See what people are saying about Melting Pot Food Tours online:

Advance purchase required.  
Tours often sell out!

"My husband and I are always looking for fun food eateries in Los Angeles, but often wind up returning to the same local faves.  Melting Pot Tours was just what we needed to get us out of our rut!  Our MPT tour opened our eyes to the variety of eateries along 3rd Street and in the Farmers Market.  As we grazed our way through the tour, our taste buds were consistently tantalized, accented by the bonus of meeting the proprietors, hearing their stories and sampling their eclectic fare.  If you are a foodie, and especially if you enjoy the "story behind the food", this tour is for you!"  Posted on eyespyla.com.

"To me, the fact that a food tour company is now in LA will hopefully help people finally recognize that LA is definitely a foodie town in its own right.  With LA being as big as it is, it's intimidating getting to know the dining scene.  What Melting Pot Tours offers is a way to help locals get a chance to step out of their comfort zone and/or even their own neighborhood to start exploring the culinary bonanza that abounds in LA County.  The same could be said for visitors or tourists, who may share the same intimidation factor of trying to weed through LA's extensive foodie landscape.  With a food tour, they can get a taste of LA to start, and this opportunity could also springboard them into wanting to learn more about what Los Angeles has to offer to the discerning diner."  Posted on Chowhound.

"My friend and I did this tour yesterday and had a great time also. I've been to the Farmer's Market a million times but it was fun to do it at such a leisurely pace and to get the back story on a lot of the little places that have been around for so long at the Farmer's Market.  Lisa and Diane are extremely down-to-earth and knowledgeable. We also found it to be quite a value, The tastings were all very generous, and I was more than satiated by the end of the tour. I know that they are planning to put together tours of other areas in LA. I wish them much success and look forward to their other culinary tours."  Also posted on Chowhound.

"Fantastic experience. Grandparents with 17 year-old grandson, so a wide spectrum of ages and we were ALL delighted. Our tour guide was so gracious to our grandson (who can be difficult). We walked away with the feeling of money well spent."  5/30/09

"Rhette & I truly enjoyed our Melting Pot Food Tour last Friday, May 29, with you and other guests.  You were marvelous and has so many great stories and suggestions to share.  The tour was certainly a highlight and I loved seeing the Farmers Market through your eyes.  Great tasting and suggestions for food and new restaurants to try.  I purchased 2 bottles of the Balsamic Glaze and love it.  Back in Texas now and will certainly suggest your tour to my friends."  5/29/09

"Great way to discover L.A.!  I had a large group of family visiting me for a graduation and decided to try this tour to show people around LA. We had an awesome time! I had been to the farmer's market, but never knew the stories or which stands were the best to eat at. I would definitely go back to the restaurants on Third St as well. The tour guide was very insightful and fun. Great food, neat stories, what more could you ask for?!"  5/22/09

"A MUST-MUST-DO-TOUR.  Our group consisted of three moms and four 11 to 12 year-old-girls, and everyone had a fantastic time. Diane, the leader, is fun, engaging, energetic...and has organized an absolutely wonderful tasting tour--the food was fantastic at every stop, and a lot of stops there were....I strongly recommend this tour to everyone who's a foodie or wannabe foodie or who just loves to have fun and eat." 4/3/09

"Great Experience!  We had a wonderful time on this culinary tour! Lisa and Diane, our guides and the owners of the company were friendly and knowledgeable. It's a great way to begin your exploration of the Los Angeles culinary scene. By the way, we had so many tastings that we didn't eat again for 24 hours. We would highly recommend it." 1/21/09

"A delightful, yummy morning filled with local lore!  A small group allowed us to hear and have interaction with Diane and the vendors, who provided a variety of generous samples which were greatly appreciated and enjoyed. As a certified meeting professional (CMP) details such as parking validation, water bottle, bus token and a shopping bag were well thought out professional touches. Introduction to the market and Fairfax area through Melting Pot Tours was an eye opener as a future destination. I'll spread the word about your tour. It was a great time! I look forward to returning. I appreciate Lisa's follow-up telephone CALLS to resolve the purchase of the ticket." 1/17/09

"Great way to get to know the Farmers Market.  I treated myself to this walking tour as I was unfamiliar with that particular part of town. I am glad I did. A great way to get to know that area with wonderful,knowledgeable tour guides and plenty of sampling along the way and a chance to meet most of the store owners who provided us detailed information on their shops and their products. An unforgettable experience and one that I will do again with friends and family."  1/11/09

