The Choo Choo
| Address: | 600 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA |
| Phone: | +1 847-391-9815 |
| Site: | thechoochoo.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 10:30AM–3PM Closed 10:30AM–3PM 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–3PM 10:30AM–3PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 20
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Carol Moynihan
Fun for the little ones and those who are "young at heart"! Not sure what the problem was with the previous reviewer, but The Choo Choo is what the Choo Choo is. Its hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled cheese, french fries, and the best malts and shakes with tons of delicious whipped cream! YUM! It was super busy and we had to wait outside for a bit. The place is small, but thats what makes it special. If youre lucky to get a booth or seats by the track...FANTASTIC! If not, the other booths are not that far away and the little ones can still see the train. Music is playing, the train goes around the tracks often to deliver the food, the whistle blows...etc. The place was super clean....much better than years ago when I took my daughter there. Now its round two with the granddaughter. Some traditions never fade. Go with a good attitude and youll have a blast! I wasnt fond of the onion rings, but other than that...fun time!
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Jackson Longfellow
Im laughing at the ignorance of those that talk about the size of the parking, food and cost. Its a retro, throwback restaurant! You can tell which of you are northshore, which are whinners and those just dumb. Instead of complaining about paved parking, an expensive burger, greasy fries or having to ...OH NO...Wait...IDEA...Go buy yourself a $5 cup of coffee and take your kid some place else. Ive been bringing my 4 kids there since the 90s...and think its awesome. It teaches kids to wait their turn (remember that?) and gives them a great old fashion experience you dont get anywhere else. Foods great and the shakes even better. Nothing like a birthday at ChooChoo...My kids have had a dozen of them. Such friendly nice folks, too. Just like the old days before the silver spooned, social media trolls hit the scene. 5 stars all the way to the station!
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Erica Ramos
This place is over-rated!!! Love the concept of an oldies place with nostalgia but this place needs work... for starters: a paved parking lot, expanding to accommodate more customers, tables & chairs appear to be originals but in poor shape. Their entire menu is over priced. The burger was o.k. The Oreo shake was good. The service could be better. Our server was kind and sweet but we did not appreciate the female owners unpleasant facial expressions and attitude. I went there to celebrate my twins birthday but will definitely not be back. 1st and last visit for us. I rather visit Paradise Pub in Des Plaines any day-- worth every penny!!
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Katelyn Stancato
The Choo Choo is an amazing place to go to and bring little kids and people of all ages. The food gets delivered on the train and its home-made. Waitresses are so nice! And the food comes out fast unless its very busy and thats understandable. Its a great environment to go to and eat in! The manager/owner is so sweet and its overall a good place to eat and enjoy and watch the kids have fun. Over all good place to have lunch or dinner.
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Tom Kupec
Took my 3 yr old granddaughter there. Waited forever for food that never came and when I tried to talk to the manager said she was to busy to talk to me. Will never go there again. When a manager cant take the time to correct a problem they caused that person is either stupid or does not care. Even the waitress had no clue what was going on. Google....fix that you cannot rate no stars because they do not even deserve 1 star.
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bsweetcookies
This is one of our special feel-good restaurants. The burgers are fresh and delicious as well as the sandwiches and desserts. The owners are very kind and patient. We enjoy the wait - watching all the kids having their special moment with the train delivering their food. They pipe happy birthday over the speaker and deliver birthday cupcakes on the train which is always cute. There is no other place like it.
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Jack Van Orden
A really fun place to take the young ones and the young at heart! Its a throwback restaurant that is themed to trains (obviously) and they do a really good job with it. They make excellent hand-dipped milkshakes and the burgers are really yummy. If youre looking for a fun experience for the afternoon, definitely worth a visit!
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Blake Hineman
If this place isnt nostalgic for you or sentimental in someway maybe avoid it. This place has been a family tradition since my grandparents moved to Des Plaines. Prices get higher but the owner wants to keep the restraunt and the location and for the atmosphere and enjoyment of going I dont mind the cost. Staff is awesome!
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Erin Stawicki
VERY small and really loud. Cute place with a friendly staff and decent prices. Kids loved the train service. Food was good. Cash only which always puts us on the spot, especially in this day and age. ATM is on site, for nominal fee of course. Would go back if in the area.
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Caroline Forrest
A tiny restaurant serving good food- its real old-fashioned soda shop fare, hot dogs and hamburgers and malts. The food is served via a little toy train that does a circuit around the bar, which is frankly adorable. Altogether a fun, unique place to get lunch.
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Rob K
Love this place. Have been taking my kids here since they were little. Old fashioned burgers and shakes. The staff is always extremely nice. The kids get excited when the train brings them food. It can get very crowded on the weekends, so weekdays are ideal.
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Katherine A. Turner
I have been going here since I was a young child and now Im bringing my daughter. Thanks for keeping the Choo Choo going. What a wonderful place with great diner food run and owned by a very nice lady. Thank you for yet another wonderful visit.
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Joe Kraemer
Super fun restaurant! I used to go here all the time when I was a kid. Its some classic American food, but if you sit at the bar or in one of the booths next to it, they bring your food by train!! Good prices as well!
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Ted Mall
If you have kids, go there. Food delivered to your station by toy railroad and other fun things for the young and young at heart. The staff is very friendly and helpful. However, no credit cards.
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Scott Bialas
So I went with my 2 boys on a Sunday morning. The staff was very friendly, food was surprisingly good. My only issue is the restaurant was small and not alot of room. They also only take cash.
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Nick Norman
Best place for your kids who love a burger, fries and a shake with their Choo-Choo! Celebrated my daughters 3rd birthday there and she loved every minute of it. Adults: the food is delicious!
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Alec Mesa
We never even got to eat here. Walked in and all of the seats were taken, and we didnt feel like waiting so we just went to Sugar Bowl down the street. I wish this place was bigger...
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Daniel Paredes
So schway! Food is good. Best thing was the choo choo train delivering the food. More as a family restaurant but I still enjoyed it by myself. I good stop to make.
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Christopher Oliphant
Fun place to take kids for lunch (its only open from 10:30-3 daily). The menu is a little limited, but you are really going here for the kids to see the trains...
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Lisa Cuffe
So much fun to watch our food get delivered to out table via toy train. Food was also delicious. My kids were obsessed with the train. It was a special experience!
