We just now got seated 1 hour and 30 minutes after arriving with a party of 7, we were told 10 - 15 minutes wait. Â The chicken is in front of us and is good but NOT worth the wait. Â If you want to wait for a table, depending on a randon number generator, depending on a total FOOL running the random number generator, if you want to enjoyyour interminable wait in a crappy version of grandma's living room, then THIS place is for you. Â (These brainless fools use Sharpies and notecards and a pegboard to manage people waiting. Â We have 7 people with #129, and we have 12 people called with #187, in fact parties way more than 8 with wait numbers way more than 129. Â THEN they get hostile with you when you ask about the "system.")
Review Source:We went here with a group of 12 on a Sunday afternoon. Â This was the first time we had gone here so I was looking forward to it. Â The sides are family style, but they are in tiny bowls so you are always having to flag down the waiter to bring you more. Â The chicken dinner was good, but to me, $14.50 for a 4 piece chicken dinner is pretty pricey.
Review Source:I come from a large family of big eaters so instead of our yearly family reunion we now meet for dinner every other month or so. Â It gives a chance to yell at each other and catch up.
We seem to meet at chicken restaurants or German restaurants. Â Chicken is usually cheaper so we have been here a few times. Â We eat too much, argue, talk and tell the same family stories, embellishing them a bit each time.
One of the family stories seems to be that they have really good chicken here or at least they did. Â I like their sides but as it is all served family style and they start you out with small bowls it seems like it is the sibling Olympics to get a decent amount. Â I wish they would just serve big bowls of it to start with. Â They serve the chicken family style also and with my family, you've got to stake out your four pieces and hope someone with swap me some dark meat. Â This is why I bring my wife, she only eats white meat.
Too much work to get a decent meal and the chicken, it's better in my memory. Â But the brother sister give and take, that's just like it has always been.
We periodically get together with my husband's siblings for dinner and everyone seems to like fried chicken. Â We have met here several times. Â This was a childhood favorite restaurant of his family so they have a fuzzy warm feeling toward it.
I really do like the side dishes here because I am stuck in the 1970's when it comes to things like pickled beets and kidney bean salad, I seriously love them. Â
I also think the servers here are very patient with our table. Â My husband is one of six kids so when they get together their old childhood habits of scoring more food than your siblings kicks in. Â The waitress has barely put the food down and they are demanding more of everything and his brother is trying to talk her into giving him his chicken on an all you can eat basis.
I don't really like the chicken here or the bright yellow gravy, I was going to rate this restaurant three stars. Â But while we were here I fished my wallet out of my purse and gave my husband an extra dollar to pay our share. Â Then I apparently dropped it onto the floor instead of into my purse. Â We got out, put on our coats and stopped at the washroom. Â As I exited, I heard my name being called.
When I arrived at the hostess stand, I was handed my wallet with every bit of cash and every credit card still there. Â I was flabbergasted and impressed. Â What wonderfully honest people work here!
I had to give them an extra star for such integrity. Â And my husband's family adores the chicken!
This place is definately old school .... the place has really some charm like you entered an episode of Father Knows Best ... I felt like I was in a time warp from the 50's in a good way. I think that is why much of the people who come to eat here are from that era.
This place is huge - it can seat 1,000 people. We came here for their famous fried chicken - it's bit expensive but all the sides are unlimited. The chicken is crisp and moist ... best fried chicken ever! Â The waiter was very good and helpful, I wish I remembered his name ... but he provided great service. The mini museum is great to look at not only for kids but adults too. Check out the old cars!
Love this place. i really like the museum they have and how eclectic it is. Kids love going here as they have these old arcade type games to play. Kids love putting quarters in machines to get junk in return. The chicken is good here as well. Â Lightly breaded chicken, vinegar style cole slaw, kidney bean salad, cottage cheese, pickled beets, and most everyone's favorite, corn fritters! There is a huge difference between corn fritters and hush puppies! There is a kids menu that consists of chicken strips or fried shrimp dinner. You do have other options other than chicken at this place, but the chicken is why most people go here.
Review Source:Fun place to get some really good fried chicken and sides. Â They have other entrees, but I haven't had any of them. Â It gets busy, so we always go right when it opens. Â The inside and waiting areas are filled with antiques, and the actual dining areas kind of look like someone's basement. Â But hey, you don't really go there for any of that. Â You go there for what they are famous for, the chicken. Â
It's also pretty reasonably priced for all the food you get. Â
Everyone should try it at least once!
I know I have been here, but it had to be when I was a kid, because neither the husband, Â nor I could remember being there together or as adults at all. Â He apparently had been here a lot with his family, but I think I had only come once. Â We were seated in the (freezing cold) South room on Sunday around noon. Â He got the chicken and I got the fried shrimp. Â The relishes and fritters all came out - cottage cheese, coleslaw, kidney bean salad, pickled beets. Â All were good. Â The food was also freshly made and piping hot, which was needed in the drafty dining room. Â A bit pricey at $32 before tip for two people, but it does include a lot of food. Â We were the only people there not in the AARP club or with young (grand)children, but I wouldn't hesitate to come back.
