Fun places to eat Chicago

[dreamn_Disney]

I am taking a group of kids ages 12 - 15 to Chicago for a end of summer camp trip. This is a mix of campers and CITs and they raise money during the summer for one big trip. This years trip is to Chicago. Here are a few details to help with eating recommendations:

1. We are taking the South Shore train in and will be visiting Shedd's Aquarium
2. We are looking for something fun that the kids will like
3. We are only in for the day so it needs to be an easy commute from Shedd's
4. If it is not within walking distance please try and give me an idea on the best way to get there (bus, train, hire a driver, cab)
5. I have been to Chicago several times but not with a large group of kids
6. The group size could be any where from 15 - 30 kids depending on who decides to go
7. It will be at the end of Aug during the week

I am just at a loss of where to take them for dinner and there are so many places to eat I thought I would come here and see where kids this age like to eat when in Chicago. I was once at a place that the wait staff was kinda rude as part of the experience but I can not remember the name of it. Thanks for the help.

 

[cabanafrau]

I think the rude server restaurant you are trying to remember might be Ed Debevic's(sp?). Have never been there, but I do know it's in the downtown area.

I have no idea where I'd take that many kids so I can't help you there, but I definitely think the best way to get around w/ them would be via CTA bus or el/subway. The way the Shedd is situated there's not really true walking distance to restaurants. I'd say read the CTA site to figure out how to handle fares and such.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Isn't there a place where you can write on the walls? Is that Ed Debevics (sp?)

 

[landshark]

If you didn't already know, there is NOTHING within walking distance of the Shedd other than other museums. The museum campus is by itself and you'll need to take a bus/taxi/whatever to get to anything. For a group that big, you'd probably be better off to hire a driver to go directly to where you want to go and not have to worry about the group being split up for any reason.

The usual restaurants I always hear mentioned for kids that age are Ed Debevic's, Hard Rock Cafe and Rainforest Cafe--I believe all 3 are right in the same area; to the north on/around Ontario St.

 

[mickeysgal]

I was once at a place that the wait staff was kinda rude as part of the experience but I can not remember the name of it. Thanks for the help.

Ed Debevic's or Dick's Last Resort on Navy Pier. Ed Debevic's is fun.

Giordano's or Gino's East are pizza places that could probably handle a crowd your size. Good pizza and kids love pizza...especially a Chicago style pizza.

Planet Hollywood or Rainforest, like someone else mentioned.

As another person pointed out, there is nothing around the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum. You'll have to make your way back into the downtown area. Not sure what transportation exists to get you from one point to the other.

 

[SpecialK]

There's a water taxi that runs between the museum campus and Navy Pier. You can get more info on the Navy Pier website. There's some fun stuff for kids on the pier - ferris wheel, shopping, some rides - as well as restaurants (make reservations if available) and fireworks on Wed. and Sat.

Here's the website: http://www.navypier.com/index.html


Edited to add: If you do go to Navy Pier, steer clear of Billy Goat. Big name - lousy food.

 

[Lanshark]

You can write on the walls at Gino's East. The one we go to is off of Michigan Ave but I know there are several locations.

 

[gregokdisney]

We ate at FoodLife at Water Tower Place on Michigan Ave. and my kids (8 and 11) loved it! It's like a food court, but a little more upscale. You get a card to swipe that's good at any station. You can get drinks at one place, salads at another, entrees at another, dessert at another. The food was delicious and there's a good variety. Two of us had pot roast and mashed potatoes, we had one bar food devotee who had onion rings and chicken wings, another had a burger and a huge salad, and we all had yummy desserts!

You can Google Foodlife for more info!

 

[dreamn_Disney]

Thanks for the input. I think I will look into the water shuttle to Navy Pier and pick someplace within walking distance of there. I always love to eat at the Grand Lux with my kids but feel this is not the place for a large group of preteens. I will check out the other places many have suggested and go from there.