Some restaurants serve dinner. This one serves a whole afternoon you will remember for weeks.
Families load up the car, drive past a dozen closer options, and keep going because a certain crispy chicken has kept them coming back for generations. There are alpacas to feed, antique cars parked indoors, and relish trays that never seem to run dry.
The place has been feeding Chicagoland since the 1920s, and folks still treat a visit like a small event worth planning around. Grandparents bring grandkids to the same tables they sat at as children.
If you want to know why an old country restaurant keeps pulling in crowds from every corner of the state, this story walks you through exactly what makes it tick.
A Route 66 Landmark Just Outside Chicago
Chicken lovers looking for the source of all the fuss can find it at White Fence Farm Main Restaurant, located at 1376 Joliet Rd in Romeoville, Illinois. The address sits along old Route 66, which explains why this spot carries the kind of history you cannot fake.
The restaurant has been part of the Chicagoland area since 1920, making it more than a century old. That longevity is rare, and it turns a simple meal into a small brush with the past.
A big rooster statue greets guests near the entrance, leaving no doubt about what dish rules the menu here. The building itself rambles on and on, with room after room stuffed with antiques and collectibles.
Parking is plentiful and the grounds are kept clean, so arriving feels easy even when a crowd shows up. People come from far corners of the state precisely because there is nothing else quite like it nearby.
Anyone chasing a genuine piece of Illinois roadside tradition will want to mark this address down.
The Chicken That Started All The Talk
Ask anyone why they made the drive, and the answer circles back to the fried chicken every single time. It arrives crispy on the outside while staying tender and moist within, and that balance is the whole reason for the reputation.
Regulars mention it is not overly salty or greasy, which sets it apart from a lot of other chicken joints. Some describe it as a lighter, cleaner take on fried chicken, and the portions run so generous that leftovers are practically guaranteed.
People have called it their personal standard for fried chicken, the benchmark every other version gets measured against. Kids in some families swear it is the best chicken they have ever tasted.
The chicken often comes with a potato dish and an amazing gravy that ties the plate together. Not everyone agrees it is flawless, and a few wish for extra seasoning or spice, which comes down to personal taste.
Still, the star of the show holds its crown after all these years. For most who visit, that one plate is worth every mile of the trip.
The Famous Relish Trays That Come First
Before the main course ever lands, the table fills up with a spread that has become its own legend. Every group automatically receives coleslaw, pickled beets, kidney bean salad, cottage cheese, and corn fritters served family style.
The corn fritters get the loudest praise of the bunch, earning the label of house specialty from nearly everyone who tries them. Even guests who found the rest of their meal ordinary have singled out the fritters as the highlight.
The coleslaw comes in a sweet vinegar style rather than creamy, which draws mixed opinions across a table. Good news for the creamy crowd: that version is available with carryout orders, and staff will bring it if you ask.
These sides keep coming as long as you want them, with refills offered freely. The bean salad and cottage cheese have their own devoted fans who could make a meal of them alone.
Think of the relish tray as a warm-up act that sometimes steals the whole show.
Alpacas, Goats, And A Barnyard Welcome
Dinner is only half the fun for families who wander outside before or after their meal. A small collection of animals lives on the grounds, including alpacas, goats, and cows that guests can feed.
The feed costs just a quarter, making it an easy treat that keeps children busy and giggling. Many parents say the animals are one of their favorite parts of the whole visit.
Feeding time also doubles as a nice way to stretch your legs and walk off a big country dinner. The barnyard adds a layer of charm that most restaurants simply cannot offer.
Little ones tend to remember the alpacas as much as the food, and that memory pulls families back year after year. It turns an ordinary dinner outing into something closer to a mini day trip.
Grandparents love watching grandkids light up at the pen, and the whole scene feels wholesome and unhurried. Coming here means dinner and a bit of outdoor fun rolled into one stop.
A Time Capsule Packed With Antiques
Wander through the rambling rooms and you will find more history than you could take in over one meal. The building is an antiques-laden homestead, with vintage cars, motorcycles, and old household items on display throughout.
