When it comes to the old chew chew, Des Plaines, Illinois, may be best known as the home of the very first McDonald’s but, for local kids, The Choo-Choo takes top honors. Even the most impatient know it’s worth the wait to get one of the restaurant’s coveted counter seats. The spinning stools offer the best view of the miniature train that circles the counter, delivering burgers and other tasty fare to hungry diners.
The fun speeds up when a birthday boy or girl dons one of the restaurant’s signature (paper) engineer hats. Since The Choo-Choo is cozily compact, everybody gets in on the singing when a candlelit cupcake rolls down the counter. Happily, the joy doesn’t start and stop with watching the train circle the tracks. The menu also delivers. From traditional diner delights like big burgers and onion rings, to perfectly cooked grilled-cheese sandwiches and hearty turkey chili (loaded with onions and cheese), you’d have to be a crank not to find a favorite on the short but satisfying menu. Top it all off with a thick shake or a root beer float. That’s happiness, right?
Of course, if you feel the need to walk off a bit of the beef after the diner indulgence, the McDonald’s #1 Store Museum — a perfect replica of the very first of founder Ray Kroc’s burger stops — is just blocks away.