Finally took my daughter who is almost 3 and my 10 month old son. She loved watching the train deliver food! "Picnic train". The owner was very nice and friendly. Grilled cheese was good! We will definitely be back. read more

Okay choo choo! I want to take the train far away from your restaurant because I'm sorry, we were quite disappointed. I came with my friend and our kids on a week day to hope for less people to be able to sit by the tracks right when they opened which we did. The one lady who greeted us and took our order seemed very nice. My friend who is a vegetarian asked for a bunch of things that they had on their menu like the egg salad or the chili and she kept making excuses "oh we don't have the chili yet" or the "egg salad hasn't been made yet" what do you mean it hasn't been made yet, the restaurant is open, why hasn't it been made yet. Bu whatever we gave them the benefit of the doubt and I got some burgers for my kids with fries and my friend got the veggie burger. Ten minutes later they bring out the burgers but not my friends veggie burger and they say "sorry our frier broke now, no fries" my kids only eat fries at these kind of places so what a bummer. My burger was gross. The meat didn't look legit at all. Maybe they were having an off day or what not but when another lady came in I had politely asked "will the fries be available later on" she rudely in front of my kids responds "I don't know can't you see we are trying to fix it" wow, that is not the attitude you should have when working in the restaurant business but more importantly when working around kids all day long. I get things go wrong, that's not my beef, but be a little nicer. We are paying to eat crappy food so our kids can watch the food go by on the train. The place really could use an update and although my girls liked the train, which then broke half way through as well, I doubt that we would be back here. On top of it all, my friends veggie burger took wayy too long to get there as well. The fries finally came out after an hour when we were about to leave, and they looked good so if you come probably order those. What I did find was cute about this place was that they make a cute choo choo noise for the bday kid but again I only saw that for one kid as we were about to leave. Choo choo I really was hoping for a better experience. read more

We took our 18 mo old granddaughter here Saturday when they opened. They have tracks that run by every seat in the house. Little ones like her are better off in a booster in a booth. She loved it all and we had a nice lunch of egg salad, chicken breast sandwich and she had chicken nuggets. GREAT strawberry shake made the old fashioned way read more

Food was great! The Veternan guy and 1 of the waitresses was amazing But one of the waitresses was absolutely rude! My daughter has an eating disorder and wanted Mac n cheese and she refused to let her order it. read more

I was pleasantly surprised by how good the food is here, and to top it off it's brought to you on a train! I think I was was more thrilled by the train and the whole cool diner experience than my kids, grinning like it was my birthday and I was 5 the whole time. You know? Screw the young ones! Go here because you, as an adult who deserves a freaking break in this world, want old school basic diner food done from scratch the right way. They only take cash, so bring enough to drop the pedal to the floor. Because when you go here, you need to try everything. Look at their online menu so you know what prices to expect. Their burgers here are a serious contender to Paradise Pup. They are really that good. My wife, who almost never orders burgers, exclaimed that it was the best she'd ever had. The waitress told us that the beef was fresh and never frozen. Another reason they are so tasty, I believe, is that they use a decades old seasoned flat top grill, which sears the loosely formed patty quickly, sealing in the juices. The crisp exterior is something to write home about. And go old school and get it with cheese and raw onion, cause the balance of onion acidity with savory crisp meat and creamy cheese is real artistry. The fries were crisp and delicious, as were the hand made onion rings. The malted chocolate shake was the most flavorful and best I've had in a couple decades. If they ask you if you want whipped cream on top, shout "Heck yeah!" because it's the real thing. Real whipped cream, not that factory stuff made out of petroleum or artificial guar gum. Those massive cream molecules will undoubtedly race straight to your arteries as the malted sugar high revs your brain to 11, but it's worth it now and then right? You freaking deserve this, the shit you put up with. If you have room for desert, or even if you don't. Get the apple pie, because it's the perfect blend of flaky crust and sweet sour apples and brown sugar carmelization. And get it with their premium a la mode ice cream, because you deserve it. You really do. The shit you put up with. read more

