On our travels from our home in the Windy City to our parents home in Ohio we always take the Indiana Turnpike. Normally we stop at the requisite places, like McDonald's or Wendy's straight off the turnpike, but that's usually a complete disaster, due to the fact that most of the stops along the turnpike that have food right off the exit are filled with customers and employees that unfortunately just aren't so pleasant to be around. This usually leaves me upset, as the facilities are often horribly managed, and the employees have bad attitudes due to the fact that they are stuck working at those establishments, and it reflects on not only their food but the entire restaurant as well.
On our trip home on this occasion, I decided to travel a bit off the beaten path, and happened upon this restaurant, which came up on Google maps as only 8 minutes off the turnpike. The 8 minute trip sounded reasonable enough, so we headed over, and boy let me tell you, it was one of the better decisions that I've made in my 45 years on this earth.
Upon walking into this quaint establishment, the smell of fresh food is immediate. On top of that, this restaurant has an overwhelmingly friendly environment. It's almost like walking into a country store, that also has a full service restaurant with sit-down tables, where you are greeted by two of the friendliest owners that you will ever meet. The owners, which happened to serve me that day, took true pride in their ownership. I could tell immediately while talking to them, that my food was going to be incredible. You don't meet two people as genuine as they are, and not have the foresight to know that what they serve you will be homemade and what they would serve their own family. While I could go on and on about the nice conversations that we had, I will allow you to see that for yourself, and now go directly to the food that they served my family.
So, getting to the most important part of most Yelp searches, the food was incredible. We ordered an eight piece fried Chicken dinner, that came with two delicious sides of homemade mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. To the chicken, well, let me just say that I will be stopping by again each time I pass through this town, which is at least 12 times a year. I really wish I had eaten this chicken inside the restaurant, because I have no idea how they make a chicken so juicy yet has the most amazingly crisp skin that encapsulates the chicken and holds in all the flavors that you could ever imagine fried Chicken being. Honestly, I live in Chicago illinois, home of many a fried chicken establishment, all of which don't stand a chance if this restaurant ever came to Chicago. Even writing this, I have to set this keyboard down, and think just how good the chicken was. It's almost laughable how much better their fried Chicken is than any other fried chicken I have ever eaten. Was it the spices that they used, which were perfectly portioned or was it the quality of the chicken that they procure? I haven't a clue, I only know that there should be a chain of these fried chicken restaurants across all of North America. The adjectives that I can come up with are never going to give the credit that is due, but I would never steer another Yelp user wrong when it comes to amazingly fried Chicken. And not to throw shade at their sides, which were as terrific as you could imagine. I'm especially speaking of the mashed potatoes, which are astonishingly terrific. I'm not sure whether it was the creaminess of the potatoes or maybe it was the possible dill or chive that they incorporate into the recipe, I just know flat out that the gravy they gave me was not used once except for tasting on the side, as these potatoes were flat out incredible. And that is not due to the fact that the gravy wasn't good, it's just the fact that the chicken and the mashed potatoes didn't need a single addition to make them outstanding. Additionally, the mac and cheese was rich, creamy, and amazingly satisfying.
To conclude, if you are ever in the vicinity, stop by this restaurant. Even if you're not hungry, stop by and greet these owners. They love their restaurant, and it is abundantly apparent in the way they treat their customers, and in how they run their business. It's almost to the point, where I have given thought into asking them to open up at least one outpost closer to chicago, so I can actually satisfy my fried chicken cravings.
The food-excellent.
The restaurant-clean and comfortable.
The owners-like your own grandparents.
It is an absolute must if you are nearby, and if you are, don't be surprised if you see my family of four, as we will be here at least 12 times a year, on the way home to our family, and on our way back to our home in the Windy City.
Hats off all the way.
Simply the best fried chicken in North america.... read more