pickled jalapeño, crispy garlic, coriander), Sea Salt & Goat Milk Caramel (featuring goat milk from Fairwinds Farm)
Toronto, Ontario
Ackee and salted cod dumpling from Rasta Pasta (photo credit @eatrastapasta)
Kensington Market is a unique, multicultural, open-air food and clothing market, neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sample dishes from Mexican cuisine (Baja and Mayan influences), Japanese cuisine, American cuisine, Tibetan cuisine, Jamaican cuisine, Middle Eastern cuisine, French cuisine, and Chilean cuisine
Number of stops: 10
Number of tastings: 11
Tastings: Baja fish taco (battered and fried fish, cabbage, baja sauce, pico de gallo), Pan-fried vegan momo, Ackee & salted cod dumpling, Takoyaki, Mazafati omelette (sautéed dates, spinach, onion, eggs), Canelé, Paneer tikka masala (vegetarian, homemade cheese cubes cooked with bell peppers and onions in tomato sauce), Purple Rain burger (beef patty, grilled pineapple slice, mozzarella cheese, home-made guacamole, sautéed jalapeños, caramelized onions, tomato, lettuce, pickles, Ozzy’s special sauce), Lima soup (traditional Mayan soup, made with chicken, limes, tortilla chips, onions, and avocado), Empanada Chilena (beef, chicken, chorizo, cheese, and humita) and Chorizo sausage
Toronto, Ontario
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin from Carnicero’s Meats (photo credit @carnicerosmeats)
*A DIY FOOD TOUR EXCLUSIVE*
ST. LAWRENCE MARKET’S BEST MEAT DISHES FROM BUTCHERS AND RESTAURANTS
Taste 5 different types of meat!
This tour includes both onsite tastings and cook at home tastings. Sample 5 different types of meat (Pork, Chicken, Oyster, Lobster, and Lamb).
Number of stops: 9
Number of tastings: 9
Onsite tastings: Char Siu (BBQ pork), Freshly Shucked Oysters, Peameal Bacon Sandwich, East Coast Lobster Roll, Chicken Gyro
Take home tastings: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin (sautéed apple, bacon, onion, cinnamon, thyme and sage), Mint Lamb Meatloaf, Banh Mi Sausage (Pork Casing, Pork, Ginger, Salt, Chili flake, Garlic powder, Black pepper, Basil, Corriander seed, Brown sugar, White vinegar, Cilantro), Chicken Empanada
Nashville Chicken Sandwich (Fried chicken sandwich smothered in Nashville aioli sauce, topped with lettuce & pickles) (photo credit @diyfoodtours)
IG Field is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is home to the Canadian Football Leagues’s (CFL) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Taste a variety of foods and beverages that represent different regions in North America that can be found at the concessions around the stadium
Number of tastings: up to 12 (8 entrées, 4 beverages (1 beverage is recommended))
Tastings: Nashville Chicken Sandwich (Fried chicken sandwich smothered in Nashville aioli sauce, topped with lettuce & pickles), Danny’s pulled pork on a bun (Danny’s pulled pork smothered in barbecue sauce, topped with coleslaw, on an Italian roll), Traditional Poutine (Fries loaded with cheese curds and smothered in gravy), Mini Donuts (Cinnamon and sugar mini donuts), Philly Cheese Steak (Philly cheese steak sandwich with seared sirloin beef, sautéed peppers and onions, provolone cheese, topped with cheddar cheese sauce), Chicago Dog (Bomber Dog with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, & banana peppers), Blitz Burger (Two burger patties, chili ketchup, vodka aioli, pickles, sautéed onions & cheese), Regular Old Dutch Potato Chips, Canadian Club Whiskey, Jim Beam Bourbon, Alberta Pure Vodka, Coors Beer
WINNIPEG, Manitoba
Satay Beef Noodle Soup from Ha Long Bay (photo credit @diyfoodtours)
The West End is a multicultural area known for colourful street art and Vietnamese, Filipino, Ethiopian, Indian and other regional based restaurants.