There is a small museum of old coin-operated machines and collectibles that many guests consider worth a slow browse. Clocks appear all over the walls, and a fortune teller machine and foosball table add to the throwback mood.
People often describe stepping inside as being transported back to their childhood, especially those who visited decades ago. The nostalgia runs so deep that returning after 35 years can feel like meeting an old friend.
Fans of Department 56 scenes and collectibles will be pleased to know a massive collection is on display. There is genuinely a lot to look at, and the decor gives the whole place its personality.
The furniture leans old-fashioned, and the style is proudly frozen in time. That vintage character is exactly what regulars come to treasure.
Christmas Turns The Place Into A Wonderland
Timing a visit around the holidays unlocks a whole different level of magic. When the season arrives, the restaurant gets decked out in elaborate Christmas decorations that guests rave about.
A lighted mini house display complete with running trains draws plenty of attention from young and old alike. The decorations can appear early, so autumn visitors sometimes get a festive preview.
Long-time patrons often say Christmas is the very best time to come, and many plan their trip specifically for it. The atmosphere, already rich with vintage charm, gets an extra dose of sparkle and warmth.
Families celebrating communions, graduations, and holidays have leaned on this place for gatherings across generations. Adding the seasonal glow makes those celebrations feel even more special.
The miniature village scenes fit right in with the department store collectibles already on display year-round. If you have only one chance to visit, the holiday stretch might be the one to circle on your calendar.
It is the kind of setting that makes a December dinner feel like an event.
Built For Big Families And Long Tables
Bringing the whole clan is not just possible here, it is practically the point. The restaurant is enormous, with several rooms of space that can accommodate almost any size group you can round up.
Generations of families have used it for communions, graduations, and any occasion that calls for a large table. Some households have celebrated milestones here for over 50 years running.
Tables are spaced comfortably apart, giving groups room to talk and spread out. The setting suits couples, families, and extended families all the same, which is a rare stretch for one dining room.
Grandparents who came as kids now return with grandchildren, keeping the tradition alive across four generations in some cases. That kind of continuity is a big reason people keep making the drive.
The atmosphere stays quiet and relaxed rather than loud and rushed. Whether you arrive as a party of two or twenty, there is a spot for you.
Few places make hosting a crowd feel this easy.
Hours, Prices, And Planning Your Trip
A little planning goes a long way, since this spot keeps a tight schedule. The kitchen runs only about four hours a day, so timing your arrival matters more than it does at most restaurants.
Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 8 PM, Saturday from 4 to 8 PM, and Sunday from 12 to 8 PM. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, so mark that off your list.
Meals generally land in the 20 to 30 dollar range per person, and some guests note prices have climbed over the years. A chicken strip plate with mashed potatoes runs just under 22 dollars, which many treat as a nice occasion splurge.
Parking is plentiful and the drive along Joliet Road is straightforward. Weekends and holidays get busy, so patience during peak times helps.
The menu keeps things simple, leaning heavily on chicken with a few other options like fish, shrimp, and beef. Come hungry, plan for leftovers, and you will get real value for the trip.
Why The Drive Keeps Paying Off
After a century in business, this place has earned a loyalty that stretches across the whole state. A strong 4.5-star average from more than 3,300 guests tells you plenty of people leave happy.
The pull is not just the chicken, though that crispy plate is the anchor. It is the animals, the antiques, the endless relish trays, and the feeling of stepping into a living piece of Route 66 history.
Not every meal wins everyone over, and a few guests wish for more seasoning or fresher timing on busy nights. Honest feedback like that comes with any long-running institution.
Even so, the fond memories run deep, with families measuring their childhoods against visits here. Sharing the place with a new generation keeps the tradition rolling forward.
For a country dinner with charm to spare and a story behind every room, White Fence Farm remains a trip worth taking. Load up the car, feed the alpacas, and see why the drive keeps paying off.
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