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On Saturday July 18th, I propose a fried chicken crawl visiting some of the fried chicken locations in La Salle & Bureau Counties.

La Salle & Bureau Counties have a reputation with some to have some of the best fried chicken, and broasted chicken in Northern Illinois. I would like to invite any interested LTHR's out west for a late afternoon/early evening visit to some of these spots. It has to be late afternoon, and early evening because out here most places dont open until around 4:00 p.m., and many close around 9:00 p.m. A pretty tight window, but I think we can can get a good sampling.

Folks can either meet out at my house before the first stop, and have a few cold ones, or meet at the first stop, or at other stops along the way.

I think it would be best to start at Rips in Ladd right when they open to avoid the long lines that occur soon after, then move across the street to Lanuti's(if they are open), then off to the neighboring town of Cherry for the Cherry Supper Club, and then perhaps finishing up @ Smitty's over in Leonore. Time permitting there are a couple other spots in either Ottawa, or Marseilles that could be added.

Since many of these places are small tavern type spots, I think the ideal number of participants would be 10-15 people, hopefully that many people are interested.

tentative stops:

1) Rips Tavern - 4:00 p.m.
311 N. Main
Ladd, IL.
http://www.ripstavern.com

2) Lanuti's - TBD
302 N. Main
Ladd, IL.

3) Smitty's Place - TBD
308 Gary
Leonore, IL.

4) Hanks Farm - TBD
2973 N. State Route 71
Ottawa, IL.

possible additions:
- Johnny's Tap - Marseilles, IL.

Any input or comments are appreciated.

Ok, who is in for some fried chicken

Attendee list: (9*)
jimswside
Cathy2 +1
hammer +2
glennpan

tentative:
Jean Blanchard +1

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I'm in +1

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

Ever since I visited Magnolia, Il for the Illinois State Morel Championship, I have wanted to go on a fried chicken crawl of LaSalle County.

I am in for one!

Thanks!

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Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

Steve, and Cathy, I knew from previous conversations you guys might be interested in such a thing, thanks for wanting to come out.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Put me down as a maybe (+2). I'll confirm once I check flights.

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Hammer

be glad to have you. added as a tentatvie attendee.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Ursiform +1, the Picky Eater will definitely eat fried chicken.

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"Baseball is like church. Many attend. Few understand." Leo Durocher

I'm in +1. Thanks for organizing. Sounds like fun!

Si ma sante le permet,We will be able to go to Marseille !!!Catalina y Roberto.Put us for 2,Thanks Catherine et Robert

Great idea Jim! Put me down please as a tentative 1.

Thanks,

Glenn

great, all added.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

In like Chicken Skin.

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Sauce on the side, always, implied, axiomatic..........never a doubt, BBQ sauce without.

Low & Slow

excellent....!

maybe this will be the opportunity to reclaim your WSM..

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

looks like we are at 15 people, since these places are small taverns/restaturants, I think it is best to cap at 15, and start a wait list if others are interested.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Hi,

I am already reserved. Please waitlist a "plus one."

Regards,

_________________
Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

Got my plane tickets! So, I'm a definite (+2). My dream is to leave the corporate world and open a chicken shack along the Connecticut shore.... This will help the research!

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Hammer

sounds good, it should be a good time.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I'm in for 3 (possibly 4) and very much looking forward to it.

Thanks, Jim, for setting this up.

=R=

_________________
I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Spit out the gum, sister!

Twitter: ronniesuburban

gotcha added Ronnie.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

edited the original post after a little more research of hours.

Recap: Smitty's closes @ 8:30 p.m. on Saturday's, and I think this is a must stop. Cherry Supper CLub is under new ownership (so I cant vouch for the new offerings), so I believe nixing the Cherry Supper Club, and moving Smitty's up to the 3rd stop would be a good move.

We can add Hank's Farm as the 4th stop since they close @ 10:00 p.m.

I also believe a reservation would be a good idea @ Lanuti's which I will take care of.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Hi,

Both Lanuti's and optional location of Johnny's Tap serve fried turtle. This would be an interesting regional dish to try with the fried chicken. The Illinois River dwellers often ate fried turtle as a locally available, cheap to no cost, food.

I suggest since we will already be there, a serving might be an interesting addition.

Regards,

_________________
Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

for sure, I was hoping to this would be the plan.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I'd

like to go but I'm confused on the logistics. Designated drivers? From Chicago or Lasalle? JOJO

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Looking for great food at good prices here on the banks of the Des Plaines River in River Forest.

99% of the folks are coming from Chicago or the east, people can meet at my house in Marseilles(about 30 mins from Rip's) to carpool or meet @ Rips. I am not sure of the carpool arrangements in the works to get out west.

currently there are 15 people committed, and 6 on the "wait list". I can add you if you like.

I am going to try and call Lanuti's again tonight to attempt to make a reservation for 5:30 on the 18th.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I will be driving out from Frankfort, and don't mind carpooling. Or if one of the urban dwellers wants to take the train to Mokena or Joliet, I can scoop them on my way.

Glenn

Called Lanuti's last night and got a reservation for the 5:30-5:45 time frame which should work well with getting to Ripp's right when the open around 4:30, since they are right accross the street from each other.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Sorry everyone, I won't be able to make it.

Just a note of caution, last time I went to Rip's, in the middle of summer, there were about 30 people in line at 4:30---Plus, they had a large number of take out orders and I ended up eating about 6 pm.

Good luck, everyone, JOJO.

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Looking for great food at good prices here on the banks of the Des Plaines River in River Forest.

thats why we are plannig to get there @ 4:00 p.m., thanks for the tip though.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

here is the tentative plan, Folks can meet at my house in Marseilles(about 30 minutes from Rip's) at around 3:00, and plan to depart my house at 3:30ish to get to Rips before the crowds. Car pooling could be an option from my house as the last stop Hanks farm is about 10 minutes from where I live.

Folks who dont want to come to my house can just head straight to Rips, with the plan on getting there around 4:00 p.m.

Dinner reservation @ Lanuti's for 5:30 - 5:45 time frame should work well as it is right accross the street from Rip's. THen on to Smitty's which is about 35 minutes from Ladd. After Smitty's it is about 30 minutes to Hanks Farm which closes at 10:00 p.m.

As the date gets closer I will pm my address to folks who havent been out to my place, and others who may have forgotten how to get here.

looking forward to a fried chciken feast with perhaps a sampling of turtle, and pork tenderloin.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

We will not be able to go after all. Catherine is having more trouble with the second round of chemo, and is unlikely to be up to it. To add to this, we have had to deal with a collapsed kitchen ceiling and -- 2 weeks later -- a gushing leak in the bathroom ceiling which led the ceiling falling into our bathtub, shorting out our telephone to make matters just a little worse. Oh, and the power line to our modem went dead ... It has not been our week!