This was the second time I have gone to Rip's. Â The first time was back in 2006 and I remember enjoying the deep fried chicken. Â I also remember waiting in a long line that was outside of the building. Â I recall being disappointed that all you could get with it was crunchies and pickles.
Fast forward 7 years and I was back. Â My husband LOVES Rip's and complains a lot that we don't have good fried chicken where we live. Â The line still existed but was much shorter than last time. Â This time, their menu seemed to grow a bit. Â They now had fried mushrooms, chicken strips, coleslaw, etc. Â I really didn't want to deal with the bones so I decided to go for the chicken strips. Â It took a while to get our food once we were seated. Â
When the food came, it was in large amounts. Â You definitely get a lot for the price. Â The reason for 4/5 stars is that I was disappointed in the chicken strips. Â They were tough and too crispy on the outside. Â I found them hard to eat too. Â However, I did eat some of the fried chicken and it was still just as good as I remembered.
Long story short, get the fried chicken, not the chicken strips!
A group of me and my buddies go to Rips every other Wednesday. Â Sit at the bar, have a "couple" drinks and eventually order food and get a seat. Â The bartenders are awesome, never disappointed. Â Service is great also, always coming back asking if we need or want more of anything, even with as busy as they get.
I love the chicken strips and the pickle crispys. Â Once in a while you might get a bumb chicken strip. Â But something I have learned along the way...
If you dont tell them, they cant fix it.
Will always be a Rips customer.
Ok, so I've heard soooo much about Rips since moving here so we went to check it out. The bartender who greeted us was super awesome and friendly. She is what gave this place any stars. The chicken was OK, Ive had better in Seattle at Heaven Sent Fried Chicken. But what made me give this place a poor review was the waitress. She was extremely rude. I asked if I could have a menu since I had never been there before, she replied, "no we don't have menus. we serve chicken" Didn't give us the option to order drinks. Then she brought over pickles, which i thought was included since she brought them over without us ordering them.... remember i was told they don't have menus all they serve is chicken. We didn't eat any because neither of us like pickles, then when the bill came we were charged for the pickles. When asked why we were charged for them, since we didn't order them she replied with, "well I assumed you wanted the works since you've never been here before," in a very snarky and condescending manner. They were 75 cents, which isn't a big deal, but its the principle. I hail from Seattle, and on capital hill there is nothing but hipster restaurants where the wait staff usually have a "I'm cooler than you" vibe, but this was ridiculous. In a small town where I'm sure kids are lining up for a job at the "cool joint" I have no idea how this girl still has a job. So if you go to Rips beware of the short snotty blonde. ^_^
Review Source:I know there is a lot of hype about Rip's chicken in the area but honestly, it's just another chicken place.
I do have to give them that the chicken is fresh, but if you are a big seasoning fan like me then it just another chicken. Batter is a good, and home made, and other than that nothing real fancy to talk about.
The place is out dated, and really like a bar with some tables to eat in the back. It doesn't really feel like a restaurant. Other than the hype, and that you can tell your friends you have been there during bar talks, there is not much to discuss about the place.
The grease that goes with the food is just outrageous. Over all for the price it not too bad to eat there once in a while, considering the health factors.
"The Fried" is an appetizer that has taken on legendary proportions among my friends and I. It is fried nothing. Perhaps the very concept of joy itself that has somehow been breaded and fried? Only the magicians at Rip's know for sure.
I live far away from Rip's now, but every so often when someone talks about great fried chicken I shake my head. Because they don't know. They can't know.
Oh, and if for some reason you are driving from the Illinois Valley to D.C., pick me up some dark and some mushrooms.
There is something going on in the Illinois valley with regard to exceptional fried chicken. Rip's is the best fried chicken I have ever had anywhere. Its easy to complain about the grease or the wait or the kids etc. but if you like fried chicken, this is the place. Other great places in the Illinois Valley include: John's North Star and Verucchi's.
