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Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
645 Joliet RdWillowbrook, IL 60527
(630) 325-0780
- Hours:
Tue-Fri, Sun 11 am - 9 pm
Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
119 reviews for Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket
Review Highlights
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"the chicken dumpling soup on the salad bar is even better." In 9 reviews -
"Mac and cheese balls incredible." In 11 reviews -
"The dinner comes with the salad bar that has some of the..." In 23 reviews
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119 reviews in English
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Review from Kevin T.
4/8/2012 1 photo
really great fried chicken. so juicy, yet not overly greasy.
awesome, friendly service.
If you're in the area or near the I-55, stop by! -
Review from sarah s.
Naperville, IL
4/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bad news: shitty service
Good news: waitress realized she kept forgetting us and got us some free pie.
Food was decent but overpriced -
Review from Brian L.
3/26/2012
It's been almost 21 years since I stepped foot in this place and that was after an afternoon of drinking it up with my buddies.
We had a Living Social coupon for here and decided to use it yesterday. To the reviewer who was complaining about this, the rules are very clearly marked, so not sure what your issue is but they are not good on Saturday's and since we followed those instructions, we had not one problem using our coupon on a Sunday.
We ordered up a couple of starters, an order of Vesuvio Wings and an order of the Corn Fritters. Big thumbs up on the wings. They were good sized (not teeny) and the vesuvio sauce was really really good. The fritters, well, they are quite large and doughy and unfortunately we were comparing them directly to the ones you get (for free) at White Fence Farm (WFF) down ole' Route 66 (now I-55) and they just weren't as good.
Two of us just got the Chicken Basket (1/2 chicken, fries and coleslaw). We didn't see the advantage of paying an additional $5 for the salad bar which looked extremely tiny and not that appetizing. Nana got the chicken Pot Pie and Papa got the Sautee'd Chicken Livers. There's not much of a kid's menu beyond chicken and chicken tenders so we originally ordered a Cheese Pizza off the starters menu. Unfortunately my son is very finicky when it comes to his breading and we already knew he wasn't going to be a fan of theirs. Server came back and said that they were all out of this (sad trombone). So we went with an order of mac 'n cheese which is an adult order.
Chicken came out so hot that it took almost 10 minutes for us to have it cool off to make it edible. This is NOT a bad thing because the chicken itself is fantastic. Yes, the breading/coating is different, but I'd hardly call it "shake and bake" like many of the detractors below. First of all these pieces are bigger than WFF and were far more juicy and flavorful. Fries were just regular and nothing that stands out. I still thought it was a good deal for what you got.
Chicken Livers were great according to my dad. they were not overcooked and dry and he really enjoyed the onions that came with them as well. Nana's Pot Pie was huge and full of large chicken pieces, carrots, peas and onions. She really like it a lot. Thankfully my son's mac 'n cheese was also very creamy and good.
We skipped on the desserts as we were all too full. I'm not sure what my final verdict is here. It was good, it was tasty but it does seem like one of those places everyone goes to because of the memories (like WFF). We didn't vary too much on the menu so alas, i can't vouch for the other things that are available. Solid 3 - 3 1/2 stars here, but tough to give it the full 4 stars. -
Review from Jack L.
Woodridge, IL
5/15/2012
It is amazing how one restaurant can have such wildly differing reviews.
I have lived minutes away for almost 30 years and today (May 2012) was the first time I ate at the Chicken Basket. I took advantage of the Tues - Friday Buffet for $9.95 so my comments may be skewed a bit.
I was warmly received and given a nice table. The waitress had a wonderful smile and disposition. She checked in as often as any patron would have liked. Filled my water when empty and asked if I was enjoying the food.
The chicken of course is the star of the restaurant and was excellent. I liked the coating, but it was a tad greasy. Perhaps from sitting in the buffet line. The meat however was incredible. Best ever. Period. How they get the meat to taste seasoned so well is beyond me. Very impressed.
I ate two fritters. Okay, nothing to write home about. However, I heard other patrons order side orders of fritters so perhaps they taste better right from the oil, and not from the line. White Fence Farm, just down the road, however, certainly has them beat in the fritter department in my humble opinion.
The buffet line sweet potatoes were very good. Not full of sugar and extras, just very tasty.
The mashed potatoes were also excellent. These are not typical restaurant mashed potatoes. I can taste some cream or cream cheese in them, or something that put them on a level all their own. I would go back, almost, just for the potatoes.
The super thin crust pizza was very good, had two slices. Great sauce and cheese.
The salad bar was good, not outstanding but good. I liked the potato salad (yes, in addition to the mashed potatoes, what can I say). I did not try the soup. Liked the fact that they serve mixed greens instead of iceberg lettuce. Also had fresh carrot sticks, and few other attractive selections.
