Chuck E. Cheese — Restaurant in Lake Forest

3/5/2022 Update. This place continues to be nonsense. So many games not working. Prices ridiculous for play time, game card, etc. Staff unable/unwilling to fix games.

The kiddo wanted to visit again after a few years, so we did. She had fun and we cashed in old tickets for garbage prizes, as expected. For $40 for a pizza and some games we could have a lot more fun elsewhere, but as a once-a-year visit, sure, I guess this place has some limited merit. I look forward to seeing this place go out of business honestly because I truly believe the owner just doesn’t care and is happy to put in as little effort as possible, because the 7 and under crowd isn’t really going to complain much. Our kids deserve better though.

2020 review:

This location is so frustrating. About 25% of the time things go reasonably well. 75% of the time it's a train wreck. To start, Chuck E. Cheese VERY RARELY comes out in costume at any time despite their screens that do countdowns that say he's coming out every 30 minutes. For my reading 5-year-old this is always a disappointment. Why advertise what you can't uphold?

Second, unless you are going at a predictably busy time, there is literally ONE staff member assigned to the front who is supposed to be taking care of check-in/out, taking orders, redeeming tickets for prizes, etc. This results in ridiculous lines for things even though the place is nearly empty. At those times many games are predictably out of tickets or otherwise indisposed and the ticket eaters are full/not working. If I bring this up to whomever is up front, the male manager will eventually come out and take care of the isolated concern and then quickly retreat to the back. It is painfully obvious he is lazy and does not want to assist in the front at all. It's simply unacceptable and I'm stunned he is still employed. Also at those times, we don't bother to wait for check-out...we'd be standing there forever. Good thing we're not stealing kids I guess and we've always got eyes on ours.

On the positive side, the pizza is actually good, and the facility is kept fairly clean. Also, the timed play option is pretty cool and my daughter enjoys that concept. These are mostly chain related though, not location.

If my daughter didn't enjoy coming here, I'd gladly spend my money elsewhere. I just hate rewarding apathetic management who just...

Came to celebrate my daughter’s birthday everything was smooth with our party coordinator besides the pizza being wrong but no biggie. We continued on and when it came to end time oh boy were the other staff members rude Emma (whom is a minor) and the manager. They asked me too move because people from other party times were coming so I grabbed my stuff from our party time to alternate tables nearby that were NOT reserved. When I moved my belongings along with my party the employees started talking amongst themselves when suddenly Emma comes up to me demanding that I move my stuff from the tables elsewhere. Mind you these tables are NOT reserved no note was posted or anything. She was yelling and demanding in front of my children and entire family seen this girl yelling and arguing with me. She’s an employee and to pay for this unacceptable unprofessional behavior is 🤯 The manager on duty came and continued on. Not one other party was told to move not one other party was disrespected the way I was. These girls ruined my child’s birthday party. My child was unable to get prizes from her winnings. She was cut short because of these girls that are clearly unprofessional and unfriendly. They should not be working we’re children are present. I am in disbelief and feel like I was picked on due to race. Because I am not white and I am a person of color this little girl Emma thinks she can disrespect people instead of remaining professional. Do NOT. come here do not use your money at this unclassy place for children!!!!!!! I have a recording that I had no choice but to record because of the unprofessionalism and violence that took place then being threatened with the cops because of their own...

Latest update 2/1/22: Chuck e Cheese has become a huge rip-off. It costs $17 for 30 points or 30 minutes of play. Pizza is tiny for a personal pan pizza with plain cheese for $12. I'd much rather go to Domino's and pay $10 for an XL pizza. Also, the teens working here could care less about their job. There's also now a mandatory $1 fee for a playcard. They don't care about providing affordable, quality service and entertainment for their customers anymore. We won't be coming back...

Update: The service has improved greatly.

Old review: I've been here more than 6 times to attest to this review. The wait/line for everything is very unreasonable, to get let in, we wait for someone to come, to order food and buy tokens is a lengthy process with long lines and one attendant, to get an attendant to come out and fix a broken machine and give you the tickets you're owed, forget about it. My kid loves this place, but I'm the one spending money here. The long waits for everything holds me back from coming here. Not to mention, the staff are usually very unhelpful. I get so many "I don't know" answers for things I ask or the staff conveniently disappears!!! It's pretty ridiculous. Since the staff never asked me for my rewards information at the time of purchase, I asked how to get the points on my account after the fact and of course, I get the good ole "I don't know..." So, that's still a mystery. Ughhh!!! Also, the bathrooms are filthy. Forget about ever having a party here! I'd never want my guests...