Review Source:I think Rip's chicken is horrible. Â I don't know why people go on about how it's such a legend and so on. Â It's just average chicken that is overly greasy. Â I tried it a couple of times just to make sure and I don't like it. Â I've grown up eating mostly fried chicken from Verucchi's in my hometown of Spring Valley though, so maybe I am just biased but I think I know what is good fried chicken. Â Also, who eats pieces of fried batter without any chicken as an appetizer? Â Really? Â Talk about heart attack with all of that grease. Â I have to say that I'm also slightly offended by people who don't live in this area saying it is the middle of nowhere and how there is nothing around here. Â Well, if you lived in this area, you would know that there is plenty to do if you have the right interests like in outdoors stuff. Â Anyway, we're all not a bunch of uneducated rednecks like everyone in Chicago thinks. Â I think Ladd is a nice town and I like bowling there and going to a few bars, but I just think if you're looking for good fried chicken you need to go elsewhere. Â I think people in Ladd are just desperate for food because the town is so small and when they are drunk they need fried chicken and other fried foods fast and then they rave about it when they didn't even know how crappy it was because they were too drunk. Â Well, try them when you're sober and then try Verucchi's and then tell me who has better fried chicken.
Review Source:In town and my boss recommended that we check this place out because it was the place to go for fried chicken. Lines out the door and just great.
On a Friday night we arrived at the restaurant at 7:30 to find it so dead that we wondered if it was even open. Went in sat at the bar. The staff was great and very friendly. Ordered some mushrooms pickles and crispies. The mushrooms showed up at the bar instantly but clearly were hanging around in the red light district (heat lamps). They had clearly been sitting around for a while. Not really hot or fresh. Whatever no big deal. They were good not great. The crispies were good but to me the batter tasted like lower quality Long John Silvers. Which already made me feel that the chicken would Not live up to its greatest in the world title. There was a unbelievably long time waiting for our chicken. This was clearly not because it was busy. When it did arrive it was hot and fries were good however the chicken was not anything more than average. Chicken was high quality, the batter just wasn't anything special. The best part was the price. Two adults with beers for $15. Who could argue.
I agree with a previous poster that this is a small town legend, but other than that just not that great. Worth the money but not worth an extended trip. I really wanted it to be great.
My people take me on travel trips all the time. Â When we do, we love to come across new places. Â Especially ones that people rant and rave about. Â That's the case for Rip's Tavern.
The place was packed. Â There was a line out the door. But since we were here, we decided to wait. Â So, 45 minutes later we get in.
The place is in the middle of nowhere. Â Off the highway down a side road. Â It's like Mayberry. Â The building it self, is a old barn / house conversion. Â When you get inside, you enter into a large open room with TV's on the walls and picnic tables everywhere. Â Kind of a typical roadhouse looking place. Â Nothing fancy at all.
Not many choices to order of the menu. Â Basically, it's chicken and fries and bread. Â Which is basically all I need.
We ordered the food. Â It took a long time to get (chicken, fries and bread). Â When it came out it was on paper plates / bowls. Â OK, still part of the theme. Â No problem, not here for anything but this amazing chicken everyone kept hyping up. Â Well... Â that wasn't the case. Â It was just OK. Â It was very heavy in the oil/grease. Â The flavor was just OK. Â Nothing special at all. Â What is going on here? Â Why was this place hyped so much? Â What are we missing out on?
I think this has just become one of those folklore places. Â A place in the middle of nowhere that everyone wants to be a hidden gem. Â What I think really drives the hype is that there is just absolutely NOTHING ELSE IN THE AREA, so yeah, it's going to be good. Â I also think they incorporate the long wait for effect. Â I mean, its fried chicken. Â They are pulling that hype / time wait thing that places like Garrett's Popcorn and Hot Dougs do in Chicago. Â If there is a line, people think it must be great! Â Management make the call, make people wait. Â It's gotta be good.
So over all, it's good chicken, but hardly worth the wait or drive to get. Â White Fence Farms is the same flavor and no wait and much closer to home. Â It's nice that a small community has something like this, but it's just that. Â I hope it helps there economy and tourism.
UPDATE: Â Like all reviews, we try things at least twice. Â We since tried this 3 times, all with the same results. Â Long wait for so so chicken. Â The 3rd time we did the to go option. Â We ordered it 45 minutes in advance for pick up and still had to wait 20 minutes to actually get the food!
If you are from the area, you have probably found yourself standing in line for their chicken. Â Waiting can drive you crazy at anyplace but here, is not bad and in fact is part of the experience. Â Have a drink while you're waiting and meet some new people. Â Oh and by the way the chicken is completely worth your wait. Â You will order once you get to the front of the line, although sometimes they move down the line pre-taking orders. Â I like dark chicken best, but I order the quarter light every time since it is some of the most juicy and delicious chicken I have ever eaten.
The floors can get slippery to travel with caution, but when you get to your seat you will be friendly greeted with crispies and pickles. Â Make sure to order some breaded mushrooms too. Â You do not get any utensils but that is part of the fun.
