Children: what do they eat? Round 2.
May 2, 2017 7:36 AM   Subscribe

My Girl Scouts have decided they want to have dinner and a movie as one of their cookie money activities. They're open to suggestions. Where should I take them?

We talked about it and the girls are super on board with trying something new and exciting. They're elementary school aged kids, though--"new" is most things and "exciting" could have a whole lot of definitions. We're in Chicago, will be driving, and our budget is going to be about $15pp so we have a LOT of options available to us.

I know when I was their age (3rd-4th grade) I thought the Benihana-type places were SO cool. Food that's more of an experience (Ethiopian because you eat with your hands, dim sum, hibachi grill, etc) I think would play well, but I still want to make sure it's something they're going to feel happy and comfortable eating, since they worked hard and they should enjoy it.

Trying to avoid something like Rainforest Cafe or Olive Garden if I can help it.

Any suggestions? Doesn't even have to be "go to this specific place in Chicago"--something like "I took my 9 year old son and his friends to eat ___ food and they loved the ___" is super helpful.

Open to absolutely any cuisine but Mexican and pizza. We very gratefully have zero dietary restrictions or allergies, though one girl doesn't like to eat beef because cows are friendly. Thank you!

p.s. If you have any suggestions for movies that will be playing in theaters in June/July that would be good for a group of girls, PLEASE recommend something!
posted by phunniemee to Food & Drink (26 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Ethiopian! Different flavors and best of all required to eat with your hands. See if there's one that is chairless, much more fun.
posted by sammyo at 7:46 AM on May 2, 2017 [6 favorites]


I was just going to recommend Ethiopian too. A huge hit with my kids and the first time I encountered it as a kid was in Chicago. Magical.
posted by goggie at 7:52 AM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


My Girl Scout troop went to a Buca di Beppo with our cookie money one year as part of a city overnight outing (we were all older scouts). It was kind of cool to get a tour of the kitchen, and the family-style dinner was different enough that I think everyone was having a pretty good time.

However, since Italian food is a little de rigeur, I really like the idea of a hibachi restaurant as well. I LOVED going to those when I was a kid, especially if I was allowed to order a tasty mocktail as well.
posted by helloimjennsco at 7:56 AM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


Korean BBQ could be really fun for Scouts if you're comfortable with having kids that age doing the actual cooking of raw meat with supervision. They might really enjoy it because they get to cook the food themselves (they offer options other than beef) and then they can put on the different condiments and wrap it in the lettuce leaves. I would have loved that as a kid had it been available.
posted by holborne at 7:57 AM on May 2, 2017 [3 favorites]


Like Korean BBQ, shabu shabu could be fun, too. If the DIY part is a problem, Mongolian* BBQ would be a good compromise; the kids can pick the ingredients and watch their meal being cooked.

*Not really Mongolian or BBQ.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:06 AM on May 2, 2017 [4 favorites]


I would suggest an Americanized Thai place- egg rolls and noodles with peanut sauce for the less adventurous amongst you. My kids eat NO ADULT FOOD BLECH GROSS WHYAREYOUTRYINGTOKILLUS, but will eat at a Thai place because peanut noodles.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 8:06 AM on May 2, 2017 [4 favorites]


We recently took our kids to eat dim sum in Chinatown. It's a fun neighborhood to walk around in, the food is great, there's a big variety of "normal" stuff and more exotic stuff (so that kids who want to be adventurous can be but kids who want dumplings are happy, too), and it's pretty cheap.

There is a fun candy shop there with a bunch of Asian candies; that might be a nice visit for dessert. And if you go during the day, Ping Tom Park is a really pretty spot to hang out. It's right on the river. (If you are feeling REALLY adventurous, there's a water taxi stop there that takes you right downtown.)
posted by AgentRocket at 8:07 AM on May 2, 2017 [4 favorites]


Some ideas for fun, interactive food (some maybe geared toward older kids, that'll be your call of course) - hibachi grill, Korean BBQ, hot pot, Mongolian grill, fondue.
posted by rachaelfaith at 8:07 AM on May 2, 2017


Ethiopian is definitely a great idea, though you may want to work out the menu in advance with the restaurant.

Also, you might find out if there's a Syrian restaurant in your general search area? You don't have to be heavy-handed about why you're going there but if your troop maybe wouldn't otherwise cross paths with Syrian people it might be a good experience, and also the food is amazing and not hugely unfamiliar but still probably fairly novel even to city kids.

