Themed Restaurants Every Chicago Family Should Try

JoJo's Shake Bar

JoJo's Shake Bar brings a nostalgic take on creative desserts and a reimagined and elevated take on classic diner fare. Along with deliciously whimsical desserts, you'll find tongue-and-cheek decor including a lifesize Lite Brite wall, Got Milk mural and more. Through Jan., Jo Jo's is hosting a Winter Wonderland at their River North location which features a heated tent with a 17-foot Christmas tree, a 1954 Red Ford Truck, giant presents, and two Igloo domes to satisfy your festive holiday photo needs. Of course, you'll also find their signature over-the-top holiday treats. 

Locations in River North & Water Tower Place & coming soon to Naperville; Online: jojosshakebar.com

Sugar Factory

The sweetest of the sweet-tooths will be satisfied when meal time leads you to Sugar Factory. With nearly a 40-page menu, there’s no need for a separate kid’s menu, but several food options can be prepared in smaller portions if requested. Kids will think they're on a trip to heaven with drinks served in goblets — with and without alcohol for the parents — candy galore, milkshakes, ice cream and chocolate fondue. And, oh yes, the insane milkshake that includes a chocolate-covered glass and anything from a burger to a Twinkie on top.

55 E. Grand Ave., River North; Online: sugarfactory.com & 5455 Park Place, Rosemont; Online: sugarfactory.com

Chocolate Sanctuary

Calling all Chocolate lovers! Every dish at this adventurous eatery in Gurnee includes chocolate as an ingredient. The pastry and chocolate team is always at work, so request a table near the action and your kids will be entertained as the splendid chefs work their magic making homemade cakes, puddings, truffles and more. The real entertainment, however, is the dessert menu. A magical chocolate fountain flowing with your choice of white, milk or dark chocolate will be brought directly to your table, as well as an assortment of dipping items.

5101 Washington St., Gurnee; Online: thechocolatesantuary.com

SafeHouse

SafeHouse, Chicago’s super-secret, spy-themed restaurant, is packed with family fun, food, missions and even a "spycial" menu for junior spies. While your agents-in-training wait for their food, they can investigate secret passageways and interactive gadgets. But first up, you have to crack the code to enter or be subjected to whatever shenanigans the gatekeeper requests. It’s an incredibly fun covert mission the family won't soon forget.

COVID-19 UPDATE: SafeHouse has not reopened, and no date has been announced. Keep up-to-date via their website. 

60 E. Ontario, River North; Online: safehousechicago.com

Pilot Pete's

It’s a bird, it’s a plane . . . wait it actually IS a plane. This aviation-themed restaurant is located at the Schaumburg Regional Airport and the windows give a panoramic view of the bustling runway where your little ones can be mesmerized by take-offs and landings. The bright interior is also dotted with model planes and other flying things that are fun for kids to point out. The everything-made-from-scratch menu is extensive with everything from “World Famous” chicken tenders with top-secret honey mustard to fall-off-the-bone ribs with a mango guava BBQ sauce. 

905 W. Irving Park Rd., Schaumburg; Online: pilot-petes.com

Kings Dining & Entertainment

Kings Dining & Entertainment features everything you need to keep the kids entertained, including luxury ten-pin bowling lanes, a full-service restaurant, HD projector screens for all the sports action, billiards tables, shuffleboard, foosball and air hockey tables. Call ahead to make a Dine Then Bowl dinner reservation. If everyone in your group orders an entrée or equivalent, your party will be moved to the top of the bowling waitlist.

1500 N. Clybourn Ave., #c102, Lincoln Park; Online: kings-de.com & 5505 Park Place, Rosemont; Online: kings-de.com

Enterrium

Formerly Pac-Man Entertainment, Enterrium is a contemporary American restaurant and arcade located at Woodfield Mall. They pride themselves in their elevated craft bar and upscale restaurant experience, while still be a cool place for kids to play. The space includes boutique bowling lanes, classic and modern arcade games and private event space. 

Woodfield Mall, Unit A, Schaumburg; Online: enterrium.info

Lucky Strike Social

This Lucky Strike Entertainment creation has sweet views of Wrigley Field. The 30,000-square-foot social space brings together chef-driven food and craft beverages with eight Lucky Strike Lanes, over 100 electronic gaming systems including the exclusive Daytona Championship USA Motion SDLX, a first in the world of its kind, ping pong and pool tables, air hockey, board games, a very addictive basketball Connect Four and more. 

