Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
29 E. Ohio St. (at Wabash Ave.). & 312/321-1000. High chairs. No reservations accepted Fri-Sat. Pizza
$7-$18. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-1am; Sat 11:30am-2am; Sun 11:30am-11pm. Subway/El:
Red Line to Grand.
Rainforest Cafe AMERICAN This Minnesota-based chain bills itself as “a
wild place to shop and eat.” The restaurant strives to create the feel of a rainfor-
est with the sounds of waterfalls, thunder and lightning, and wild animals echo-
ing throughout the place. Check out the floor-to-ceiling aquarium tanks, and
duck to avoid the swinging orangutans. The Mexican and Caribbean-inspired
menu features salads, sandwiches, and a range of entrees that will please a fam-
ily of picky eaters. The “chicken-fried chicken” is a bestseller, as is the “mojo
bones” rib appetizer. The kids' menu features standard burgers, hot dogs, and
mac and cheese. The restaurant also sponsors educational programs designed to
bring awareness of the planet's dwindling rainforests.
605 N. Clark St. (at Ohio St.). & 312/787-1501. www.rainforestcafe.com. Kids' menu, high chairs, boosters.
Reservations recommended. Main courses $9-$11; kids' menu $6-$8. AE, DC, DISC, V. Mon-Thurs
11am-9:30pm; Fri 11am-10:30pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-9pm. Subway/El: Red Line to State/Grand.
Twisted Spoke DINER Don't be scared off by the Easy Rider skele-
ton slowly rotating on a motorcycle atop a tall pole outside the Twisted Spoke:
They feed everybody at this laid-back, off-the-beaten-path cafe that caters to the
biker crowd but welcomes suburbanites and button-down business folk as well.
Co-owners and brothers Cliff and Mitch Einhorn started the Spoke as a “family
biker bar” in 1995. The place is filled with antique bike parts and accessories.
The food is hearty and well prepared, from the cheese quesadillas to more than
a dozen sandwiches, including curry chicken salad, twisted tuna salad, and bar-
becued chicken. But the Twisted Spoke's mouthwatering burgers are what draw
most people here. The “Biker Brunch” features fare that swings wildly from
“Real Oats for Real Men” to fruit salad to steak and eggs. It's served Saturday
and Sunday from 11am to 3pm. Specials include meatloaf on Monday night,
pasta on Wednesday, and fish fry on Friday. Enjoy the view from the great
rooftop patio, but clear out while the night is still young, before the bar crowd
heads up for bargain-priced beers. The patio overlooks the blue-collar corner of
Ogden and Grand avenues and offers a unique cityscape view with the Sears
Tower in the distance.
501 N. Ogden Ave. (at Grand Ave.). & 312/666-1500. High chairs, boosters. Reservations recommended
for large parties. Main courses $5.25-$8.50. AE, MC, V. Mon-Fri 8am-2am; Sat 11am-3am; Sun 11am-2am.
Bus: 65.
Finds
Rocking & Rolling at the Golden Arches
The reality of traveling with kids means the occasional fast-food meal can
be a real lifesaver. In McDonald's hometown (corporate headquarters is
located in west suburban Oak Brook) I would be remiss in not mentioning
the second-busiest franchise in the world. Only McDonald's in Moscow
claims to be more trafficked than Chicago's Rock 'n' Roll McDonald's,
located at 600 N. Clark St., at Ohio St. ( & 312/664-7940 ). Along with Big
Macs, shakes, and fries, you'll find a storehouse of memorabilia and other
1950s and 1960s tchotchkes, including a restored Corvette parked in the
dining room and a collection of Beatles mementos. McDonald's has big
plans for renovating and expanding this outlet, so call ahead to make sure
it's still rocking and rolling while you're in town.
Tips
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