Downtown Chicago place to take a family of five for dinner?

June 14, 2015 10:12 AM

I'm meeting some friends for dinner in the Loop Tuesday night and they have three kids ten and under. I need recommendations for a fun place to take them for dinner that is kid-friendly, reasonably priced, interesting, and amenable to conversation. These kids are well-traveled and more adventurous than average, so it doesn't need to be generic and boring, but there should be some hook that will draw them in. Ideas?
posted by DirtyOldTown to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

Best answer: Not quite loop, but Greek Islands (200 SOUTH HALSTED St., CHICAGO, IL) is probably suitable. It's reasonably priced, an easy walk from the loop and I've been there with similarly-aged kids. It's loud and informal enough that it won't be a problem. They also have free valet parking, if that matters to you.
posted by doomsey at 10:28 AM on June 14, 2015 [1 favorite]

Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food at North and Clybourn. It's not the loop but it is just an L ride away. I have friends whose kids beg to go there all the time.
posted by srboisvert at 10:36 AM on June 14, 2015

Best answer: I used to go to Greek Islands as a kid and I still love it. They set cheese on fire! It was one of my favorite restaurants when I was in elementary school.
posted by jaguar at 10:59 AM on June 14, 2015

Best answer: Thirding Greek Islands (ask for saganaki if you want your cheese aflame).
posted by thomas j wise at 11:32 AM on June 14, 2015

This may be a hopelessly touristy suggestion, but I had a good time at Dick's Last Resort.
posted by Bron at 12:02 PM on June 14, 2015

In the loop - try the Italian Village ( http://www.italianvillage-chicago.com) or rosebud (http://www.rosebudrestaurants.com ) or piano ( it's in the art institute). There are many many others that fit your needs but I have eaten at all these and enjoy them all. I'll supplement if I can think of any others in the loop.
posted by prk60091 at 1:13 PM on June 14, 2015

FoodLife at Water Tower Place? Not exactly Loop either but has something for everyone and the kids might dig the format.
posted by JoeZydeco at 2:51 PM on June 14, 2015

Response by poster: We went to Greek Islands. Both the flaming cheese and the lentil soup got rave reviews. We got a corner table in a busy room, so it felt lively, nobody minded the kids, and we could still talk. Nice suggestion.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:29 AM on June 17, 2015 [1 favorite]