Harvard Square gets a French fry food tour

Off The Beaten Path Food Tours has launched a 90-minute Harvard Square walking tour built around French fries and pairings after guests asked to book it before it officially existed. The new experience is designed for tourists and Greater Boston residents and runs Thursdays and Sundays.

Why it matters: - Harvard Square now has a niche food experience that turns a familiar snack into a neighborhood-specific attraction. - The new tour gives Off The Beaten Path Food Tours another local product aimed at visitors who want something more place-based than generic sightseeing. - The concept also shows how small operators can test demand informally before investing in a new experience.

What happened: - Off The Beaten Path Food Tours and Experiences launched the Harvard Square French Fry & Pairings Food Tour. - The guided walking tour lasts 90 minutes. - The tour centers on French fries, drinks and food pairings, plus local stories and neighborhood history. - The idea came from tour guide Larom, a Harvard University alum, who noticed Harvard Square had an unexpected strength in French fries. - Guests started asking how to book the tour after Larom mentioned the concept on other tours. - Lizzie Bell, owner of Off The Beaten Path Food Tours, said the interest convinced the company to create the experience.

The details: - The tour includes tastings at local restaurants in Harvard Square. - Planned samples include sweet potato fries with raspberry lime rickeys at Bartleys Burger Cottage. - Planned samples also include greek fries with peach lemonade at Saloniki. - Other stops include bbq fries with mocktails at Smoke Shop. - The tour may also include crazy fries and freak frappes at Boston Burger Company. - The company says the experience is fun for all ages and includes surprises. - Off The Beaten Path also offers a food, donut and chocolate tour. - Bell said food gives people a fun way to experience Harvard Square, which is known worldwide for the university and for the city’s energy. - The company specializes in culinary walking tours that combine restaurants, history and local stories. - The tours are led by local guides, many of whom work day jobs. - Off The Beaten Path operates tours in Cambridge, Somerville and other parts of Greater Boston, including Quincy. - The company focuses on locally owned businesses and places visitors might miss on a standard sightseeing route. - The new tour runs Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Between the lines: - The tour’s origin suggests strong demand for hyper-specific experiences that feel native to a place. - Larom’s informal pitch effectively served as a live test market before the company formally built the tour. - The Harvard Square theme gives the tour a built-in identity that is easy to market to both tourists and locals. - The food-focused format also helps a small operator stand out against larger travel and entertainment options.

What's next: - Off The Beaten Path is now selling the French Fry & Pairings Food Tour as part of its regular lineup. - The company is positioning the tour for visitors to Cambridge and Greater Boston residents looking for a different group outing. - Interest from guests who asked to book before launch could help determine how quickly the experience expands or evolves. - The company’s social channels and contact line were included for reservations and updates.