Number of stops: 10
Number of tastings: 14 (13 entrées, 1 beverage)
Tastings: Beef and Rice Noodles in Sate (lemongrass satay broth, beef, rice noodles, topped with crushed peanuts), Bacalhau com natas (Cod and potatoes), Linguiça/Chouriço (sausage), Spring roll, Pain au chocolat (60% dark chocolate in a sourdough butter croissant), Satay beef rice noodle soup (spicy), Nopales taco (nopal strips, pico de gallo, Panela cheese), Chicken Mole taco (contains peanuts, cream, sesame seeds), Pork Pastor style taco (pineapple, cilantro, onion), Pork Papusa (corn flour pocket filled with seasoned pork) , Marañon beverage (cashew juice), Bánh mì heo nướn (grilled pork sandwich), Bún bò huế (Hot and Spicy Beef & Pork Noodle Soup, beef, thin slices of pork hock with thick vermicelli noodles, herbs, rich and spicy lemongrass broth), and Garlic Sauce.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba
Carolina BBQ Braised Beef (house braised beef with house carolina gold bbq sauce, fresh sliced apple, red onion, arugula on thick, hand-cut rye) from King + Bannatyne (photo credit @kingandbann)
The Exchange District is a National Historic Site of Canada in the downtown area of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Number of stops: 7
Number of tastings: 9 (8 entrées, 1 beverage)
Tastings: Beef Tartare (Shallots, Parsley, Capers, Dijon Mustard, Egg, Bread), Morocco Empanada (Vegan option)(chickpea, carrot, red pepper, zucchini, and onions), Beef Empanada (ground beef, onions, olives, roasted red peppers), and Salmon Empanada (smoked salmon, pickerel, spring onion, and feta cheese), Braised Bacon Benedict (Thick Cut Braised Bacon, Brown Butter Hollandaise, Dill, Poached Eggs, Buttermilk Biscuit), Kouign-Amann (pastry is a croissant-like dough, laminated with butter and sugar for a flaky, rich treat with a caramelized outer crust), 1919 Belgian Pale Ale (“1919” is made using the traditional German kräusening, or double-fermentation technique, which cleans up beer flavours, naturally carbonates the beer, and gives it better head retention), Makhani Murgh (Butter Chicken – house roasted tandoori chicken cooked in a homemade tomato and butter sauce), and Carolina BBQ Braised Beef (house braised beef with homemade Carolina gold bbq sauce, fresh sliced apple, thin-shaved red onion + arugula all on thick, hand-cut rye)
WINNIPEG, Manitoba
The Classic from Red Ember Common (Manitoba tomato sauce, Berkshire pepperoni, roast mushroom, mozzarella) (photo credit @redembercommon)
The Forks was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1974 because of its status as a cultural landscape, which has been an important meeting place for over six thousand years.
Number of stops: 8
Number of tastings: 9 (8 entrées, 1 beverage)
Tastings: “El Luchador” Chorizo Taco (2021 Taco Week Winner, seasoned ground pork, signature slaw, pineapple salsa, pickled red onion, geta cheese and cilantro) and (2) “El Chego” (2022 Taco Week Winner, slow roasted beef brisket topped without signature slaw, housemate salsa verde, lime Crema, pickled radishes and cilantro), Pickerel (prepared fresh daily, and coated with a seasoned flour and beer batte), The Mac (Candied bacon, sautéed onions, Bothwell cheddar, Elman’s dill pickles, tomato & secret sauce), Macaron (egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond meal, and food colouring), London Fog Tea (Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup), The Classic (Manitoba tomato sauce, Berkshire pepperoni, roast mushroom, mozzarella), Eggplant Curry (Savoury with a hint of sweetness), and a Cinnamon Bun (fresh milled organic whole wheat flour).
WINNIPEG, Manitoba
Almond Croissant fromLa Belle Baguette (photo credit @belle_baguette)
St. Boniface neighbourhood is home to the largest francophone community in Western Canada.
Number of stops: 10
Number of tastings: 10 (9 entrées, 1 beverage)
Tastings: Beet Grilled Cheese (golden beets, red beets, candy stripe beets, arugula, mayo, whipped feta, honey, pistachio spread, house made sourdough), Green Onion & Sesame Sauce Takoyaki (House Made Sesame Sauce, fried yam, green onion, sesame seeds, and parsley flakes), Almond Croissant, Reuben (Eatery made corned beef, sauerkraut, braised onions, Eatery made thousand Island dressing, Bothwell white cheddar, grilled marble rye), Goat Roti, Spicy Chocolate Drink, Tourtière Pie, Butter chicken, Muffaleta (Assorted Italian meats, provolone cheese with olive vegetable spread on home focaccia bread)
Steinbach, Manitoba
#17 Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (Bún bò Huế) from Viet House restaurant (Steinbach) (photo credit @viethouserestaurant_)
On this tour taste a spicy soup that originated in Huế Vietnam, classic French cuisine, a common dish from Jamaica, German cuisine made fresh in Manitoba, Kansas City style BBQ, Nashville style fried chicken and a dish inspired by the Ottoman Empire.
