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a single, double, or triple. You can also order other greasy spoon faves, like steak and eggs, but you'll probably be urged into a cheeseburger nonetheless. Just remember: "No fries. Cheeps!"

#3) Carnivale
702 W. Fulton St.
312-850-5005

Don't let the first two picks fool you into thinking that having fun in a restaurant means you have to settle for diner food. Carnivale

is a destination restaurant with simply fantastic Latin-inspired food in an atmosphere that lives up to the restaurant's name. Eating at Carnivale
is like being invited to your Latin neighbor's house party of the year. From the explosion of color in the decor to the Latin jazz band that will make you do the Samba, you can't help but have a good time.

Carnivale makes eating fun too, and they even offer classes to help you learn more. Sign up for Mojito
101, and you can learn to make the popular rum drink while you sample as many as you want for $25. In the winter, Guacamole Tuesdays offer the chunky appetizer at the same price in pennies as the daily high temperature. It's the one day you hope for zero! Even when there's not a special event, you can feast on festive entrees like rum-glazed pork or Guatemalan-style chicken. Carnivale is like a mini-vacation.

#4) Everest
440 La Salle St., 40th floor
312-663-8920

If you're willing to pay a little more for your dinner, Everest will take you to new heights: literally. The restaurant is situated high above the Chicago Stock Exchange, and the most exciting part of the experience here is the chance to feel like a major player. Everest is also part art museum. The whole space is embellished with paintings and pieces by acclaimed artists, and each table features a bronze sculpture by Ivo Soldini. How can you fail to have fun in such a luxurious spot, while being waited on hand and foot?

As long as you're splurging, you'll find the food is nothing short of splurge-worthy. Why not go for full-on decadence and start with an ounce of imported Caspian sea caviar? The meals here are creatively delicious: slow-roasted duck, a rack of lamb with garlic flan, and a risotto cooked with vintage wine. Save room for dessert, and the Grand Marnier
souffle will reward you for it. Every once in a while, everyone needs to live like the other half lives, and Everest is a prime place to do it.

#5) Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773-763-0660

If you find yourself cruising along the northwest side of Chicago, you might suddenly feel like you're hallucinating. You're not. The two giant hot dogs dressed like Tarzan and Jane are decidedly real, and they've maintained their perch on top of the Superdawg Drive-In for decades. If you're looking to save some cash after a splurge at Everest, Superdawg is a fun place to take the kids, and they'll also learn about the drive-ins of the '50s. That's right: Superdawg still employs curb service by friendly carhops.

The "dawgs" themselves are as good as the ones you remember from your youth, and they load them down with so much good stuff that they have to serve it in a box rather than a wrapper. Each Superdawg comes with a helping of Superfries, and the total is under five bucks. Superdawg
has piles of other kid-friendly menu items like burgers, fried shrimp, and various incarnations of chicken, as well as old-school homemade malts and shakes. It's not the Ritz, but it's a classic, low-cost experience that your kids will find a load of fun.

There's no good reason to have a dinner in Chicago that doesn't rate high on the fun meter. The fun comes in a range of prices, and in a range of styles. Retro diners, Latin fiestas, highbrow luxury: whichever you choose, you'll have a heap of fun along with your mouthwatering meal in Chicago.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Kelly.
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