Desserts consisted of top notch cookies (chocolate chip, double chococale, and another fruity, nutty, white chocolate chip(?) cookie) and chocolate cupcakes. Was hoping for pie, but enjoyed the cookies and cupcakes.
All in all, the chicken was great (White Fence Farm: Less greasy skin/coating, Chicken Basket: Better tasting meat), the rest of the buffet line was very good, the salad bar was good, and the desserts, though limited, were very good. And the server and host were friendly, attentive, and seemed genuine in their appreciation for stopping by.
Will I return? YOU BET. As soon as the wife returns from Miami we will hit Dell Rheas again, and perhaps once a month after that. Not sure why it took us 30 years to try them out.
How lucky can you be? White Fence Farm and Dell Rheas within shouting distance of each other!!!!! -
Review from Irene G.
5/6/2012
This is how I prefer my fried chicken - very hot and juicy! Chicago's Best is right - it definitely is up there as one of the best chicken - if not THE best I've had in awhile. I ordered the chicken dinner so I can take advantage of the salad bar which had enough options to choose from. As long as there's cottage cheese and potato salad I'm happy. The biscuits here were one of the best I've had....I recommend this place especially since it's a historical stop on Route 66. :)
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Review from Francesca L.
Chicago, IL
3/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
My parents have been bringing us to this restaurant for as long as I can remember! They cannot get enough of the atmosphere and fried chicken. Dell Rhea's is known for their fried chicken so you have to try it if you go!
There is also have a really good soup and salad bar that comes with most dinner items. It isn't the biggest salad bar in the world but it has a nice mix of things and everything is always fresh! They bring a huge basket of homemade biscuits to the table and those are really good! They also have a mac and cheese entree on the menu which is really good.
Overall, I would give the fried chicken alone a 4 star review. It is fried when the chicken is fresh - they claim the chicken is never frozen and I assume that is why it has such a good flavor. But, I took away one star for some other things on the menu that we recently tried.
My entire family met up there on a Saturday night. My husband and I were cutting out carbs for lent so we opted for different non fried chicken items. Do not do this!! Do not go here if you don't eat carbs and if you do, don't be dumb like us - stick to what this place is know for ... fried chicken. I had the roasted chicken and it was very bland and boring. I felt like the chicken was boiled, although; my sister insisted it was not. My husband had the chicken breast plate and it was just one little sad chicken breast with no flavoring (for same price as fried chicken meal). Kinda upsetting since we knew how good the fried chicken would be but opted to stick to our no carb lifestyle for lent!
Prices here are good ... if you check this place out just stick to the fried chicken, salad bar and mac and cheese! -
Review from Nancy N.
Des Plaines, IL
5/8/2012
Their chicken is some of the best I have ever had in my life. Very juicy and tender.
It is always fresh, as is the rest of the food. Delicious corn fritters, too. Will definitely go back sometime. The decor is quaint and comfortable with Rt. 66 signs along the wall. A "must try", if you love fried chicken. -
Review from marc b.
Austin, TX
5/12/2012
Fantastic for the price. Had the buffet, and kept going back for more mashed potatoes and gravy. Had an assortment of dishes on the salad bar, and fluffy pastries.
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Review from Karen D.
Oxnard, CA
5/1/2012
We three gals were on a Route 66 at 66 trip from CA to IL. The staff was outstanding, friendly and fun. The chicken wings were perfect, moist and seasoned just right. The macaroni and cheese was the best ever totally awesome, (you have to taste it to know what I mean.) The chicken basket was so good and moist. The corn fritters delightful. We were looking forward to this stop on our trip and we were not disappointed at all. It was better than expected. Truly an awesome experience. It was the #1 restaurant on the trip.
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Review from Laura C.
South Elgin, IL
Updated - 4/25/2012
Went again last Friday!! Yum.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/1/2012
We went this last friday. It was awesome and everything everyone has ever said about it. Three… Read more »
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Review from Don P.
Downers Grove, IL
3/18/2012
This is no reflection on the food or the waitstaff. I would not recommend ever trying to use a Groupon or LivingSocial coupon for this establishment. I understand we arrived 4:15 on a Saturday with is against the policy, with is fine. We stayed and enjoyed. But we returned a second time at 340pm on a Saturday (St Patricks Day) and where told first: " you have to be done and finished with your meal and pay your bill by 4pm." After asking for the manager they stated "we can't honor the coupon due it being a holiday.... and we are busy... " Truth be know there we 14 empty tables with no large parties in site. And with all due respect to my Irish friends, St Patricks Day is a Hallmark holiday, not a official government holiday. We proceeded to walk out this time.
I would think after being a customer for 45 years (honest) and the conditions set forth on the coupon, this would not have been an issue. With the other reports of rude staff there, and this, I will not recommend this establish on the given conditions above... -
Review from Bobby O.
