This Train In Chicago Is Actually A Restaurant And You Need To Visit
By Stephanie Andrews|Published December 03, 2016
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Stephanie Andrews
Author
Originally from the quaint beach town of Fenwick Island, Delaware, Stephanie has called Chicago home for nearly a decade. A passion for cocktail creation, international travel and decadent foodie experiences, enjoy Stephanie's romp through the Land of Lincoln. A circus performer, stuntwoman, professed travel buff and lover of Tom Waits, Stephanie is looking forward to sharing her favorite Chicago haunts with both adventurous locals and curious travelers.
Sure, Americans seem to prefer their automobiles and airplanes when it comes to transportation but there is something about riding the rails that conjures up feelings of nostalgia. There is something that seems intriguing and almost Old Hollywood about putting everything into a suitcase and traveling across country on a train. Visions of Some Like It Hot and The Harvey Girls dance in your head.
So while you may not choose to ride the rails to your next destination anytime soon, if you love the old time sentimentality that comes with kicking back in a train car and enjoying some good food while you’re at it then it’s time you visited Chicago’s very own The Silver Palm Restaurant.
Getting off the Chicago Blue Line stop it’s hard to miss the silver metal beast in all its glory. This dining car was built for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad back in 1947. This train car was nicknamed "The Washington" and it typically ran from New York to Florida with "The Silver Palm." Even though you enter through a standard restaurant storefront you’ll be dining in this 1940s Budd dining car.
Upon entering The Silver Palm you’ll go up the stairs where you can mosey up to a chrome barstool at the long wooden bar or sit at one of the cocktail tables to enjoy a lovely Manhattan or Sidecar. If hard liquor isn’t your fancy, they also offer a large selection of European beers, microbrews and wine.
On the right side of the bar is your entrance into the Silver Palm dining car. Two rows of four-top tables with gray chairs greet you. Dark red velvet curtains, warm string lights and old '50s-style risqué illustrations set the mood while you peruse the menu.
Enjoy the "Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Calamari," followed by some smoked baby back ribs or a juicy cheeseburger. However, it may be a sin to leave this place and not get the signature sandwich, "The Three Little Piggy." With double smoked ham, bacon, pork tenderloin, Gruyere cheese and a fried egg, you’ll be in foodie heaven.
On a beautiful summer day it’s hard to justify staying in (after all, how many months of gorgeous warm weather do we actually get?), and at The Silver Palm you don’t have to. You can still take in the awesome sight of this old dining car while enjoying delicious cocktails and scrumptious food all on their outdoor patio.
Step back in time and enjoy the ambience, vintage style, and yummy eats that this old train car has to offer you in the Second City. Just don’t expect it to drop you off at home.
Have you been to Silver Palm Restaurant? Have a favorite experience, a favorite meal or a favorite drink? If so, we would love to hear all about it in the comments.
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