Located along the historic U.S. Route 66, Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket has become an iconic stop for fried chicken enthusiasts, roadtrip lovers, and Chicagoarea diners alike. With roots dating back to the 1930s and a dedicated following that spans generations, this legendary eatery offers more than just a meal it offers nostalgia, hearty food, and a slice of American roadside culture. From its humble beginnings in a converted gas station to its status as a National Register of Historic Places landmark, the Chicken Basket is a noteworthy culinary and historical destination.
Origins and Early History
The story of Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket begins in the late 1930s when a small gas station lunch counter in rural Hinsdale, Illinois served sandwiches and coffee to passing motorists. Two local farm women overheard the owner, Irv Kolarik, complaining about the gas station business and offered a deal teach him their secret fried chicken recipe in exchange for purchasing their chickens. The chicken became an instant hit, prompting Kolarik to convert repair bays into dining space and eventually build a fullservice restaurant.
In the summer of 1946, a new building opened right next door to the original site, along what was then Route 66 and 79th Street in Hinsdale (now Willowbrook). This timing coincided with the postwar boom in travel on the Mother Road, and the restaurant quickly became a favorite stop for travelers heading to or from Chicago. Because of its strategic location and popular menu, the Chicken Basket was even designated a stop for the Blue Bird bus line, adding to its draw and visibility.
Architectural and Cultural Significance
The 1946 building, designed by architect Eugene F. Stoyke, remains largely intact with its classic singlestory brick structure, large window bays, flat steel roof, and the original neon signage. In 2006 the restaurant building and sign were added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing the establishment’s role in mid20thcentury car culture, dining, and the Route 66 experience. Despite changes in ownership and the rerouting of highways, Dell Rhea’s has preserved the look and atmosphere of a bygone era of American road travel.
The Signature Menu and Dining Experience
While the dining room evokes vintage charm, the menu at the Chicken Basket delivers satisfying comfort food with a focus on its signature fried chicken. The establishment remains faithful to the original recipe developed by those two farm women and Irv Kolarik, using fresh Grade A chicken, handbreaded and deepfried, served with classic sides like fries and homemade coleslaw.
- Famous Fried Chicken Basket ½ fresh Grade A chicken cut into four pieces, handbreaded & deepfried, served with french fries and coleslaw.
- Chicken Tender Basket ½ lb fresh, antibiotic and hormonefree chicken tenders, handbreaded and deepfried, served with fries and coleslaw.
- Fried Jumbo Shrimp Basket ½ lb jumbo shrimp, handbreaded and deepfried, served with fries, coleslaw, and cocktail sauce.
Beyond the baskets, the menu includes roasted or charbroiled chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, wings, and a fullservice bar and lounge. The Chicken Basket staff take pride in offering freshly prepared food, fair pricing, and friendly service traits that have earned the restaurant a loyal customer base and numerous accolades.
Ambience and Roadside Charm
Step inside Dell Rhea’s and you’ll notice the large dining room, vintage décor, and memorabilia that evoke midcentury roadside dining. An interesting bit of lore during winter months in the early days, the roof of the building was flooded and kids were allowed to iceskate up top just one of the many quirky promotional ideas that built the restaurant’s folklore. The location’s proximity to the old Hinsdale Airport across the street also meant that patrons could watch small private planes taking off and landing while they enjoyed their meal.
Route 66 and the Evolution of the Chicken Basket
The arrival of the Interstate Highway System in the late 1950s and early 1960s significantly changed American travel patterns, and Route 66 traffic dwindled as motorists moved onto the new interstates. In 1962, the Chicken Basket was bypassed by Interstate 55, which threatened the very existence of the restaurant. The following year, in 1963, Delbert Dell Rhea and his wife Grace purchased the business and reinvigorated it, adding their name to the brand and using strategic marketing to draw suburban customers and travelers alike.
Under Rhea’s ownership, the restaurant thrived by adapting while staying true to its heritage. The neon sign, roadside appeal, and vintage atmosphere became points of attraction for nostalgiaseekers and Route 66 fans. In 1992 the Chicken Basket was inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame, further solidifying its place in American roadtrip culture.
Preservation and Renewed Recognition
Today the building retains much of its original character, from the brick walls to interior detailing. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places and coverage on television shows like Food Network’s Diners, DriveIns and Dives brought new attention and a resurgence of interest from visitors. In 2019 the Lombardi family took over ownership, continuing the promise to maintain the original recipe, exceptional service, and homestyle environment that have made Dell Rhea’s a mustvisit landmark.
Visiting Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket Today
If you’re planning a stop, here’s what you can expect
- Location645 Joliet Road, Willowbrook, Illinois (just off I55 and near the historic alignment of Route 66).
- Dining OptionsDinein or carryout for signature fried chicken baskets and other comfort food favorites.
- AtmosphereA mix of nostalgia and good value classic roadside décor and friendly service.
- Menu HighlightsThe famous fried chicken basket, onion rings, macaroni and cheese, and seasonal specials.
Whether you’re a roadtrip traveler exploring the heritage of Route 66 or a local wanting a hearty, classic lunch, Dell Rhea’s combines history and comfort. Because the restaurant has been around for more than seven decades, it also offers a connection to the past and an opportunity to taste a piece of American dining tradition.
Special Features and Traditions
Some features worth noting when visiting include
- The giant neon sign an iconic roadside marker for generations of travelers.
- Buffet lunches on certain days offering all you can eat fried chicken, soup and salad bar popular with locals and visitors alike.
- Fullservice bar and lounge a throwback to the 1950s roadhouse era, but welcoming to all age groups.
- Featured on travel and food television shows, boosting its reputation beyond the Chicago suburbs.
Why Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket Matters
Beyond the food, Dell Rhea’s represents much more than a place to eat. It stands at the intersection of culinary tradition, American road culture, and the evolution of dining habits. Some key reasons why it matters
- Historical ImportanceOne of the few roadside restaurants along Route 66 that has maintained continuous operation and original recipe since the mid20th century.
- Culinary LegacyIts fried chicken recipe has been passed down and maintained, and the restaurant continues to use fresh ingredients and a classic preparation style.
- Cultural AttractionRoadtrip enthusiasts, nostalgia seekers, and food lovers visit the Chicken Basket for both its heritage and its fare.
- Evolving With TimeAlthough traffic patterns changed, the restaurant adapted without sacrificing its identity, showing resilience and commitment to tradition.
For anyone exploring the heritage of American roadside dining or simply craving outstanding fried chicken in a setting that evokes decades of travel memories, Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket delivers. From its beginnings in a gas station lunch counter to its 1946 building along Route 66, and through decades of change, this restaurant remains steadfast in its menu, atmosphere, and appeal. Whether you’re drawn by the chicken, the history, or the neon sign glowing at twilight, Dell Rhea’s offers more than a meal it offers a taste of a bygone era, served fresh and crisp with fries, coleslaw, and nostalgia on the side.