Famous Fried Chicken Along The First Hundred Miles

from Heritage Corridor CVB Route 66 Guide 2021

6 Can't Miss Throwback Restaurants

FAMOUS

ALONG THE FIRST HUNDRED MILES

Want a taste of real Americana on your Route 66 road trip? These five fan-favorite fried chicken restaurants are must-stop spots of foodies looking for a hot home-style meal. As you travel along the Mother Road, you’ll encounter some of the Midwest’s most iconic eateries specializing in fried chicken, some of which have been serving up this delicious goldenbattered goodness for more than a half century. Be sure to start your journey hungry, you’ll want to sample the food at each one of these time-tested locations.

 WHITE FENCE FARM

1376 Joliet Road, Romeoville, IL Just look for the water tower with the giant WFF and you’ll know that you’re at White Fence Farm in Romeoville, one of the early iconic dining establishments along Route 66. Celebrating over 65 years in business, this actual farm has been serving up, as they say, ‘The World’s Greatest Chicken’ to several generations of hungry travelers. Known for their famous twice-cooked process, which involves baking and frying chicken to produce a distinctly thin yet crispy crust. White Fence Farm draws in fried chicken fans from around the nation. In keeping with the authentic farm theme, every meal includes a variety of sides that have become as famous as their chicken: cole slaw, cottage cheese, bean salad, pickled beets and mashed, baked or French fried potatoes. Built by multimillionaire coal executive Stuyvesant Peabody in the 1920s so he could entertain his Chicago friends in a country setting, the building has grown to 11 dining rooms and can seat over 1,200 hungry chicken eaters at a time. Kids of all ages will be entertained by White Fence’s on-site petting zoo, as well as the restaurants’ Car and Antique Museum. Be sure to commemorate your fried chicken road trip by snapping a picture with the larger-than-life Chicken Mascot, located by the main doors.

WHITE FENCE FARM

DEL REHA'S CHICKEN BASKET

Winery

PLAINFIELD, ILLINOIS

Tasting Room Hours:

Wednesday & Thursday 4pm-10pm Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm Sunday 11am-5pm

14912 S Eastern Ave Unit #103 Plainfield, IL 60544 sablecreekwinery.com 815-214-9463

Boutique winery producing artisan wines.

105 South Old Route 66, Dwight

Follow the Mother Road To Great Food and Service 815-584-2920

Daily Specials Homemade Soups Famous for our BROASTED CHICKEN

We Deliver and Cater Open Every Day and Holidays www.route66restaurant.com

SM-CL1871912

MERICHKA'S

 DEL RHEA’S CHICKEN

BASKET

645 Joliet Road I-55 & Route 83 Willowbrook, IL Fans of fried chicken have been loyally returning to Willowbrook’s classic Del Rhea’s Chicken Basket since its doors were first opened to Route 66 travelers in the early 1940s. This icon of American roadside dining, which holds a spot on the Route 66 “Hall of Fame”, has been serving up chicken, cocktails, and other farmhouse recipes in a traditional supper club atmosphere for more than 60 years. Originally founded as a service station and restaurant combination, Del Rhea’s popularity grew right alongside the Mother Road.

Today, you can still savor the original taste of their renowned fried and roasted chicken, made just like it was during the heyday of Route 66. On the menu you’ll find other homestyle classics like corn fritters, baby back ribs, homemade mashed potatoes and an allyou-can-eat salad bar. Don’t miss this authentic throw-back restaurant, decorated with a charming country inspired interior, conveniently located only 25 minutes from the heart of downtown Chicago. Find out why they say to ‘Get Your Chicks on Route 66’!

 MERICHKA’S

604 Theodore St, Crest Hill, IL Crest Hill’s Merichka’s has been serving their legendary take on the classic po’boy sandwich since 1933, using fresh fried chicken in lieu of roast beef or seafood. This family owned and operated eatery takes great pride in using Choice USDA and quality hand cut meats. From their legendary chicken to the freshly hand ground hamburger, Merichka’s is incredibly authentic. The interior of this classic supper club boasts dark rich paneling, complete with red checkered tablecloths and a generous-sized bar, where you can order a libation or two before your meal. Menu items include great steaks and chops, as well as an extensive seafood selection. Their fan favorite Garlic

Butterine can be added to just about everything on the menu, enhancing the flavor of nearly any classic dish. Stop in and try some exciting fried chicken at this icon of Old Route 66.

 CHICKEN-N-SPICE

150 W Brook Forest Ave, Shorewood, IL Looking for fried chicken made with fresh, handcrafted and all-natural ingredients? Stop by Shorewood’s Chicken N Spice, which is famous for hand cutting and seasoning their chicken daily, to ensure you have the freshest possible dish. The delectable chicken here is served up several ways: on-the-bone, in breast chunks or George n Eddie style (that includes all-white-meat chicken chunks). You’ll also get tater wedges (aka Jo-Joe's), dirty rice and a biscuit to accompany the meal, with your choice of dipping sauces. Looking for something even more classic, you’ll even find the elusive livers and gizzards, a farm fresh favorite from yesteryear. Eat in at this casual location or take it to go and enjoy your meal at one of the nearby parks. Either way, you’ll enjoy their friendly staff and fresh offerings that have made this a local favorite.  BERNARDI’S II

123 N Mill St, Pontiac, IL The Bernardi family has been serving up classic ItalianAmerican fare since 1933. A second location for the popular Toluca, IL based restaurant, Bernardi’s II in Pontiac boasts a vast menu of classic dishes, from traditional pastas to prime cut cod and their regionally famous Mona’s brand of northern Italian Tortellini. For those in the know, it’s the fried chicken that’s the star of this third generation dining destination.

People continue to travel from all over the region to dig into the Bernardi’s cuts of golden brown fried chicken. Like all the dinners here, the chicken comes with a dinner salad, choice of potato, vegetable or rice, bread, and butter. To make your dish extra authentic, upgrade to ‘family style’, which includes salad, choice of potato, wild rice or vegetable, side of tortellini and spaghetti, bread and butter, and coffee or freshly brewed iced tea. Now that’s a meal! No matter where you’re traveling from, the friendly staff at Bernardi’s will make you feel like a local.