White Fence Farm Restaurant

This is my second time here and both times it was a "special trip" semi-out- of- the way to take people to this absolutely hugh country restaurant.
We ordered the famous fried chix fo 2 and had plenty- even w/ our 5 yr old eating.
He was more interested in the corn fritters, which are deliciuos. I agree with another yelper that the cottage cheese was very tasty (i NEVER eat cottage cheese) but the beets were the cheap canned type.
Also The mashed potatoes are powder and the gravy is nasty! Luckily I remembered that from my 1st visit so we ordered the fries, which were good.
The freid chix was great, krispy skin and flavorful.
A good value for the money plus its like an antique mall inside. The have old kiddie rides for only a quarter and antique cars museum w/ motorcycles, bicycles and tons of nostalgic stuff.

We moved to Chicagoland 2.5 years ago from the south. So, I was excited to earn about a place that reportedly had good fried chicken and, presumably, southern-type food.  Wrong! First the chicken.  It was grossly over-priced and completely unremarkable. It was not seasoned much at all and was an epic disappointment, especially at $15 a person. Then to the sides. I suppose they see it as a big selling point that the sides are served family style and they are all you can eat.  Really? I can eat all the cottage cheese and pickled beets that I want? Gross! How about some fried okra or black-eyed peas or collard greens? How about some corn bread and sweet tea? No sweet tea?!

The website advertises an antique car museum and petting zoo as well.  No. There are four old cars parked inside behind some glass and you can barely see them.  There is no petting zoo.  There is a chain-linked fence with some goats, chickens and a lama. Lame-o.  And you can't pet them.

My familly and I will never darken those doors again.

I have been going to White Fence Farm since I was young. It has been a great place to go with extended family to celebrate birthdays, holidays, etc. since it is one of the few places where everyone is happy with their meal.

Food here is served family style. It starts with bowls of pickled beets, coleslaw, cottage cheese, corn fritters and kidney bean salad. I don't know where they source their cottage cheese, but it is darn good. The kidney bean salad is great too, as is the coleslaw which is vinegar based instead of mayonnaise based. However the fritters really steal the show. They are delicious. The best part is that the wait staff will replenish these items for you if needed. My family tends to go through quite a bit of these items.

The entrees are limited: fried chicken, some aged steaks, fried shrimp, and a few fish options. The star here is the fried chicken. It is flavorful, crisp, and perfectly cooked. It is also served family style, arriving on large platters, with the equivalent of half a chicken for every person who ordered it. The other entrees arrive on plates specifically for the person who ordered them. I have ordered the age steaks in the past as well as the shrimp. I have always been happy with the meal, but the fried chicken is the best of them. Yes, the chicken gravy is bright yellow, but it is still pretty tasty. I have never used it on the chicken (it doesn't need it) but instead put it on my baked potato.

Can't tell you about dessert since we usually go back to our home for dessert and to celebrate whatever person is having a birthday.

The place is always pretty busy. They will take reservations for large groups. The number system they have works pretty well. You walk in, tell them the number in your party, and they give you a number. They will call your number and tell you which room of the place to go to for seating. It's also posted on scrolling signs in case you miss the announcement. I have always found people to be pleasant at the desk when you come in, but I am sure there are times they can get frustrated.

The decor is dated, but I find that part of the charm. My kids are older now, but when they were young they loved the funny mirrors and being able to go out to the petting zoo while we waited.