Number of stops: 7
Number of tastings: 13
Tastings: Bún bò Huế “Spicy Beef Noodle Soup” (Stick Noodles, sliced rare beef, well done beef, tripe, and hand-made beef balls), Cheese Raspberry Crêpe, Oxtail (Seasoned, tenderized oxtail, slowly stewed in its own marinade), Bestje Dit enn Daut (sampler plate, cup of Komst Borscht, Foarma Worscht, two Vereniki smothered in Schmauntfatt, serving of coleslaw, a slice of stone ground whole wheat bread and plautz), Burned ends (Kansas City style, bite size cubes of tender caramelized brisket), The OG Sando (Nashville-spiced boneless fried chicken topped with slaw, pickles and Chica’s Sauce, served on texas toast, Classic Chicken Shawarma Donair (Chicken, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, hummus, pickled turnip, and feta cheese).
Interlake Manitoba
Pickerel burger from Beach Boy Restaurant in Gimli (photo credit @diyfoodtours)
For this tour:
- Identify what time your food tour will occur
- See what restaurants are open during those times
- Pick which dishes to sample based on the results of #1 and #2
- Eat great food
Number of stops: 9
Number of tastings: 9
Tastings: Pickerel Burger (lettuce, mayo, and pickles), Mee Krob (crunch noodles with mixed vegetables), Kikiam (served with sweet sauce), Fresh Pick of the Season Crepe (With fresh fruit and a little cream cheese), The Butter Tart Lady Original Butter Tarts, Smoked Goldeye, Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms, Vanilla Macchiato, and the Cake special of the day
CENTRAL Manitoba
Enchiladas Verdes and Enchiladas de Mole from Mole Guacamole (photo credit @mole_guacamole)
On the tour, estimated to take around 6 – 7 hours, you will sample: A famous dish from Italy, a stir-fry dish from India, German style sausage, 2 national dishes of Laos, a favourite from Mexican cuisine with 2 different types of sauce, Mennonite cuisine, a locally inspired and ingredient sourced burger, a Filipino breakfast staple, a complex French sauce, and an option to visit a dairy museum.
Start: Headingley Grill Restaurant and Catering 166 Bridge Rd, Headingley, MB
End: Oma’s Kitchen 67 2 St NE, Altona, MB R0G 0B1
Number of stops: 9
Number of tastings: 12
Driving distance: 239 kms
Driving time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Estimated duration: 6 – 7 hours
Tastings: Manitoban Burger (certified Angus Beef patty topped with Bothwell Cheddar, handmade perogy, Winnipeg Old Country Bologna, fried onions, bacon, lettuce, tomato, chipotle sauce on a cheese bun), Papaya Salad “Tum Mak Houng” (Shredded green papaya, mixed with garlic, hot chili peppers are optional, tomato, shredded carrots, lime juice, fish sauce and topped of with peanuts), Beef Salad “Laap” (Minced beef lightly poached in broth, then dressed in chilis, fresh herbs and roasted rice powder), Bhindi Masala (okra and tomatoes in house spices), Enchiladas Verdes and Enchiladas de Mole, Schnitzel Burger, Bacon and Ricotta Pizza (In-house ricotta, crème fresh, Panetta, green onions, cheese), Bratwurst (Original homemade German sausage), Bangsilog (marinated boneless milkfish), Bourbon Pecan Chicken with beurre blanc sauce, Menno Combo (Perogies and Kielke with ham or sausage)
eASTERN mANITOBA
Weiner Schnitzel and Goulash from Jennifer’s Picnic (photo credit @diyfoodtours)
This tour will take you through scenic eastern Manitoba. It is designed not only for you to sample dishes at restaurants, but to stop and pick up other samples/foods along the way. Stops include, eastern Winnipeg, Selkirk, Beausejour, Lac du Bonnet, Seven Sisters Falls, and Dugald.
Number of stops: 9
Number of tastings: 11
Distance: 235 kms
Driving time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Estimated duration: 6 hours
Tastings: Traditional Ecuadorian Hornado (roast pig), Iced Strawberry Matcha, In house Smoked Side Pepper Bacon (sliced to your desired thickness), Coconut Curry – Green Fudge, Beet chips (served with whipped feta), Coffee Rub, Cinnamon buns, Weiner schnitzel, Goulash, and Kangaroo Kabob, Smoked Arctic Char
usa
Chicago, ILLINOIS
Italian Beef Sandwich from Mr. Beef on Orleans (photo credit @mrbeefonorleans)
Chicago is a city with a rich culinary history, and there are many iconic foods that are associated with the city. Some of the most popular Chicago foods include deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and Garrett popcorn. These foods are all unique to Chicago and offer a taste of the city’s culture and history.
