Some restaurants chase trends, and some simply keep doing one thing well for decades. In Willowbrook, Illinois, there is a spot on old Route 66 that has been serving fried chicken since 1946, and the dining room still fills up fast.
People drive in from nearby towns, and road trippers plan whole days around a stop here. The menu reaches past chicken, with a salad bar, buffets, and plenty of homestyle sides.
In this article, you will learn where it sits, why it matters to Mother Road history, what to order, when the buffets run, and how to plan a smooth visit without waiting too long in line.
A Route 66 Stop With a Willowbrook Address
Tucked along a stretch of the Mother Road that many drivers zip past, the restaurant sits at 645 Joliet Rd, Willowbrook, IL 60527, in the United States. The name on the sign is Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, and it has been a fixture on historic Route 66 for generations.
The setting surprises first-timers. The building sits in an area that looks a bit like an industrial park, which makes the old-school exterior stand out even more.
From the outside, it carries that classic off-the-highway diner look. Many people spot it from the road and pull over almost by luck, then end up planning a return trip.
The place is officially a chicken restaurant, but it also works as a historic American eatery and lounge. Inside, one side holds a bar while the other side serves as the dining room.
It is not a giant space. That cozy size helps explain why tables fill quickly once the dinner crowd arrives.
Still, the address is only the starting point, because the real draw is the long story behind the basket.
Decades of Mother Road History
Since 1946, fried chicken has kept this Willowbrook kitchen busy. That kind of staying power is rare for any roadside business, and it explains why the restaurant counts as a true Route 66 landmark.
Travelers following the old highway across Illinois often treat a meal here as a checkpoint. It ties a classic road trip to a real piece of American dining history.
The restaurant does not hide its past either. Guests can read about how the business got started, which turns a simple lunch into a small history lesson.
Many locals have been coming for years, some for two decades or more. That loyalty speaks to a place that has become part of family routines.
The atmosphere leans nostalgic and old-school in a good way. Plenty of guests describe the whole experience as a trip back in time.
A spot with this much history could easily rest on its name. Instead, the kitchen keeps earning that reputation one platter at a time, starting with its famous bird.
The Fried Chicken That Built the Legend
Fried chicken is the headliner here, no contest. It is the most talked-about dish on the menu by a wide margin, and it is what most first-timers order.
The chicken comes with a crispy exterior and moist meat inside. It is hand breaded, and the coating has a corn breading style that regulars call world famous.
The classic fried chicken basket brings half a chicken, or four pieces. It arrives with french fries and homemade coleslaw, which makes for a hearty plate.
Another favorite is the half fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits. At one recent check it ran $20.99, and that included the soup and salad bar plus some desserts.
Portions are large. Many guests leave with leftovers, so a takeout box is a smart thing to expect.
Not everyone falls for the breading equally, and that is fine. Even so, the seasoning is simple and old-fashioned, and that steady formula is exactly why people keep coming back for more than just a basket.
Buffets Worth Planning a Day Around
Here is a tip that changes everything: the lunch buffet runs until 2 PM. Arrive a little late, and you will be ordering off the menu instead.
On weekdays, Monday through Friday, the lunch buffet is a strong value. It includes all-you-can-eat fried chicken plus a rotating lineup of homemade sides.
Standard items include a rice dish, biscuits, thin crust pizza, and corn fritters in powdered sugar. Rotating picks have included smashed potatoes with gravy, breaded fish like cod or catfish, and BBQ ribs.
Weekend spreads get even bigger. One Saturday buffet offered fried chicken, BBQ chicken, sliders, waffles, pierogis, mac and cheese, and Brussels sprouts, at around $24 per adult.
Sunday brings a brunch buffet with chicken and waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausages. Hot honey is a hit, and bottles are available to take home.
The restaurant also hosts themed nights, like a Mexican buffet for Cinco de Mayo with a strolling mariachi band. Since buffet days can vary, calling ahead is wise before you fill up on plans.
Sides, Soups, and a Salad Bar Throwback
Chicken may get top billing, but the supporting cast deserves applause. The salad bar is one of the most mentioned features, and many people call it a delightful throwback.
It stays fresh and offers solid variety. With many dinners, the soup and salad bar comes included, which adds real value to the plate.
Two soups are usually available. Chicken dumpling soup is a standout, served alongside a soup of the day.
Corn fritters earn their own fan club. They come homemade and dusted with powdered sugar that is not overly sweet.
The mashed potatoes and gravy get serious praise too, both made from scratch. Some regulars rank them among the best anywhere.
The biscuits look a little different from what most people expect. They are unique in shape, yet they win people over quickly.
Mac and cheese, green beans, and coleslaw round out the classics. Fill up here and dessert might need to wait, though the menu has more surprises still.
Beyond the Basket on an Extensive Menu
Plenty of guests walk in planning on fried chicken and walk out talking about something else. The menu is extensive, and it rewards a little exploring.
Chicken pot pie is a popular pick. Chicken fried chicken shows up too, for those who want a different take on the house specialty.
Chicken and waffles draw steady praise. Catfish is another frequent order for anyone wanting a break from poultry.
Chicken livers make the menu as well, a nod to old-school roadhouse dining. Bourbon chicken has its own fans at the bar side.
The description also highlights housemade pizza. It turns up on the buffet as a surprisingly good thin crust option.
Starters include mac and cheese balls served in a cheese sauce. Grilled veggies make a filling add-on for sharing.
With so many options, a group can order widely and swap bites. That makes the next topic, the people and the room, worth a closer look.
Retro Rooms and Friendly Faces
Kitschy? Maybe a little, and that is part of the fun.
The decor feels like a grandmother’s kitchen, and many guests count that as a plus.
The dining room features a stone fireplace. The space stays clean and comfortable, with a casual mood.
Over on the bar side, games play on multiple screens. It works well for catching a match with a full menu at hand.
Staff members are often described as kind, attentive, and quick. Drink refills sometimes arrive before anyone asks.
The crowd skews toward retirees at lunch, so lines can form. Families, road trippers, and sports fans all find a spot here.
Large groups should plan carefully. One big party once dealt with service mix-ups and an automatic 20 percent gratuity, so smaller groups may have an easier time.
Overall, the room is lively and welcoming. Knowing when to show up makes it even better.
Timing Your Visit and a Fond Farewell
Good news for planners: the hours stay the same every day. The restaurant opens at 11 AM and closes at 9 PM, seven days a week.
Expect to spend around $20 to $30 per person. Many dinners bundle in soup and salad bar, which stretches that budget nicely.
Crowds build fast. On a Saturday around 5 PM, a table might be free right away, yet the room can be packed within fifteen minutes.
Sunday afternoons get busy as well. Arriving early is the simplest way to skip a wait.
Remember the 2 PM cutoff for the lunch buffet. Calling ahead helps confirm buffet days and reservation options, since those details can vary.
For Route 66 travelers, the stop fits easily into a day on the Mother Road. Locals can treat it as a reliable weeknight dinner.
Nearly eight decades in, this Willowbrook landmark still feels like a family meal done right. Come hungry, bring a friend, and leave room for a corn fritter on the way out.
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