Love ’em or hate ’em, trains are a huge part of life in Illinois. Due to Chicago and our proximity to other major cities like St. Louis and Milwaukee, many important and historic lines run through the Land of Lincoln. Some locals really embrace this aspect of life and enjoy any locomotive-themed attractions they can find, and that includes these 11 train-themed restaurants.
Some are set in old train cars while others feature mini trains that bring your food. Kids of all ages will be blown away by what these diners have to offer. Check them out:
- All Aboard! Family Dining & Restaurant, 20831 La Grange Road in Frankfort.
Facebook/All Aboard Family Dining & Amusement
Facebook/All Aboard Family Dining & Amusement This family-fun diner is perfect for the kid at heart. Order delicious eats like hot dogs, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, tacos, and more, and they will be delivered to you via train. There are also arcade games, seasonal events, and special deals throughout the year for patrons to enjoy.
- The Choo Choo Restaurant, 600 Lee Street in Des Plaines.
Facebook/The Choo Choo Restaurant
TripAdvisor/Allen21096 This itty bitty eatery has been around since 1951 and is often packed with kids and their families eager for a bite to eat. Burgers are the best thing on the menu along with other sandwiches, sides, and desserts that are delivered by train.
- Caboose, 320 E Hawley Street in Mundelein.
TripAdvisor/Rex M
TripAdvisor/Rex M This is one of the best train-themed restaurants in the state for food lovers. This amazing joint is all about fresh eats made from local ingredients. The place opens daily at 7 a.m. and serves show-stopping dishes like omelets, skillets, and other morning favorites as well as deli sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, wraps, and more for lunch and dinner. Patrons enjoy train decor throughout.
- 2Toots Train Whistle Grill, various locations.
Facebook/2Toots Train Whistle Grill
Facebook/2Toots Train Whistle Grill With establishments in Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, and Naperville, this well-loved chain began in 2006 in Downers Grove. Guests enjoy toy train delivery and a simple menu of mostly burgers and fries. You can also get various hot sandwiches, hot dogs, and shakes. Join the birthday club for a free dessert on your special day, and learn more here.
- All Aboard Diner, 1510B West 75th Street in Downers Grove.
TripAdvisor/Rocky7149
Facebook/All Aboard Diner This exciting restaurant will please railfans of all ages. Not only is the food delivered by train (if you sit at the bar), but there is a miniature train display for all to enjoy. Train decor is everywhere in this bright restaurant that is all about having an old fashioned good time. Menu items include burgers, steak, seafood, salads, wraps, and a plethora of different sandwiches.
- Track Inn, 1815 N Santa Fe Avenue in Chillicothe.
TripAdvisor/Traintravel1
Google/Laurie Pichla When it was originally in operation, this tiny restaurant served travelers coming through town by train. It has been known by its current name since 1977 and is known for serving some of the best pies in the state. Both breakfast and dinner favorites are available.
- The Junction Diner, 7401 Madison Street in Forest Park.
Facebook/The Junction Diner
Facebook/The Junction Diner As far as train-themed restaurants go, this is one you’ll want to get a seat in early. Those who sit around the counter get locomotive service on everything from food to beer. Enjoy American favorites like burgers, pasta, and salads in a rustic and vintage atmosphere. Click here for more details about this hot spot.
- The Silver Palm, 768 N Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.
Facebook/The Silver Palm
Facebook/The Silver Palm Set in a 1947 dining car (nicknamed “The Washington”), this outstanding restaurant is great whether you love trains or not. The old rail car was used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad on east coast routes from New York to Florida. Patrons enjoy hearty eats like sandwiches, burgers, ribs, steak, seafood, and much much more. Learn more about this historic place here.
- Chessie’s Restaurant, 200 Applebee Street in Barrington.
Facebook/Chessie’s Restaurant
Facebook/Chessie’s Restaurant This unique place looks like any other casual restaurant from the outside, but it is actually built around an old train depot and contains an actual 1920s commuter train that you can dine in. A miniature train also runs through the restaurant. Lunch and dinner options include salads, soups, sandwiches, steak, seafood, and pasta. Click here for even more information about this popular spot.
- Station House Restaurant, 300 W 3rd Street in Kewanee.
