Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.
One Sunday morning, Nancy and I decided to take her new Mini Cooper on a road trip to Lake Geneva. She actually let me drive it. Little did we know that they were celebrating Venetian Days, and the entire town was wall to wall people. We did manage to make the mandatory purchases of fudge and ice cream, which is expected of all tourists. We also bought condiments that once home and in your pantry are never seen again.
On our way home, we arrived at the bustling metropolis of Hebron, Ill., population 1,216. The town’s lamp posts are emblazoned with sponsored basketball hoops, since they were the Illinois High School Association Basketball Champs in 1952, a remarkable feat for such a small town. Hebron is also known for Crandall’s Restaurant, home of the âworld famous broasted chicken.â
As we pulled in, we knew we were in for a treat when we saw the eight foot chicken by the entrance. We found where Foghorn Leghorn retired!
Inside, you are reminded of an âold schoolâ Wisconsin supper club. One side was a dining room decked out in tables covered with white linen, the other side was a rustic bar with booths. The championship basketball banner hung proudly from the wooden ceiling.
Crandall’s does offer a full menu, but 90 percent of what comes out of the kitchen is broasted chicken. They open daily at 11:45 a.m. and offer all-you-can-eat chicken Tuesday through Sunday for $12.95. However, Sunday they offer a brunch starting at 10 a.m. (I bet their eggs are awesome; they do have an eight-foot tall chicken). The chicken deal doesn’t start until 1:30 p.m.
After we were seated in the bar area (which we like more than the dining room), our waitress walked over with a basket of rolls and took our drink order. As usual, we had our boring iced tea. When we checked out the rolls, lo and behold, we found scrumptious homemade cinnamon rolls and conventional dinner rolls. The cinnamon rolls rocked â they were the hands-down winner!
Because Jim felt like he was at a Wisconsin supper club, he ordered their âworld famousâ cheddar cheese spread and crackers ($3.95) as an appetizer. If you’ve ever traveled to Wisconsin, this will definitely bring back memories.
We both went with the chicken. We ordered white meat only (one breast and two wings) and the waitress said there was no up charge for that. The dinner came with coleslaw and a starch. Jim wanted mashed potatoes with chicken gravy, and I ordered French fries.
The chicken arrived piping hot and juicy. We don’t know all the details about how you broast a chicken, but we know what we like. This is the best fried chicken you will ever have, and it’s not greasy. Halfway through our meal, the waitress asked if we would like to order more chicken. (Note: we did not have to ask.)
We discovered that you can order any chicken parts you would like and that’s a big plus for us. We love wings because they are mainly crispy skin and breading, and we want to give our cholesterol medication a run for its money.
On our way out, Nancy asked the bartender if she could make a Brandy Alexander with ice cream. The bartender said that’s the way they are made here (how’s that for old school?). That’s all Nancy had to hear! Now she wants to go again, so she can try one out for dessert. From the atmosphere to the friendly service right down to the Brandy Alexanders with real ice cream, this place will make you feel like you’re on vacation in the âLand of Cheese.â
Question: Why did the chicken cross the road? Answer: To give us our bill which was $37.29 and the âEggâers promise that will be the last chicken joke!
He said/she said:
Jim’s take: I don’t care what they call it, the fried chicken was awesome. I like that it was freshly made and not sitting under a heat lamp. The mashed potatoes and gravy were homemade (with a lump or two) and were delicious.
Nancy’s take: I love it, I love it, I love it! Best chicken ever! If only I would have asked the bartender sooner, I would have had the Brandy Alexander for dessert. There will always be a next time.
Crandallâs Restaurant
10441 Route 47
Hebron, IL 60034
815-648-2609
Directions: Take Rte. 47 North.
(Just past downtown Hebron)
Estimated Travel Time: 35 minutes
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