Food adventures for families in Chicago

You never run out of adventures living in Chicago, and I love taking advantage of all the city has to offer. My three kids, though, would often rather play video games and watch TV than go on family outings.

Luckily, I've found a sweet incentive to get them off the couch: food.

It can be tough to get my 12- and 14-year-old boys motivated to go on a tour of Chinatown or Devon Avenue's Indian neighborhood, but if the payoff is a good meal, everyone's suddenly hungry for the urban adventure I've planned.

Here's what's on my menu of fun family food trips in Chicago.

- Andrea Guthmann

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Little India

Years ago, Devon Avenue in west Rogers Park mainly was a Jewish community. Today, this bustling neighborhood is known as "Little India." Make sure to bring a hearty appetite when you visit, because the Indian restaurants are known for their buffets. A couple of our favorites are the popular Viceroy of India and Sher-a-Punjab, a hole-in-the-wall that has a terrific lunch buffet for $7.95.

My kids used to only eat the chicken tandoori and naan bread. When asked to try new Indian dishes, "No way!" would be a kind way to describe their response. Over the years, they've come to eat their words, along with second and third helpings of gulab jamun, doughnut holes soaked in a sweet syrup, now my son's favorite dessert.

Of course, we never leave Little India without wandering a bit, enjoying the beautiful saris and Bollywood posters in the storefronts.

Viceroy of India