Chicago, IL
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have been here many times and the chicken is always consistent. The service leaves something to be desired when it gets busy. When checking in with my little boy they wanted to seat us at the bar. Im like I dont think I am going to sit at the bar with my kid eating fried chicken while the dude next to me is trying to hit on the bar tender. Not! We waited and after 30 minutes were seated and then waited some more for our drinks and then some more for our food. Chicken was fresh and tasty.
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Review from Dana B.
Lisle, IL
2/18/2012
This place has some good chicken. I enjoy the crunchy coating and not overpowering tast of seasoning on it. If you are really hungry, they do have an all you can eat buffet on the weekdays.
The mac n' cheese is divine. It is very creamy, and not greasy.
I wish I could give the place more stars, but I have to say the staff is a bit unprofessional. In a crowded dining room they were shouting back and forth to each other, and I even heard one server make a demeaning comment to a hispanic bus boy. Even if you are kidding miss, it is all about perception.
The table that we were seated at was right next to the door to the kitchen, so it was very loud, and the legs on our table were apparently uneven, so they had propped it up with cardboard or something. I know its all about nostalgia, but this place could use some tlc. -
Review from Pete D.
2/20/2012
Yes I know a buh-jillion people have reviewed it, and that crazy blond spike haired guy had it on his TV show.
I just want to say I had the baked macaroni & cheese with jalapenos and bacon, and it was super savory and yummy. The portion is giant, and it was just as good heated up at work for lunch the next day. The corn fritters were super tasty as well.
Not sure about some of the other comments regarding service issues, but we were there on a Thursday night with a group of friends, and received excellent and attentive service. -
Review from Howard L.
4/21/2012 7 photos
We finally made here to give their chicken a try. I had their classic 1/2 fried chicken basket ($10.95) and wife had their grilled chicken lunch which comes with soup and salad bar ($14.95). It was alright. The chicken skin was slightly chewy crispy, and not crunchy crispy. While it was good, the chicken could have been more moist and succulent to have gotten a higher quality rating. The grilled chicken lunch was tasty and ok, but somewhat pricey. The classic fried chicken is a decent deal, given it's a sit-down restaurant. I noted that they have a surprisingly nice and reasonably priced beer selection, including Belgian ales, and Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout. Beer list was upgraded a year ago according to our friendly server Dene. They also have live entertainment on some nites (with $10 cover). I could see coming back just for the beer and a nostalgic setting. It was good to try their fried chicken, but I still like Popeyes myself for that item.
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Review from Margaret B.
Evergreen Park, IL
1/3/2012
Y'know, I've heard of this place off and on since the '60s, but never managed to find my way there. I was in Willowbrook, consulting my GPS for places to eat, and Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket came up. What the heck, I thought I'd give it a try.
Wow. The chicken pot pie is to die for. It's obviously not out of a package; the glaze on the crust is uneven, the chunks of chicken are all different sizes, and there was a carrot piece the size of a golf ball. It was WONDERFUL. This is not your go-to-grocery-store frozen chicken pot pie; this is probably as good (maybe even better, depending on your mom) as your mom used to make. The kind of pie I dream about.
I may never be able to eat a chain-restaurant chicken pot pie again, but that's probably a good thing. And have I mentioned the biscuits? Again, these are NOT packaged biscuits; they're fresh, made on the scene, and HOT when they arrive at the table. As good as mine (which are awesome, if I do say so myself), and amazing that a restaurant still does this sort of thing.
I wish I hadn't been too stuffed to try the pies, which looked fantastic, and, again, are not some packaged monstrosity. I'll make sure to try the pie the next time I go. And there will definitely be a next time.
Dell Rhea's chicken basket may be a blast from the past, but it's one that holds up well against current standards. Set your GPS (you will probably need it) and go. Don't panic when you find yourself winding through an office park; it's there. Definitely worth the trip. -
Review from Jen K.
Addison, IL
4/5/2012
I will just always love this place. My parents had me here back when in a basinette on the window sill. They said they gave me a rib bone to gnaw on and I just sat there humming. Took my Dad back there as an adult. It was great. Super fab chicken. Good times.
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Review from Rene F.
Chicago, IL
2/11/2012
Great old-time diner place - reminds me of the places I went with my parents in the 60's and early 70's. Cozy dining area with a fireplace, oilcloth covered tables, big windows. Service was good.
It's little hard to find - if you are coming along from 83, you have to turn into the entrance street of a shopping mall/manufacturing area. It is on what looks like the frontage road of I-55.
The menu is huge! We both ordered the chicken dinner - more food than we could eat! Homemade chicken soup, salad bar (no real surprises there - but it did include fresh and very good coleslaw and potato salad, as well as a strange but tasty cheese spread? dip?). Homemade baking-powder drop biscuits were fresh and hot. The chicken was very nice - hot, crispy, well cooked, good breading. I would have preferred it a little spicier. Mashed potatoes yummy, gravy excellent, green beans okay.