The funniest thing on there is the "must be over 21" warning for the creme de menthe ice cream.
If you have older family or friends in from out of town -- or better yet, from out of the country --and you want to bring them for the consummate Midwestern dining experience, this is the place.
This is the family-owned, non-franchise version of Cracker Barrel: enormous campus of connected (genuine) barn buildings filled to the brim with antiques. The funhouse mirrors were a fun distraction for the whole family while we waited. Busy but exceptionally efficient.
Yummy fried chicken or fried fish filets with family-style traditional sides, and by "traditional," Â I mean the same relishes my 75yo mother-in-law serves at every meal. (No wonder they are regulars here.) We saw a "Happy 100th Birthday!" party balloon and accompanying family go into a back room while we were eating. Makes perfect sense to me: this place pleased everyone in our party, from age 10 to age 80. We'll do another extended family dinner here, I'm sure.
I've always wanted to try this place because I've seen the signs all over Route 83. Overall, I thought the food was pretty good, but I don't think I'd say it's the "world's best." The french fries are good, mashed potatoes taste like Kentucky fried chicken's, and the chicken is good. If you've never been here it could be worth your while just to give it a try but I don't think I'll be making the drive out to Romeoville any time soon. The place has an interesting vibe...we felt a little out of place. It reminded us of being down south i.e. Jim Crow...but it is what it is.
Review Source:So it's kinda funny to me that White Fence Farm is a restaurant that I've been wanting to try for years and thought I had bookmarked. I hadn't. After today's dinner, I think its a sign as I must have unbookmarked it at some point.
My son and I visited for dinner with three women after visiting the cathedral in Joliet. White Fence Farm was basically on our way home, so it made sense. They've all been here before and we were the newbies, so they led the way.
First, one of the women in our party got turned around, so we weren't a complete party. They wouldn't seat us without her. Thankfully, there is plenty of seating in the huge waiting lobby area. And, we entertained ourselves with the random things throughout. A vintage jukebox, fun house mirrors, old time cars, holiday decorations, etc. There is stuff ALL over to look at.
Once our party was complete, we went to the Red Room. We received menus and we waited. And waited. And waited. It took forever for our server to wander over. The menu is kinda blah. I don't know exactly what I expected, but there were two chicken options, two fish options some steaks, a lettuce salad for $4, beverages and dessert. Â It's one page of minimal options. Basically a quarter of the page is dedicated to their $15 per person chicken dinner. No, you cannot request all white meat (even for an up charge). I asked. They serve the chicken and the 'garnish' family style. I've never seen anything like this.
So four of us ordered the chicken and my son ordered the fried shrimp. The server eventually brought our drinks and the aforementioned garnishes. I didn't get it. It seemed like the cole slaw, kidney bean salad, pickled beets, cottage cheese and corn fritters should have been served with the meal. The cole slaw was very vinegary, but good. I tried my first pickled beet. One of my dining companions referred to it as very earthy. I would have to agree. I skipped the kidney bean salad and cottage cheese. I don't think anyone tried the cottage cheese. We did eat the corn fritters. They were warm doughnut holes with powdered sugar and no corn flavor. I ate plenty of them and would eat them again without question. But I would never have called that a corn fritter.
Empty glasses were the norm at our table as our server was moving in slow, disinterested motion. A platter of chicken arrived along with each potato option. My son tried the mashed potatoes with a neon side of chicken gravy, the ladies all had a baked potato with sour cream. I had the French fries. The fries were good. A frozen variety, but they were hot. This is more than I can say for the chicken. It was warm, but not hot outta the fryer fresh. I was disappointed. The breading was crisp which was nice, but the seasoning was lacking.
When it was highly evident that we were done eating, you would expect the server to drop by. I don't know where he was or what he was doing, but I'm guessing he was busy watching someone else's chicken get room temperature before he served it. (I was annoyed with him. Can you tell?). Eventually he brought carryout bags for our leftover chicken. Instead of handing us the bags, he stuffed his hand inside each one opening it up. Thanks for shoving your hand in my carryout container/bag. Not!
My overall thought is that I would have enjoyed the whole chicken experience a whole lot more with a different server and hot chicken. And, I want to give White Fence Farm four stars. But I just can't do it. They have a fresh bathroom, plenty of parking and great doughnuts, so they get three stars for now.
This place has pretty good fried chicken and really good steak. Â The sides are fresh and delish and if you dine in you get plenty of side dishes such as cottage cheese, beats, hush puppies etc... Â The steak is nice and tender and quite good. Â The chicken is good but not mind blowing. Â I can tell by taste that the chicken is fresh.
They raise their own chickens for their food, I know from being a towny and my mom worked there and several friends of mine.
Personally I think the price of chicken is too high for the actual quality. Â Price does not match taste. Â yes they should charge a good amount but I still think they need to knock off another dollar or two for the chicken. Â You will get decent bargain if you dine in due to the sides, but if you carry out you may feel like you paid too much. Â Overall it is a great place and when I arrive I order Chicken and Stake
Want to take a step back in time...go here. The food is simple and pretty standard. So much so that I was afraid to ask for ketchup for fear of getting laughed at. White Fence Farm is a mini museum right when you walk in you are greeted by that looming chicken at the entrance. Then when you enter the restaurant you get the nostalgia of being at a Currier and Ives painting and they have the decor to go along with it and lots of it.
