I had the great opportunity to come out to Choo Choo Restaurant this past weekend with my two young nephews - I was in town from Scottsdale and my Dad visited when he was a little boy in the 1960's. It did not disappoint. It felt very nostalgic and the staff were very patient with two very little, hyper boys. Food was excellent (the grilled cheese, soda, fries!) and we did not feel rushed. Memories were made! read more

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06/25/26 - Dudes & Dudettes Choo Choo Restaurant been around since 1951. I grew up not too far away from here & have been by it hundreds of times but this is the first time I have stopped in. This is a stones throw from the Des Plaines theater where me and my siblings use to catch a movie for $0.60 cents back in da day. The restaurant is kind of geared more for kids & families but I had to check it out just to say I've been here. As expected the restaurant is decorated in a Choo Choo train motif w/pictures & memorabilia of trains. There were a few adults when I got there but there was also a birthday party for 4 or 5 small girls. Ma & Pa were there & I assume maybe the mothers of one or 2 of the girls There is a small train w/baskets on it that runs from the kitchen around the counter a/small red plastic baskets carrying the food from the kitchen to where people are sitting. The train doesn't stop & runs continuously so the server has to be on the ball & pluck the food off of the baskets where the people are sitting. Other than the novelty of the train delivery the food I ordered was rather bland. They had a rather limited menu. Burgers, chicken or egg salad, garden salad & BLT sandwich. This is what I ordered. I asked for an egg on the sandwich & the server said we don't have egg? What is a BLT wo/an egg. The sandwich had some thick sliced bacon w/tomato & lettuce. It came w/a small mayonnaise pack that I had to squeeze onto the sandwich. This also came w/fries. I hate to say it but the BLT was bland & tasteless. Still I finally got a chance to come here. Will I be back? Meh probably not read more

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Here is another good example of a restaurant somewhat frozen in time capturing the allure of trains and railways. Still outfitted with dime and gum ball machines, is still cranking out the traditional diner classics of burgers, dogs, and shakes. Meals being delivered by train zip out of the kitchen at break neck speeds right to your table or chair. Fun meal and good kid atmosphere if you're looking for something different. read more

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I'm kicking myself in the butt for thinking this was just a kids restaurant. I've been driving past it for 46 years. Recently saw that the Sandwich King, Jeff Mauro, stopped in to review their double cheeseburger. I was shocked to see that they've been making the new trendy smashburger since 1951. It's made with New Zealand grass fed beef and is up there with the best smashburgers I've had. Very unique firm yet smoochy bun. He gave it a 5.9 out of six, he uses the six point star which is the Chicago star. My server was extremely helpful and polite. They had the little toy choo-choo train on a continuous loop. Then all of a sudden it pulled up and stopped in front of me and it contained my meal. Opted for their fantastic onion rings that cost a dollar more. It was totally worth it. The double is a big burger! Next visit I'll just get a single, cause I wanna try their handmade malt. They've only got about four booths, but there's plenty of counter space if you come in with a large group. I'm assuming they get really crowded with families on the weekends. It wasn't too crowded when I visited on a Wednesday for an early dinner. They keep everything spotless. Be aware if you need Ada bathroom as this one is certainly the tiniest bathroom I've ever been into. If you hear them blow the authentic trai horn, get ready as the train is starting. They have a couple of those old fashioned mechanical kids rides too. read more