How cute is this place! ALL ABOARD! I was looking for a fun place to take my visiting niece and nephews, and my non-Yelper friend (shudder the thought) steered me to this location. I'm so glad she did! It's simply adorable. And I also have to thank Eduardo E for his great review and tips. :-) I agree- sit at the counter so the mini train delivers its food directly to you and there's more train interaction for the kids. No touching! ;) It's a small diner so you better like who you're with or be able to handle them for at least a half hour, but the decor, staff and train make it super fun. The burgers and dogs were good and tasty, no complaints from the kiddos, but nothing too special, though very fresh! I loved me those hot, fresh, crisp yet tender fries, which they happily accommodated my request of no salt. Kids loved their root beer floats and since I'd been spoiling them with sugar all week, I opted to split their floats, with minor protests, but it was just the right amount. Even better, it came with a whistle for each child. Yup, that's fun all the way home, boys and girls. Yikes. Lol Oh, and adults don't skip that amazing apple pie. Omg, classic and yummy. The prices are fairly affordable (CASH ONLY) but probably a definitely more than your average dog/burger joint, but I'm willing to put in a few bucks more for the ambience, experience and smiles on those faces. I think we paid $60 for 5 meals with beverages, and 3 desserts, plus I tipped heftily, as it was well-earned. We even traversed the Des Plaines flooding (spring 2013) to find the joint and I'd do it again. I love the retro checkered decor and appreciate how sweet, patient and friendly the lovely servers were as we decided on our meals. I mean, if I had to wait on screaming kids all day, I'd want these people out of there ASAP- not that mine were screaming; proudly, they all did very well for Aunt Tina. Yay! But even when busy, the servers took our pic and without prompting, called the train back over in front of us. Nice touch! Thanks for a great experience, Choo Choo! When my Dad visits next, you can bet we will be making that stop again. You will know it's him cuz he will be wearing his conductor hat. No, he was never a conductor, but yes, he owns the hat. :-) read more

See all

My little guy LOVES trains so for his 2nd bday party we made the longish drive to the Choo Choo restaurant in Des Plaines. It did not disappoint. I highly recommend celebrating your bday here. That is if you're under 5 yrs old. We arrived before 5:30pm and just in record time. There's only a few booths that the trains deliver food to and we were lucky enough to score one of them. Just 10 minutes later we would have "missed the train" because the restaurant filled up fast. We were greeted by lovely woman who placed orders for 2 kids grilled cheese and a turkey chili for my husband. Fancy bday dinner! I decided I'd nibble on the kids food and eat later at home. Any excuse to nibble on grilled cheese. It couldn't have been more than 10 minutes when the train pulled up to our table with all of our food. The kids were oh so excited! And everything tastes better when it's delivered by a train so they gobbled up their grilled cheese and fries, which were quite good. My husband seemed to be a fan of his chili as well. Once everyone finished their meals the real fun began. We placed an order for a bday cupcake and an ice cream sundae for the bday boy's big sister. The ice cream was just hand delivered by our waitress (boring), but the delivery of the cupcake made up for it. They started playing a happy bday song and everyone in the restaurant started cheering. Then came the train...with a cupcake (complete with a candle and train whistle). If possible, I think my son was even more excited for the train than the cupcake because he could not keep his eyes off it. All this bday fun for under $25! However, it may being even more affordable next time because we signed up for the bday club (oh yes we did) where kids eat for free on their bdays. On the way way out we treated our kids for a rides on the play train up front and then headed home. I've already promised both my kids that we can go back again for their next 10 bdays. While I can't say I want to celebrate my own bday at the Choo Choo, I can't think of a better place to celebrate a kid's bday. read more