We took home half our chicken and side dishes - made another meal out of them!
While not cheap, the quality was very high - what you might make for your own family if you had the time. I will go again, and maybe try some of their other specialties - chicken pot pie, and baked macaroni and cheese. -
Review from Kimberly C.
Forest Park, IL
12/5/2011
OK, the chicken is good...really good. My husband & I ordered the Fried Chicken Dinners. I loved the crispy crust and the flavor and it was super-juicy...but the salad bar, the sides, the service...all mediocre. I think for a salad bar, there were limited offerings (pretty standard fare--lettuce, toppings, dressings, soup, a couple of other salads & cottage cheese). And the mashed potatoes were lukewarm and the gravy was blah. The green beans were canned, at best.
And the service...our friend ordered the Chicken Fried Chicken Dinner, because he doesn't like dark meat. But our server must have punched the wrong thing when she put the order in because she brought out a Fried Chicken Dinner. Now it takes 30 minutes to cook up an order, and my husband & I were sitting there with our chicken in front of us...so she basically told him he was stuck with it. "Ooops." Out of politeness, he ate it...I mean, otherwise, our food would have gotten cold while we waited for his to be cooked... To be fair, she did bring him a free black cherry soda, but I feel like his whole meal should have been taken off the bill. And, I know it's only $1, but the chicken fried chicken was $1 LESS than the chicken dinner, but he was charged the full chicken dinner price (even though it was HER mistake).
So, that experience left me feeling kind of bad about the whole place. I'm not saying I won't be back...a place that would have gotten 4-5 stars (that was some preeeetty tasty chicken!) now only gets 3 because they don't know how to take care of their mistakes & their customers...
Sometimes I think places get too comfortable riding Guy Fieri's shirttails... -
Review from Linda H.
10/12/2011
I love Dell Rhea's for so many reasons...many of them sentimental, but there is also THE FOOD.
For one, it is the only restaurant that I enjoy as much as I did when I was a kid (as opposed to Spaghetti-O's and Twinkies....not as good as an adult). Actually, I can't even think of another restaurant that I went to as a kid that I still go to...perhaps because the folks had different preferences (think "Old Country Buffet") than their snobbish daughter. And therein lies the beauty of Dell Rhea's...it brings people together.
Honestly, I don't even *like* chicken (thank you, Food, Inc.), but I actually crave the chicken from Dell Rhea's....along with the best mashed potatoes and gravy I've ever tasted. Oh, and the salad bar has the same stuff on it that it had back in the '60's...love me some cottage cheese and beets and that orange cheese spread stuff. The food here is quality *and* quantity...and made with love.
I've dined here many times through the years, and always gotten the chicken (duh), so can't comment on the other menu items, but really, why would you bother with anything else? Get the chicken, you will be happy.
My most recent visit was for the funeral luncheon for my dad, a chicken lover if there ever was one. Dell Rhea's was the gold standard for Dad. My mom and dad used to go on dates here before they got married 57 years ago {sniff, sniff}...seriously, no other restaurant around provides that kind of family history for me, and perhaps for many other families in the area.
Oh yeah, the food. The luncheon buffet was freaking awesome. Chicken, of course, and my beloved mashed potatoes and gravy and (drum roll please) not one but TWO kinds of macaroni and cheese (*thud* {---me fainting from the deliciousness). And there was lasagna and pizza, neither of which I tried. Buffet included the old-school salad bar, and some desserts (brownies were all I saw, but they were damn good brownies).
So there ya have it. Dell Rhea's, a family favorite, and damn good food. -
Review from Grace S.
Normal, IL
3/12/2012
The food= 5 stars, the service=4 stars.
First the food. Mmm, where to begin? The fried chicken dinner is well worth the 30 min wait. For appetizers we got the homemade chips which were really tasty! We also got the corn fritters. The fritters were alright, but I would probably go with a different appetizer next time. I also got a banana bread beer which was delicious. The friend chicken was definitely the best part though! It was juicy and tender, and I couldn't stop eating it. It came with coleslaw and french fries.
Now the service. The server was friendly but she wasn't the best. She brought us the wrong appetizer at first. Also, when I asked for my water to be refilled she seemed to forget and it took her a good 10 min. She seemed earnest though and the food more than made up for it. I definitely need to go back! -
Review from Eric G.
Normal, IL
2/8/2012
I am a huge fried chicken fan so I had to try this place after seeing it on TV. I get that it is a little piece of history and the charm does help, but for me it was only a little better than average chicken. Probably a 3.4. The chicken is fresh but be carefull because you have to wait the 30 minutes while they bread and cook your order fresh. The breading is unique and I liked that it is not your standard flour breading. It seamed more granular like a corn meal. What it lacked for me was spice. I guess it is to be expected for northern fried chicken, but I want a little bit of kick and a layer of flavors to keep each bite intersting. Worth a visit but not on my top 3 chicken places.
