save the Choo-Choo restaurant - Des Plaines , IL

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

We happened across this café while visiting in the west-of-Chicago area this weekend. It’s right on the northwest Metra line within 2 blocks of the station in Des Plaines, IL. It seems like the city wants to invoke eminent domain so they can snatch the land occupied by this place since 1951. What a shame to level a small business to expand the police station.

The trains actually deliver the meals form the kitchen to the counter and surrounding booths. Everything we ordered, BLT’s, great hamburgers, onion rings, and even a choo choo cupcake came in the baskets attached to flat cars pulled by what looks like a Lionel FM. The drinks and chili where delivered more conventionally.

The food was very good and the atmosphere unique. Has anyone else been there?

See this article http://www.nbcchicago.com/around_town/dining/Save-the-Choo-Choo-.html

baskeys

trains in the cooler

old photo

2

That is really cool, it is a shame that it might be closing if I go to that area I will visit. (if it is still open) Why not start an on line petition or a local one. Or find some historical thing that happened there that made a difference.

3

There have been various petitions. It was a neat place - apart from the delivery mechanism, a decent diner.

4

I signed the petition they have on the website. It looks like its a great place hope you all can get it saved. you may want to change the title to “please sign a petition to try and save this train resturant from being destroyed”

Also put it on model Railroad train forum acually all of them.

5

I added the website to big blue thegauge.net website the train foruem over there.

6

OH MAN!! That is AWESOME!!! I have heard about that place before but I have never seen photos of it. I wish I could go there some day. Hey you can count me in if were going to try and save it!!!

7

Where is the petition? I would really like to sign it.

8

click link above read story it will have a blue hilighted area for you to click that takes you to the petition

this will take you straight to the petition but you need also to read the story very interesting.

http://www.savethechoochoo.com/SaveTheChooChoo.com/Message.html

9

Free refills on the beverages too.

10

I was there many times as a kid in the 50s. I am amazed it is still there.

Jim

11

Well, I signed the petition and I hope more people do also. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

12

Someone sent me an e-mail which said that at one point they had more locations but this is the only surviving one, the first one at that too.