help finding a casual place for a picky eater

My in-laws are coming in on Tuesday and want to get dinner in the city. They'd like to go somewhere casual. Two complicating factors: my father-in-law is a fairly picky eater, and my mother-in-law is recovering from knee surgery, so it would be preferable to go somewhere where we could be seated immediately (either because it takes reservations or because we could be certain of there being no wait on a Tuesday night.

The places that occurred to us were Lao Sze Chuan, Pegasus, Coalfire, Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder, and Army & Lou's. My husband and I have been to all of those but Army and Lou's, and they all seem like places that both his parents would enjoy. However, not all of them take reservations. (We also considered Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe, which we've been to and enjoyed, but it's a bit further than we'd like to go.) In the past, his parents have enjoyed Bricks, Wishbone, and Dixie Kitchen (which probably should be telling me to look at more Southern places).

Any suggestions, O wise LTHers?

There are a couple of similar threads out there, but they are generally a bit more northerly than the ones you've mentioned thus far - but here are the links:

Best Senior Dining Options?
Who Has Good Handicapped Access?
Eating Out With My Boyfriend and Both Sets of Parents
Graduation Dinner
Seeking graduation dinner rec. for 13
The Parents Are Finally Meeting
Different sort of parental dining question

I love Coalfire, but I do believe it has a few steps up inside to access the dining area. Could be tough on the M-i-L - knee surgery isn't a fast recovery, and you don't want to get on her List, if you know what I'm saying! Give them a call, though. We've never had to wait more than a couple of minutes to be seated, and I have the issue with the bad wheels, myself - can't stand for long periods.

Nothing ventured, etc.

I like your idea of Pegasus, or many of the other Greek Town spots. Because of valet parking, walking to/from the car is a non-issue, something that I'm sure would be appreciated. I'm pretty sure that Pegasus takes reservations, so it would be an easy trip.

Myamphigory,

Army and Lou's takes reservations and would be an excellent choice, but they are closed on Tuesdays. In addition to good food, friendly service, reasonable prices and nice atmosphere, Army and Lou's has its own attached parking lot, a real bonus on busy 75th street.

Did I mention they were closed on Tuesdays?

Enjoy,
Gary

Army & Lou's
422 E. 75th St
Chicago, IL
773-483-3100

Whle not souther cooking, for some reason the first thing that popped into my mind upon reading this was Sabatino's.

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

I don't claim to be a "wise LTHer" but my 83 years young mother likes the Calypso cafe in Hyde Park. Not Southern, exactly, but hits some of the same licks with a Carribean twist. Jerk chicken wings, pork chops, ribs, several pasta and fish dishes, even a tasty jerk burger, plus several good desserts (I like the pineapple cake with rum sauce). Simple, casual, not fancy or terribly expensive, tropical drinks in case mom wants to get her buzz on, not usually much of a wait. There's even a ramp to get up the little incline and you can drop mom off before you park the car.