We Ranked The Best Fried Chicken In Illinois And These 7 Spots Made The List

One Illinois chicken joint has no restroom, takes no reservations, and still tends to have a wait. That tells you plenty about the chicken.

Another spot on this list sits right on old Route 66. Its chicken wears a coating made with bread crumbs and cracker meal, and I love that stubborn little detail.

I went looking for the best fried chicken in Illinois and found a delicious mix. There are Korean wings near the lakefront, foot-high pies after a family-style dinner, and a Rockford diner that serves breakfast at 7 a.m.

Some kitchens lean Southern. Others lean small-town tavern.

A few just quietly fry the bird the way they always have.

The best part is how easy these are to fit into a family trip. Kids love fried chicken, and parents love not arguing about dinner.

So which crunchy stop is closest to your house?

1. Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket

Bread crumbs and cracker meal give the chicken here its signature crunch. That coating is a big reason this Route 66 fixture keeps showing up on fried chicken lists.

The Famous Fried Chicken Basket is the move. It comes as a half chicken cut into four pieces, hand-breaded and fried, with fries and homemade coleslaw.

Want to round out the table? Corn fritters, cheese curds, and chicken dumpling soup all sit on the menu.

You’ll also find chicken and waffles plus chicken pot pie for anyone who wants a different take. There’s a salad bar, too, which helps balance out the fried goodies.

Families have it pretty easy here. The restaurant offers high chairs, a kids’ menu, and a casual dining room with a fireplace.

Root beer is on the drink list, which feels just right for a historic highway stop. Kids tend to approve of that choice quickly.

Parking is usually plentiful, with a free lot on site. Weekend afternoons and Friday evenings get busiest, so plan around those times.

Reservations are accepted, which helps with bigger groups. Hours run daily from late morning into the evening, but check ahead before a long drive.

Address: 645 Joliet Rd, Willowbrook, IL 60527

2. Rip’s Tavern

No restroom, no reservations, and usually a wait. Somehow, this little Ladd landmark still pulls crowds for its chicken.

Rip’s has been around a long time, and the old-school setting is part of the charm. It feels like the kind of place a town builds its weekends around.

The menu keeps things simple. You can order the 1/2 Mix Chicken, chicken strips with fries, or chicken tenders and fries.

Those hand-cut fries deserve their own shout-out. They’re a natural sidekick to a basket of hot chicken.

Here’s the practical part for parents. There’s no restroom onsite, so plan a stop before you arrive, especially with little ones.

On the bright side, the spot offers high chairs and a kids’ menu. Takeout and curbside pickup are options if a picnic sounds better.

Ladd sits in north-central Illinois, not far from I-80. That makes it an easy detour on a trip to the Illinois River valley.

Rip’s closes Mondays and Tuesdays and opens late afternoon midweek. Weekends start earlier, but those afternoons get busy, so check ahead and arrive with patience.

Address: 311 N Main St, Ladd, IL 61329

3. Crisp

Korean fried chicken brings a whole different crunch to this list. Crisp, in Chicago’s Lakeview area, serves it from a casual counter.

The wings get serious attention, with a sturdy crunch outside and juicy meat inside. Korean flavorings add personality you won’t find at a classic Midwest chicken dinner.

Not everyone in your crew wants wings? The menu covers that with fun names and bigger plates.

Try the Seoul Sensation Steak Burrito or the Chi-Town Chicken Burrito. Vegetarians can grab the Big Boy Buddha bowl or Marty’s Magic Fried Shrooms.

Myonsook’s Kimchi and Superfly Fries round out the sides. Portions tend to be generous, which helps when teens are along.

Seating is communal, and the mood is relaxed and trendy. Expect music and a quick-bite pace rather than a long sit-down dinner.

Parking can be tricky on this busy stretch of North Broadway. Street spots are often hard to find, so leave extra time or consider takeout.

Crisp closes Mondays and doesn’t take reservations. Weekend afternoons tend to be busiest, so check ahead and aim for an earlier lunch.