My meal was basically the chicken which we shared at the table and a plop of mash with the yellowish gravy. No fancy stuff here. The food is not bad and I really do only go for nostalgia (or when my dad gets nostalgic for what country cooking used to be...says the transplanted filipino, ha!).
Ate you kidding! This place is amazing with their chicken menu. The fritters are ridiculous enough to make you take them off someone's table while you wait for your own!
I've been here before on my way to the Joliet Casino (I once had a problem but thats no longer an issue, don't judge me). Its a really rustic place and I love the fact  that they kept the "farm" charm. I mean, yes it can be antiquated to some, but to me its the chicken dishes that pull me back.
They also have a wonderful steak that my mom ordered and it was to perfection. I am not sure the seasonings used but it did have the taste of my grams and her kitchen back in the 70's, and that is a good thing.
Take your family and judge for yourself, it is just a wonderful experience. But mind the hours, since they are unusual.
White Fence Farm - 3 stars: August 17, 2012. Been here a number of times and it does get high points for consistency. To me the food is only ok - that's the three stars. It won't knock your socks off but it won't turn you off either. Caters basically to an older crowd, especially with its relatively dated decor and appointments. They have been resting on their laurels for years, yet those laurels were pretty good once. Numerous dining rooms can seat hundreds, and usually do on the weekends. Good salad sides to begin, pretty average chicken (its specialty), so-so desserts. The hit of the place is the antique museum when you walk in the establishment. Even when it is not busy, take the time to check out the museum, it has a lot of unique items. Has a small little zoo out back, drive by after dinner.,,the kids will love it.
Review Source:Having grown up hearing radio legend Mal Ballairs tout White Fence Farm on his broadcasts, I had long ago added WFF to my "bucket list" for local day trips. Yesterday was finally the day and I was psyched.
I knew from the get go that my childhood dreams could never be realistically met, but I was still a tad disappointed to pull up to the place and see that it is surrounded by warehouses with 18 wheelers pulling in and out at a steady clip. In my fantasy, it was smack dab in the middle of corn fields. Well, it probably was 40 - 50 years ago when my WFF dreams began.
On the other hand, once we stepped inside, it really was like being transported back in time. The place is huge with one room leading into another, each with its own charm and style. We were seated in the "Frontier Room". It was done up Old West style with western murals and mounted deer heads, etc. I am normally not overly fond of mounted anythings, but these deer were Bambi's great great grandparents.
I really loved the kitchy atmosphere from the chicken carpets to the museum and game room. I think the negative comments about the atmosphere come from folks who for the most part want the feel of nostalgia without the realities of age. As for me, I loved it, lock, stock and antique barrel.
The food was ok. I would not come back for just the food experience. There is too much good chicken closer to home. I did enjoy the relish dishes that come with the meal, but, that is what I grew up with. I agree that the fritters could have been more corny, but Christopher liked them just fine for what they were ... basically donut holes with a bit of corn in them.
The chicken dinner was good, but not great. I had it with a side of mashed taters that seemed not quite home made like I had dreamed of. The gravy was odd. It was like chicken broth thickened with cornstarch. It sure wasn't the country gravy of my fantasies. The chicken itself was moist and tender. That did not disappoint.
Christopher had the chicken tenders. They were also surprisingly moist and flavorful, but of the 4, two were much smaller and no dipping sauces were offered. When he asked, the only options were BBQ sauce, ketchup or ranch dressing. Â I also had to ask for honey for my chicken. Usually in places like that it is provided. Add to that, they charge extra for those folks who want sour cream with their baked taters and one gets the feeling they are really watching the bottom line here.
Service was fine and friendly and the bathrooms clean and spacious. It is obvious that the place was built to accommodate a lot of people. In a huge place like that, when there are not too many patrons, it always feels a little low energy. I'm sure a crowd were perk the joint up a whole lot.
The biggest disappointment was the "petting zoo". As a retired zoo keeper, it always pains me to see animals living in shabby conditions. The sheep should have been sheared so they would be more comfortable in the heat and look better as well. The chickens should be presented in a much nicer surrounding, as "all things chicken" is the name of the game at WFF. A very small dollar investment could make a big difference in perception and quality of life for the petting zoo denizens.
So, in summary, the kitch factor is off the charts, the food is decent, if not great, but it needs a spark and some work to make it shine. Fix up the petting zoo, improve things like the gravy. Plate the food with a bit more enthusiasm ... even a sprig of parsley would help. It will make a world of difference.
5 stars for kitch factor
3 stars for the food
3 stars for the service
1 star for the petting zoo
4 stars for the trip down memory lane.
This is an "it is what it is kind of place."
You could have walked in there today or in 1981 and you wouldn't notice much difference at all. People go here because it reminds them of something.. I'll let you be the judge of that.
Food - Steak was pretty good, sides were okay... In the days and times of the increase in popularity of farm to table type resturaunts.. You'd think they were ahead of the curve here. Instead that is not the feeling you get in here. I wouldn't say my meal had fresh ingredience. My lady had the chicken. She liked it but didn't rant and rave about it.
