Rainforest Café
This popular family restaurant chain has dozens of locations around the country, including this one in downtown Chicago. Guests are transported to the heart of the Amazon jungle, where the sounds of birds, insects and raindrops fill the air. Tropical fish tanks line the vine-covered walls, where the occasional animatronic beast pops out to greet you. Wednesday night is family night, featuring face-painting, balloon animals and games. There's even a gift shop that sells stuffed animals, books and other rain forest-related merchandise. Rainforest Café's menu offers a little something for everyone, including Caribbean coconut shrimp, Amazon fajitas and its famous sparkling chocolate volcano dessert.
Rainforest Café
605 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60654
312-787-1501
rainforestcafe.com
Wishbone
Voted "Best Place to Bring Toddlers" by the Chicago Reader in 2009, Wishbone is the successful brainchild of head chef Joel Nickson and his brother, Guy. The colorful dining space features illustrations from children's books, butcher paper with crayons at each table and high chairs galore. Born of the idea that kid's restaurants aren't just for kids, Wishbone offers a diverse menu of authentic Southern-style dishes that both parents and little ones can enjoy. Spicy crawfish cakes, jambalaya Cajun stew and grilled chicken with mango salsa will keep adults happy while the kids munch on mac 'n cheese with chopped baked ham, peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwiches and Muenster cheese quesadillas.
Wishbone
3300 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
773-549-2663
wishbonechicago.com
Toast
This extremely popular breakfast and lunch spot offers gourmet cuisine for adults and a very inexpensive kids menu for the little ones. The place fills up on weekends with Chicago families during brunch hours, so you may want to think twice before showing up with hungry kids who don't like to wait. Even so, Toast's diverse menu of American brunch favorites like buttermilk pancakes topped with fresh berries, savory eggs Benedict and classic B.L.T. is well worth the wait. Kids choose from a pint-sized menu that includes mini French toast, scrambled eggs with cheddar or s'more pancakes topped with chocolate chips, graham crackers and marshmallow fluff.
Toast
746 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-935-5600
toast-chicago.com
Article Written By Charlie Higgins
Charlie Higgins is a writer, translator, editor and social-media consultant based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Originally from Connecticut, Higgins holds bachelor's degrees in media studies and music from Oberlin College. He currently works for the financial inclusion and microenterprise news website Microdinero.
