tumbleweed wrote:Rip's is an institution of fried chicken, & I LOVE fried chicken. Growing up in Marseilles, we used to ride motorcycles all over the area back in the '80's & thought nothing of ending up at Rip's after a long day of riding & waiting an hour (or two) for the chicken. Probably used to eat there twice a month for years. Nowadays, I live farther east, but still try to get there when I can, but it's more like every 6 months now. Stopped in late November for the first time in months & it was as good as ever. We always seem to run into someone in line that we know. A few drinks later (& Jim Beam is my choice, too) & you're in.

I've recommended Rip's to fried chicken lovers for 30 years & most people report back that they like it, too.

That being said, I'm off in another hour headed toward Naplate for some chicken (family-style) at Anne's Hideaway tonight. It's the only place in the area I think may be just a little better.

Good to see other folks talking about Rip's.

Thanks for checking in on Rons and Rips. Interesting added info.

I still have not made it to Annes, thanks for the reminder.

had to pop in for lunch yesterday for a fatboy:

Damn. I might have to gas up the car. How was it?

I'm definitely going here...love good fried chicken-lets get a road trip planned! I had talked with Philw about going for lunch one day. ...any takers?


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rubbbqco wrote:I'm definitely going here...love good fried chicken-lets get a road trip planned! I had talked with Philw about going for lunch one day. ...any takers?


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I'd be up for a trip, but I don't think Rip's is open for lunch (except for maybe Saturdays).

stevez wrote:Damn. I might have to gas up the car. How was it?

pretty good steve, 2nd time ive had it. Nice crunch factor.

the burger spends some time in the deep fryer as well as the chicken breast. The sandwich menu is available saturday only 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. i believe.

Is it served on a doughnut? I'd love to try their fried chicken, but I hope you don't get angry at me for passing on that monstrosity.

I'd be up for a trip, but I don't think Rip's is open for lunch (except for maybe Saturdays).

I'll talk to Philw & Gary, weekends are always bad for me - evening trip would be fine - most Thursdays would be perfect for me....any other interested parties, chime in.

BR wrote:Is it served on a doughnut? I'd love to try their fried chicken, but I hope you don't get angry at me for passing on that monstrosity.

Ha.. Ha, All good, Just a fun sandwich and a departure from what they usually do. I hevent tried a pork tenderloin on saturday yet, but they were selling alot of them.

popped out to Rips after the Office, Cajun Connection and Lanutis..

chicken was on:

jimswside wrote:chicken was on:

OH Yeah, from your picture on like King Kong. I really wish Rips was not 4-zillion miles from me.

G Wiv wrote:

jimswside wrote:chicken was on:

OH Yeah, from your picture on like King Kong. I really wish Rips was not 4-zillion miles from me.

lol,

i feel the same way about all the spots I see in the city I dont visit as often as I would like.

Another stop on my trip to starved rock last weekend and another winner. Went on a Friday night around 7 and there was a bit of a wait for a table to clear. We more or less sampled the menu for a Friday night, getting the fried chicken, chicken strips, fried whitefish fillet, and fried mushrooms. The items not ordered were the cole slaw and catfish (bone in).

It took probably around 20 minutes to get seated, and luckily we got there ahead of a rush, as a line started forming soon after we ordered. Took another 25 minutes to get our first dish. The fried batter bits and pickles were quite nice in the meantime.

The mushrooms and the standard fried chicken were as advertised in this thread. Nothing fancy, but just superbly fried with a crisp coating and really tender inside. Probably the best fried chicken I've had.

The chicken strips were not so great, being fairly dry. The whitefish was worse, way overcooked and dry and lacking flavor. Fries were decent, nothing special. Overall, absolutely worth going just for the fried chicken.

I would have told you to not waste your time with the chicken strips. If I'm hungry I'll get a 1/2 light at Rip's. Chicken strips/fingers can't compete with chicken on the bone for flavor plus the skin.

Driving home via Iowa, I stopped at Rip's Tavern.

When I first mentioned Rip's 15-years ago, it was a popular with the locals.

Yesterday, there cars from Florida, Oregon and Wisconsin parked outside. From reading the clippings on the wall, it has been mentioned on various lists suggesting a unique experience. The type of publicity money cannot buy.

They offer outside seating, so I was quickly seated only after I placed my order. Rereading my comments from long ago, this practice of ordering first was already established. Charged a dollar for the pickles and nothing for the crispies, I made little pickle-crispy sandwiches. My coleslaw came as quick as the crispies, so I had to pace myself to leave some for the chicken. When the chicken arrived, it was hot from the grease and very crunchy.

I left just as the volunteer fire department went out on a run. All the pickup trucks converging, then moving onto their equipment.

I drove north to Cherry to see the cemetary filled with miners who died in 1909. I checked out the slag pile now with trees growing on it. There is an interesting presentation on the Cherry Mine Disaster made by a friend who wrote it from the experience of a firefighter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umz4HCdO4Ws


I continued north to Sublette to check out the windfarm, then slowly made my way to Sugar Grove looking at the alternating soybean and cornfields, then onto 88 and home.

Regards,
Cathy2