Today, I had an afternoon doctor's appointment. There was absolutely no traffic on the way home, so I was able to try a restaurant that I've been wanting to check out for lunch. This brought me to the Choo Choo Restaurant. It is a cute restaurant that is a throwback to a 50's diner. The menu is basically burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes. Those sitting at the counter have a toy train bring them their food. I was already thinking of bringing my Godson and his sister on another occasion. I ordered a cup of chili, a double cheeseburger, which comes with fries and a vanilla shake. The vanilla shake was fantastic! The chili and cheeseburger were bland and not as savory as I hoped. The fries are frozen crinkle fries. I ate all of the burger but had to take most of my fries, shake and chili home. I could have been fine without the chili, but seeing as I love chili, I wanted to try it even if I didn't finish it. The young African-American lady who attended to me most of the time was wonderful! After I packed up all of my food, an older lady with white hair and a black shirt, who appeared to be the owner or manager, took my bill and brought my change back. She appeared nice. As I was walking out she said, "You ate a lot! I was wondering if there was someone else with you." I was about to reply and figured I would just leave and write this review instead. As she saw, I took food home with me. And even if I didn't, I spent $25, not including tip. I can't question that lady's motive or heart, but I will say, she ought to be careful with statements like that. It was offensive to me, and I thought she would be happy given the business I just gave them. Unfortunately, that shake is not worth me returning as the food is mediocre at best. And that foolish statement at the end sealed the deal of me never returning again. read more

Disappointed overall. The place was packed, which is fine. IF they were organized, which they were not. There needs to be a number system in place as we saw two arguments as to who was there first. Food was decent, service was good. Prices a bit high. For four of us, two kids, two adults, the bill was $45. That's a bit steep in my opinion for a greasy spoon joint. Cute concept, but if you don't get a table where the train passes, it's kind of not worth it. (We did get the last booth in the far back corner) It is not clean by any means, I'd hate to see what the kitchen loss like. God forbid if a fire broke out. Way too crowded to escape. Parking is very limited, but a lot is available across the street. read more

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

This is a fun place to take the kids. If you sit at the counter, a Lionel train brings out your food. If someone is celebrating a birthday, they play Happy Birthday on the sound system and bring out a cupcake for the little one. The burgers are actually pretty decent. They're the kind where a ball of ground beef is smashed on the flat top. read more

This is such a great place to visit if you craving a hamburger. Their hamburger here is quality, fresh, big, and delicious. Lots of their customers keep coming back just to order some of it over and over. They have other offers that are really nice. Their menu is huge. Everything was on point, especially the hamburger and fries. You can absolutely find all of the food here satisfying. Really worth trying offers. I loved everything I had the time I visit their place. Very affordable and fair. Perfect place to bring your friends and family. Wonderful spot. The Choo Choo's location is very easy to find and you can visit them anytime. They are also near other well-known spots here in this area of Des Plaines. The whole place is organized, clean, and decent. The interior has a great vibe and it is very relaxing. The exterior also has a nice and refreshing view. The Choo Choo has plenty of seating inside and outside. Their parking lot is also big and enough for a few cars to park properly. Their staff is good, professional, and very decent. They were also well-dressed and presentable. All of them are working so fast and they all know how to treat their customers so well. Great customer service. No wonder why this place is always busy and full of customers most of the time. They have the best hamburger in town! Such a gem spot! Definitely worth a try! It is so much fun here and it was a pleasure for me to experience how great their service is. Awesome place with a great ambiance. Professional staff with a good heart. Also great offers at such a good price. I would definitely go back here again! Thank you, The Choo Choo. You are the best for me! Kudos to everyone who works here! Keep it up! Well done, guys! read more

The food was awful, even the fries were terrible. Their burger patties were so thin, the edges were crispy!! I have never seen anything like that before!! I have been alive for almost 4 decades and lived on all continents and have never seen crispy burger patties in all my years! The dude who comes by with the balloons, bless the kids heart, but be aware of your surroundings and don't have your butt in a patron's face as they try to keep their "meal" down! It's a cash-only restaurant and thankfully, they have an atm located onsite for the patron who did not know this, since it's not posted anywhere for one to see. And I would know, having to stand in that small nook behind the door waiting for a spot to open up. The guests were left to organize themselves. You might get a booth, you might get bar stools, WHO KNOWS?!?!? And that ATM, the reason why I had to give the place 1 star, it only gives you a $20. You can't get $40, just $20, with a $3 surcharge. God help you if you have a bill over $20 like we did, because then you'd have to withdraw another $20 and pay another $3 surcharge!! Even my 3 year olds hated the place! They said they needed earphones next time because the happy birthday music was too loud! Bless their hearts, they think there's going to be a next time... read more

