Sidetracked! Ed Debevic’s
January 4th, 2009 | by Kayt Sukel 5 comments
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side·track (sīd´trăk): n. 1. A diversion from the main course. 2. A detour taken with children that you would never, ever take without them.
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Who:
Myself, Chet, his easygoing Uncle Tommy, three friends and more CARS die-cast toys than I care to mention.
What and Where:
Ed Debevic’s Restaurant in Sweet Home Chicago, Illinois. This quirky, diner-like establishment offers good food (and plenty of it) along with waitstaff that are happy to let you know just how unhip you are. Given that your kids are well aware of that fact already, they are generally thrilled to have it confirmed by an independent source – even when that source is wearing reindeer antlers more than a week after Christmas.
Why:
It came highly recommended! We needed a kid-friendly joint for lunch that would suit both a surly pre-teen and a hyper pre-schooler. Ed Debevic’s fit the bill perfectly.
The Low Point:
Watching a waiter, kind of the epitome of a teenage nerd himself, follow a 9-year-old from the table to the bathroom holding a paper sign that said, “#1 Dork.” If the 9-year-old patron didn’t look so upset by the act, I might have found the irony more amusing. I also admit to being slightly horrified that you can buy an entire Ed Debevic’s waitress outfit for your American Girl doll at the gift shop. Luckily, the squeaky cow key chain more than made up for it.
The Kid’s Take:
Despite being a little hesitant to don the paper “Eat at Ed Debevic’s” hat when seated, Chet soon got into the whole experience. He loved our waitress and clapped his hands and begged for more when the entire waitstaff shook their booties to “Carwash.” And given that pretty much every item of the menu was deep-fried and accompanied by french fries, you just know he would have been just as thrilled even without the theatrics.
The Bottom Line:
Like fried food? Enjoy kitschy decor? Don’t mind being insulted by a waitperson who looks as though he pretty much just stepped off the freak truck himself? Then Ed Debevic’s is for you. Chet and I both highly recommend the chicken fried steak.
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Jane Rytina on January 4th, 2009
Please don’t EVER let me go there. The thing is, if I am ever in Chicago, with my kids, now that you’ve told me, I will HAVE to go.
Elizabeth on January 5th, 2009
Wow, I love reading your blogs and it’s great to see that you’re in (my adopted hometown of) Chicago! I hope you have a great time and I look forward to reading all out your visit to the Windy City. May I recommend the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company in Lincoln Park if you’re looking for delicious food and a good story. Have fun and dress warm :-)
Jenny Jensen on January 5th, 2009
Ah the memories! Friends in high school used to drag me to Ed Debevics. I was a vegetarian at the time…the grilled cheese was good….
Carolina on January 5th, 2009
Gosh I don’t know if this is the place for me. I love being insulted by freaks and kitschy decor…it’s the fried food that might just turn me off.
Hilarious!
Fly Girl on January 5th, 2009
Ed’s is one of my favorites, skip the fried food and focus on the creamy fountain drinks. I forgot how kid friendly it is, I haven’t taken my kids I just like to go and laugh with the waiters.
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