Illinois Buffets Frying Up Chicken The Old-Fashioned Delicious Way
If you’re craving crispy, golden fried chicken made the way grandma used to make it, Illinois has some incredible spots waiting for you. From family-run diners to historic roadside restaurants, these buffets and eateries keep the tradition alive with recipes passed down through generations.
I’ve rounded up the best places across the state where you can enjoy authentic, old-fashioned fried chicken that’ll make your taste buds dance.
1. White Fence Farm Main Restaurant
When you walk into this Romeoville gem, you’re stepping into a piece of Illinois history that’s been serving families since the 1950s. White Fence Farm earned its reputation by perfecting a unique twice-cooked method that first bakes the chicken before frying it to achieve an incredibly crispy crust.
The result is chicken with a satisfying crunch on the outside while staying juicy and tender inside. Every plate comes with homestyle sides like creamy coleslaw, corn fritters, and cottage cheese that complete the experience.
Though the restaurant has closed its doors, its legacy lives on in the memories of countless families who made it their tradition. The twice-cooked technique they pioneered influenced many other Illinois chicken spots.
2. Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket
Route 66 travelers have been pulling over at this Willowbrook landmark since 1946, and for good reason. Dell Rhea’s hand-breads every piece of chicken before dropping it into hot oil, creating a coating that’s both crunchy and flavorful.
The nostalgic roadhouse atmosphere takes you back to simpler times when families would drive for miles just to enjoy a good meal together. You’ll find red checkered tablecloths, vintage signs, and servers who treat you like old friends.
Their signature chicken basket comes piled high with perfectly fried pieces that stay crispy even after you’ve finished your sides. It’s no wonder this place has earned over 3,400 positive reviews from satisfied customers.
3. Chick-N-Dip Drive-In
Since 1960, this Hampshire drive-in has been mastering the art of broasted chicken, which uses pressure frying to create something truly special. The technique produces chicken with a thin, brittle skin that shatters when you bite into it, revealing incredibly juicy meat underneath.
What makes this spot extra fun is that you can follow your savory meal with one of their famous ice cream treats. The combination of hot, crispy chicken and cold, creamy dessert has kept generations coming back.
Families love pulling up during summer evenings to enjoy their meals outside while watching the sunset. The drive-in experience adds an extra layer of nostalgia to already amazing chicken.
4. Yoder’s Kitchen
Arthur’s Amish community brings generations of cooking wisdom to this beloved buffet restaurant. Yoder’s Kitchen serves fried chicken that’s perfectly seasoned with a blend of spices that create an unforgettable flavor profile.
The satisfying crunch you hear when biting into their chicken comes from careful attention to temperature and timing during the frying process. Each piece is cooked to golden perfection, never greasy or overdone.
What really sets this place apart is the full buffet experience featuring fresh vegetables grown locally and homemade pies baked daily. With over 4,500 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, it’s clear that people appreciate authentic Amish cooking done right.
5. BUREK SHOP 3M Restaurant
Hidden in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, this Eastern European spot might surprise you with its outstanding fried chicken. The owners fry their chicken in small batches throughout the day, ensuring every order comes out fresh and hot.
Their unique seasoning blend reflects Eastern European influences while still honoring traditional American fried chicken techniques. The result is something familiar yet distinctly different from what you’ll find elsewhere.
With a 4.8-star rating from happy customers, this hidden gem proves that great fried chicken can come from unexpected places. The small-batch approach means you might wait a bit longer, but the incredible flavor makes it absolutely worth your patience.
6. Chicken Basket Buffet in Springfield
How often do you find a buffet that doesn’t sacrifice quality for quantity? This Springfield establishment manages to serve buffet-style fried chicken that tastes like it came straight from a home kitchen.
The cooks prepare fresh batches throughout lunch and dinner service, so you’re never stuck with chicken that’s been sitting under heat lamps. Each piece gets the same careful attention whether it’s the first batch or the last.
Beyond the chicken, you’ll find an impressive array of traditional sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits. Local families consider this their go-to spot for Sunday dinners when nobody feels like cooking but everyone wants that home-cooked taste.
7. Country Kitchen Buffet in Peoria
Peoria families have been gathering at this country-style buffet for years to enjoy fried chicken that reminds them of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house. The kitchen uses cast iron skillets for some batches, which helps achieve that authentic old-time flavor.
Every piece of chicken gets a generous coating of seasoned flour before hitting the hot oil. The chefs maintain precise temperature control to ensure even cooking and that perfect golden-brown color.
What I love about this place is how they rotate their sides seasonally, using fresh ingredients from local farms when available. The combination of consistent chicken quality and changing sides keeps regular customers excited to return.
