All aboard!

Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.

Recently our son and his family came for a visit from the great state of Florida. They have a seven year old son, Henrik, and four year old twin daughters, Ana and Greta. As it is with most grandchildren these days, it seems like they have to be constantly entertained every hour, every minute, every second, of every day, 24/7 during their four day stay. Since we are grooming them as the future generation of food critics, restaurants played a major roll in this entertainment. For this reason, we had to take them to 2 Toots Train Whistle Grill in Bartlett.

This restaurant is basically a diner in a strip mall. When you walk in you can’t help but notice how spotlessly clean it is. Greta, however, noticed something different. She spotted the old time 25¢ mechanical horse ride that you have to walk past to get to your seat. What a coincidence. They have tables and a counter that snakes through the restaurant, all of which are connected by railroad tracks. The “choo-choo” that runs on the tracks consists of an engine, a caboose, and a series of flat cars with food baskets on them.

Our first task was to get the kids to stop staring at the train as it ran around and have them decide on something to eat. Ana chose the kids Kraft Macaroni and Cheese ($5.95), Greta chose the kids Grilled Cheese ($5.95), and Henrik, who will only eat Dino nuggets, surprisingly chose, what else, the Chicken Nuggets ($6.35). The kids meals are all served with either french fries, a fruit cup, or Officer Mullin’s applesauce, and a small drink. Nancy and our son Mikey chose the Jumbo Hot Dog ($7.95). My daughter-in-law Emily and I chose the Chili Dog ($8.95). All the adult meals came with french fries. Nancy wanted a Chocolate Malt ($5.55) which she hasn’t had in over 20 years. This was made the old fashioned way in that metal cup with the green machine that mixes it all up. We shared this and it was a blast from the past.

Now the fun begins. Our next task was to keep the kids from grabbing someone elses meal or knocking the train off the track as it whizzed past them. We were not too successful with Greta, however, since the disgruntled engineer had to come and place the train back on the track.

Suddenly we heard “2 toots” and saw that our food was on the way. Time to grab the little darlings hands and arms and let the waitress serve the food when it arrived.

We heard from good authorities that the mac and cheese was a hit, the grilled cheese was yummy, and the chicken nuggets passed inspection. All the grown ups enjoyed the food and appreciated the moments of silence while the kids were eating.

Now the real fun begins, dessert. It was Emily’s birthday that day so she ordered the Ghirardelli Brownie ($3.75) that was slathered with homemade chocolate buttercream and a train whistle on top.

If it’s your birthday, while the train is bringing your dessert over to you, the restaurant plays “happy birthday” and they blow a real train whistle during the song. Of course, it was every childs birthday that day. Our grandkids ordered the Train Whistle Cupcakes ($2.75) and these were also homemade with real buttercream frosting, sprinkles, and a train whistle on top.

You have not lived until you have been in a restaurant where most of the children have had a sweet, sugary dessert and then been given a train whistle. If you don’t have a headache when you go there, you will definitely have one when you are leaving!!!

Dining Duo Tip: Take the train whistles away from the kids before they enter the car for the ride home.

In conclusion, a good time was had by all of our family, and Greta visited the mechanical horse again on the way out.

FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.

The cost for this entertaining afternoon was $76.56, and it was Grandpa’s treat.

Jim’s take: I thought the “2 toots” referred to the chili with beans.

Nancy’s take: Is the fun over yet? I can’t hear…

Henrik’s take: There were carrot sticks in my basket, yuck!

Ana’s take: This is my favorite restaurant, the mac and cheese tasted just like Grandma’s.

Greta’s take: I liked the horsie!!!

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com

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