All aboard! Beloved suburban restaurant rides again

There's a bit of nostalgia making a comeback in suburban Des Plaines.
The beloved The Choo Choo restaurant has finally reopened.
The Choo Choo may be a small restaurant on a suburban corner - but it's a special place for generations of train lovers.
The restaurants closed two years after the owner passed away from cancer.
The Choo Choo is just a block away from the Des Plaines Metra Station, a short walk from the train.
It's located at 600 Lee Street in Des Plaines. They are closed Sundays and Mondays and open for lunch and dinner the rest of the week.

[@Novusod]

There is an actual train station just a block away from this location so train enthusiasts can get there without driving.

[@jimp6542]

I worked there back in the early 60s with the original owner. Great place and great food.

[@oldprankster7606]

Absolutely cool. It's not just a burger joint, it's a national treasure. It should be on the register of historic places. I doubt there's another place like it in America. Take that, McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's!

[@Violetrn76]

Honestly!!! It really should!!!

[@Violetrn76]

But I think super dawg should be too! The original one!

[@minecraftboi27]

There's this similar train restaurant called 2toots and its also in Illinois

[@timmmahhhh]

Glen Ellyn

[@Violetrn76]

LONG LIVE THE CHOO CHOO!!!!!!

[@moemcgovern7345]

This restaurant looks like such fun. I'm glad to see it's reopened once again. Adults need it as well. Congrats!

[@bravobravoh1344]

Back in the early 60s, my dad and his friend used to go there every now and then when they were in high school.

[@bradslepicka3981]

This is great! I went there when I was a kid in the 1950's!

[@hirampriggott1689]

I wish I knew about this place when I lived in Chicago a few years ago.

[@vintageJustine]

I can't wait to visit!

[@ajrestivo]

im 27 i remember going in there with my mom and sister for lunch some times and it was the absolute coolest thing, i had heard they shut down and was very sad. im glad to see they are still going all original style. if they have a go fund me or a way to donate to the business from out of state let me know!!

[@BossSpringsteen69]

I used to drive by there all the time on the way to Des Plaines Hobbies back in the day.

[@moemcgovern7345]

This is awesome! Great family time.

[@jimdigriz3436]

I went here in the 1960s with my parents. Loved it!

[@ericpogorzelski904]

now this is my kind of resturant cause the burger n fries and other foods for meals on wheels are delivered by a lionel train and my dad use to play with lionel trains and on my 11th birthday in 2006 it was my turn to play with them and i still do to this day

[@larrykuenning5754]

At 0:25 "The Choo Choo started in 1956." No, it started earlier than that. I was taken there in 1953; I'm sure of the year because it was the only year my family lived in Des Plaines. I was 4 years old when I first ate at the restaurant (I turned 5 later that year). I liked having my hamburger delivered by train. My parents hoped the restaurant would help me accept the move to a new town; but by the end of the year we had moved again, for reasons unrelated to the restaurant.

[@stevencmerriam4667]

I remember being in this one (or one like it on the southwest side ) in the 60s.

[@JoeSmith-kt9vl]

Those onion rings look great!

[@darkwoodmovies]

This is really cute! Glad gems like this can still survive.

[@johnwood551]

I love it. I love family owned and run places . They FEEL like family when you’re in there. I wish I had known about it when I used to drive through that area . I will make it a must stop the next time through.

[@Jameson4327]

The choo-choo holds great memories! Dolly and I took her grandkids there before she passed away.

[@user-kv2gv6mh7q]

I remember going here with my dad when i was younger and i absolutely loved it

[@LilJeepgirl81]

Omg Im so excited they reopened! I went there as a child and wanted to take my son but they were closed.

[@Abax77]

Love this place

[@jeffreyl.wiseman2597]

I remember as a kid you could smoke in there. The good ole days.

[@woohoofromtexasharris4814]

You need a around the room layout at top of windows. 😁❤️🇺🇸

[@fernandomurillo9272]

Looks awesome wish I can go. Going to point to make it there

[@thomastrainsmore2010]

I should go there

[@user-fw1wc9ve3b]

I wish 4 somo in oklahoma. We have one train restaurant I found I love.But the trains don't Bing you food. I wish we had a restaurant like this. I would love that Joplin MO Wyandotte OK

[@dennisgoans701]

Dont know if its still there , was one in kansas city that delivered food by train.

[@allanegleston4931]

lol.

[@jamesfranklin2203]

Where is it?

[@timmmahhhh]

Des Plaines IL

[@yeoldeseawitch]

I wonder if they deny service to black people like a proper 50s restaurant