Such tasty food!!!! Grass-fed beef, great chili, honestly everything we ordered was great!!!! Such a friendly owner who made everyone feel welcome!!! Every seat is seated along the tracks, so the train brings everyone's food. My grandson LOVED it!!! But honestly, the food is so good and the atmosphere inviting that I would recommend it to anyone-- old or young!!! read more

I was nearby on a weekday morning and just looking for a cheap knosh. This place fits that bill. Too many reviewers seem to be looking for something beyond what they offer here, run-of-the-mill diner food. This place can only handle what little kids will eat and not much more. It should be good for them and their patient parents. I had a cup of their turkey chili (accompanied with "all natural oyster crackers" by Westminster Crackers, "baked in Vermont), which was hearty and tasty, and a tall cup of carbonated beverage. The diner is small, maybe a total of 6 tables besides the 8 counter stools. There were three groups there, all with kids. They all ordered sandwich items, which gets the show started, as those are delivered out of the kitchen on a Lionel-sized train with customized diner basket gondolas. The train then continues around the inner edge of the counter and back into the kitchen. Because I didn't come with kids and didn't order a sandwich item, the chili was just served to me by one of the waitresses. The entire place is adorned with railroad paraphernalia, particularly those related to the diner's history. On the north side is a kid-sized diesel engine that a child can sit on free. Yes. Their prices are not the cheapest, but everything that I saw or tasted was homemade, which doesn't come cheap these days. And you do have other choices nearby: a modern and a vintage McDonald's, several Mexican places, other ethnic choices, and coffee shops as well. Choo Choo has a "birthday club" that you can fill out a card for a child to get a free meal on their birthday. Some reviewers have warned that the place can get really noisy when one of those parties happens. But since the place is essentially a glass box on three sides, you can scope that out (and if there might be a wait line) before dropping in. read more

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

See all

The best diner burgers, the best milkshakes I've ever had, the kindest staff and owner... choosing to support this local diner is a no-brainer. Plus if you take your young children here for their birthdays... they will never forget it! read more

Came here for the atmosphere, and was pleasantly surprised by the food and hospitality. We had a great time! Counter seat for sure-because you want that train to bring your lunch. Veggie burger was very good-generous in size and I finished it all! My guest liked her hamburger as well. Cupcake was delicious, fresh, and cute! We celebrated my companion's birthday and hoo-boy were we surprised. Made us kids again. The nice woman waiting on us checked many times to see if we needed anything. I am going back on my actual birthday-can't wait! PRO TIPS: *Go at off times to avoid the wait, but check their hours! (maybe avoid weekends if you're sensitive to waiting) *BRING CASH *It's not cheap, but you are supporting the business including fresh food made to order-you are not going to pay fast food prices-duh. (and that train probably needs frequent maintenance) One-way Streets in Des Plaines can throw you off, but there is now parking in an attached lot surrounding the restaurant. *Enjoy the atmosphere and the old diner machines. This is a throwback to an earlier era which can be appreciated. read more

This is a classic choo-choo cafe perfect for the kids. I hate to admit it, but I've actually been here without the kids (-: Their burgers and shakes are really good. The wait can be long if you really want to sit rail side where the food is delivered by train. I would say its worth the wait. I have a 2 and 5 year old and they love it. read more

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

See all

We have been coming here since I was a child and have been a few times since with our son. Every time we go the customer service lacks but come back for nostalgia and for our son. we waited 25 minutes and finally sat, the rest of our party was meeting us and parking, however the staff made us get up and move / asked us to leave because there's a sign saying will not seat you until the whole party is here! I was clearly nine months pregnant and they we're so rude - the line got longer so we had to leave regardless. After saying I'd never go back again - we did for our son again on his birthday and we were treated very poorly. I can honestly say I'll never go there again. Really sad - you would think a mom-and-pop type a place like this would have better customer service And respect for their customers.... read more