"The tour was very informative and we got to taste lots of different foods. Also, we learned about places that we previously didn't know about as well as some foods that we hadn't thought of trying. The tour guides were great! Really friendly and knew their stuff. We'd been to the Farmers Market many times before but this really introduced us to traders that we hadn't paid attention to, and we just didn't know about those wonderful places on Third Street. Thank you!"  1/10/09

"My 12 year old daughter and I were given tickets as a Christmas gift from her mother. We both enjoyed the morning immensely. The guide was so personable and informative. My daughter enjoyed her company as much as the adults on the tour. We both learned ao much and enjoyed the samplings. Our favorite was the Brazilian bar-b-que in the market."  1/6/09

"Melting Pot tour was outstanding.  Lisa and Diane - the two guides - have done an outstanding job setting up their business. At every stop they knew the proprietors and we were given food samples to taste. We - and everyone - really enjoyed the tour we did starting at Farmers Market and walking 3rd Street."  1/5/09

"Great Food Tasting Tour.  I bought two tickets for this tour for my friends birthday. We went on this tour the day after New Years and we both really enjoyed this tour. I would highly reccomend it to other people and families. The two tour guides were two of the nicest people and I had a great time getting to know them. The farmers market was a lot of fun to walk around in and I really got to know the history of the area which was very interesting. I have been to the farmers market before and didn't know much of what was around but now I know more about it. When I go back to that area I will now go back to the shops and purchase some of the yummy foods I sampled on the tour! It was a good time and I really enjoyed it and I hope that if you get a chance to go on this tour you enjoy it as well!"  1/5/09

"This is an excellent tour in L.A. Great history! The tour owners have a true passion of their tour group in educating the group about LA and its rich culinary history! Bravo Zulu!"  12/31/08

"Wonderful way to spend a morning in LA.  This was a really nice walking tour, learning the history of Farmers Market and the Fairfax district in a casual atmosphere. The food tasting was great as was the tour guide."  12/15/08

"I would do this tour again and again.  Simply delightful tour of some very tasty eateries. Our guide was very well spoken and insightful, regaling us of the history behind the establishments we stopped at for samplings. The owners of each were very friendly and came out to speak to us. Being a vegan on the tour was not a problem either...the chefs were very accommodating and I found the vegan/vegetarian samplings absolutely delicious! Diane, our guide, was one of the best hosts and guides I have ever had on a tour. My date was very impressed and the experience left us both in a very romantic mood afterwards. I recommend this to everyone!"  11/18/08

"Food with history makes it more enjoyable.  My wife and I just love to try new places. being the LA locals we are, we have been to the Farmer's Market before and do enjoy it. But being able to hear the history of the place made it that much more enjoyable. The tour was fun, and the other people on it were interesting. This tour is an awesome way to spend the morning, just be sure to wear comfy shoes."  11/12/08

"Perfect way to spend a day!  My sister took me on this tour for my birthday because I'm an amateur foodie, and though I've lived here for 10 years, I still love to discover new things about LA. It was the PERFECT gift! Of course I've been to the Fairfax Farmer's Market and The Grove a million times, but I'll never look at it the same way again. Now I know what that random gas pump is about, how long it takes to make the most delicious doughnut I've ever had, and why there's always a HUGE line at the Pampas Grill. We stopped at stall after stall, talking to the owners (some of which took over from their great-great grandparents), asking questions about their wares and EATING!! We tasted everything from olives to toffee to monkey bread! It’s like breakfast and lunch are included in the price. After the market, the three-and-a-half hour tour continued to 3rd Street as we walked towards the Beverly Center, learning about the history of the city, window-shopping at the unique stores, and eating even more! Highlights included a chat with the owner of The Cook's Library, meeting THE Joan of Joan's On Third while we noshed on her Chinese Chicken Salad, and spending a good two hours in LA without catching sight of a Starbucks. The whole day was so much fun, and so well organized. All of the shop owners were prepared with plenty of samples (even some to take home), and seemed genuinely glad to see us. As they should be! On the walk back (though there is a bus option) my sister and I returned to the bookstore to pick up a few volumes, and I'll certainly be back to Joan's to see what a $9.95 pre-wrapped tuna sandwich tastes like. Lisa, our tour guide and one of two proprietors, was a treat to spend time with. This tour is really the perfect option when you’ve got repeat guests in town who’ve already seen the sites, or just to get a fresh perspective and appreciation for the city you call home. According to their website they also do roaming dinners, and you’re sure to catch me on one of them soon!"  10/28/08