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Review from Ramone B.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
So I really wanted to love this place after driving by so many times, and that famous neon sign catching my eye while cruising up I-55. Me and the boy made our way to Del Rhea New Years day after so many promises of stopping in. Walking in I loved the ambiance of this place, especially the huge cozy fireplace. We were seated and ignored for about 15 minutes when our server came to our table. He was very nice and apologized for the wait. The menu was pretty extensive and boasted so many items I wanted to try, BUT we were there to try that famous fried chicken. I was a little disappointed that they serve RC cola because RC just usually sucks ( I'm a coke head all day!!) (The soda not the drug!!) My gripe with RC is usually its flat and tastes weird like the soda line needs to be cleaned, but this soda was nicely carbonated and tasted great. Me and the boy opted for the chicken dinner with the salad bar. (15.95 per person)
Walking up to the salad bar I felt so let down at the choices. There were dishes like bean salad, potato salad, green salad, and soup. I still made my plate and stayed open minded. It was actually good! I loved my salad which was a mix of romaine & spring mix. I put bacon, eggs, croutons, vinegar, and thousand island on my salad. The potato salad was good, and then I tried this yellow blob that was probably egg salad which was solid. I was in such a good mood because what I tasted was good so I just KNEW the main course was gonna be awesome.
The waiter brought out our dinner plates and when I saw that chicken my heart sank.....it looked like shake and bake! And Let me tell you it didn't taste any better. It was bland as all get out!! I could not believe the reviews that I had read on this place that were glowing. The chains have better chicken than this at much lower prices. Our bill with the tip was 50 dollars. Chicken is the cheapest meat you can buy next to dog food so I don't get the markup! It wasnt nasty, but I've had better at a much cheaper price.
Save your money and go somewhere else unless you just love bland over priced shake and bake!! I am tempted to go back and try the Baked Mac & Cheese, hot wings, and other items. I'm not sure if I actually will do it just because their signature item was so underwhelming. Until next review....... -
Review from Tobin h.
2/7/2012
Finally a hyped old tyme restaurant that lived up to its billing. I found that it was well worth the effort getting there and just as well worth the effort in bringing my wife back with me. The fried chicken compares to Zhenders(Frankenmuth) or Crandell's (Hebron) as top of the line Fried chicken. Add the history, service, ambiance, reviews, and overall quality and you have "a must go to" dinner stop!
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Review from Eve N.
Plainfield, IL
2/10/2012
Love the diner atmosphere, went during lunch buffet, and it was awesome, amazing chicken, and even more amazing brisket.
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Review from Hubert D.
Carol Stream, IL
2/7/2012
I decided to check this place out based on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The place was dead which I found a little odd given the time and how people rave about this food. The atmosphere was cozy but it felt like going to Grandma and Grandpas house out in the cabin in the forest. It was different but odd, but I dont mean that in a bad way, just how you may like it or not.
I wanted to try the mac and cheese but I can never deny liver if its on the menu so I got the fried livers. Flavor was good, liver was tender and very delicious.
Now the chicken. I know its brined but all I could taste was salt with a hint of chicken. The breaded was different and the chicken was very tender. It has to be right... if its cooked at a low temp for a long time. However, although it was good, it was not my cup of tea.
Service was nice and friendly.
I took my leftovers home to my parents. They also agreed with me, while the liver was good, the chicken was okay.. good food but nothing remember-able or amazing. -
Review from H. O.
Chicago, IL
8/21/2011
My husband and I ventured out to Willowbrook after a late night viewing of Triple D. The food featured on the show was just what we'd been craving -- old fashioned good food (hard find in Chicago and its surroundings).
So, on to the experience. The service was good -- our waitress was a gem and was taking care of lots of tables. Even with this, we didn't have to wait long for refills and she brought us a basket of warm biscuits without us having to ask (unlike the 2-3 other tables seated after us).
We ordered the Chicken Basket (w/$3.00 up-charge for white meat); Chicken Dinner, which came with stir-fried vegetables instead of green beans; Baked Macaroni Dinner; and Buffalo Wings (with the strangest watery bleu cheese sauce). We ate the cream of chicken soup -- good flavor, but not nearly hot enough by food safety standards.
The food was OK; we really liked the biscuits and Buffalo Wings (except the dipping sauce -- which is OK, because the wings stand on their own); and our server. They should invest in making a thicker, richer bleu cheese dip -- it would be a huge seller!
Wouldn't go out of our way, especially because of the $65.00 charge for two people, but would return if we were in the area, especially now that we know what/how to order -- share the basket (no one needs to eat half a chicken!).
