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Many of us look back and fondly remember lazy days of childhood playing toy trains in our basement with our neighborhood pals. Others may yearn for a simpler time before the distraction of video games and MP3 players. At 2Toots Train Whistle Grill®, we certainly do!
Long time business partners and restaurateurs Dale Eisenberg and Mike Ventre were fed up with today’s over abundance of technology geared at kids and decided to create a fun train-focused place where a new generation could connect with that heritage and develop treasured memories of their own. After years of success owning and operating Original Pancake House © franchises in Illinois and Ohio, the duo reopened a nostalgic train restaurant built in 1951 (located in Chicago’s northern suburbs) that had been shuttered. Getting that restaurant back “on track,” Eisenberg and Ventre decided to create their own special place for families to enjoy a tasty meal delivered on toy trains.
In May 2006, Eisenberg and Ventre leveraged their 45 years combined experience in the restaurant world and ongoing love of toy trains to introduce the 2Toots Train Whistle Grill® concept to diners. The first location opened in Downers Grove, Illinois to much media fanfare and diner enthusiasm. Shortly thereafter, a second franchise opened in Toledo, Ohio in fall 2006 and a third location was introduced in August 2008 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
As the 2Toots Train Whistle Grill ™ concept grew, Eisenberg and Ventre added a third partner to their team – Kathleen Henson, a senior marketing, public relations and branding expert from the Chicago area who supported their initial launch in Illinois. Together the trio plans to expand the 2Toots Train Whistle Grill® concept to more communities in Illinois, Ohio and nationwide in the coming months and years ahead.
Some common questions and answers
| Q. |
Does 2Toots Train Whistle Grill® accept reservations? |
| A. |
We’re sorry but we do not. Additionally since we are usually quite busy we aren’t able to seat your group until everyone attending is present in the store. Holding seats just isn't practical since seating is limited by only having it on the tracks. When your entire party is present and you are next in line, we will seat you as soon as the next combination of seats accommodating your party becomes available. |
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| Q. |
Does 2Toots Train Whistle Grill® accept credit cards? |
| A. |
Yes, We accept Master Card and Visa. We do not accept personal checks. |
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| Q. |
Does 2Toots Train Whistle Grill® accommodate kids birthday parties? |
| A. |
Although we don’t currently offer a birthday party package, we often have lots of people celebrating all kinds of special occasions with us. If you can be a little flexible with us, we can accommodate most size groups. If you decide to celebrate a birthday with us, we request that you call ahead to alert us and we can alert you to the best times to come in to be seated all at once since we often have waits during the busy lunch and dinner timeframe. |
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| Q. |
Can we bring in our own birthday cake or cupcakes to serve? |
| A. |
We’re pretty proud of our homemade butter cream, sprinkle cupcakes with signature toy train whistle on top! We invite you to purchase our desserts to celebrate your special occasion and do not allow outside treats. For birthdays, we play the Happy Birthday song over our sound system and deliver the birthday “boy” or “girl” their cupcake on the train complete with birthday candle.
In special occasions (allergies, etc.) we’ll accommodate a request to bring in a separate cake. Contact restaurant management to arrange. |
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Does 2Toots Train Whistle Grill® provide accommodations for diners with special dietary needs? |
| A. |
Yes. If someone from your party has special dietary needs, we encourage you to bring in separate food with you (at no additional charge). We are happy to even serve it on the train to accommodate young conductors! |
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| Q. |
Does 2Toots Train Whistle Grill® serve peanut products? |
| A. |
Yes. We do offer peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and nuts are in our brownies. If your child is sensitive to peanut products, you are welcome to bring separate food with you (at no additional charge). |
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