Fathom has Peter Pan live and My Neighbor Totoro in June, and Kiki's Delivery Service in July. Unfortunately, they appear to not have kids' pricing and the tickets would eat your budget, but since this is a troop you might see if there's a liaison at Fathom that might be able to arrange a little something.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:11 AM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


I would recommend hibachi style too, but I caution that at that age there may still be some fears. My third grade son was absolutely scared sh*tless of the onion fire volcano. He had to be walked outside the restaurant it was so scary to him. He ended up becoming a volunteer fireman so there that. I have seen some elementary school kids scared of the knives. On the other hand, almost all the kids love the show and love to try to catch a flying shrimp, etc. If you know your troopers well, and you think they will all enjoy it, I suggest hibachi.
posted by AugustWest at 8:29 AM on May 2, 2017 [3 favorites]


Portillo's out in the burbs is a solid choice that kids love and you can't get the experience of a suburban Portillo's at the one in the city.
posted by juniperesque at 8:29 AM on May 2, 2017


Nthing Ethiopian. It was one of my most vivid memories as a child: going to an Ethiopian restaurant when I visited my aunt in NYC. Even if the food itself disappoints for some reason (I can't really see that happening honestly, there is such a range of bland and flavorful and textured and non-textured), the experience will be unique and worth it, I believe.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 8:31 AM on May 2, 2017


The captain underpants movie opens 6-2.
posted by brujita at 8:56 AM on May 2, 2017


Thai? It's sweet, features noodles and fried things, so is friendly to picky kids who didn't grow up eating it.
posted by latkes at 8:59 AM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


There's a Benihana in Lombard. Maybe you can keep it to $15pp if you split entrees; they have a steak and chicken for $26.50. Or get there early, their Lunch Boat is $11.
posted by at at 9:17 AM on May 2, 2017


If you do Ethiopian and are concerned that the menu will be a little too exotic, perhaps planning a meeting beforehand where you learn about Ethiopian food and culture would help encourage a little more adventurous eating.
posted by ewok_academy at 9:26 AM on May 2, 2017 [7 favorites]


Jibek Jolu! It's Kyrgyzstani, and it's like Chinese food meets Middle Eastern meets Eastern European. The flavors aren't all that strong, and it's super super tasty. I've been there with a friend and her 11 year old boy, who is a bit older, but is also a self-proclaimed picky eater. He ended up nibbling a bit on everything and then completely tucking into the plov, which is their big rice pilaf dish.

Every time I've been there , there's also been a lot of other Central Asian families there. Until I went there, I had no idea that Chicago had a big Central Asian population at all!
posted by astapasta24 at 9:34 AM on May 2, 2017 [2 favorites]


Is there a Chicago sushi place that has the sushi come by you on a tiny boat?
posted by latkes at 9:58 AM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


Along the lines of Ethiopian: Moroccan. Traditionally, same shared plate setup, eat with hands/bread. Some of the dishes might be a little more approachable/milder, but still really flavorful. Good mix of savory/sweet, since dates and honey tend to feature heavily.
posted by supercres at 10:11 AM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


What about conveyer belt sushi? It's super fun, a little wacky, definitely out there (is raw fish too out there?) and fun to try to eat with chopsticks. It could be a fun game to keep track of $15 worth of food, since everything you take has a price based on the color of the plate. I have no recs for Chicago but a quick google search shows a few places with good reviews.
posted by pazazygeek at 10:11 AM on May 2, 2017


I agree that Thai is almost always good for picky kids; the second cuisine that we did always successfully for 10+ years of my picky kid or friend with picky kid or picky cousin visiting or whatever, is Turkish: pide are the favorite food of many a picky kid who's been to a Turkish restaurant. The basic cheese pide is just a super-yummy open faced baguette with melted cheese; slightly more adventurous kids love kebabs. Most kids like a bit of lentil soup. Everyone likes rice. Plus: sitting on the floor on cushions, taking off shoes, and cherry juice.
posted by flourpot at 10:12 AM on May 2, 2017


I think Ethiopian is a great idea! It's served family style and you eat with your hands!

I would definitely talk to the restaurant in advance, though, to make sure they are ready for a group of your size. There are a lot of mild (not hot) Ethiopian foods, but I'm sure it'd help the restaurant to know to expect you--and to give you an idea of how long your meal will take.

I also think the best Ethiopian foods are the vegetarian ones. My suggestions: kik alitcha, shiro wat, misr wat (ask for less berbere/spice), the potato/carrot combo, gomen.

Ethiopia is known for coffee, but Ethiopians drink a lot of tasty spiced tea, as well. The cups are usually pretty small so there won't be caffeine, and your girls might enjoy having some sweet, hot tea after dinner.

It might help if one or two kids already know Ethiopian food, to generate some enthusiasm among the other kids. Have fun!
posted by bluedaisy at 10:29 AM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


Chicago has great Ethiopian for sure. What about an adequately casual tapas place? Small bites, lots of plates, they can try a lot of things but there's always some "regular" stuff.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 1:41 PM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


The Wonder Woman movie opens June 2; it's rated PG-13, and you may want to see it/read detailed reviews to judge its appropriateness for these kids. Despicable Me 3 is out in June, too. (And can I say, the ongoing goings-on of your Girl Scout troop is one of my favorite things on MetaFilter? 'Cause it is.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:52 PM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


I haven't lived in Chicago for 30 years, but one of my favorite places to go as a kid was the Fondue Stube, which I'm delighted to see is still open! Note, cannot vouch at all for how its quality has held up three decades later, but fondue is fun and manageable for older elementary kids.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 3:42 PM on May 2, 2017


Response by poster: After much discussion, the girls decided on dim sum. We'll be going in a couple weekends!
posted by phunniemee at 7:13 AM on June 19, 2017


« Older SLR replacement w/reliable low light shots that...   |   Finding a reason to pursue a beloved passion Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.