Very nice servers, cute atmosphere, great burgers, great coffee, and train themed restaurant?! I definitely enjoyed my experience here. this place is definitely a fun place for you to take your child/sibling for some cute dessert or tasty food. read more

The Choo Choo restaurant hits the spot when running around with the kidos. Tiny little diner with just a handful of tables and a bar that features a cool little (working) train that pulls the food to you. Be prepared to wait a while (esp on the weekends) and don't expect quality food. It's for the kids after all. If you're on the north suburbs near Des Plains, u have to try this joint. read more

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

See all

Came here on a Saturday at 11:30 for the first time with my 18 mo old and 3.5 year old. We walked in and was able to get a booth right away. There was still space at the counter and the server offered it to us but I knew my younger one would be a terror in a high chair. Love the train that goes around and it amused my boys. They of course wanted to ride on the little train ride right away so I had to use that as bribery to get through the meal and to treat them to the ride at the end. The place is very small and was filling up within 15 minutes of us being sat. Food arrived within 15-20 minutes. My sloppy Joe was excellent and my husband said that while his burger meat was thin, he enjoyed it. He also had onion rings which we both thought was delicious. I wasn't a fan of the crinkle cut fries and neither were my kids. Price is okay, a little pricey...for two kids meals, and two adult plates with 2 cupcakes at the end, we paid $42. Overall I would recommend the place at least for the old school diner feel and for children. No one seems to mind when kids are screaming there which I appreciate! read more

Great fun for Grandkids birthday the burgers for the adults were pretty good as well. Hope they reopen

Really fun place for kids and train lovers. Diner food, vintage train decorations. Come early on weekends and school holidays or be prepared to wait. read more

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

See all

It is pricey but cute for kids. I went there when I was a kid and so did my uncle and mom. But the prices are high read more

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

The choo-choo is an amazing little time capsule. It's been in Des Plaines for years and has been making kids smile for generations. They survive great burgers fries milkshakes and more, deliver them on a choo-choo train. It's a great place to get a good little Smashed Burger and feel a bit of nostalgia. I love bringing my grandchildren in!! read more

Pros: - my 4 yr. old daughter loved this place so I loved it - The food is surprisingly good. The burgers were really good. In fact I should've gotten the cheese burger but opted for the sloppy joe. - Sloppy joe was good and reminded me when my dad used to make this stuff using manwich sauce from the can. - An actual toy train delivers your food right to you IF you are seated at the counter. Cons: - The wait kinda sucks when your trying to get a seat at the counter. Although there's always seats available if you don't mind getting your food delivered to you the old fashioned way by your server. - Wish the seats at the counter had foot rests. It really a complaint but more of a preference. All in all this place is great for families to take their kids to. read more

This a cool throw-back place to bring the kids to watch the trains. Just be warned, it's small and the lines are long, especially on weekends and days when school is off. And it's CASH ONLY. No credit / debit cards accepted. (The true sign of a frugal business, because they don't want to pay credit card fees.) Regardless, the food is pretty good, and for adults, I really liked the sloppy joe sandwich. You wait in a line by the door and it is crowded. Sometimes the line is out the door. Not good in winter! When seats open up, you sit yourself. Of course my kids love the trains. There are booths by the windows that are not served by trains, so if your kids want the trains to roll right up to them, you have to wait a bit longer to get seats together at the counter where the train tracks are. One interesting thing I noticed while waiting in line: The owners have a weird fixation on rules, and have signs all over the place to keep you in line. In fact they even have the rules posted on their web site. But the servers were nice and I never felt like they were 'enforcing' anything. Some other reviewers report differently. One last thing: They have the smallest bathroom I have ever seen. Take a small powder room, cut it in half, and you have their bathroom! All in all, this restaurant is an interesting historical place to bring the kids, but it's tiny and quirky. If you don't have kids I don't really see a reason to go here. But my kids did enjoy it. read more