When the chicken comes out **it will be crazy hot** you have to be careful. Â I suggest breaking off the wing and eating that first. Â Then take one of the wing bones and use it to break open the breast to help cool it down before eating.
Best part.....you and a group can eat till you are full and have a good number of beers without being scared of the bill.
So, I'm sitting in Chicago thinking "what do I do while my wife and daughter are away at a camp" and I wonder if Rip's serves on Thursday night. Â Yes!
I grew up in the area and they only served on weekends. Â When they added Wednesdays, it was a wonderful miracle. Â The place has burned down at least twice and every time we were dying for them to rebuild. Â Luckily, they seem to have different hardwood flooring this go round as the floors are no longer like a greased ice rink (which was always a good thing).
Is it worth the drive? Â Yes, yes, yes. Â Tomorrow I will drive two hours, drop my dogs at my parents, wait in line however long it takes and destroy 2 orders of dark chicken. Â
You must get the cracklins and pickles as "appetizers". Â Cracklins are the drippings that fall off in the fryer. Â Add lots of salt, it will pump up the blood pressure and push through the grease. Â The pickles magically cut the grease so you can eat even more.
I rarely go back to the area, but my main motivation to do so is ALWAYS to go to Rip's. Â (My parents can drive to Chicago if they want to see thier grandchild.)
I have tried fried chicken every where I have lived, in many, many places, always searching for something like Rip's. Â My friends and I have had many drunken nights trying to replicate the recipe, which is not that hard, and we never can. Â We know what they put in the batter. Â Why can't we make it as good?!?!?!?
If you love fried chicken, or are just cheap, you have to try this place. Â If you are really a glutten for healthy living, drive down to Starved Rock for a day. Â Eat 2 fried pork tenderloins with cheese at the Igloo in Peru for lunch and then go to Rip's for dinner. Â You will know all you need to know about fine dining in the Illinois River Valley.
I am not sure what they charge anymore but I've been there with 6 people, all drinking fast and hard, and I can't imagine ever spending more than $60. Â Hell, take a freaking limo service if you want to really party. Â It is worth it.
Sixty salivating miles west of Joliet is where chickens go to battered heaven at Rips Tavern in Ladd,IL! Â Forty dollar tab for six dinners, five beers (non-domestic drafts) and 1 appetizer. An experience you won't regret. Make a day of it and go to Utica and go wine tasting at the August Hill Winery on the Main strip first. Great fall Saturday or Sunday outing!
Review Source:Best fried chicken and mushrooms ever !! Like eating at the VFW. No reservations just wait in line. Have eaten here so many times we have lost count. Food is always good. You have to try the mushrooms I have no clue where they come from but they are fresh and juicy ! Â Pickles and crispies washed down with ice cold beer. Fed four adults and three kids for 45.00. Can't beat that with a stick.
Review Source:Just like almost everyone else says around here, the chicken is unbelievably delicious. The batter is super crispy, hot and moist. The fries are just ok... but no one drives and hour and a half, and waits in line for just about the same amount of time, for the french fries. The crispies (or leavin's) are probably the tastiest appetizer I've ever had - especially when picked up and folded into a pickle taco. Ice cold beer and friendly locals top off the experience, and make it truly worth the drive. Need something to do on a lazy Sunday or a short after work road trip with friends? Go west, young man. Stop at a few watering holes on your way to Rip's, and Monday, all of your other coworkers will be jealous.
Review Source:So there we were visiting my husband's family in Clinton IL from AZ and somebody said, "What do you feel like doing for dinner?" Â Being the outsider in the family and not realizing what I was saying, I suggested we all go to Rip's. Â They looked at one another only briefly and quickly agreed. Â So off we went. Â Turned out we were about 95 miles from Rip's and I had no clue (they all knew.) Â The only other times I went there with my husband were when we were visiting his hometown (Mendota) for class reunions or Sweet Corn Festival! Â What did I know??
Long lines, yes, but there's always somebody there you know and besides, it's worth it! Â Best chicken EVER and for all the family I married into - a lifetime of memories of going to Rip's. Â It's been 30 years or more since that funny story and we've gone to Rip's every time we've been back to Mendota. Â Things change, life goes on but the chicken is STILL the best EVER!!! Â Don't miss the chance to go!
It seems that every family special occasion the elders decide to bring us here to celebrate. Don't get me wrong it is good greasy food but the line and wait can be long and arduous especially with younger children.
