For busy parents, finding a restaurant that suits the entire family is a pick and choose battle. You want something beyond burgers and fries, but need a place that offers the staples for even the pickiest of young eaters.
Luckily, there’s plenty of options in the Elgin area offering the best of both worlds. Here are some of our top picks for dining out.
Read more:Â Best Things to Do with Kids in Elgin
Elgin Public House
- Address: 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin
What we love about this pub is that the kid’s menu gives little ones the pick not only the classic staples (buttered noodles, grilled cheese) but also offers elevated options (margarita shrimp, chicken chili) for them. Rotating daily specials like Thursday beer can chicken and Friday fish fry and Sunday pot roast are menu standouts.
Ray’s Diner
- Address: 801 St. Charles St., Elgin
Ranked best in America by Travel + Leisure Magazine, Ray’s is a cozy neighborhood restaurant that treats all customers like family. They’ve got an extensive menu of deliciousness: all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner selections!
Kids love picky eater items like Mickey Mouse waffles, chicken strips and hotdogs while parents love that everything on the kid’s menu is less than $10. Save room for dessert — Ray’s offers wonderful homemade pies.
Nick’s Pizza & Pub
- Address: 990 S. Randall Road, Elgin
Nick’s Pizza & Pub is a super causal eatery in a rustic, lodge like environment. Deep dish has nothing on Nick’s award-winning thin crust pizza. Their dough and sauce are 50-year-old family recipes made daily, with a standout sausage made of a secret blend.
Not a pizza person? No problem – the menu offers more than two dozen other options like salads, burgers and wraps. Giant dessert options include colossal cookies and fried pizza dough stuffed with Nutella.
2Toots Train Whistle Grill
- Address: 203 S. Main St., Bartlett
2Toots Train Whistle Grill prides itself on being the only train-delivered establishment to provide all seating around the tracks, giving every patron an unobstructed view to relish in the fun.
Reminiscent of an oldie’s diner from the ’50s, 2Toots serves up American fare including burgers and hot dogs, crinkly fries, sandwiches, salads and more. Save some room for premium hand-dipped shakes in a variety of flavors to choose from.
Pilot Pete’s
- Address: 905 West Irving Park Road, Schaumburg
Chicago’s only aviation-themed eatery, Pilot Pete’s is situated so guests can watch planes take off from the Schaumburg Airport. Inside the restaurant, old plane photos, postcards and other aviation memorabilia line the walls.
Even model planes hang from the ceiling! Kids can take in the runway action while munching on fan favorites like grilled cheese, buttered noodles and quesadillas.
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