Number of stops: 11
Number of tastings: 11
Tastings: Italian Beef Sandwich (Classic Italian beef sandwich, dipped in aus jus, and served on French Bread), Shrimp DeJonghe, Breaded Steak Sandwich, Chicago style hot dog (Chicago-style hot dog with everything, which includes mustard, relish, celery salt, freshly chopped onions, sliced red ripe tomatoes, kosher pickle and sport peppers piled onto a perfectly steamed poppy seed bun), Fried chicken wings, Rainbow cone, Rib Tips, Flaming Saganaki (The finest imported Greek cheese is flambéed table side), Garrett mix popcorn (blend of our famous CaramelCrisp and CheeseCorn recipes), Jibarito, Deep Dish Malnati Chicago Classic (made with Lou’s lean sausage, some extra mozzarella cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce on Buttercrust)
bELIZE
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Caribbean chicken from Bamboo Fence and Swing Bar (photo credit @diyfoodtours)
San Pedro is a popular tourist destination, with its beautiful beaches, clear water, and abundance of marine life. The town is also home to a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. San Pedro is a great place to relax and enjoy the Caribbean lifestyle.
Number of stops: 11
Number of tastings: 12
Tastings: Chicken Tostadas, Caribbean Chicken, Mixed Papusa, Pepper Shrimp, Black Relleno Soup, Queso Birra Taco (crispy fried taco with slow braised brisket and melted Monterrey jack cheese. Served with Beef consommé, lime, and salsa verde), Fried Snapper, Tuna Crudito (Yellow fin tuna with sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger and honey, avocado and mango when available), Octopus al Mojo (Octopus grilled in chipotle roasted garlic sauce), Chicken and Tortilla Soup (shredded chicken, black beans, avocado, corn, cheddar cheese in a chicken broth topped with fresh chopped cilantro and corn tortilla strips), Fish Curry, Beef Ribs
SPAIN
Seville, Higuera, Jabuto
Iberian Ham from Jamones Paulino (photo credit @diyfoodtours)
This experience focuses on the local delicacy, Iberian Ham. You first visit a small butcher in Higuera, where they maintain the tradition of making all of their products in an artisanal way. Then off to Restaurante Jacarandá for some incredible service and food. From there you head through the countryside to Jabuto, where you take an Iberian Ham class and tasting at Bodega Cinco Jotas.
Number of stops: 3
Number of tastings: 7
Distance: 219 kms
Driving time: 3 hrs
Estimated duration: 6 hrs
Tastings: Chorizo sausage, Sardinas marinadas sobre tosta crujiente y tartar de pimiento (marinated sardines on crispy toast and pepper tartare), Croquetas caseras de jamón (homemade ham croquettes), Crema de tomate (tomato cream), Corazones de alcachofas de temporada (seasoned artichoke hearts), Secreto ibérico de bellota a baja temperatura con patatas parmentier (Iberian acorn-fed secret temperature with potatoes parmentier), Iberian ham
Colombia
Cartagena
Ceviche from La Mulata (photo credit @diyfoodtours)
Sample dishes from Mexican cuisine (Baja and Mayan influences), Japanese cuisine, American cuisine, Tibetan cuisine, Jamaican cuisine, Middle Eastern cuisine, French cuisine, and Chilean cuisine
Number of stops: 8
Number of tastings: 8
Tastings: Ceviche de Pescado, Pescado Frito, Cazuela de Marisco (fish and seafood soup, with shrimp, squid and mussels, flavoured with coconut oil and accompanied by rice or banana patacones), Carne a la Criolla, Pescado Sudado (Boneless fish steamed in its juices, served with creamy pumpkin rice and minced tomato and onion), Florentine Salad (Buffalo mozzarella, variety of organic lettuce, dried and fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, pesto, avocado, black olives, balsamic vinegar and olive oil), Arepa de huevo Tradicional, Shrimp cocktail
COMMENTS/
QUESTIONS/
RECOMMENDATIONS/
UPDATES
Email: Matt@diyfoodtours.com
Tours are meant to be used as a guide, all tasting availabilities may not be up-to-date
Recommendations are based on my own travels, experiences, online reviews, social media, and information provided by friends and family
DIY Food Tours allows you and your friends to experience curated, unique food tours that will introduce you to incredible dishes at sometimes unexpected locations
Join me while I explore and cook the national dishes of this crazy world
(1) pick a country, (2) learn a little about its culinary traditions, (3) choose between different dishes and, (4) cook your own, authentic, full-course meal
DIY Food tours is a member of the Manitoba Society of Gourmets (MSG)
The Manitoba Society of Gourmets (MSG) was inspired by people who care about delicious food, where it comes from, how it is prepared, the person doing the cooking, and the history behind each dish