Chicago's Best Family-Friendly Dining 2008

A comfortable, family-friendly setting with Chicago-style dogs and juicy Italian beef.

Reviews:

• “Best food of my life!!!”
• “The best fast food in the country. Best Italian beef in Illinois”
• “Better Than Wiener’s Circle”
• “Portillo’s They are everywhere.”
• “portillos”

Tips: Craving something a little more healthy? Barnelli’s Pasta Bowl shares the same space and offers salads, wraps and more.

Portillo’s Hot Dogs

Heavy, garlic-infused pastas and meat dishes keep generations coming back to this family-owned cucina.

Reviews:

• “Great food, atmosphere, just like being at home!”
• “Excellent Food & Service”
• “EXCELLENT!!”
• “Put out a hiring ad and then then started spamming all the respondants”
• “Great Italian Cuisine at Resonable Prices”

Tips: Planning a party? The restaurant can arrange a “Big Night” dinner, recreating the 10-course feast from the movie for $65 per person. A minimum of 15 guests is required.

RoSal’s Italian Kitchen or email RoSal’s Italian Kitchen

Sassy, singing-and-dancing waiters serve up burgers, shakes and fries to an oldies soundtrack.

Reviews:

• “Fun for a group”
• “where is your sence of humor?”
• “Worst restaurant I have ever been to”
• “Great experience all around!!”
• “Worn out schtick and cruddy food.”

Tips: It’s first-come, first-served—no reservations—and school groups often fill the place. To avoid long waits, go on a weekday afternoon or evening.

Ed Debevic’s

Sausage lovers line out the door at this quirky, Crayola-colored hot dog spot.

Reviews:

• “FANTASTIC!”
• “And the Winner is……”
• “Average experience……..”
• “Should be called Arrogant Dougs.”
• “Walk Out Happy "

Tips: Doug doesn’t take credit cards, so bring cash.

Hot Doug’s Inc. or email Hot Doug’s Inc.

Supper-club flair and comfort food prevail at this Wisconsin-inspired lodge.

Reviews:

• “Hmmm… "
• “Great Experience”
• “Can’t review a restaurant if I can’t get in…”
• “Best Chopped Salad in Town”
• “The best restaurant in the Chicago area”

Tips: In addition to the regular menu, there are lunch and supper club options, which are served family-style.

L. Woods Pine Tap & Lodge or email L. Woods Pine Tap & Lodge

Save your cravings for this bustling restaurant, a step above other Greektown eateries.

Reviews:

• “SOME OF THE BEST GREEK FOOD I have ever tasted1 "
• “Great casual for friends and family”
• “Big Fat Greek….”
• “regarding your post attention”
• “Best Greek Restaurant …Ever!!!”

Tips: The restaurant offers complimentary valet parking.

Greek Islands Restaurant or email Greek Islands Restaurant

Vegetarians and budget-conscious NU students nosh on noodles and more at this Pan-Asian favorite.

Reviews:

• “Wadded plastic wrap in soup, uninspiring food”
• “A former favorite”
• “great food, good time”
• “Not Authentic, But Try The All-You-Can Eat "
• “Best pizza anywhere, Avoid on Friday nights, Great customer service”

Tips: Get to LuLu’s on Monday or Tuesday, 5:30pm-9pm, or Saturday or Sunday, 11:30am-3:30pm, for an all-you-can-eat feast—anything on the menu for $14.50 ($5.95 for kids).

Lulu’s Dim Sum & Then Sum or email Lulu’s Dim Sum & Then Sum

Design your own meal at this popular, casual Pan-Asian restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Great place for a fun, casual meal”
• “Pretty good (but order chicken well done!)”
• “Fun, place with really good Chinese food!”
• “Icky Utensils”
• “Fun, Funky Asian Cuisine”

Tips: Worried about feeding the young ones? The special kids’ menu features chicken pot stickers, a stir-fry bar, egg noodles with peanut sauce and more; finicky palates can opt for mac and cheese or grilled chicken sticks.

Big Bowl or email Big Bowl

Amiable corner restaurant in Ravenswood Gardens serves up reasonably priced American classics.

Reviews:

• “Love this place!”
• “Great find”
• “neighborhood gem”

Tips: A kids’ menu features corn dogs, cheeseburgers, grilled cheese and chicken tenders, all served with fries and a fountain drink, milk or juice.

Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill or email Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill

Graffiti-covered walls and to-die-for deep dish draw crowds of families and tourists to this classic pizzeria.

Reviews:

• “Some of the best pizza I have eaten”
• “Must visit location when in Chicago!”
• “Absolutely HORRIBLE!”
• “Amazing pizza. Unique crust and generous toppings.”
• “Great Chicago Pizza!!!”

Tips: Daily from 11am to 3pm, get a miniature pizza, soup or salad and a drink for $5.99.

Gino’s East

An accomplished comfort-food menu makes this Hotel Monaco eatery worth checking into.

Reviews:

• “Great location, not so great food or service”
• ""watered down" on flavor and service"
• “Good food, but restaurant is too smoky”
• “So charming!”
• “Well Kept Secret!!!!!!!”

Tips: Every night features a different daily wine, beer, and pint special

South Water Kitchen or email South Water Kitchen

Backyard-barbecue flavor and an upscale, comfortable atmosphere draw business diners and families to this meat-lover’s haven.

Reviews:

• “great place for burnt filet”
• “Crowded as hell”
• “Worst service of my entire life.”
• “Weak even for corporate food”
• “Two thumbs up!”

Tips: Curious about that fire-roasted corn dressing, or the Beer Can Chicken? Your server will share the recipe from any dish.

Weber Grill Restaurant

Irish-inflected dining meets upscale pub atmosphere at this lively Southport spot.

Reviews:

• “My Goodness My Guinness!”
• “Good Happy Hour”
• “Just Like Miami…”
• “Sundays”

Tips: Specials include half-price appetizers and $3 microbrews on Mondays, and $6.95 fish-and-chips along with a $6 deal for Guinness and six oysters on Thursdays.

Mystic Celt

Haute cuisine meets soul food at this colorful restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Fun fun fun”
• “Wild about Wishbone!”
• “Wishbone has gone downhill????”
• “great value”
• “Unique Menu”

Wishbone or email Wishbone

An endless bounty of meats and sides get a Brazilian twist at this families’ restaurant in Edgebrook.

Tips: Street parking is not a problem on this quiet stretch of Devon.

Al Primo Canto or email Al Primo Canto

Whimsical ’70s memorabilia and clever dishes are served at this Roscoe Village eatery.

Reviews:

• “Retro Brunch Revival”
• “Delicious Dinners, Too!”
• “Kitsch’n Brunch Rocks!”
• “Best of? are you CRAZY??”
• “Try again”

Tips: Early arrivals should note that Chicago law dictates no alcohol served before 11am on Sundays. So if you want to try the signature chipotle bloody mary, you might want to sleep in.

Kitsch’n On Roscoe

Convivial breakfast heaven packs ’em in for legendary apple pancakes and egg creations.

Reviews:

• “I just don’t get it…”
• “Favorite old fashioned breakfast food”
• “Best breakfast — if you can get in”
• “a (good) experience”
• “Incredible food – best pancake house anywhere”

Tips: On weekend mornings after 8:30am, the line can snake out the door, so get there early or plan to wait.

Walker Bros Original Pancake House

South Loop Jewish diner and deli bustles with a diverse crowd for its affordable comfort food and generous desserts.

Reviews:

• “WORST RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE EVER ! ! !”
• “City diner gone wrong”
• “Groups Beware!”
• “Great Management (NOT!)”
• “Not a good Deli ! Or, “How low, Deli” comes to mind"

Tips: An all-day breakfast menu and generous Saturday and Sunday hours that extend into the early morning make this the perfect last stop of weekend bar crawl.

Eleven City Diner

All hail the egg at this sleek South Loop breakfast spot.

Reviews:

• “worst breakfast ever”
• “Wow. Stellar breakfast!!!”
• “If You Feel Like Eating at a Train Station…”
• “The food was good but the service sucked!!!”
• “Man this place is packed! And for a good reason”

Tips: Park in the pay lot next door for only $5 with a validated ticket from the restaurant.

Yolk or email Yolk

Mellow, yellow neighborhood place that packs in Lincoln Parkers for comfort food.

Reviews:

• “WAY OVERPRICED!”
• “Wished it was good…”
• “Great dining experience”
• “John’s going downhill”
• “Clean and Good Service !”

Tips: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, all bottles of wine are half-price. Wednesday is Mexican fiesta night, with $3 margaritas, $2 bottles of Corona, and regional Mexican specialties on the menu.

John’s Place

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