Service - You'd think at a "down home" joint like this you'd get some good service. Again, this is not the case. Don't forget this is a steakhouse. Check values are high. Tips are high for the staff. Service levels should be high. My constantly empty water and forgotten requests were not near the standard I'd find at any other steak house. I'm not talking Maestros either... think Outback. Â Many of the service staff seemed young, unexperienced, etc. I really felt like this place did not emphasize service or the expereince here at all. Afterall if you're eating at a place like this, it's about the experience.
This is a place that is dying slowly in my book. In a place that should deliver an experience, it falls short. As a young person, this is not a place I'd like to take my family for memorable meals. Oh, and PS - get ready to shell out extra for sour cream on that baked potato. That was the icing on the cake that cheapened this place to a whole new level for me.
I'm failing to understand all of the WFF hate. Â When an historic landmark is infused with new money and new ideas, it typically loses it's historic appeal. Â I'm all about cleanliness and maintenance, but why change the character of a beloved institution?
Sure it's kitschy, and not much has changed in a generation, but I believe the old girl still rocks. Â
Up until last weekend, I hadn't visited in probably 15 years, and honestly WFF was all but purged from my medial temporal lobe as a viable dining option. Â That is until we received an invitation from the neighbors to check it out. Â We jumped at the opportunity.
As some anonymous libertine once said, "It is what it is."  And what it is, is an amalgam of cobbled together dining rooms with little attention paid to what we currently know as feng-shui.  I suspect that back in the glory days, the owners couldn't expand fast enough to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for their fine chicken, and they  cut corners in favor of speed.  It's furnished with formica topped tables, sans table clothes, and wooden spindle chairs-the perfect furnishings in my opinion.
And, as numerous others have mentioned, it's stocked with very valuable old artifacts such as a 1941 Cadillac Convertible and an immaculate Bradbury Motorcycle. Â
But even with the cool old stuff on display, the place would wither away if not for some damned fine food. Â I found the fried chicken to be close to perfect. Â Very nearly devoid of the unctuousness that generally turns my stomach as it relates to fried stuff, moist and meaty and with a light breading that compliments versus overwhelms. Â The family style sides are "bottomless" and really tasty. Â We especially enjoyed the corn fritters, the pickled beets, the coleslaw (which is more akin to pickled cabbage and carrots, and whetever else is typically part of coleslaw than to traditional creamy coleslaw), and the kidney bean salad. Â O.K., I'll concede; the Chartruese chicken gravy that accompanies the mashed potatos is a little strange looking, but it had a nice flavor. Our server was attentive and efficient, and the bill was surprisingly reasonable.
I'm a reinvigorated fan of White fence Farm!
Went here on a whim for the first time in early January. Â A huge, sprawling place with unique knick-knacks all over the walls. Â Lots to look at in take in... my girlfriend got a kick out of the clucking chicken machine that lays an egg when you feed it a quarter. Â
But the focus is the food. Â Why you would go to a place with a giant chicken out front and order a steak or fish is beyond me. Â This place serves chicken, and it was great. Â The pre-meal "relishes" were tasty... "old-people" food, as my girlfriend called them, but tasty nonetheless. Â The corn fritters were tops, and we took plenty home. Â Polished off the meal with a dish of soft-serve ice cream as well. Â
The bill was reasonable, the service was great, though we were by far 20-30 years younger than the rest of the dining crowd this particular afternoon (and we're in our early 30's). Â
A whimsical, yet enjoyable place where you can find a good meal. Â I'll be back.
Faded nostalgia and old-time Route 66 fried chicken - that's what this place feels like. Â I want to give it 5 stars but I can't. Â Let me explain. Â
It's a huge restaurant - different rooms with different antique-y Americana themes. Â The last couple of times that we've been there it's been quite empty. Â
It was owned by the same family for years, and may still be. Â But it seems to have gone the way of other long-standing family cash cows - no one in the family has the foresight or drive to invest time/money into marketing and updating the business. Â And so it sits and languishes. Â The antiques hall/museum is in desperate need of a revamp, and the menu still basically contains fried chicken. Â
For those trying to eat healthier, the tilapia is one option. Â Okay, it's the only option. Â And it's not bad, but I've definitely had better. Â Skip the steak - it's terrible, very fatty and not exactly the best flavor. Â So this leaves the fried chicken - and that's what people come for. Â That, and the relishes - especially the corn fritters. Â WFF would do well to acknowledge the obesity epidemic.
I firmly believe that a restaurant should be rated here on how well it meets expectations for what it is. It's the only way we can throw up reviews of the neighborhood taco stand and Everest with the same 5-star scale.
I say this because when rating White Fence Farm, I have to say that it did, indeed, meet my expectations for what it was. That being said, I know it's not for everyone. In fact, there are people who should stay far, far away.
White Fence Farm is a kitschy, country-style restaurant - with bits of Americana all over the place. The place is HUGE with many branching rooms. It's decorated on the lines of other restaurants like Cracker Barrel where random pieces of yesteryear are just lying around or hanging on walls. It is probably worth checking out but when I went, it was around dusk and quite a few of the rooms were darkened.