So, not as bad as some folks have written, but not nearly as good as the old episode of Triple D.
By the way, when you order, do NOT mention Triple D -- one table did and it released the ire of one of the servers! -
Review from Wesley S.
8/30/2011
The Chicken Basket is unique. Its featured menu item is the fried chicken, which is outstanding.
There is a soup and salad bar that comes with each full meal, or can be added to a menu order that does not come with it. The salad bar itself is mediocre, in that its selection is much like what one have seen in the 60's. However, there are also two homemade soups. One is the chicken dumpling soup, which is a daily offering. The other soup varies daily. These soups, or rather, soups of that calibre, distinguish the Chicken Basket's salad bar from that of almost all other restaurants. The chicken dumpling soup is often the only item that I take from the salad bar.
Among the entrees, there is, of course, the fried chicken. I have tried the chicken livers and the pot pie as well. I enjoyed those dishes, but fried chicken is my favorite. Dell Rhea's fried chicken is the one item I can't get anywhere else, nor can I, myself, cook chicken to match it. To see other offerings, have a look at the complete menu on the Dell Rhea web site.
One recent change (well, this was made about six years ago) is the addition of a buffet, at least for lunch. The buffet always offers fried chicken, mashed potatoes and vegetable, along with two Italian entrees, such as lasagna and pizza. The salad bar comes with the buffet. Biscuits and corn fritters are also put out, but neither tolerates being left out on a table for long. If you like corn fritters, I suggest ordering them as a side dish off the menu.
The dessert selection is not to my taste. Not having ordered any desserts I can't comment on them. The Friday all-you-can eat fish fry is also something I have never tried.
There is a full bar, with TV in the bar. (The bar is in a separate room).
Prices are reasonable, but not exceptional. -
Review from Tiffany D.
Chicago, IL
7/28/2011
I mean, I guess if you are using Chick-fil-A, KFC and/or Popeyes as your points of comparison for what defines good fried chicken, you probably enjoy this place.
However, if you are using your grandmother, who used to lay newspaper on the kitchen floor to catch the popping grease and shake the chicken pieces up in a brown paper bag so that they would be evenly floured and come out perfectly golden brown as your comparison, you know this place leaves a lot to be desired... -
Review from Rachel H.
7/25/2011
Chicken in a basket is far better than Chicken in a Biscuit. Have you ever seen those bizarre crackers? Weird. Anyway... As a reward for not having a temper tantrum in Ikea (!!!!) I demanded a pit stop here. A no-tantrum Ikea trip really deserves like a million dollar reward, but I'll take some chicken and kitsch as a consolation prize.
The kitsch factor is definitely here, and I'll really eat pretty much anywhere with readily available beets and a neon sign announcing the presence of a cocktail lounge. Did I mention I like to write notes with a galaxie? Does anyone on here even know what that is? Ok, I'll get to the chicken now.
White Fence Farm it is not, but I enjoyed my chicken basket which provided me with enough to take home for later. Fries were just ok, slaw was good. Boyfriend's mac and cheese was very very good, and part of the reason we came here. Guy Fieri can pretty much suck it and fall back down his manhole to flavor town, but I needed this Fieri approved menu item as my companion is veg, and sometimes I need to go to these roadside relics that look at herbivores as though they were martians. Salad bar makes up for the lack of relishes a la WFF, and also has some soups. Wash it all down with some Route 66 Red Ale and make some chicken jokes. -
Review from Nick C.
Hinsdale, IL
12/19/2011
Awesome friend chicken.
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Review from Connie G.
Dayton, OH
5/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
OK I had the chicken. Actually went on all you can eat chicken night. I got comfortable and waited for the best chicken ever. Was I disappointed? You bet - big time. I did enjoy the atmosphere with the gas fireplace, all the old signs and did like the neon sign out front. AND I love the Route 66 Root Beer - that was fantastic. But the chicken? It tasted very similar to Boasted Chicken but was drier (and I ordered dark meat only).
It is for tourists and I was a tourist. It was fun once but not for the food. -
Review from Marie N.
Villa Park, IL
6/19/2011
Just got back from a Father's Day dinner with 6 in our party. Taste-wise, the food would probably rate 4-stars or 5-stars from most people. The chicken definitely takes 30 minutes to prepare.
On the service side, I expected more from a restaurant that's been open since 1954. When a party of 6 sits down to a table that has silverware for 3, the customer shouid not have to ask for extra silverware settings. When customers are sharing a chicken basket at an additional cost of $3.95 (which I think is way too much for a sharing cost), the customer should not have to ask for 2 additional plates so that they can each eat off of plate.
The waitress's offer to refill sodas came way too late in the meal.
I was not impressed with the salad bar. It is very, very small. Just basic tossed salad ingredients and then cottage cheese and a bean salad and maybe 1 pasta salad. Two soups came with the salad bar.
