10 Best Fried Chicken Joints in Illinois for 2024!
From modern eateries to classic Southern-style restaurants, you can find some authentic and unique fried chicken in Illinois. You’ll find more traditional varieties and distinctive creations made with melted honey butter or extra spicy sauce. Visit these ten of Illinois's best-fried chicken joints for 2024 for some seriously delicious, finger-licking fried chicken!
Castelli's Restaurant at 255, Alton, IL
Known for their signature fried chicken, Castelli’s Restaurant at 255 has been family owned and operated since 1937! People drive for miles for the fried chicken, which is crispy and well-seasoned—never greasy. The attentive service and elegant atmosphere also make this fine Italian restaurant a local favorite.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Chicago, IL
This no-frills joint is known for their perfectly-seasoned fried chicken with melted honey butter on top. Honey Butter Fried Chicken uses locally-sourced, humanely-raised chicken free of antibiotics, which sets them apart from their competition. They also serve delicious side dishes such as mac and cheese and cornbread. Patrons recommend the Honey Butter Fried Chicken sandwich.
Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, Willowbrook, IL
Open since 1946, Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket is recognized for their world-famous chicken basket. Their lunch buffet also features their famous chicken along with sides and homemade dessert. Located on Route 66, this historic restaurant takes pride in preserving nearly all aspects of their retro charm to provide a consistently great dining experience.
Gallagher's, Waterloo, IL
Known for their homemade comfort food in a relaxed environment, Gallagher’s offers all-you-can-eat fried chicken family-style every Sunday. Their homemade sides, which include potatoes, green beans, corn, and biscuits, are all delicious and complement the chicken perfectly. Patrons also appreciate the wide variety of alcohol available.
Good Ol Days, New Baden, IL
Expect the finest country cookin’ in the area at Good Ol Days Restaurant in New Baden. Every Sunday they offer all-you-can-eat fried chicken served with a variety of tasty sides like sweet corn, coleslaw, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, homemade rolls, and chicken and dumplings. Fried chicken is also on the menu throughout the week and always served by friendly faces.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Chicago, IL
For chicken that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, look no further than Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. Their chicken is also seasoned to perfection and served steaming hot with a ton of sides to choose from such as mac and cheese, fried pickles, okra, and baked beans. Don’t forget to try their desserts, as well.
Old Route 66 Family Restaurant, Dwight, IL
This old-school diner knows a thing a two about fried chicken. Located along historic Route 66, Old Route 66 Family Restaurant offers chicken family packs, which contain up to 24 pieces of fried chicken and include fresh baked bread, mashed potatoes and gravy, and coleslaw. They also offer chicken by the bucket (up to 100 pieces), and a wide variety of sides to order by the pound.
Niemerg's Steakhouse & Brass Rail Lounge, Effingham, IL
Niemerg’s Steakhouse features a huge menu and extremely reasonable prices. Their serve a chicken lunch and dinner, which are both served with salad or soup, vegetable, and potato. Their country fried chicken is also a hit with local patrons. The kind, courteous staff are very attention to the customers’ needs, as well.
White Fence Farm, Romeoville, IL
Featuring a nostalgic museum atmosphere, White Fence Farm is your quintessential chicken restaurant. It’s known for serving award-winning fried chicken, which is lightly breaded, yet crispy, and served with many sides. Patrons also recommend the corn fritters and bottomless sides. This is comfort food at its best.
Parson's Chicken & Fish, Chicago, IL
Parson’s Chicken & Fish is not your typical chicken spot. They serve a top-notch fried chicken sandwich that’s popular with the locals. The spicy fried chicken is also a favorite here, too. Patrons appreciate the friendly staff and recommend the cocktails, as well. Although the restaurant is small, the patio area can accommodate more people.
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