It did strike me that such a huge place was fairly empty right around dinner time. When you walk in, there's a greeter directing you to a rear dining room. The menu is spartan - pretty much chicken, steaks and fish. You can read how the food is presented in other reviews but here's what I think:
The relishes were fairly good for what the were. They're basically what you would expect from a dinner at Grandma's house - vinegar and mayonaise-based salads probably out of a Betty Crocker Cook Book from the early 1900's. That being said, I liked the kidney bean salad, the pickled beets were also good and the cottage cheese, fresh. The corn fritters were also good but not as fresh - they were only lukewarm. I also, frankly, found the preparation odd - I would have expected something more savory and not so sweet. But they were good nonetheless.
I get what they're going for here - a re-creation of a country meal right down to the canned bean salads that would be pulled up from the root cellar.
The chicken was good - not the best I've had but good. The breading was nicely done. I didn't find it at all salty, in fact, there didn't seem to be much seasoning at all. I had a pretty high standard to compare it with having grown up near Frankenmuth Michigan and Zehnder's Fried Chicken and I have to say, Zehnders is better. But don't take this to mean the chicken was bad - it was still good. No these aren't the super-huge, hormone-driven, mutant chicken breasts and drumsticks you find at KFC (I'm KIDDING) - it's probably more like the fried chicken you would get down on the farm in the 1930's from free-range chickens.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the mashed potatoes. I heard they weren't good and would actualy have preferred the fries, but I wanted to do the whole country dinner thing right, so I ordered them. They're instant. That was OK with me - I actually like instant mashed potatoes, but many will be turned off by this. I can understand what people have said about the lemon-curd yellow gravy. I think they use boullion or chicken stock and thicken it for the gravy. I know they add yellow food coloring to boullion so that could be the source.
Overall, I was pretty satisfied with my dinner. It fufilled my craving for a down-home country meal. If you are at all health-concious, you should realize what this food is before you go and spare yourself the disappointment. Also, this is likely not a good date restaurant. Fried chicken is one of those foods like BBQ ribs that isn't good for a date - really anything that you have to pick up with your hands and chew meat off of bones. Plus the crowd is mostly geriatric - I think I was the only diner there under 60.
Considered a fifth star, but it would be for sentimental reasons which would be biased. White Fence Farm was a special occasion restaurant of my childhood. Funny looking back on it now, as there is nothing too special about WFF. But I must say the food is pretty damn good.
The fried chicken is outstanding. Â It is what fried chicken is supposed to be. Â I'm not much of a fried chicken eater, but WFF is the exception. It can be a bit greasy, but it's moist and perfectly seasoned. Sides are all delicious, with exception of the mashed potatoes. Â Skip 'em. Â My personal favorite item would be the corn fritters. Heavenly, if you like fried dough rolled in powdered sugar. Â The Bean Salad and Beets are awesome, too. Â It all goes great together!
The atmosphere is odd, but somehow charming. There are many rooms, and I always feel lost. Seems like a maze. If you're never been, be prepared for lots-o-old folks. There is an area by the front door that is pretty much a parking lot for walkers. Eating there is nothing special. I prefer the carryout, actually. The petting zoo out back rocks, though.
Definitely a destination restaurant that is somewhat off the beaten path. Recommended for anybody who is in the area and likes fried chicken and fritters.
It was a trip to Mormon-town meets American Pickers. This is literally an old farm. Â they have stopped time at this joint and i'm pretty sure it's the same carpet, decor, menu they've had for 50+ years. Â You are escorted through a maze of named rooms (remember, it use to be a farmhouse) by a young hostess dressed in a very dated conservative uniform to appear feminine but to reveal nothing (complete with shoulder pads). Â
You can tell they cater to the older crowd, having a very limited menu. I asked for cheese with my baked potato and they said THEY HAVE NO CHEESE. hmmm...my boyfriend and I were served sides to split--but we couldn't choose what we wanted. Â He got fried fish and I got baked fish, which neither of us were disappointed, especially considering the cheap bill; however, it's not a pristine location and we don't think we'll being going again anytime soon, unless it's to show first-timers the bizarre time-machine
This isn't your typical fried chicken.
This isn't even your high end fried chicken. It's a league all its own.
It's worth going here even if it has crazy weird hours. Their sides are wonderful--corn fritters (absolutely love), pickled beets (same), bean salad, the slaw...all so wonderful.
And then the chicken. Crispy on the outside, and even the white meat was juicy and flavorful inside. But none of the oily greasy breading you'd see elsewhere. I actually don't feel (too) bad eating the skin.
We also had the t-bone steak, which was aged and delicious, and very generous for the portion and price.
Next big gathering, we're going here.
Good Fried chicken, check.
Boxed mashed potaoes, check.
Same crowd as Golden Corral, check.
Over-hyped, check.
Good place about once every three years. Â I mean, boxed potatoes? Â Really? Â A place supposed to be all about homestyle, old-fashioned cooking, serving powdered spuds? Â GTFO.
Again, the bird isn't bad.
