Factory Tours Full of Tasty Treats

By: Kim Moldofsky - Hormone-Colored Days

For those with a sweet tooth in the Chicago area, there are few better ways to enjoy some free treats than on a factory tour. Chicago is home to many local vendors of all things sweet and delectable, and a visit can be fun for the entire family.

Eli’s Cheesecake World — I’ve been on the factory tour at Eli’s Cheesecake World on Chicago’s northwest side so many times, I might as well be a tour guide. You’ll learn about the company’s history, get a peek at the packaging and production facilities, and yes, sample some of their fantastic cheesecake. While you’re waiting for your tour to get started, you can order an artisan sandwich or salad if you’re looking for something healthy. But what’s the point? The display case is full of delectable pastries and, of course, cheesecake that’s crying for your attention. I find that the best mantra to live by is: life is uncertain, eat dessert first. That said, if you take a tour, you’ll get to sample at least one kind of cheesecake at the end, and possibly even win goodies to take home with you. Tour participants must be at least five years old. Some tours are open, some required reservations, be sure to look into this before you go. Eli’s Cheesecake World hosts festivals and farmer’s markets, so check to see what’s going on before you head over.

Long Grove Confectionary — This temple to all things sugary hosts one of Chicago’s sweetest tours at their manufacturing facility in Wheeling. You don’t need a golden ticket to get into this candy company, just a few dollars for admission. The tour begins with a brief video and a chance to touch a real cacao pod. Your group is then led past a series of windows where you can look in on the manufacturing process. There are giant pots where the chocolate is melted and combined with sugar, milk and other additives before being left on trays to cool. As the tour continues you’ll be able to observe the delectable desserts being decorated with all sorts of candy treats. You almost expect an oompa-loompa to appear on the factory floor. At the end of the tour everyone gets a little sample before being let loose into the outlet shop; discount chocolate galore. Everything we’ve ever purchased in the shop has tasted fantastic.

Oberweis Dairy — The dairy that delivers milk in glass bottles right to your door, Oberweis also makes great ice cream. You need ten people who are at least 8 years old to form a tour group at their factory. The tour includes an overview of the life of an Oberweis dairy cow as well as that of a milkman, and offers a glimpse of the action behind the scenes at the milk processing plant. Just like the tours above, the tour at Oberweis ends with a treat: a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream.

Photo credit: flickr cc ZingyYellow