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5 ON THE SIDE: This is the second in an occasional series of lists Sidetracks offers to help you explore McHenry County and the surrounding area.
When it comes to eating out with the kids, there’s always that fast food order with a playland on the side.
But family dining shouldn’t always require their shoe removal.
We asked readers to nominate their favorite family-friendly restaurants throughout McHenry County. And you responded.
Many of the popular chain restaurants - Red Robin, Colonial Cafe, Village Squire, Chilli’s, Chuck E. Cheese - were mentioned.
But we stuck with individual restaurants, places loved because of a friendly waitress, a favorite meal, a budget-conscience menu and just the overall atmosphere they provide.
[ MORE COVERAGE: 5 ON THE SIDE: 5 local places to find a great selection of beer ]
More were nominated than could be included, and even more than that likely exist throughout the area.
But perhaps you’ll find a new favorite dining spot or at the very least, a new restaurant to try the next time you venture out as a family.
So, here’s our latest Five on the Side, this week featuring kid-friendly restaurants in McHenry County.
Windhill Pancake Parlor, 3307 W. Elm St., McHenry
[ www.windhillpancakeparlor.com ]
Example of a child’s meal: Mickey Mouse Cake with choice of two bacon strips, two sausages or ham; choice of a banana, apple slices or orange slices; drink included. $5.60
The train.
Your kids will definitely remember the train. It winds around the breakfast bar, delivering meals, even drinks.
As one reader put it, “The kids absolutely love it!”
Windhill Owner Jennifer Guasta, who grew up in the restaurant and took it over from her mother about seven years ago, said she added the train about two and a half years ago after seeing something similar at a restaurant in Wisconsin. With a degree in education, Guasta said she always has focused on being as family friendly as possible. Along with the train, the business offers games, puzzles and coloring contests to children.
Guasta also spends hours decorating for all the holidays.
“I just like them to have a good time and remember this place and come back,” Guasta said. “The smiles are priceless on their faces when the train comes out. It stops right where they’re sitting.”
Around the Clock Restaurant, 5011 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake
[ www.aroundtheclockrestaurant.com ]
Example of a child’s meal: Kid’s french toast, $3.49; kid’s hamburger with fries, $3.79
This is the place with the toy chest.
Children get to dive in and pick out a toy when they dine.
Family friendly is a name Around the Clock works to live up to, owner Steve Theofanous said.
“Our staff loves children. We cater to families so we cater to the children,” he said.
The business does not serve liquor, “something that’s totally different than what you normally see in a lot of restaurants,” he said.
And the business tries to provide “very reasonable prices” and a wide array of children’s meals, he said.
The menu includes favorites, such as hot turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy.
“It’s wonderful that every entree doesn’t come with fries or isn’t fried itself,” one reader wrote.
Three Brothers Family Restaurant, 1220 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock
Example of a child’s meal: One egg, bacon or sausage and one pancake. All kids’ meals come with drink, and a healthier option of a fruit cup or applesauce. $4.39
A biggie for kids: breakfast for dinner. And one reader says her children, ages 5 and 2, are all about that at Three Brothers.
Children are given toys, crayons and coloring sheets. And they can choose from an extensive kids’ menu.
But most of all, they’re simply made to feel welcome, co-owner Kelly Alimovski said.
“We try to help the parents out with the kids,” Alimovski said.
Old West Steakhouse at Donley's Wild West Town, Route 20 & South Union Road, Union
Example of a child’s meal: Wagon Wheel Pizza, an individual cheese or cheese and pepperoni pizza. All kids’ meals are $5.99. Sunday is Family Day in which all kids’ meals are 99 cents for those ages 10 and younger.
An outing here isn’t complete without a pose on the life-size buffalo.
“Our record is 29 cheerleaders all on the buffalo and not falling to the ground,” general manager Shawn Carlson said.
Along with the buffalo, the log-cabin like decor inside includes Indian and Wild West collectibles, including saddles, mounted animals and steer horns.
Of course, being attached to the Wild West Town is a draw in itself.
Many of the characters from the town intermingle with those at the restaurant, Carlson said. This summer, the business plans to add a balloon artist that will make creations while patrons dine, he said.
“I have three kids myself, three boys,” he said. “I gear it toward, ‘What do they like? What do they do?’”
Nick's Pizza & Pub, 856 Pyott Road, Crystal Lake
Example of a kids’ meal: Children like the individual cheese pizza, $7.29. A kids’ menu is planned for release on May 1.
There were several nominations for Nick's, which offers a sort of "museum for kids" on its walls.
Featuring North American animals, the pictures and antiques are all labeled.
“My intention was to have the restaurant be an experience not just a gimmick,” Owner Nick Sarillo said.
“You see the parents walking their kids around the restaurant point at stuff, looking at the fish tank, looking at the animals,” he said.
The business also features a game room that the kids can play in while waiting for a table or to give parents time to connect themselves while the kids play, he said. Other offerings are a family Bingo night, kids’ movie night and tours for birthdays as well as Boy and Girl Scout outings in which the children are shown how the pizzas are made.
“I really wanted to have a place for families to have a nice casual place to have dinner with their kids, and kids can be kids,” said Sarillo, who has three children of his own.
“They’re not going to get attitude from the service team or anything like that... From the time the family walks in the door, we don’t just greet the parents, we greet the kids as well.”
Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake
“I took my kids to ‘Fruits and Veggies to the Rescue!’ last Sunday at Duke’s and we have been there for Meatless Mondays. So impressed that Duke’s supports this program. Their dedication to the environment and healthy living makes it a great place to take the whole family,” one reader wrote.
Brunch Cafe, 414 S. Route 31, McHenry
“Lou is so accommodating and friendly. Always makes my grandbabies feel welcome,” a reader wrote.
Others to try
Lily Garden Restaurant, 2106 W. Algonquin Road, Lake in the Hills
Halftime Bar & Grill, 2405 W. Johnsburg Road, Johnsburg
Happy Jack's, 4911 W. Elm St., McHenry
Bimbo's Ristorante, 1318 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry
Mama Rini's, 177 W. Virginia St., Crystal Lake
Green Street Cafe, 1219 N. Green St., McHenry
Kobe Japanese Steak House, 209 S. Randall Road, Algonquin