Here's the low down on the taste of our food.
Fried calamari appetizer - We liked it. They are coated in a crunchy coating. Comes with marinara sauce for dipping. Would have liked a lemon wedge with it.
Homemade potato chip appetizer with ranch dressing - delicious.
Chicken pieces - delicious. We all liked the coating and agreed that the chicken was very tender.
French fries - very good.
cole slaw - very good
chicken tenders - they use the same crispy coating as the fried calamari. I liked that. My son did not. But the tenders were very, very tender.
Apple pie with struesel topping, walnuts and raisins and caramel sauce - delicious. Would be over the top if they just heated it a few seconds in the microwave.
I'm glad I tried Dell Rhea's but I probably won't make a special trip to come back. -
Review from Mike S.
Wheaton, IL
3/31/2011 5 photos
To be honest, I would never have heard of Dell Rhea's if it wasn't for my fascination with Route 66. I used to drive past Dell Rhea's on and off a few years ago and never realized it was there.
During my first (and hopefully not last) visit I tried out the 'World Famous' chicken basket. The fried chicken is some of the best I've had. The breading was amazing and really set the chicken apart from other places.
The fries were good as was the coleslaw. I regret not being able to eat more from the menu but I'll be making my second trip in the near future. I will be sure to try out something new.
Dell Rhea's isn't fancy, it isn't gourmet. It just does what it does best: it serves great food.
I definitely recommend giving this Route 66 Hall of Fame landmark a visit. -
Review from Dustin H.
Chicago, IL
12/30/2010
My gf's family has been talking about this place when I ask for good fried chicken... so tonight we actually got it. This place is good. Damn good.
I ended up with the chicken basket and it was awesome... breast, thigh, wing and drumstick. All of it very meaty, very moist, and yeah somewhat greasy... but not in a bad way. Also had the cole-slaw, fries, and a biscuit.
Chicken: cant say enough good things about it! Moist, delicious, meaty, and done just right.
Cole slaw: tasty, not too wet, not too dry, and had a nice amount of 'bite' to it.
Fries: meh... we got take-out and by the time we got home the fries were cold. So I cant comment on those...
Biscuit: damn. good. Really liked it.
Next time we will dine-in (take-out this order) but I can easily say I'll visit this place again. I dont necessarily agree with those here saying it is 'tourist food' or 'over-rated'. It's neither, frankly. Great chicken without muss.
And to the 'haters'... if you go here for the first time... and you dont get the chicken... you have NOTHING to write about in your review. It's called "...Chicken Basket"... not burger basket... not gizzard basket. Would you go to a brewery and rate the soda? Go to a Bears game and expect to see the Cubbies? -
Review from Yvonne H.
Chicago, IL
6/16/2011
I come from a chicken eat'in family and anyone who knows my clan, knows that if a chicken is in the vicinity it ain't got a chance. I've had chicken fried, boiled, roasted, broasted, baked, broiled, pan seared, basted, blackened, grilled, barbequed (for the uninitiated - there is a difference), sautéed, jerked, fricasseed, cacciatore'd, souped, casserole'd and stewed just to name a few.
Yesterday, I was out running errands and after getting lost trying to find AT&T (I'm new to the 'burbs'), I ran across this place. The smell of the chicken was so strong I could smell it as I drove pass. I hadn't eaten all day and I was so hungry, that smell just reached out and dragged me in.
I asked if they had carryout and ordered the chicken basket. After my credit card was run I was told it would take a half hour. I didn't have that kind of time, so I asked for the order to be cancelled. This took a while and eventually a manager had to come out but they finally got it done. I apologized and left to finish my errands. But honestly, I couldn't stop thinking about the smells wafting out of that little place. (I know I'm meandering, but I'm telling a story here. Trust me it will be worth the wait (which is exactly what the cashier (Ann) had said to me.)
After finishing my errands, I found my way back to this place (which is off the main thoroughfare) and decided to dine in. I know Ann was surprised to see me back there after what I put them through but she greeted me warmly and showed me to a table.
Katie, my waitress arrived quickly - pleasant and perky (I don't like using the word 'perky' but in this case, it's accurate) and though it was clear she wore more than one hat, she was a little more attentive than the average wait staff.
I started with the Onion Rings (Awesome!) and Iced Tea (Not so awesome - watery) decided on the Chicken Dinner which included mashed potatoes with skin mixed in, fresh string beans, as well as an unlimited soup and salad bar (decent, though I didn't try the soup) and Biscuits - (OOOOOHH OOHH OOHH OOHH MY GOD (shuddering) THE BISCUITS! 'Nuff said!) The chicken was pretty good - certainly worth the wait (as Ann had said), hot, juicy, well seasoned and not too much breading. The atmosphere was cozy and pleasant (which I find is always conducive to good digestion.) Overall, it was a good meal and pretty nice experience, great for a family outing. I would eat there again and recommend it to family and friends.
