By Susanna Lo
According to the U.S. Census Bureau,
Chicago, Illinois, is the third largest city in the
United States. Known for Lake Michigan and shopping on Michigan Avenue, for being the home of current President Barack Obama, and for a large variety of cuisine and cultures, Chicago is a place with many choices when it comes to family-friendly restaurants.
Ina's
On the tongues of many Chicago natives when it comes to breakfast is Ina's, known as the Breakfast Queen. Locals will tell you Ina's serves the best huevos rancheros north of the Rio Grande. Ina will tell you to try the frittata with tomato sauce if you have a savory palate, or the Heavenly Hots, which are thin layers of crepe-like pancakes filled with fresh fruit compote, if you have a sweet tooth. Ina also has a gluten-free menu and every Wednesday night serves gluten-free fried chicken. With affordable prices and large portions, families have been coming to Ina's for the last 10 years to get the most bang for their buck.
Ina's
1235 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-8227
breakfastqueen.com/
Italian Village Restaurant
The ornate fish tank filled with colorful fish will entertain the kids for the whole night at Italian Village Restaurant. This is actually three restaurants owned by the same family within one large complex, but Italian Village is the most family friendly. Parties can dine in their own private nook in the midst of a faux Italian town with names like La Taverna and La Banca for each individual booth. The cuisine is classic Northern Italian including a hardy cacciucco, the Northern Italian equivalent of cioppino or bouillabaisse.
Italian Village Restaurant
71 W. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 957-5808
italianvillage-chicago.com/
Home Run Inn
Chicago is synonymous with pizza, and the Home Run Inn is a place many Chicago natives will recommend for a good pie. Around since the 1940s, this place is famed for its hand-tossed pizzas. The kids will love the buttery crust, while adults will savor the red sauce. Locals swear by the Archer location as the best one to go to, or the location that serves the most similar pizza to the days when Home Run Inn first opened.
Home Run Inn
4254 W. 31st St.
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 247-9696
homeruninn.com/
About the Author:
Susanna Lo is an established writer/director/producer who has won awards in The Berlin and Montreal film festivals and is a member of PEN International. She's written for Paramount on Star Trek: Voyager and Seven Days. Susanna is a dedicated world traveler living in several countries in Europe, Asia and North America.
