Sit back, relax and enjoy these delectable dining destinations located just off The Mother Road along The First Hundred Miles. Sporting vintage ambiance, modern menus, Route 66 ephemera and artisan drinks, this collection of restaurants highlights both classic Route 66 eateries and exciting newer spots found along the legendary road trip destination.
Travelers cruising the Illinois stretch of the Mother Road have long made a stop at Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket (645 Joliet Road I-55 & Route 83, Willowbrook), a roadside institution that has been serving hungry Route 66 motorists since the early 1940s. Originally opened as a combination service station and restaurant, the spot grew in popularity alongside the highway itself. Guests still come from near and far for the restaurant’s famous fried and roasted chicken, along with comforting favorites like corn fritters, baby back ribs, homemade mashed potatoes and an all-you-can-eat salad bar served in a charming country-style dining room.
A little further south, travelers can’t miss White Fence Farm (1376 Joliet Road, Romeoville), easily identified by the towering water tower marked with its iconic “WWF.” For more than 65 years, this longtime Route 66 favorite has been serving what it proudly calls “The World’s Greatest Chicken.” Their famous twice-cooked process, baked and then fried, creates a thin yet perfectly crispy crust that keeps fried chicken fans coming back. In keeping with the authentic farm theme, every meal is accompanied by classic sides such as coleslaw, cottage cheese, bean salad, pickled beets and your choice of potatoes…