8. Prairie Chicken House in Champaign
College students and locals alike flock to this Champaign spot for fried chicken that’s marinated overnight in buttermilk before frying. This extra step makes the meat incredibly tender while the coating stays wonderfully crispy.
The restaurant’s name pays homage to Illinois prairie heritage, and the recipes reflect traditional cooking methods used by early settlers. You won’t find any shortcuts or modern tricks here, just honest cooking done the right way.
Their lunch buffet attracts crowds from the University of Illinois campus who appreciate generous portions at reasonable prices. The chicken stays hot and fresh because they’re constantly refilling the buffet trays during peak hours.
9. Golden Skillet Buffet in Decatur
Are you tired of fried chicken that’s all breading and no flavor? Decatur’s Golden Skillet solves that problem with a lighter coating that lets the chicken’s natural taste shine through.
They’ve been using the same recipe since opening their doors decades ago, refusing to change what already works perfectly. The seasoning blend remains a closely guarded secret, though regulars swear they detect hints of paprika and garlic.
The buffet setup allows you to sample different pieces until you find your favorite, whether that’s a crispy drumstick or a juicy thigh. Families appreciate the relaxed atmosphere where kids can be kids without anyone getting stressed.
10. Homestead Buffet in Bloomington
This Bloomington favorite treats every customer like family, serving fried chicken that’s been perfected over three generations. The current owners learned their technique from grandparents who started the restaurant in a much smaller location.
What makes their chicken special is the double-dredging process that creates extra-thick, extra-crunchy coating. They dip each piece in seasoned egg wash, then flour, then egg again, then flour once more before frying.
The buffet includes all the classic sides you’d expect, plus a few surprises like fried okra and sweet potato casserole. Weekend crowds can get pretty large, so arriving early ensures you get a table without waiting.
11. Crossroads Chicken Buffet in Effingham
Located at the crossroads of major highways, this Effingham buffet has been feeding travelers and locals since the 1970s. Their fried chicken recipe came from a family cookbook that dates back to the early 1900s.
The kitchen prides itself on never using frozen chicken, instead receiving fresh deliveries from nearby farms several times weekly. This commitment to quality ingredients makes a noticeable difference in both taste and texture.
Truckers often mention this place as a must-stop when passing through Illinois because the portions are generous and the prices fair. The chicken stays moist even after sitting on the buffet for a while, thanks to proper cooking techniques.
12. Farmhouse Feast Buffet in Galesburg
Did you know that Galesburg’s farming heritage directly influences the cooking at this popular buffet? Farmhouse Feast sources its chicken from local farms, ensuring freshness and supporting the community simultaneously.
The cooks prepare their chicken using lard instead of vegetable oil, which might sound old-fashioned but creates incredibly flavorful results. This traditional fat gives the coating a richness that modern oils simply can’t match.
Every Sunday after church, you’ll find the restaurant packed with families dressed in their best clothes, making it a true community gathering place. The buffet rotates special items seasonally, but the fried chicken remains a constant favorite.
13. Heritage Kitchen Buffet in Quincy
Quincy’s Heritage Kitchen earned its name by preserving cooking methods that go back generations in Illinois history. Their fried chicken recipe supposedly came from a cookbook published in 1892, though they’ve made minor adjustments over the years.
The restaurant building itself has historical significance, having served as a gathering place for the community for over a century. Walking through the doors feels like stepping back in time to when meals were events, not rushed obligations.
What keeps people coming back is the consistency; you can visit any day of the week and get the same excellent chicken. The buffet also features homemade desserts that perfectly complement the savory main course.
14. Prairie View Buffet in Normal
It’s hard to beat the combination of excellent food and beautiful views that Prairie View offers its guests. This Normal restaurant sits on a hill overlooking farmland, giving diners a true sense of Illinois landscape while they eat.
The fried chicken here features a peppery kick that sets it apart from milder versions served elsewhere. They’re not afraid to season boldly, trusting that customers appreciate chicken with real personality and flavor.
College students from nearby Illinois State University consider this spot perfect for when parents visit and want to treat them to a nice meal. The buffet pricing makes it affordable even for students dining on their own.
15. Sunset Chicken Buffet in Carbondale
Southern Illinois brings its own twist to fried chicken, and Carbondale’s Sunset Buffet showcases that regional pride beautifully. Their recipe includes touches of Southern cooking traditions that migrated north over the decades.
The chicken gets a longer soak in seasoned buttermilk than most places, sometimes marinating for a full day before cooking. This patience results in meat that’s so tender it practically falls off the bone while the skin stays perfectly crispy.
Students from Southern Illinois University pack the place during finals week, finding comfort in hot, delicious food during stressful times. The restaurant understands its role as more than just a place to eat; it’s a community comfort zone.