On this day we got lucky and got there as they began dinner service at 4:30 pm (which is their only service) and the place was virtually empty but not entirely. We were comfortably seated and we were a group of 7 and a crazy 3 year old.
Now this place is not a dine and dash place, its a place to come sit converse and wait for the chicken because they tend to take a long time to get chicken. Maybe the laws of physics slow down in this art of the country and in their fryers in general. The neon glow of cubs and sox signs along with too many flat screens and beer mugs located everywhere is a sign of good old American values hehehe
They are famous for their chicken but Friday only they serve fish.
White fish- 3/5 usually its tasty and flavorful but on this occasion it was bland and the quantity is huge but I wasn't impressed. The batter was crunchy and greasy, naturally.
Mushrooms- I love the mushrooms consistently good.
White Meat Chicken- 4.5/5 I sneaked in a piece of light chicken that was floating around and wowwy kazowy light crispy batter and the meat was more than just chicken flavor but seasoned appropriately.
Dark Meat Chicken- 1/5 disgusting piece of meat. I usually love drum sticks but this meat was filled with tendons and greasy that my people run away from (the Mexicanos)
Long Island Ice Tea- 0/5 I thought that sweet and sour mix was a component well not this establishment. It was pure alcohol and I like being in a state of inebriation but candy coated. I ordered this back in may and it was bad and I thought maybe it was the bartender oh no, not at all.
I gave this place a 4 because the waitress seemed in a bad mood and when those Chickie's are overwhelmed or cranky the chicken doesn't taste very good.
Possibly some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. Typically, I love some Harold's or some from the Chicken Shack up in Evanston.
The Situation:
-Showed up on a Saturday night at 6:30 pm, took an hour to get a table, another 30 minutes to get the chicken.
-While waiting, there was a full bar full of cheap beer. I think they realized I wasn't from Ladd when I got really excited about a $2.50 Guinness.
-Everybody who works there, and everyone else in like (drunks included) where incredibly friendly.
-Tried the dark, the light, the fries, mushrooms, crispies, and pickles.
My Take:
1. Worth the wait. Just have some fun while in line, chat with people, and have a few beers.
2. The sides are worthless filler. It's better to order double chicken and ignore every other piece of food (the other stuff isn't terrible, just nowhere near the awesomeness of the chicken).
3. The chicken is ridiculously good. Top notch. Maybe top five fried chicken places ever. I preferred the dark, but it was all good.
In summary, if you're in the region and love fried chicken, stop by Rip's. It's stellar and everyone who works there are amazingly nice.
Leave it to my group of friends to drive an hour or so out west in a blistering snowstorm for fried chicken. Many other reviewers discuss the lines and how long you have to wait for chicken here. There certainly was no wait last night.
As soon as we walked in, a waitress greeted us and asked what we wanted. I said "table for 4" but she said "no, do you want white or dark?" We asked for a menu, but there is no menu, its just "white or dark." We ordered our respective meat types and sat down. She brought us the crunchies (little bits of fried that fall off of the chicken) and pickles (75 cents extra). Mmmmm greasy salty goodness. Beers were only 2-3 a pop.
We waited about 15 minutes and our chicken came out piping hot. Both the white and dark were 1/4 chicken each, with fries and a piece of bread to soak up the grease. Everything's on paper plates here- Rip's doesn't pull any punches trying to be fancy.
The chicken had great crispy skin, and the meat was perfectly moist. I loved that they threw more crunchy bits in with the fries. The fries were ok, nothing to write home about. I would probably call their chicken a tie with Chicken Manor in Addison.
For 4 people to eat dinner and have a beer, it came to $30. Wow. You can't beat that.
I would definately come back to Rip's if I was in the vicinity (its not too far from Starved Rock), but if I get a chicken craving close to home, I will probably stick with Chicken Manor.
Ripps is everything that encompasses why I love traveling to podunk towns. Â After everything I've heard, you'd think it was this big McGuffin that doesn't pay off ... WRONG! Â The fact that beer is a $1.50 totally makes up for the fact that we had to drive about 2hrs to get there, and then stand in line for another 45min. Â But, that's not the best part ... there were 6 in our party, and we ate for under $50. Â Their fried mushrooms were the best I've ever eaten, and the chicken was huge. Â I'm not gonna lie though, the "crips" and "grease saturated white bread" are a little much, but completely add to the experience.
Review Source:My friend Courtney had told me about this place when she worked with me in AZ. She said there's this place from her hometown where the line goes out the door for this chicken, even in the dead middle of winter.