Fried chicken! Â Corn fritters! Â Yes - they have other items on their menu - but for those of us in the know - those are the only two items we really come here to eat. The fried chicken is so moist and the skin is extra crispy. Â And the corn fritters - delicious fried cornmeal with real corn kernels in the dough that are rolled in sugar as soon as they're taken out of the oven - I could eat those every day of my life.
Yes - they have other items on the menu. Â But - the restaurant is known for their chicken, they specialize in their chicken, their chicken is known throughout Chicagoland - stick with the chicken, people!
The food's served family style - if everyone in your party orders fried chicken they'll bring out platters of the stuff (4 pieces per person). Â The menu feels as though it hasn't been changed in 50 years - the side dishes (or 'relishes' as they're called) are pickled beets, vinegar cole slaw, Â cottage cheese, and mashed potatoes. Â And who knew pickled beets were so good?!
This place is great for large parties. Â My family has only ever gone with parties larger than 10 people. Â They have such an organized system in place that we've never waited longer than 20 minutes for a table. Â And if you need to wear out your little kids before the drive home - take them to the petting zoo that's on the property.
Oh - and if you're lucky enough to live in Downers Grove - they have a Take Out place so you can get your corn fritter fix any day you want.
This place is like House on the Rock and a chicken had a night of passionate lovemaking and this is their love child. Moving past the disgusting sexual metaphor, White Fence Farm is so out of the way I hadn't even heard of it until a few years ago when i joined my family for a delectable Mother's Day fried chicken extravaganza. It was crowded as hell, but it was kind of the wrong time, because last weekend I met my family here again and we were seated right away.
The chicken, the wonderful chicken. When you walk in you see the wait staff walking around with these trays heaped a foot high with a heavenly golden brown. This is probably some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. It's perfectly seasoned and surprisingly not too greasy on the hands. Of course there's more to it than fried chicken. You can also get steak. But who wants to get steak at a place like this, a place with a giant chicken statue standing sentry at the entrance? The relishes were good, as well. They came in tiny plates but refills were always coming. My favorite was the bean salad.
Dessert was interesting. I never knew that brandy and ice cream would mate well, but interestingly they did. You kind of wonder how that came up. Hey, let's add booze to ice cream! Yeah, that's a great idea!
Why did I compare this place to House on the Rock? The waiting area is like a chicken history museum, filled with antiques and framed photographs and newspaper articles, penny arcade vending machines, tractor parts. My favorite was a newspaper article that read "Mussolini Executed". What a great way to start a chicken dinner... with the execution of a fascist dictator!
White Fence Farm has been around since the 1920's and the decor can attest to that. Not that anything was falling apart but it definitely has an old-timey-country-farmhouse-comfy-Sunday-picnic kind of feel to it. Definitely a good place for family or big group dining.
I love the fried chicken here. Very moist and tender. The pieces seem a little on the smallish side, but considering that lots of places have gone super-size-serving huge, perhaps this is what real serving sizes should look like.
This is family-style dining so no matter if you get the fried chicken or other entrees, you get different sides to share with the table. The most popular side is probably the corn fritters--which I love as well. Small pieces of corn in fried dough dusted with powdered sugar. The other sides are the pickled beets, cole slaw, potato, and cottage cheese. Like Sunday country farmhouse picnics, right?
Service has always been friendly and helpful. This seems like the place where the local high school kids work--like a rite of passage.
Take some time to look around at the knick knacks and display cases with the old toys and antiques. Bring your camera so you can get your picture taken with the giant chicken outside.
This is no ordinary fried chicken. This is the healthiest FRIED chicken you can ever eat. Why? Because the geniuses at WFF bake the chicken thoroughly before they flash fry it for only 3 minutes in a no-cholesterol vegetable oil. Voila--and that's how you get healthy fried chicken--sort of, not as healthy as grilled chicken, but whatever. And the chicken isn't the only thing that's good here--they have some amazing sides like pickled beets, kidney bean salad, cottage cheese, coleslaw, and not to mention my favorite corn fritters!!!
Why this place has less than a 4-star average rating is beyond me. I've been dining here for years--ever since we were introduced to it by a friend in the restaurant biz. The service is generally good. The sheer size of the place will wow you--they have 8 dining rooms, so bring the whole extended family. They even have a little museum with different things on display, some antique cars, and a petting zoo outside.
Totally not impressed by this chicken. Â I would never purposely go out of my way to go here for chicken, but luckily was passing through and finally got to try out this famous chicken that has the "best chicken ever." Â Wow, I was really disappointed. Â
Service - Hostess wasn't very friendly, just sat us at our table. Â our server was not the best, he was a teenager that was really unenthusiastic and seemed uninterested in taking our order. Â Yeah, we got there 30 minuts before closing, but they close at 8pm! Â There were others that sat down after us too but not in his section. Â He kind of just laid out the food and didn't explain the side dishes to us and put the check on the table and then asked if we wanted dessert. Â Sorry, no dessert for us, wouldn't want you to have to re-do the check. Â Maybe because we're not regulars, or don't have the "suburban or country" look (if you know what I'm saying), but if felt like everyone else got really good FRIENDLY service with a smile, and we didn't.
