Deep Fried Illinois Valley
There are many things that are unique and fantastic about La Salle County.
It's beautiful.
The Illinois River and Vermilion River each provide many recreational opportunites.
So does Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park if you enjoy hiking the outdoors and viewing waterfalls in the Spring.
It's historic.
You can relive history in a replica canal boat pulled by two mules named Larry and Moe along the Illinois and Michigan Canal in La Salle.
You can view history as it is being restored at The Hegeler Carus Mansion in La Salle.
You can learn about history at the La Salle County Historical Society and the One Room School House in Utica.
You can hear history as you stand in the park where Lincoln's voice was first heard in Ottawa.
But, there is another thing about the Illinois Valley that draws visitors from far and wide!
Culinary Tourism. Why? It's Simple. In the Illinois Valley WE WILL DEEP FRY ANYTHING!
A few places that any deep fried fanatic should not miss:
Rips Chicken in Ladd
Since 1937 Rips Chicken has been family owned. The chicken is so good at Rips that people drive from miles around. The tavern has been voted "reader's choice-best chicken" 20 years in a row in the Newstribune, and was awarded "Best of the Midwest" in 2010 by Midwest Living Magazine.
See video coverage of the award ceremony here.
The Igloo in Peru
Another iconic restaraunt, The Igloo opened in Peru in 1937 as a hot dog stand, selling hot dogs for just 15 cents. Generations of area high school students have gone to The Igloo after the game, or for lunch. Even though the restaraunt recently sold to new owners, you can hardly find an open table on weekends. For many who are "home for the weekend" it is a pilgrimage for a pork tenderloin-without which the trip home feels incomplete.
Other area restaraunts and taverns serve such delicacies as a variety of batter dipped deep fried cheeses-mozzerella sticks, white cheese nuggets, jalepeneo cheddar and chicken nuggets filled with ranch or blue cheese, fried pizza dough nuggets dripping in garlic butter and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and deep fried mac and cheese.
For vegetarians: deep fried cheddar cauliflower, pickles, mushrooms, creamed corn, onion rings, onion straws, green beans, and of course-potatoes, french, beer batter fried, deep fried sweet potatoes. If you can grow it in your garden, chances are someone has tried to dip it in batter and deep fry it.
For dessert? Try deep fried cheesecake, deep fried brownies or deep fried creme brulee...c'mon! You know you wanna!
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| Vermilion River |
The Illinois River and Vermilion River each provide many recreational opportunites.
So does Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park if you enjoy hiking the outdoors and viewing waterfalls in the Spring.
It's historic.
You can relive history in a replica canal boat pulled by two mules named Larry and Moe along the Illinois and Michigan Canal in La Salle.
You can view history as it is being restored at The Hegeler Carus Mansion in La Salle.
You can learn about history at the La Salle County Historical Society and the One Room School House in Utica.
You can hear history as you stand in the park where Lincoln's voice was first heard in Ottawa.
 |
| A "1/4 Dark" with French Fries and extra "crispies" at Rips in Ladd |
Culinary Tourism. Why? It's Simple. In the Illinois Valley WE WILL DEEP FRY ANYTHING!
A few places that any deep fried fanatic should not miss:
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| While you wait for your order to arrive... Pickles to roll in deep fried batter crispies in Ladd |
Since 1937 Rips Chicken has been family owned. The chicken is so good at Rips that people drive from miles around. The tavern has been voted "reader's choice-best chicken" 20 years in a row in the Newstribune, and was awarded "Best of the Midwest" in 2010 by Midwest Living Magazine.
See video coverage of the award ceremony here.
 |
| Pork Tenderloin at the Igloo |
Another iconic restaraunt, The Igloo opened in Peru in 1937 as a hot dog stand, selling hot dogs for just 15 cents. Generations of area high school students have gone to The Igloo after the game, or for lunch. Even though the restaraunt recently sold to new owners, you can hardly find an open table on weekends. For many who are "home for the weekend" it is a pilgrimage for a pork tenderloin-without which the trip home feels incomplete.
Other area restaraunts and taverns serve such delicacies as a variety of batter dipped deep fried cheeses-mozzerella sticks, white cheese nuggets, jalepeneo cheddar and chicken nuggets filled with ranch or blue cheese, fried pizza dough nuggets dripping in garlic butter and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and deep fried mac and cheese.
For vegetarians: deep fried cheddar cauliflower, pickles, mushrooms, creamed corn, onion rings, onion straws, green beans, and of course-potatoes, french, beer batter fried, deep fried sweet potatoes. If you can grow it in your garden, chances are someone has tried to dip it in batter and deep fry it.
For dessert? Try deep fried cheesecake, deep fried brownies or deep fried creme brulee...c'mon! You know you wanna!
Hi Kelly,
ReplyDeleteThis is Jaimie London. I was wondering if you could recommend any good restaurants in the Illinois Valley for a good fish fry. I have lived here forever, and just haven't found one yet. But maybe I am going to the wrong places. I love my fish with malt vinegar, and I can only find that combination at Long John Silvers. I need some variety though. Thanks.
Jamie...you can enjoy GREAT deep fried fish n chips at Duffys in Utica or one of my personal favorites is the blue gills at The Wedron Office. Its just east of Camp Tuckabachee (sp?) on the Wedron blacktop...they are great and the price is right.
ReplyDelete:-) ♥
ReplyDeleteKelly...what a great blog. It is so good so see a blog that is upbeat and not saying negative things about our community and the people in it!!
ReplyDeleteLove the music.....
Skoog's, also in Utica, has great Blue Gill, too!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post! I agree completely. You don't appreciate how good the fried chicken is around here until you leave for any length of time. When I lived in the burbs I was constantly disappointed and forced to eat KFC when I wanted chicken. Recently, I was down near Bloomington at an event with fried chicken on the buffet. Some locals commented that the chicken was pretty good and I just couldn't help myself. I suggested they travel up to the Illinois Valley if they wanted some good chicken.
ReplyDeleteSo many good spots to name I don't know where to start...