Great place to celebrate a kids' (6 or younger) birthday! Food was pretty good... Good thin burgers, great milkshakes, fries and onion rings had good level of crunchiness but bland. Facilities: decor was old style diner, small single stall bathrooms, booths were so close together that i kept kicking the person across from me, there was a coin operated train ride, ATM because they only accept cash, train tracks surrounded by booths and counter seating which delivers your food. Service was great. Food stops by your table to deliver your food. 3 Birthdays were celebrated during our lunch... They play a birthday sing on the speakers and play a train whistle at along with it. You can sign up for the birthday club to get a postcard sent at their bday for a free kids meal. There's a train whistle on top of a cupcake to celebrate with a candle. Warning and tips: If you're a germaphobe beware that kids might touch your food or sneeze on it while it's passing their seat. Cash only. Bring quarters to run ride. read more

Great place for kids. We took the kids along with another couple. Waiting for the counter is always painful, so we were stuck sitting at booth. Owner and staff are really pleasant and this place has the old school appeal. Burgers are delicious and prices are a bit high for the food options, our bill was over $100 for 6 meals. It's a bit more painful because they only accept cash. Hours are a bit strange also, guessing because it's run by family. Suggestions to owner: pave parking lot, there's no reason to have unpaved/rocks in this day and age. I had rocks stuck in my trucks tires and dust all over. You should consider starting to accept credit cards, I know it's painful to pay tax on all your income, but not many folks carry large amounts of cash and may not want to use your ATM (fees?) to purchase fast food. Finally, extended hours would be great to allow lunch and early dinners with kids. read more

The food is mediocre at best. Wouldn't recommend to anyone around the City. I've tried this place a few times and never had great service.

A must if you have a child between the ages of 3 and 8. It ain't cheap at about $20 pp all in for lunch. But, come on, your food gets delivered by a model train. The food is actually quite tasty. I recommended the burger, make it a double if you're hungry. The onion rings are delicious as well. Good clean cheesy fun. read more

I'd give this place a higher rating if I could! This is a wonderful slice of Americana in the suburbs of Chicago... forget overpriced "theme restaurants", we took our 2 1/2 yr old son here yesterday and he was so enchanted, he couldn't even eat! :) Clean, exceptional service, good old fashioned food & did I mention 2 adults and a toddler ate for under $25? This would NEVER happen at a Rainforest Cafe! We've found a gem 20 mins from home & found a place for our weekly family dates.... 10 STARS for the Choo Choo Restaurant! :) read more

Don't mistake the Choo Choo Restaurant as a kids place only. Yes, it has kid appeal with a little train car seat and the model train track that circles the dining counter, bringing food to customers. They got serious food that appeals to both kids and adults. First off, their burgers are great. They are pressed thin, grilled crisp around the edges, and a rich meaty flavor you'd expect from Smashburger or Meatheads. Want bacon or other toppings? You can request them and customize it to your liking. Not in the mood for burgers? Try their turkey chili. I never thought turkey chili, which is usually more bland than beef chili, could taste so good. Fries are plentiful, which is a good thing with my younger son. And if that's not enough, try their apple pie. It's a huge slice with a small scoop of ice cream. Sugar sprinkled on top gives it the home-made touch and in the words of my 10 year old, it was "the best apple pie ever." And did I mention hey have ice cream sundaes and cupcakes too? Check it out. Got no kids? Come for the food. By the way, it is best to come early (11 AM) or closer to 1 PM and beat the crowds that can line up past the door. If you got kids, be sure to sign them up for their birthday meal with the Choo Choo during your visit. read more

I was prepared not to like this place. The attraction is a model train that runs the length of the counter, back into the kitchen, and delivers food in baskets. Always thought it was too cutesy a concept. But, to my surprise, it's rather charming: a throwback to the small '50s-era diner (perhaps b/c it was opened in 1951). Menu is basic: burgers, hot dogs, some sandwiches and desserts. My cheeseburger was decent, and tasty fries were salty and plentiful. The ice cream sundae was simple but good. Service was very efficient: had my order in around 10 min. But the food is beside the point here. Choo Choo is like dinner theatre for the 10 and under set. Every child is given a cardboard train conductors hat. I saw one boy, maybe 4 or 5, kneel on his seat for the entire meal - the better to watch the train come 'round. You wouldn't think such a simple novelty would capture kids' attention. But it did! Lots of sprites, just grinning ear to ear. If you come on a Saturday, be prepared to wait (and to vacate your booth in 30 min. - a sign notes that management strictly enforces that time limit during busy periods). Cash only, no reservations accepted. There is a large free parking garage directly across the street from here. Check it out at www.thechoochoo.com. read more