Food - We each ordered the 1/2 chicken dinner (4 pcs, $13.50 each meal = expensive chicken dinner). Â The menu said it came with 5 sides plus choice of potato, and we weren't sure if we'd actually get all the sides or not. Â But we did - The server brought little bowls of each side out and they all looked unappetizing, but some were tasty. Â Corn fritters were hands down my favorite. Â Little bite size sweet donut ovals, dusted with sugar and powdered sugar, and bits of corn on the outside. I left these for dessert. Â Bean salad looked gross but was actually pretty good, tasted oddly like potato salad. Â Cole slaw was okay, vinegar based, but needed more kick. Â Cottage cheese, just plain old cottage cheese, and probably full fat - ew, who eats cottage cheese as a side? Â Picked beets - I don't like beets, but these were good, had a vinegary kick.
Chicken - came out pretty quickly after we got the sides, they pile it all on a platter and stick a fork on it. Â I got the baked potatoes, bf got the mashed potatoes. Â Tiny scoop of mashed potatoes. Â The sour cream for my baked potatoes tasted weird, very sweet. Â Maybe I'm not used to full fat sour cream? Â We also got a bowl of lemon jello with the chicken, which turned out to be chicken gravy. Â Once you got past the idea of dipping your chicken into lemon jello chicken gravy, the gravy was quite tasty. Â It tasted homemade, and was DEFINITELY needed as the chicken was just okay, I've definitely had better elsewhere. Â
Chicken - it came out piping hot. Â I cut into the breast and it was steaming and juicy. Â Skin was thin and crisp and cooked well. Â BUT the chicken was NOT well seasoned at all, not even the skin. Â It was crispy but virtually no flavor. Â I salted everything (which i never do), then dipped it in the lemon jello. Â After that, it was pretty good. Â But I've definitely had better.
We didn't get dessert, but the table next to us did. Â The creme de menthe & brandy ice creams were just creme de menth or brandy on the bottom of an ice cream glass, with vanilla soft serve on top. Â Not very appetizing.
Atmosphere - very country, which goes without saying since it's on a farm. Â We didn't walk through or look at anything other than the dining room. Â Dining room has chicken on the carpets, and lots of cuckoo clocks everywhere. Â The main bathroom in the main entry was apparently remodeled recently, and it was actually very nice. Â NIce granite vanities, long mirrors. Â You would think you were in a hotel bathroom, not WFF.
In all, I'm glad I went b/c now I don't have to wonder or plan a special trip to this place. Â We will probably never be back, even if we drive through Joliet/Romeoville again. Â If I want country, I'll save my calories for Cracker Barrel.
Either I wrote this review and it got deleted, I never wrote it, or I wrote it and then ate it along with the chicken... no matter...
White Fence Farm is truly outrageous, just like Jem, only tastier. Â
Outside, there's a giant chicken and a petting zoo (though the goaties appear to be a bit lazy, probably because they eat too much). Â Directly inside is a satellite office of House on the Rock. Â Dollies, knick-knacks, old car parts, love tester machines. Â I love it. Â There's also tons of games and fun while you wait.
Here's where it gets really good. Â Unlike House on the Rock, where you can sit down for lunch at some overpriced hamburger Hell, when you sit down here, you feed on a farm's worth of goodies for a low low price. Â The baby appetizer buffet of beets, bean salad, cottage cheese, and coleslaw is enough to make you wonder why you bothered ordering dinner. Â Then there are the corn fritters... Â balls of fried goodness.
The four pieces of chicken you get will make you remember why you didn't stop at the all you can eat snacks. Â This chicken is amazing. Â I can't even describe how amazing it is, but trying to shove pieces of your friend's chicken into your purse while he/she's in the bathroom will probably start a brawl. Â The steak is also amazing and huge for the price. Â I could bite into that and a chicken drumstick right about now. Â Maybe a steak topped with chicken? Â Fried chicken dinner with a side of steak? Â Oh lord... kill me now and save me the pain of waiting for my first heart attack. Â
I need to come back and share a wing or two with my goat and llama friends as long as they don't get too greedy.
Ah suburbia IL... good ole' white fence farm. Â A staple in many an outing of my younger years.. and now even my kiddo's when he visits the fam.
For a young child especially, this place is... something truly special.
Outside there is the farm itself. Â Real animals to overlook and feed if you like. Â This was usually what followed our dinners rather than before for most obvious reasons and then there's the draw of what's inside.
It's been around for decades and there's a museum and nickel arcade. Â Rows of black and white pictures on the wall from a time not quite forgotten just yet.
The machines that judge your love prowess by the strength of your grip (hmm I wonder what they were trying to imply with that one). Â The fortune teller reminiscent of Zoltar but not quite as scary. Â The bawking chicken that lays eggs with kiddie prizes inside. Â The old old swell cars. Â The vintage patterned estate carpeting.
This is an old fashioned family establishment. Â One of my absolute favorites back home. Â The food is served family style- plates stacked high with chicken and bowls of sides passed around. Â Red beans. Coleslaw. Â Cottage cheese.
