High Chairs in the Loop

Daneille Braff
Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Chicago Loop isn't just catering to businessmen and high-powered workers anymore. It's also trying to impress the itty bitty set with kid-friendly restaurants. So whether you're meeting your kid for a quick power lunch or you're spending the entire day downtown with a hungry child, check out these spots that make sure tots are satisfied.

Epic Burger

517 S. State St.
(312) 913-1373
epicburger.com

Kids will eat: They don't have a separate kids' menu, but everything they make is customizable-and what kid doesn't love a burger? Choose from beef, turkey, portabella, chicken or egg burgers, and add toppings ranging from eggs to bacon to pickles. Top it all off with a smoothie-peanut butter is our favorite-and your child will be begging to come back.
Parents will love: All-natural meats, cage-free organic eggs and nitrate-free bacon add to the experience. They cater to allergies-organic, whole, skim and soy milk are available.
Even better: Order your meal online so it'll be ready as soon as your hungry child arrives.

South Water Kitchen

225 N. Wabash Ave.
(312) 236-9300
southwaterkitchen.com

Kids will eat: At dinnertime, South Water Kitchen pulls out its fabulous kids' menu, where children get a complete TV dinner on their own TV tray for $10. Choices include white cheddar mac & cheese, chicken fingers and a grilled chicken breast. The meal also comes with milk, juice or soda, fries, green beans and a homemade cookie.
Parents will love: The grownup food is just as appealing. South Water Kitchen focuses on regional American cuisine, so you can get homecooked braised beef short ribs, brick oven mussels and other crave-worthy items.
Even better: This kid-friendly place also has an adult-friendly drink menu with a host of cocktails and beer selections.

Ed Debevic's

640 N. Wells St.
(312) 664-1707
eddebevics.com

Kids will eat: This is to kids what Alinea is to adults: Pure heaven. Burgers and shakes are just the icing on the cake. At Ed Debevic's, the kids will also be encouraged to have food fights with their waiters, scream and insult each other and order teeny tiny kid-sized ice cream sundaes.
Parents will love: If your child can't sit still, or is tempted to have a crying fit through your meal, you won't be embarrassed here. Craziness is encouraged.
Even better: Skip your kid's sugar-high by ordering him the World's Smallest Sundae, which is the size of a shot glass. Everyone will go home happy.

Roy's

720 N. State St.
(312) 787-7599
roysrestaurant.com

Kids will eat: They've got a kids' menu filled with kiddie specialties: Chicken fingers, pasta and even fish with rice and veggies.
Parents will love: It's one of the top fish restaurants in the city, but Roy's also caters to kids. This is one of the only places where you can get dressed up for a meal downtown, but your children will be welcomed with open arms.
Even better: When we took a 2-year-old here, she was presented with crayons and some paper. But it didn't stop there. They also loaned her a mini-DVD player stocked with her favorite videos so she could tune in whenever she wanted to tune out of our adult conversation.

Heaven on Seven

111 N. Wabash Ave.
7th Floor
(312) 263-6443

Kids will eat: If they refuse to eat cheese grits or crab cakes, they can get good old American cheeseburgers, pasta or grilled cheese.
Parents will love: It's only open for breakfast and lunch, but if you get here during the day, you'll experience the best southern food in the Midwest. Save room for the pecan or sweet potato pie.
Even better:If you're craving southern food after hours, check out the other downtown location at 600 N. Michigan Ave., which is open for dinner. It's just downstairs from the movie theater, so you can take your kids out to eat and to the movies without ever struggling to put their jackets back on.

This article appeared in the 2011 Fall edition of Going Places.