I kind of believed her but was like..."sure....bucket o' cluck....I'm sure it's delicious"
Haha, first visit to IL I went and was of course blown away. The frosty beers while you wait, the staring people down at the tables so they'll get up and make room for you to eat, the side of crispies with pickle.
If you don't like greasy fried chicken you won't like this, if you want your fried chicken blistering hot, perfectly crispy, this is your place. I don't know that they use organic/naturally raised chicken but I'm betting they probably don't :( I'm going to ask next time.
My parents visited Chicago from PHX and I got a zipcar and took them all the way down for some. Hour and a half drive for some chicken flopped on a piece of white bread on a little paper plate. It's worth it.
Go on a Friday and they have fish too. Dee-frigging-liscious!
Rip's is very good for small-town Ilinois. Â But it is not "worth the drive" Â as there are at least 5 better fried chicken joints closer to Chicagoland.
The fried chicken here is good, but not great, the battered skin is very light and almost crispy, but the white meat was overcooked. Â Everything else is good eats in a small town. Â Simply done, and simply tasty.
On my overall scale this would get somewhere in the vicinity of 65/100
a respectable score. Â The value of Rip's is great, and if you are passing through then stop there, but there is no need to go to great lengths in order to experience this place.
Rip's is a good-ole-down-home-family-cookin' joint, and we need more of them in the USA, and soon! Â If there were no Rip's then all restaurants will become conglomerates or food factories with no heart and soul, of which Rip's has plenty! (see Demolition Man if you dont believe that)
I haven't eaten meat in 10 years, but if I was ever going to eat it again, it would be at Rip's. I spent so many week ends here, both with my family and then later with friends from high school year I shudder to think what could have become of my heart and blood vessels had I not become a vegetarian. It's a hike, but it's absolutely 100% worth it.
Drive almost 2 hours to Ladd, park your car. Wait in line for about another hour, place your order- light or dark, those are your choices. Sit, order a pitcher of beer and eat your complimentary order of cracklins and pickles. Your chicken arrives, served on a slice of stale white bread to soak up the grease with a side of maybe the worst fries on the planet. Use a smaller bone to poke ventilation holes in the bird as it's about 4000 degrees inside. Seperate flesh from bones, lick your fingers, and try not to slip on the floor as you exit.
If you're a real man you'll have room for a sugar cone from Torrie's Ice Cream down the street. Be sure to detour through Cherry to check out the creep, creepy cemetery.
This concludes a rave review of a fried chicken place in the middle of nowhere from a Chicago vegetarian.
Super fresh chicken fried in beer batter. Â I believe they brine the chicken also which gives it great flavor and makes it juicy. Â They serve on paper plates, no silverware unless you ask for it. Â The fried crumbs are soooooo yummy (and sooooooo bad for you).
Definitely a no frills place but they pack 'em in on the weekends. Â In summer, expect a long line flowing outside. Â Used to be they'd let you get drinks from the bar and you could drink while standing in line but the fuddy duddys in this one horse town had a hissy and you can't do that any more.
If you visit the area and ask locals to suggest a few local restaurants, Ripp's is sure to be mentioned in the top 5, especially if for some reason you ask for where you can find good fried chicken. If I remember correctly, Wednesday is a big night for this place. You can pretty much order a quarter or half of dark or light while you're still in line and as soon as you sit down they'll bring you your order. They'll also bring sliced pickle that you can eat with small pieces of deep-fried batter (local lingo: "pickles and crispies"). It sounds strange, and it is.
Review Source:I'm shocked no one has ever reviewed Rip's! Their slogan is "We're worth the Drive" and it's absolutely true!
You could almost say I grew up on Rip's Chicken. As a teenager Rip's was a great place to go on a budget and it still is. $3.50 for 1/4 Chicken and Fries, where else could you get that?
Would you like a burger instead of chicken? Too bad, they only serve chicken and fish (Friday's only). Would you like an appetizer? Your choices are pickles, mushrooms, coleslaw and fries. I haven't been to Rip's in quite a while, but they used to serve "crunchies". It's the fried batter that has fallen off the chicken into--sounds gross, but they are wonderful.
Now I must warn you, the wait can be quite long, especially on weekends. If you're a local you already know this. So plan on standing in line and enjoying a couple beers. Just make sure you have a designated driver.
If you live in or are ever visiting Northern or Central Illinois and you like local flavor you have to try Rip's, it's absolutely worth the drive. They serve the absolute best fried chicken I've ever had.
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