Culinary adventures often begin not just with food, but with stories — stories woven into the fabric of neighborhoods like Greenwich Village. Here, the blend of historic charm and cultural creates an ideal backdrop for exploring the diverse culinary scene. From mouth-watering ethnic dishes to family-run establishments, the Original Greenwich Village Food Tour introduces visitors to flavors that transcend time and geography.
Todd Lefkovic is the visionary behind this unique food tour. He shared his insights on how it all began, what keeps it alive, and why this neighborhood remains a beacon for food lovers. He takes us through his personal experiences, each filled with warmth, laughter, and unforgettable flavors.
Todd’s love affair with New York’s culinary offerings started in 1977, long before he officially launched the tour. He was 15 when he and his friends started sneaking into the city from his hometown of Cranford, New Jersey without their parents knowing it. “I always had the desire to come in because the local news that we watched was New York’s,” he says. “Getting to New York City opened my eyes to possibilities.”
They were initially drawn to what he calls Times Square’s “chaos and nonsense” when a chance encounter with a local woman (“boys, what are you doing here?) led them to McDougal Street and a treasure trove of ethnic eateries.
“The first thing I vividly remember is walking beneath the arch at Washington Square Park and being confronted with incredible sights and scents. It was unlike anything we had in New Jersey.”
He describes discovering Yadigan Kebab House, a Turkish eatery, where he found the daring flavors of doner kebab for the first time. The boys stared through the window, reluctant to go inside, until the owner invited them in and gave them samples. The owner said, “I want to take the fear out of your eyes.” Their subsequent trips to New York turned into weekends filled with tastings from various street vendors and small eateries.
Transitioning from curiosity to business
Over the years, Todd honed his taste buds and grew more curious about the stories behind these cuisines. By the late ’90s, friends began noticing his knack for guiding people to the best food spots. “One time I was at dinner with three couples, and my friend Paul said, ‘Hey, we have our own tour guide!’ That thought planted the seed,” Todd says. Two months later, he decided to act on it, fusing his personal experiences into a structured format—thus the Original Greenwich Village Food Tour was born.
Faced with uncertainty about marketing and organizing the tour, Todd knew he needed a way to spread the word. After investigating local publications like the New York Times and New York Magazine, he sent them a fax announcing his tour, hoping to attract interest. “It felt surreal,” he says, reflecting on those early days of anticipation.
One day he came home and the answering machine was blinking. “I listen, and I hear excited people. We want to take your food tour. Here’s our number. I had 60 messages and I had to work my way down the list and schedule dates.”
The Original Greenwich Village Food Tour
“The beauty of Greenwich Village lies in its eclectic mix of ethnicities and culinary styles,” Todd says. From Italian pasta to Chinese dumplings, the area showcases a spectrum of flavors that invite exploration. Visitors get a chance to sample familiar foods while discovering new favorites along the way.
Todd mentions that one of the tour’s standout elements is the opportunity to try different foods that resonate with the area’s history. Traditional spots share space with modern-day pop-ups, illustrating how tastes evolve yet maintain a connection to the past.
Beyond the food, Todd ensures guests are immersed in the stories and culture that shape the Village. “We don’t just showcase restaurants; we introduce guests to the rich history embedded in the architecture and street art surrounding us,” he says. The connections made during the tour span generations, painting a broader picture of how food intertwines with cultural identity.
Todd’s mission goes beyond traditional tourist spots; he highlights family-owned businesses with authentic stories. During the tours, guests are treated to flavorful samples from lesser-known eateries, expanding their culinary horizons. As Todd notes, “People love hearing the origin of a dish as much as tasting it.”
A profound respect for the local community influences how Todd and his guides approaches each tour. By interacting with restaurant owners and staff, they captures the essence of the establishment’s history and personality. “We’re lucky to collaborate closely with our partners. It’s not only about eating but understanding what makes each place unique.”
When Keira Crooms and I took the tour (before we asked Todd for an interview), we discovered that each stop was a canvas for tales from both past and present. While enjoyed the biggest meatball I’ve ever seen at an Italian joint and learned about family recipes handed down through generations. We sampled some of the best fish tacos at the little Mexican restaurant on the corner, and we had a chocolate chip cookie bigger than my hand.
During the three-hour tour, we visited locations with character and felt a warm welcome at every stop. And I’m willing to bet the layers of storytelling on this tour would surprise even seasoned travelers. Those tasty treats quickly became fond memories.
New Tours on the Menu
Since starting the beloved Original Greenwich Village Food Tour, Todd has developed new food and culture walking tours to help people explore other neighborhoods like Little Italy and Chinatown. He also offers a tour of Chelsea Market. In hindsight, I wish Keira and I had signed up for that one too. We enjoyed exploring Chelsea Market on our own, but we’d have gotten to sample many more flavors if we’d booked a tour with Todd.
The tours are insanely affordable for three hours of amazing entertainment (right now tickets are just $79). Whatever tour you choose, go with an open-minded and be curious. Embrace the unexpected — whether it’s trying new dishes or engaging in discussions with locals. “Let the food lead you,” Todd says, encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones and savor every bite.
Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or visiting for the first time, you owe it to yourself to book a food tour with Todd and his experienced guides and go explore the city!
Listen to my interview with Todd on the Postcards from the Kitchen Podcast!