Choo Choo Restaurant - Monster score from the Sandwich King. I concur! - Burgers Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Another joint I've driven past for years, and never stopped-It's usually 'cos when I'm driving past, I'm in a hurry to get home for one reason or another. The other night Wife and I were peckish and in the mood for burger, and the Choo-Choo here was right in front of us! Easy Parking and all, and the booths looked open. This is a historic place, been there for 73 years! And it looks like it-not a pejorative statement at all. It's been very well preserved. Railroads are the theme, here~everywhere you look. Including the working model train circling the counter that actually delivers your food to where you are. Kitschy, unique and most of all...FUN! About the food, Burgers are the focus. Great Smashed never-frozen Beef. Whoever is in the kitchen has the knack to get that crunchy corona around the edge-a hallmark of a perfect smasher, while keeping the rest of the patty nice and juicy. Now I know how this place has survived 73 years. You can get a single or double. They come with lettuce and tomato and pickle on request. Also crinkle-cut fries. You have to ask for onions, which they provide on the side in a small cup. If you want mayo, they'll provide small packets for you to apply on your own. There is a hot dog on the menu, a nice jumbo, but it's nothing special-stick with the burgers. Hand-dipped Ice Cream is also featured with Shakes as well. We saw the counter gals prepping the shake station and they look serious about it. If you have kids, there are a few little antique-but-still-working "Rides". I believe you have to ask for tokens from the counter to use them. Don't be shocked by the bill. This ain't exactly a bargain feed. But you certainly get what you pay for. It's an honest trip back to another time, kinda like Powers Hamburgers in Fort Wayne. And every once in a while the counter staff pulls a rope and a train whistle sounds! An altogether treat-Truly worth 5 stars... read more

Choo Choo Restaurant - Burger - Burgers Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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We were all excited to try this place. Got there when it opened but they don't seat you until your party is all there. By the time our friends arrived, it was very busy. Extremely limited seating. Was also very noisy. We ended up leaving and went to another restaurant and we were delighted. Train is cute but we will not go back. They really need to try to get a little bit more seating in there, plus if they sat us down before our friends came, it would have been fine. It was worth going to see once but that is all. read more

First, the hostess was not very welcoming and was pretty annoyed and in a bad mood. It took them 30 minutes to get us our food because they forgot about our order even when it was not busy. The atmosphere is pretty good and the train part is pretty cool. Overall don't really suggest this place. read more

Let me say right off the bat...while it might sound like a fun idea to come here with a toddler, you need to be aware that the only way they keep track of who gets seated next is a queue along the front. They'll do their best to remember who's next...and by that I mean do anything besides like, write names down or something. I was there with my toddler by myself, and had just arrived after the first round of guests were seated so we were at the front of the line. Of course, with a little train ride in the back, my kid ran to it, and I was torn between losing my place in line or having my toddler wreak havoc. We came on a Friday to try and avoid a long line, and it mostly worked. Like I said we got there after the place filled up initially, but by the time we were done there was no line at all. As soon as we queued up I was given a menu and as soon as I was seated they took our order, so definitely use that time waiting in line to figure out what you want. All the seats are easily within view of the train that goes round and round. My kid had fun "attacking" the train with their dinosaur toy each time it went by. The food didn't take too long, and we both got cheeseburgers. Well, they got the kids one which was actually perfectly sized for a toddler, and it came with fries which they mostly finished. I got a double cheeseburger, and even though they were smash burgers it was still a pretty large burger. It was very picturesque, though could have done with a bit more seasoning. Overall though I was impressed at the food when they could have easily phoned it in for being a "gimmick" restaurant. Other than navigating the line, the service was prompt and the owner (?) checked in on us once things calmed down. He even gave the kids quarters to use on the couple of rides they have inside. I think we'd come back, just need to make sure it's either during an off time or if I had backup to corral my monster. read more

Good smash burger and quick service. Fun for kids with the food being delivered by train. Save some quarters for the vending machines and rides for your younger kiddos. Would recommend for 8 or younger. read more

Wolds best burger place the service is nice and the place is cool and they have trans are so cool

I am approaching 74 years old and lived in the Orchard Place community since 1955. I remember Sears the Hut and Sims Bowl I still enjoy having my cheeseburger and French fries delivered by the train read more

awful experience. don't tell you until after you order there's a $10 split charge or $10 for a seat. make that clear. it's stealing not to. would not recommend the food or slow service. they seat people out of order. it's not as cool of a restaurant for kids as too toots in downers Grove. make the trip there instead! read more

Will never go back here. Not sure who they think they are but they treated us terribly, and served us Dino nuggets and fries, probably from the local Aldi. Next time will go somewhere where they treat people kindly, like Chick-fil-a. Also the place looks tacky and the treason underwhelming. read more