1027 W. Addison St., Lakeview; Online: luckystrikeent.com

Punch Bowl Social

Schedule a date, in fact, make it a double. Punch Bowl Social brought their eat-drink-play concept that’s no-fail fun for family dates to the West Loop. You’ll find made-from-scratch dishes and craft beverages paired with throw-back social activities like shuffleboard, Ping-Pong, marbles, 80s video games, bowling, virtual reality and skee-ball in an urban and eclectic atmosphere. The fun is family-appropriate until 10 p.m. and then it’s big kids only.

310 N. Green St., West Loop; Online: punchbowlsocial.com

Wow Bao

Take your kids for the smiley-est meal in Chicago at Wow Bao, which specializes in steamed bao (aka Asia's most favorite portable Chinese snack). Children under ten can enjoy the Lil’ Bunz Meal ($5.99) with their choice of 1 cheeseburger or pizza bao or 2 chicken potstickers with rice. 

4 Chicago locations; Online: wowbao.com

Fat Rosie's

It's just about everyone's favorite theme in food — Mexican! The 3,500-square-foot restaurant close to Naperville's riverwalk features retractable garage doors creating an indoor/outdoor space that's perfect for fun, warm-weather eats. Their menu covers everything from empanadas to enchiladas in addition to the much-loved margaritas and free chips and salsa while you wait to feast. Kids that need distracting will get a kick out of the sombreros available for photo opps and the stuffed donkey over the bar that engages diners at random. 

47 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; Online: fatrosies.com/naperville

House of Blues

Are you ready to rock n’ roll? Then this Marina City concert venue and restaurant is the place to be. Of course, you’d be amiss to bypass the Sunday morning Gospel Brunch for a true taste of Southern cooking — chicken and waffles for the family — and live gospel music that will have your kids up and clapping between each bite. Tickets must be reserved through Ticketmaster and everyone needs a seat. If you call and reserve (you can’t do it online for the littles, unfortunately) kids under 5 can be seated for free. And, a portion of the proceeds supports the arts and music for underserved youth.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Gospel Brunch has not returned, and no date has been announced. Keep up-to-date via their website. 

329 N. Dearborn St., Downtown; Online: houseofblues.com

American Girl Cafe

If your child is forever with doll in tow, their mind will be blown by this cute cafe inside the mega downtown flagship of American Girl Place. Dolls have their own “treat seats” with a place setting and bright centerpieces. Every meal starts with welcome cinnamon buns and there are healthy choices for the kids and yummy entrees for the parents. The store also has a doll hospital and salon so you can schedule a bit of make-believe pampering and a free wellness check. This spot is incredibly popular with out-of-towners, so book weeks in advance if you're looking for a weekend or take advantage of less crowded weekday times.

835 N. Michigan Ave., Mag Mile; Online: americangirl.com

Rainforest Cafe

For a kid-free date night, you’ll want to run far away from this spot, but it’s one of those joints that every kid needs to experience. The behemoth frog on the outside of the building is unmissable and the inside is larger than life too. There is no stone left unturned when it comes to catering to kids, including an expansive kid menu, various mascots and even an exploding volcano dessert. 

6170 Gurnee W. Grand Ave., Gurnee; Online: rainforestcafe.com

Try ALL the Pizza

Nowhere else in the world makes a deep-dish pizza like Chicago does. We have the market cornered. Finger Licking Foodie Tours offers a 2 1/2-hour, self-guided deep-dish pizza tour that intros foodies to four landmark pizza places in one outing: Gino's East on Superior, Giordano's on North Rush St., Pizzeria Uno on Ohio St. and Malnati's on Wells St. Skip the lines and get seated immediately with VIP service and pizza delivered fresh out of the oven in only 10 minutes.

Our Favorite Hot Dog Spots

Love ’em or leave ’em, hot dogs are foot-long big in Chicago, and if your kids haven’t begged for one yet, they will soon. We love the on-the-go ease (no silverware!) and colorful condiments (kids get a pass on the sacrilege of using ketchup). Grab one at a legendary local spot and turn eating into an adventure. From classic drive-ins to counter-service icons, Chicago knows how to do dogs.