Facebook/Station House Restaurant
Facebook/Station House Restaurant Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this family-friendly restaurant pays homage to steam locomotives with intriguing, historic decor inside and out. Locals enjoy steak and other classic American eats as well as traditional breakfast items and desserts.
- Windhill Pancake Parlor, Inc., 3307 W Elm Street, Unit A in McHenry.
Facebook/Windhill Pancake Parlor, Inc.
Google/Derek H Featuring adorable railroad decor on all the walls, this may be one of the most amiable train-themed restaurants in the Prairie State. Patrons enjoy comfort food in a comforting atmosphere that locals of all ages love. Breakfast classics include pancakes, waffles, French toast, omelets, and hashes. Dinner eats include burgers and many other sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as seafood, pot roast, meatloaf, and other tasty entrees.
If you’ve been to one of these train-themed restaurants before, we’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment with us below!
Facebook/All Aboard Family Dining & Amusement
This family-fun diner is perfect for the kid at heart. Order delicious eats like hot dogs, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, tacos, and more, and they will be delivered to you via train. There are also arcade games, seasonal events, and special deals throughout the year for patrons to enjoy.
Facebook/The Choo Choo Restaurant
TripAdvisor/Allen21096
This itty bitty eatery has been around since 1951 and is often packed with kids and their families eager for a bite to eat. Burgers are the best thing on the menu along with other sandwiches, sides, and desserts that are delivered by train.
TripAdvisor/Rex M
This is one of the best train-themed restaurants in the state for food lovers. This amazing joint is all about fresh eats made from local ingredients. The place opens daily at 7 a.m. and serves show-stopping dishes like omelets, skillets, and other morning favorites as well as deli sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, wraps, and more for lunch and dinner. Patrons enjoy train decor throughout.
Facebook/2Toots Train Whistle Grill
With establishments in Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, and Naperville, this well-loved chain began in 2006 in Downers Grove. Guests enjoy toy train delivery and a simple menu of mostly burgers and fries. You can also get various hot sandwiches, hot dogs, and shakes. Join the birthday club for a free dessert on your special day, and learn more here.
TripAdvisor/Rocky7149
Facebook/All Aboard Diner
This exciting restaurant will please railfans of all ages. Not only is the food delivered by train (if you sit at the bar), but there is a miniature train display for all to enjoy. Train decor is everywhere in this bright restaurant that is all about having an old fashioned good time. Menu items include burgers, steak, seafood, salads, wraps, and a plethora of different sandwiches.
TripAdvisor/Traintravel1
Google/Laurie Pichla
When it was originally in operation, this tiny restaurant served travelers coming through town by train. It has been known by its current name since 1977 and is known for serving some of the best pies in the state. Both breakfast and dinner favorites are available.
Facebook/The Junction Diner
As far as train-themed restaurants go, this is one you’ll want to get a seat in early. Those who sit around the counter get locomotive service on everything from food to beer. Enjoy American favorites like burgers, pasta, and salads in a rustic and vintage atmosphere. Click here for more details about this hot spot.
Facebook/The Silver Palm
Set in a 1947 dining car (nicknamed “The Washington”), this outstanding restaurant is great whether you love trains or not. The old rail car was used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad on east coast routes from New York to Florida. Patrons enjoy hearty eats like sandwiches, burgers, ribs, steak, seafood, and much much more. Learn more about this historic place here.
Facebook/Chessie’s Restaurant
This unique place looks like any other casual restaurant from the outside, but it is actually built around an old train depot and contains an actual 1920s commuter train that you can dine in. A miniature train also runs through the restaurant. Lunch and dinner options include salads, soups, sandwiches, steak, seafood, and pasta. Click here for even more information about this popular spot.
Facebook/Station House Restaurant
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this family-friendly restaurant pays homage to steam locomotives with intriguing, historic decor inside and out. Locals enjoy steak and other classic American eats as well as traditional breakfast items and desserts.
Facebook/Windhill Pancake Parlor, Inc.
Google/Derek H
Featuring adorable railroad decor on all the walls, this may be one of the most amiable train-themed restaurants in the Prairie State. Patrons enjoy comfort food in a comforting atmosphere that locals of all ages love. Breakfast classics include pancakes, waffles, French toast, omelets, and hashes. Dinner eats include burgers and many other sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as seafood, pot roast, meatloaf, and other tasty entrees.
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