"Definitely take this tour.  The tour guides are sisters and amazingly sweet and authentic. The tour is very fun and extremely interesting. Take this tour. You'll love it!!!"  10/27/08

"A history lesson, an abundance of fresh food, a nice walk, and wonderful people.  Lisa and Diane have successfully designed an unpretentious culinary walking tour that is just as inviting for those visiting LA as it is for those of us who live here."  Female, age 32, Los Angeles

"Enthusiastically recommended.  Doughnuts, macaroons, soba...the city of Los Angeles is all its diverse splendor.  This is just what L.A. needed.  I can't wait for everything that you guys will do with this!" 
Male, age 19, Los Angeles

"The tour was so well organized that it seemed to run like clockwork.  The directions to Farmers Market and parking were very clear, and the handout listing all the places we'd stop was very helpful.  I loved the variety of food sampled, and the walking was easy and just about the right length.  Diane and Lisa are both the most enthusiastic tour leaders I've been with and made it a most enjoyable day.  Thanks to both of you."  Female, age 86, Palos Verdes Estates, CA

"I loved the tour from start to finish. Excellent choices of restaurants with a variety of foods from savory to sweet.  The tour was just the right length with a perfect number of stops.  Also I appreciated knowing in advance that we were getting coffee at the first stop, so I didn't have to make any that morning at home.  Thanks ladies for a well thought-out tour.  You are both great!"  Female, age 43, South Bay/L.A.

"I would definitely recommend the Farmers Market/3rd Street Food Tasting Tour.  I thought the pace was fine, and it introduced met to places I didn't even know existed such as Le Labo.  I thought that all the food was really good and certainly will return to Farmers Market to taste some of the goodies from the tour."  Female, age 33, Torrance, CA

"We enjoyed it very much.  As someone who has been going to the Farmers Market for 35+ years, it was great to see some sides we didn't know existed.  We are planning to tell many of our friends about this. After this trip, we know we will be going back to some of the new places you showed us." 
Male, age 38, Los Angeles

"My husband and I loved the tour.  All the food we sampled was really delicious, and there was plenty of it!  We definitely didn't go away hungry.  The fun facts we learned along the way was fun too.  Would highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves food and wants a fun LA experience." 
Female, Palos Verdes, CA

"I would recommend the tour, because I believe the MOST important component for success, in this type of business, is the people who run the business.  Diane and Lisa are both pleasant, enthusiastic and informed.  Thanks for an entertaining and informative day."  Female, Manhattan Beach, CA

"The Farmers Market tour was well worth the price -- even if they hadn't fed us, since the guides were very knowledgable and friendly. I've already recommended the tour to my friends and co-workers. I'm looking forward to attending other Melting Pot Tours events."  Male, age 50-59, southern California

"My group was entirely female, mostly in the thirty or forty something range. Apparently there are usually a few men, but they obviously cater to a particular demographic. The food was excellent and it was totally worth the money, and the historical information given about the farmers market was a nice supplement to the traditional tasting tour. Guide was incredibly nice and informative whenever possible." Female, age under 20, Los Angeles

"Our entire group thoroughly enjoyed the Farmers Market & 3rd street walking tour. All of the food samples were great and the tour guides were very informative. My favorite treats were the donuts and macaroons. During the summer months, I suggest that the tea shop serve iced tea. I will definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Los Angeles."  Female, age 30-39, visitor to L.A.

"The Farmer's Market and 3rd Street Food Tasting tour was the first of its kind that I have tried so I don't have data to compare. That said, here are a few pros and items that I found to be very positive--1) friendliness and interaction of tour guides, 2) size of group, 3) tour location, 4) variety of food tasting (ethnicity), 5) choice of restaurants (responsible, community-minded, small(er) businesses), and 6) price of tour. A few items to consider for future tours--1) choosing fewer stops (felt rushed at times), and 2) incorporate a few more stops where group can actually sit down to listen to history of business and taste the sample rather than standing on sidewalk (Joan's)or just inside doorway of establishment (Japanese place.) All in all my friends and I had a great time and hope to take other tours in the future."  Female, age 40-49, southern California