But what really became the most coveted are the corn fritters. Â Powdered sugar over battered cornmeal and pieces of real corn. Â These were devoured within moments of being placed on the table time and time again.
Strangely enough, there's ALWAYS leftovers. Â One cannot simply get enough. Â It's as if you purposely order too much food without realizing it.. and then there you are with bags of it for the next 2-3 days. Â
For families, for small intimate groups, for kids, for greasers and lovers of old... look no further than to experience at least one night here. Â Its simply a "must do."
Lots of stories. Â So many memories. Â So much to be said about this place. Â Truly a gem frozen in time.
I loved my experience at WFF. Â I spent many hours groaning from food coma after my meal. Â
This is how I would depict my experience of going to the Farm. Â You know that assembly line music you hear in old timey cartoons? Â Well just get that playing in the back of your head. Â Now imagine my body skinny and starting to roll down a conveyor belt. Â Oh here come some relishes to my table, yum yum in my mouth. Â I get corn fritters, bean salad, coleslaw, cottage cheese and beets shoveled into my mouth. Â You can already see my body start to expand, ok maybe I can handle a few more corn fritters, glug, glug, ok just a few more after that. Â
Oh my, here comes my giant 4 piece chicken dinner. Â And mashed potatoes to boot! Â So this is really all included in my meal? Â Amazing, nom nom, I don't think I've ever had chicken quite like this. Â The conveyor belt is starting to slow down due to increase of weight that is being put on my body. Â Damn, this chicken is good, I can't put it down, let me pour some gravy on it, chomp, chomp, hey can you summon me some more of those corn fritters? Â Dessert? Â No really I couldn't, I'm only going to have a few more of these corn fritters, well ok I guess we can share the signature brandy dessert, that sounds nice. Â
That being said by the time my conveyor belt assembly line experience was over, I came out of the Farm looking like a full fledged fattie. Â I didn't hesitate to unbutton my pants as soon as I got into the car. Â My companion says its a coincidence that he was to tired to drive. Â I am a little disappointed that I didn't see any climbing goats. Â My companion said that they had them, but they were no where to be found. Â We did see a shabby looking petting zoo with lethargic crabby goats and llamas. Â Somebody please give these animals a hug, and some corn fritters. Oh wait no, save those corn fritters for me!
This place is a total riot. This past Easter I was ripped from my comfortable little Chicago abode to the suburbs for fried chicken. I had seen of this place, heard of it, but never in my life thought I would actually end up here. When you enter in, you realize that yes, this is a barn. There are tons of different rooms/areas that they seat you and it was absolutely mobbed. By the grace of the Fried Chicken gods we got a table right away.
I had no idea what to expect, but when the starters came out I was immediately taken back to my grandma's kitchen - kidney bean salad, slaw, cottage cheese plus some corn-fritter-hush-puppy things that tasted like cornmeal donuts. Then, the chicken came out, mounds and mounds of Fried Chicken. I mean, how anyone could eat this much fried chicken I'm not sure but damn, that was pretty delicious.
Only bark is that yes, it's "nostalgic" but that also can equal to "not updated" and the ashtray in the bathroom and weird stains on the wall were not appetizing - and the carpet has definitely seen better days. Either way, worth a trip to this Midwest staple!
I've seen the occasional commercial for this place but never thought anything of it. Â My sister-in-law (aka, the picky eater) suggested we eat here on our way to the Route 66 Speedway one day.
The restaurant was huge but I kinda' felt like I was in a time warp. Â Although the place was quite barren, I could see the ghosts of past customers dinning here. Â The men were in their suits with hats, ladies in their 50's style swing dresses and 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air lining the parking lot. Â What can I say, I have a vivid imagination.
Now the menu consists of chicken, aged steaks, fish and shrimp. Â The chicken comes family style (4 pieces per person) with Bean Salad, Cole Slaw, Cottage Cheese, Pickled Beets, Corn Fritters and your choice of French Fried Potato, Mashed Potato, or Baked Potato with Home Made Gravy. Â All of that for $12.50 per person, $3.25 for kids 10-3 and free under 2.
The food was good, the chicken crispy and sides tasty but beverage were $2 a glass. Â I know we would eat here again but only when we're in the area. Â The kids enjoyed it so that was a plus but the best part, it was sister-in-law approved.
I consider myself a bit of an aficionado of the pollo frito, so I made a point of trying some of this famous bird.
We did take out at the little take out building to the side of the main restaurant and ate in the car during a trip to IKEA and ate in the car:
The bird is decent - good crunchy crust that comes out hot, but kind of scrawny, not very meaty pieces, but tasty enough. I'd eat it again, but also be fine not eating it again, you know.
The sides kind of sucked: cold, weird tasting mashed potatoes with a really odd "gravy" and regrettable cole slaw. But then....
What's in this little greasy bag? Did we order something else?
Tiny, corn-filled and resembling lopsided doughnut holes, the fritters are the real star of White Fence Farm. They come with your meal and are worth coming here for by them selves. They are piping hot and freaking glazed, soft, heavy with oil and light at the same time - nothing at all like a hushpuppy.
If you're out here get your self a heaping order of fritters with a side of chicken.
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