The Complete Story
Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket began its life in the late 1920s as a simple lunch counter selling sandwiches in a gas station along Route 66, operated by Ervin 'Irv' Kolarik. In 1946, a new building was constructed next door to the gas station in what was then Hinsdale, Illinois (now Willowbrook), and the Chicken Basket was born.
The restaurant became Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in 1963 when the Rhea family took over operations. For decades, the Rhea family served their legendary fried chicken to hungry Route 66 travelers, creating a tradition that made this roadhouse famous throughout the Midwest. The restaurant's neon signs and classic architecture became iconic symbols of the Mother Road.
In May 2006, Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its significance to American road culture. The restaurant building exterior and sign have been restored with assistance from the NPS Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. In 2019, the Lombardi family purchased the restaurant with a promise to continue the tradition. Today, Dell Rhea's remains one of the most celebrated stops on Illinois Route 66, still serving the fried chicken that made it famous.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ The original lunch counter opened in the late 1920s inside a gas station
→ The Rhea family took over in 1963 and gave the restaurant its current name
→ Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 2006
→ Located in what was originally Hinsdale but is now Willowbrook, Illinois
→ The Lombardi family purchased the restaurant in 2019 to continue the tradition
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: undefined, Willowbrook, IL 60527
What's There Now: Still operating as a restaurant and bar serving fried chicken. National Register of Historic Places site with restored neon signs.
GPS Coordinates: 41.745566, -87.939224
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
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