OK, I guess I mean dining experience, not dinner theatre. And I know Ed Debevic's is less expensive. I guess I'm looking for an opinion from people that have actually been to both.
smrardin
Favorite Answer
I have been to both. It depends on the kind of experience you want to have. Ed Debevic's is casual with greasy spoon diner kind of food. Tommyguns is a touristy place with slightly better than average food. Neither is what I would call a dining experience to make Chicago memorable.
If you want to have a few drinks and laugh with some friends while indulging a fascination with the Chicago mob, choose Tommyguns. If you are taking a date, (unless you have been dating a really long time) definitely take Tommyguns over Ed Debevic's. It's schmaltzy fun with slightly better than average food.
If you are going with a bunch of same sex friends and want to eat cheap, choose Ed DeBevic's. It is a burger joint with greasy spoon food and great shakes. I think they might server beer but I am not sure. Most everyone gets a shake there. You will be insulted but there's not really any kind of entertainment. Other than a few occasional bad dances (think YMCA variety), you will be on your own for entertainment most of the time. It's a definite 50's diner atmosphere that became famous for the rude service.
If you are looking for a great date but don't want to spend a bundle, I highly suggest that you make it a day date and choose the Signature Room for lunch. It is romantic and unmistakably Chicago. You will get the same view as the Sears Tower included with your lunch price. They offer a buffet lunch for $18 per person and the food is fabulous. The Signature Room is a Chicago Icon and the chefs are renowned. You can then stroll along and window shop, do Millennium Park or see the Art Gallery or one of the many other museums. It makes a great date sure to impress.
If you are set on a dinner theater, you can also try a dinner/theater package. Most theaters offer dinner packages at nearby restaurants through their website. For instance, you can check out Drury Lane in Watertower Center at
http://www.drurylanewatertower.com/
Scroll down and select the dinner/theater package for more info including a menu.
jmor818
I have been to both. Ed Debevic's is fun for mostly teens or anyone under 25. Will you be drinking? I don't think they have a bar but you can have Green River milkshakes. Like you said, ED's is not a dinner theatre but a dining experience and is extremely casual but the food is pretty good for diner food.
Tommy Gun's is fun for all ages and does have a show. The food is mediocre but the show rocks and you can drink a cocktail there.
Baked n Blended
Ed Debevic's isn't a dinner theatre, so I guess your stuck with Tommy Gun
chante
I've been to both. I would say Tommy Gun. It's a real act. Ed Debevic is lunch with act on the side.
westside
Ed's is your classic 50s diner, a fun staff and you'll be entertained, but it's not dinner theatre.