Been coming here since I was a kid and I'm now bringing my grandkids here. #iraeats #iraests1 read more

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A friend and I decided to go here on a whim- just us, no kids. It's a cute little place. Obviously the train is the main attraction. The food was just okay and a bit overpriced in my opinion n. Service was average. It's a one time experience for me. read more

Great business idea, having electric trains to deliver the food. Great novelty and the kids are always excited. Great idea, definitely read more

Brought Grand Niece and Nephew for lunch yesterday. One hour wait but the kids didn't want to go anywhere else. They were well behaved. All the other kids waiting were great too. Food was good. Cheeseburgers for adults, Chicken Nuggets, and Grilled Cheese. Family has been coming here since the 1950's. Keep it up Choo Choo. read more

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I used to come here with my Grandfather. I heard it was bought and had new owners so I was nervous to take my son and have anything but a great experience to build off of my memories here. They knocked it out of the park! We walked right in on a Tuesday afternoon and were seated immediately. My son has the kids cheeseburger and I've never seen a toddler finish every bite of their meal until we came here! I wasn't too hungry so I ordered the chili. It was great. Awesome service, amazing ambiance, memorable, and soo affordable! 10/10 will bring my son here again! read more

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Can't say enough about this gem of a place. It took me over 50 years to finally make it to the Choo Choo. What a great burger! The owner and I had a nice chat and I felt right at home with all the trains delivering the food immediately from the kitchen in seconds. The kids loved the atmosphere and the few old time rides penny rides now a quarter. lol. Not bad these days. I'm a hero with the family for hitting the Choo Choo! read more

Choo Choo is a local landmark. It's a kid-friendly diner that's been around since 1951. We came on a Saturday around 1:30pm after the lunch rush and got a table with no wait. The food is fine. I liked how thin and crisp the beef patties were, but the fries could've been more well done. The service was friendly. Bottom line, you come here and pay for the novelty and delightful experience for the littles. Our 4.5 and 2.5yo had the best time! read more

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Had a fantastic time with my two little ones. My son is an avid train lover and he was in awe of the train and the big whistle. Food was quick, hot, and delicious! It's a busy place so expect a possible wait, but it's definitely worth it! read more

If you like a old fashioned diner and trains Choi-Choi is afun place to enjoy a great burger and malt. This place has a working train that delivers the food to you. This place can be quite busy and has limited seating so you are encouraged to eat and enjoy and give others the opportunity to enjoy the food experience. Brought my granddaughter in there last week she enjoyed it read more

Food is surprisingly good in this charming diner where the main attraction is the toy train which brings the food from the kitchen. The hamburger is made smash burger style with thin crispy edges while the bun is super soft. It is not a place for conversation with pretty loud background music and tooting train horns. read more

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Such a fun place for little kids! We came in for dinner with grandparents and babies. Place is small but both times we have gone, we had enough space to even just be there. Given we didn't plan to be there too long with three babies. Place is baby friendly with high chairs and boosters. They have a horse and bus to ride for the kids. My toddler nephew loves it! They also love watching the train come by with the food. Food is diner food and very good. I had the cheeseburger. The buns were so soft. Patties were well cooked. And the fries were fresh. Suggest this for families with kids and babies! read more

If you wanna see disappointment in your family's eyes look no further. Food is not good, very expensive, it's not worth it if you're coming from Chicago. There is only one train going through the whole place. The only good thing was the milkshake. I would give the BLT a one star, I would give the onion rings a 2. Stay at home save some money and make yourself one read more

I brought my 2 kids in for a quick meal, I wasn't hungry. They said they have a minimum of $10 per person. Fine my 2 kids ordered $30 worth of food. Apparently that was not good enough, worst of all we got our food and I look at a pice of my oldest chicken and guess what,ITS RAW.I hope this doesn't ever happen to anyone else but that was the last time. read more

