Burger heaven at Tom & Eddie's

By Alena Murguia
Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Tom & Eddie's is a place where old-fashioned burgers and shakes meet modern day décor and technology. After only one visit, my 10-year-old has declared it his new "favorite burger place," and for good reason. He built his own concoction with cheddar, avocado, onions and fried wontons. I stuck with one of the restaurant's signature burgers, the "Blue Chip" with blue cheese, avocado and house-made potato chips.

I thought we'd never finish these big burgers after the delicious chicken strips we shared before our meal. But I was wrong. We devoured them, along with perfectly crispy onion rings (the "Haystack") and sweet potato fries.

My younger sons were satisfied with delicious "Tykes & Toddlers" combos, where they could choose from a cheeseburger, hot dog, grilled cheese and chicken. Mostly they were excited to substitute the standard sodas or juice for amazing milk shakes. Truly old-fashioned, these are freshly blended ice cream, milk and flavored treats.

As if the delicious food weren't enough, Tom & Eddie's offers many family-friendly amenities. Kids can grab any number of toys to take to the table-most of which are wooden and brain-powered, a refreshing change. My sons also loved the electronic pagers at each table, which allow customers to call for additional table service. They found excuses to use the device, including a request for cookies for dessert.

Instead of falling into the mix of fast-food burger joints, Tom & Eddie's does enough great things to elevate the restaurant to a notch above. I also like the company's policy of trying to use local food sources.

With multiple Chicagoland locations, families can easily locate this delicious spot for lunch or dinner.

This article appeared in the October 2011 edition of Chicago Parent.