I've read through the reviews here and I think it's a matter of taste(buds), choice and experience. If the only restaurant you can compare this chicken to is KFC, it shows the limits of your 'dining experience'.
- THAT IS ALL. -
Review from M M.
Chicago, IL
11/9/2010
Stopped at Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket on Route 66 after a horse trail ride at Sarah's Pony Ride in Willow Springs. I got shaken up when I tried to speed up my horse and it started trotting. I had an awful headache and needed some food in my empty stomach fast so I could take some aspirin.
I found this place on Yelp before my trip--In my opinion the place was way over rated.
To be fair, I didn't have their regular chicken, which I intended to get. They kept emphasising "chicken takes 45 minutes" so I ordered the Chicken Gizzard Basket. The first item on their menu. What was I thinking??--Obviously I wasn't thinking--I don't like gizzards. I guess I figured it would be fast and if they specialized in chicken, and for the price to be rather high for the throw-away inside parts of a chicken they would do a miracle and make gizzards taste good. WRONG. They were too tough. Or maybe gizzards are really like that? That was $11 down the drain. I stopped at Burger King for Tacos :[
Maybe I should stop by to try the normal parts of chicken when I have more time and I'm not in a hurry to take aspirin. -
Review from Cooper S.
Chicago, IL
10/9/2011
The service was almost as bad as the food...... So very sad too. Would eat there often years ago ... And went back last Sunday. Looks like they won a single award from some idiot who works on a low rung cable show and they don't even try anymore. The place was filthy and the salad bar looked like dorm food from the mid 70's ... The best thing now about this place is they let you leave ....
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Review from LK P.
Chicagoland, IL
12/18/2010 2 photos
If you dunno where you're going, you're not gonna get here. We meandered along a very curvy darkened deserted street wondering if we went wrong somewhere. We came 'cause a buddy was playing a set here. Not really worth the effort otherwise.
Took awhile for anyone to help us, even though it was pretty empty. The waitress was really forgetful, all the way to forgetting to give our player the drinks we wanted to appreciate him with. 1st time I ended up walking over to the bartender and after getting ignored for awhile (there were only FOUR people already with drinks, for christ's sake!) finally got a beer. I gave up with the 2nd (didn't get charged, at least - like I said, forgetful). Real fast with the bill, though.
We ordered corn fritters, fried chicken livers and fried chicken, and were warned it would take at least a half hour (no prob, we said). Corn fritters? WTF? These tasteless balls of dough with the merest sprinkling of corn. The livers were really old and tough. The chicken was better than KFC and pretty juicy. I'll give 'em that. That's all. -
Review from Stef F.
Downers Grove, IL
7/11/2010
Did I go to a place called the Chicken Basket and not try the chicken? Oops, that'd be me. Don't tell anyone, but I will say it looked juicy and delicious. I just wasn't in the mood for chicken.
It started like this. Girl at work: "Hey, we should go to that chicken basket place." "Giggle"
Me: "You Serious"
Girl: "Yea, why not? I think it was featured in Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."
Me: Interest has peaked. "Oh, that place with the awesome old-school sign that makes me want to venture into black and white nostalgia photography again?" (that was all in my head though)
I actually said.... "oh why not" "If you go and it's awesome, I'll be super jealous I didn't go along"
And off we ventured. The place at 11:30am was already half-way packed... mostly with men who look like they enjoyed lunch buffets. By the time we left, I think there was only one table available.
The lunch buffet: $8.95. Included soup and old-school salad bar, plus pasta, some spicy shredded beef something or other, fried catfish, pizza, chicken, bisquits, corn fritters, mashed taters and gravy and some roasted veggies. I'm thinking score, and a sleep coma at work to finish the day off right on a Friday.
The chicken and dumpling soup had the perfect amount of pepper and was really delicious. But I must say, I'm a mashed potato girl, and I pretty much ate a huge plate of those. The gravy is TO DIE FOR. It had glimpses of rosemary in it, and was really savory and I wanted to drink a cup of it. A bowl really. Even the pizza was pretty damn good. I basically overate, felt like I could induce an asthma attack, (even though I don't have asthma)... didn't hardly try enough,and was thrilled at the $9 I spent for lunch.
Don't expect fine dining here. It's an old-school, meat and potatoes type of place- that offers good basics. My opinion: lunch rocked. I would rather head there anytime instead of the typical greasy chain. At least I'd be supporting an establishment that's been around forever. And where else can you get soup, a corn fritter, pizza, mashed potatoes, and whatever else disgusting concoctions I made all in one place?
They even had some cookies and turnovers for dessert. Ahhhh, I left satisfied. Maybe next time I should try the chicken.