Choo Choo Restaurant - Raw Breast Of Chicken - Burgers Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Yippee, Choo Choo has re-opened after a 2 year hiatus!  A big thank you to Dale Eisenberg, the current owner (and ex-husband of the former long-time lady owner who passed away) for doing so and for keeping this very fun local and nostalgic institution alive and well for us.  We returned on a delightful school holiday the day before Thanksgiving with our grand-darling, the same one we took here 5 years ago.  This place is historic and unique and deservedly very popular and when we came at noon, there was a waiting line the length of the restaurant.  I really wasn't surprised.  Being nearby, we just left and returned at 1:20pm, and had only a 10 minute wait (but still a wait!) for a track-side booth.  They've removed the booths along the window so there's a little more space for patrons, but fewer seats in the place.  While we waited, gregarious owner Dale gave my 'lil grand-darling a quarter to do whatever, and she chose to have a fun ride on Champion the horse. As far as our lunch, the train toot'd and delivered us a kids' cheeseburger meal (with fries and apple juice for $7.35) while the wife and I each had a delivery of a Choo-Choo burger with fries ($10.45).  The burgers and fries were very fresh and tip-top delicious.  Just to enjoy the fun table a little longer, we had for dessert a good ol' fashioned chocolate milk shake ($7.25) and a cupcake that came with a train whistle ($2.95). Overall, a most delightful, fun, and nostalgic outing, and I can't wait to bring our other grand-darling who's never gotten to visit here.  It's not the cheapest burger outing, and it's actually in the reasonable range for the kid's meal, but it will be about as fun a lunch outing as you can have with a kiddo.  Thank you! read more

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A super great place to take kids if you have them! Burgers were smash burgers which I love and were super tasty. The malt milkshake is creamy, thick, and delicious. Service was fast and entertaining. Love the vintage diner vibe. read more

I wouldn't give it a zero star of that was an option. Where do I start. There was a sign that says no strollers inside I understand the place is small but what if its raining thats ignorant. Than you cant split a check? Why? There is a minimum of $10 to spend? Why? What kind of place is this. We were in line waiting to be seated and they abruptly very rude told a older woman with her grandchild to move down while they were eating. Super rude. Than they have these shirts on that says choo choo your food and move your caboose? At a child's restaurant?? How ignorant is that? My god. They have a vent that has a huge hole like in the ground as people stand in line. A child could harm themselves. It should be fixed it is a hazard when its a child restaurant. The waiters/ladies did not seem happy to be there. I asked for lemons for my water and was brought a little small piece of one lemon. Noone asked us if we were ok or needed anything else. My burger came out I've never seen anything soo nasty in all my life. Theor bathrooms are ridiculous and serious need of an upgrade and cleaning with some sanitizing. Now, I've been to toot toots in glen ellyn which the restaurants are very similiar much safer environment for kids much more space very nice young group of kids and managers that work there that take care of you and actually enjoying interacting with their customers. They play child appropriate music Much cleaner environment the bathrooms are way better. The food tastes way better! This owner at choo choo needs rude awakening and some serious guidance. They also play old people music at a kids restaurant which is super odd and weird. I won't ever be back to choo choo's again terrible just terrible. read more

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The place was well run, customers were courteous about letting others be seated. The manager and servers were very pleasant and efficient. Our little guest had a great time, and her first milkshake. Very fun diner vibe and seemed quite clean. read more

A classic- it is clean, the burgers are adult sized. Staff is friendly and efficient. This current owner did a great job recreating the original diner feel. read more

Fun experience. I took my father and husband. My Dad lived in Niles for over 30 years but had never been. He has dementia and doesn't get to go out to eat often. He had a great time!! The burgers were good. Service was sweet and kind when dealing with my Dad. You can not miss out on the experience, especially with old people and kids! read more