Address: 2940 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657

4. Blue Springs Cafe

Foot-high pies get plenty of attention at this Highland cafe. The fried chicken deserves just as much love.

Here, chicken arrives in generous portions alongside mashed potatoes and green beans served family style. That setup makes it easy to pass bowls around and let everyone dig in.

Soft, warm biscuits come with apple butter. It’s a small touch that makes the meal feel like a Sunday dinner at Grandma’s.

Of course, you’ll need to save room. The pie case features towering coconut cream, chocolate, and apple pies.

Not a chicken fan? Fried walleye and chicken fried steak also earn spots on the menu, plus pickled beets for anyone who loves an old-fashioned side.

The setting is homey and country-style, with daily specials worth asking about. Prices tend to stay reasonable for a sit-down family meal.

Highland sits east of St. Louis in southwestern Illinois, just off I-70. It’s an easy stop for families heading through Metro East.

Kids get high chairs and a kids’ menu, and the parking lot usually has room. Hours run daily, but check ahead around holidays.

Address: 3505 George St, Highland, IL 62249

5. Neil St. Blues

Champaign has a surprise waiting downtown for Southern food fans. Neil St. Blues mixes soul food with Cajun flavor, and the fried chicken steals plenty of attention.

The chicken tends to come out juicy and well seasoned, often falling right off the bone. Hot, fresh sides make the plate feel complete.

Sunday brunch is a big draw. Shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and greens can all land on the same table.

Brunch at times features a buffet with big pieces of chicken and catfish. You can also order chicken off the regular menu.

Adventurous eaters can try frog legs, crab cakes, or jambalaya. Fried green tomatoes and chicken and waffles offer more familiar comfort.

There’s even a full vegan menu, including a vegan jambalaya. That’s handy when your group has mixed diets.

Parents will appreciate changing tables, high chairs, and a kids’ menu. Outdoor seating is another option when the Illinois weather plays nice.

It’s an easy pick for families visiting the University of Illinois campus. The spot closes Mondays and Friday evenings get busiest, so check ahead or reserve a table.

Address: 301 N Neil St #106, Champaign, IL 61820

6. Mr. C’s Family Restaurant

A cheeseburger billed as big as your head might sound like the star here. In Rockford, though, the fried chicken holds its own just fine.

Mr. C’s serves huge pieces of chicken with real mashed potatoes and gravy. Coleslaw and grilled Texas toast or garlic bread complete the plate.

It’s the kind of folksy diner where the portions do the talking. Bring a hungry crew or plan on leftovers.

The menu stretches well beyond chicken. Meatloaf and goulash bring more classic comfort, and that famous cheeseburger is always tempting.

Breakfast starts early, at 7 a.m. That makes it a great fuel-up spot before a day exploring Rockford.

The room is homey and often quiet, especially on weekdays. Weekend mornings into early afternoon tend to be the busiest stretch.

Families get a solid lineup of comforts. Changing tables, high chairs, and a kids’ menu are all available.

Parking is easy, with a free on-site lot. Sunday hours end in the afternoon, and reservations aren’t taken, so check ahead before planning a late weekend meal.

Address: 4309 W State St, Rockford, IL 61102

7. Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the namesake dish is ready. That all-day flexibility makes this Bronzeville favorite an easy win for families on Chicago’s South Side.

Chicken and waffles leads the way, and the fried chicken tends to arrive hot, crispy, and moist without being greasy. The breast meat stays tender and juicy.

Sides read like a classic soul food spread. Think mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, dressing, potato salad, and sweet cornbread.

Real sweet tea makes a fine partner for all that. The menu also includes red beans and rice, plus biscuits and gravy.

Catfish and grits is another standout for seafood lovers. Portions run big, so sharing can work well for smaller kids.

The dining room has exposed brick and a casual feel. Outdoor seating is also available in warmer months.

High chairs and a kids’ menu make it easier to bring the whole family. Parking is usually plentiful, with a free lot.

Expect a wait on weekend mornings and Sunday afternoons. Reservations are accepted, so check ahead and book if you’re bringing a group.

Address: 3947 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653