This is one of our all time favorite restaurants! The owner and her family work so hard every day to ensure all of their customers have a great time. They also have one one the best hamburgers out there and their milk shakes are to die for! read more

My son and I are regulars at this place. It's basic diner food but super yummy. I LOVE their Francheesy. It's a heart attack on a plate but it's so good. It's a huge hotdog, slit down the center and stuffed with cheese and a thick piece of bacon. It's good beyond words. I rarely deviate from this when we go but I have had the grilled chicken sandwich and it was pretty darn good as well. Their turkey chili is amazing and you absolutely have to get a cupcake when you're there... oh and a shake! Needless to say, this is not the place to be if you're on a diet but it's good old fashioned comfort food at it's finest. Oh yeah, the trains. Kids love them and it is pretty cute. How could you not love a train with baskets attached to it that bring your food around. A word of caution. This place can get REALLY loud during crowded times so if you're prone to migraines or hostility when placed in a small, crowded room with a bunch of rugrats with loud music blaring, this probably isn't a good place for you. A little tip for ya. If you can, get there no later than 11. I know this is an early lunch for some but you'll be guaranteed to get a table near the train or a seat at the counter. Once 11:30 approaches you'll have to wait and if you come later than that, expect a line outside. Oh and they do NOT accept credit/debit cards. Cash or check only. read more

Rude staff. These people were only nice during their " save the choo choo" campaign when the city was going to take their lot for a police station. Looks like they forgot to save their customer service! Dirty. They try to kick you out at 30 minutes.If you get your food late they still try and kick you out in 30 minutes. They only take cash. Always an obscene wait. 45 min minimum . There have been about 10-12 people pushed up against the door way and lining the counter space half way up the shoebox size restaurant. Everyone loves hungry people grumbling at their backs, complaining how long the wait is and sometimes trying to bribe other patrons or worse guilt trip them to get ahead. Booths starting to crack and be uncomfortable. Parking can suck and the lot has huge potholes. Filled with screaming kids. Plays the same birthday song every ten minutes and blows a train whistle. The kid ride remains broken for a year. They charge a few dollars for a box cake mix cupcake that's stale. They give you sh*t about sharing food. They give you shi*t about any question or food allergy. The free birthday meal is sort of a scam. There's a minimum purchase to sit down. The fries are obviously those generic crinkle cut things from a Sams Club. No longer putting up with this crap for the kid. Did I mention gross tiny tiny bathroom? read more

Great service, tasty food (even for adults!), and of course great fun for the little ones! If you order a choo choo cupcake, you will even have a little train whistle to go home with! Cash only is a bummer but we are defi coming back! read more

See all

The Choo Choo is a perfect lunch spot for the child or the rail fan in your life, but it's also charming, quirky, and fun in a way most people will appreciate. The egg salad sandwich is solid, the fries are crinkle cut, and their shakes are deliciously thick. Parking is also ample. Let the vintage decor remind you that as this restaurant is from another era, they are cash only. No plastic! Note: there are rules posted. Please follow them. Don't be that guy who derails the train while somebody's pie is on board! read more

Anyone who has ever like trains is missing out by not giving this place a try. For one thing, you're not far from the Des Plaines Metra station. For another, your food is served to you on a model train. it's like a time machine to a 50's/60's era diner. Burgers and fries are the standard fare, and done quite well. The dessert menu is highlighted by cupcakes, which, after disembarking from the train, one finds they have cute little train whistles on top for you to blow into and give mom a headache on the way home. Lots of fun for little kids and big kids alike! read more