I love this neighborhood gem! All aboard! 7 tips for this journey: 1. Bring quarters (or dolla bills, y'all) if you want to treat your kiddos. There's quarter rides like a horsey and train and a handful of machines with various palm sized toys (bouncy balls, mini figurines, etc). On our previous visit, the kind manager stopped by to chat with us and surprised the girls with several quarters to spend. It made their night! 2. Prepare for a potential wait, as the establishment is a bit small. There's 4 booths that can snugly fit 4 people, and the rest of the seating is around the rail track, like bar seating. 3. Delight in watching your meal be delivered via rail! Choo choo! I got a double cheeseburger the last 2 visits and felt the only thing missing was onion (it included tomato, lettuce, pickle). Tonight, I thought to ask if they had red onion by chance, and the kitchen chopped up a few rings for me. Red onion on any sandwich makes my day! Fun (yet lame? But so true!) fact! I'll also add my burger was piping hot, as were the crinkle cut fries, and it hit the spot. I knew there was a reason I worked out 5x this week. 4. Kids' menu has several options ranging from $5-7ish and includes fries and a drink. The pink lemonade is a hit. 5. I would skip the dessert here. The cupcake was stale last time. Baked fresh daily maybe, but it wasn't the same day we ate there. Milkshakes served up in a tin could be a your dessert proxy. 6. Small parking lot in the back! 7. Note the hours! They close 7:30pm the days they are open, which do not include Sunday and Monday. Bonus tip: there's a kid bday club you can subscribe to, which I did last year. You're supposed to get a postcard in the postal mail to redeem a free meal. Unfortunately, my younger daughter didn't receive one for her bday earlier this week, and the young staffer didn't seem to know anything about it when I asked, so we missed out on the perk. CHOO CHOO! read more

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Such a great place to visit. The train food delivery is so much fun for kids and adults! Also food was spot on and excellent shakes! The staff also were great! read more

Well it's been 6 years since my last review of the Choo Choo Restaurant and it still deserves a 5+ rating! Stopped in on Friday with my husband and 3 kiddos.... My family and I were so happy to see that the Choo Choo lives on after the passing of the previous owner. Fortunately the owner of our other favorite train restaurant (2 Toots) now owns this one and has made some great changes! The menu now has a few more options including gluten free buns! This was always a factor when picking which train restaurant and why we ended up at 2 Toots more often so it's nice to not have to worry about this anymore. My son was happy to see the addition of Mac n cheese too! Can't say enough good things about how fun this place is for children! So neat to have your food served by a train. They also have birthday cupcakes and have a cute birthday song they play! Oh and did I mention they now take credit card :) Just a reminder it's a smaller location so be patient for seating. We have never had a major issue but yeah kids get hangry :) Bring your quarters for the ride of train & horse or the toy machines to help pass the time. 2 Toots is larger with more seating if you find yourself in a hurry. Check them all out! read more

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Great little diner ambiance/train theme was amazing food was good amazing place for kids

cute place, diner atmosphere, fun for kids. Food is fine. The train circling the counter that serves it is the main attraction, as well as a horse you can ride for 25 cents. There is also a assortment of gum machines dispensing toys, gum, and stickers. read more

Place was busy for a weekday lunch, and it doesn't have a lot of seats. We were a party of 4 with 2 adults and 2 kids. We ordered 3 meals with drinks but I only got a milkshake. In order to maximize the turnover of customers, I was asked to stand by the host b/c I didn't order a meal. Really?!?! It's a shame. The milkshake was delicious and the women working at the restaurant were nice. But I'm not a fan of the host... read more

Brought our train obsessed kiddo here to eat and he loved it! He rose the mechanical train and horse while we waited for a table to open up, enjoyed watching the train deliver food, the whistle, the music and the food! My husband and daughter both ate choo choo burgers which they enjoyed, I had the BLT (bacon was excellent!) and our son had the kids Mac n cheese which he devoured. My husband and I also split a chili which was good as well! The crinkle fries were delicious, and I the chocolate shake to top off the meal was just right! The ladies working the front were all wonderful and attentive and the owner was also there checking in with everyone which was nice! read more

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Busy cute small train restaurant great for kids. Came during the weekday and it was super busy. Took about 15 minutes for seating. Food was okay, we ordered the Mac n' cheese and it was horrible. Not good taste and mushy disappointing. The burger and fries were okay nothing special not the best. Our food was brought out by a train which was the highlight. Bring quarters because there are two old school quarters rides that are a must for kids. read more