Eat the Neighborhood: Chicagoland Foraging Tours

As seen on The Discovery Channel, about 60 miles south of Chicago in the unique sand prairies of the Kankakee River basin lies The Land of Odd, Dave Odd’s homestead where over 2000 animal, plant, and fungi species abound on the property and surrounding area. This includes over 200 species of edible/medicinal plants/mushrooms, 24+ species of reptiles and amphibians, over 120 species of birds, over 25 species of mammals (including otters, beavers, badgers, mink, and even bobcats!), 800+ species of insects, and at least 86 threatened and endangered species. Join Dave for an all encompassing wildlife flora & fauna safari where you are guaranteed to learn about at least 30 species of edible/medicinal plants/mushrooms, and meet snakes and amphibians up close and personal, see cool birds, and more. You are guaranteed to see several “lifers” (species you’ve never seen before) and learn about some amazing species you didn’t even know existed this close to Chicago. There’s some cool gangland history, a local Nature Conservancy bison herd to see, a creepy old cemetery, and much more to see and explore.

Then join Dave for a nighttime campfire dinner.
You can come down for just the day on Saturday or Sunday or camp out overnight to attend both days. Campsites on site and a separate full bathroom for campers to use. We even have tents and air mattresses you can borrow if you don’t have your own. Lunch will be provided but feel free to pack a lunch or bring some snacks (there is a fridge you can use).

Forage & Feast Mushroom focused survival camp at The Land of Odd in Iroquois County IL. As seen on The Discovery Channel

An out of the frying pan and into the fire experience. Everything we eat for the entire weekend will have either been foraged, grown, hunted, or caught in the local area. We will work together as a team to harvest, prepare, and cook a meal made of plants and mushrooms we foraged paired with locally sourced proteins from farmers and hunters. Summer mushrooms should still be popping, precipitation willing, chanterelles, chicken of the woods, oysters, boletes, and more!

In addition to foraging and campfire camaraderie other activities may include fishing, nighttime headlamp frog walk, haunted site exploration, a bonfire, finding and identifying local fauna (reptiles, insects, and more), viewing the local bison herd, exploring ruins, maybe a trip to a nearby waterfall, and more. A weekend of experiences to last a lifetime

Pick your own campsite, full bathrooms and showers on site. Come down for the entire weekend or just for a day. Tents and air mattresses available if you don't have your own. Arrive Friday night or Saturday morning, you can leave whenever you'd like and even stay through Monday morning

200 per person, 375 per couple. $125 for just a day trip. Group rates for 4 or more. Limited spots available
For information or questions call or text Dave @ 847-409-862

We can also set up a personalized event for your group any other time

Family and group rates available

Forage with Chicago's renowned professional forager Dave Odd. Learn over 50 species of edible plants and possibly mushrooms too right in the neighborhood! Followed by a wonderful 3-4 course plated meal made from the foraged things seen on the tour marvelously prepared at Khepri. Meet right in front of Khepri Kitchen, 106 S Emerson St, Mt Prospect, IL 60056

40 per person for the tour.***
***+45 per person for the meal.

Carnivore has closed their Pleasant Street location and moved into Carnival Grocery at 842 S Oak Park Ave which is where the tour starts now.

Join Dave Odd, full time professional forager to the stars, on a 2 hour journey through the neighborhood to discover over 50 species of edible and medicinal wild plants and mushrooms that grow right in our own backyards. Followed by an always amazing picnic basket lunch made from some of the foraged ingredients seen on the tour, including ramps of course, expertly prepared by high end professional chefs (and owners of Carnivore) Brad Knaub & Erik Williams and their talented staff.

Meet right in front of Carnival Grocery, 842 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park IL.

40 per person for the tour. 25 for the meal.