The most pleasurable moments in my life are often consumed around a table, eating a good meal, talking, laughing, remembering “when”. Such pleasure was had on Saturday night, dining with family on several familial sides, from two East Coast states, as we met at one of the most venerable restaurants still operating on Route 66.
You might remember when I first wrote about the Mother Road, Route 66, a few years ago, citing its starting point on Chicago’s lakefront, which is but a few dozen miles from our house here on the Cutoff. Several of you commented about time you spent on the “mother road”. Others of you realized, perhaps, that it was more than a television show or tall tale; it was a road often traveled, traversing the wide open spaces of another era. Route 66 was a route, now decommissioned, that connected small towns and bits of wonders across the wide expanse of USA country. I meant to write again about this iconic route, but, well, life took other turns in my writing road, until this weekend.
Along with brother-in-law Mike, in from the Sunshine State, and nephew Andrew’s brother and sister-in-law, from the Big Apple, eleven of us gathered at White Fence Farm in Romeoville, on old Route 66, for a sinfully scrumptious meal, served family style, with corn fritters, slaw, pickled beets, cottage cheese, bean salad – and, the restaurant’s signature fried chicken.
It was heartwarming to not only catch-up on what was happening in our lives, but, to have our two grand-nephews participate in the lively art of family conversation as they laughed at grown-up’s stories, all entertaining, others downright hilarious (like grandpa Mike’s articulate rendition of his dog’s encounter with peacock droppings or late night stand offs with a gecko – uh oh).
Good memories were gathered to keep close to the heart along with a few photos of all that was consumed, including a few cute chickens among the antiques and memorabilia in White Fence Farm.
That fried chicken looks heavenly, Penny. I remember the post you wrote about Route 66. I subsequently visited a section of it in AZ, and I thought of you while I was there.
I love these kinds of gatherings.
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Awww . . . nice of you to remember the post, Andra and a thought of me while on Route 66 in AZ.
They are the best kind! 🙂
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What a great place to meet family … the perfect multi-generation restaurant meal. I think of Route 66 as a western thing, as there are many remaining icons of it in Arizona …. but I did know where it started. I don’t remember your earlier post; I will try to find it.
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I saw your other comment on my Mother Road post, Sallie, and I’m smiling. I had to google myself to find where I wrote it, so, don’t feel too bad about your lapse of memory. We’re two peas in a blogging pod. 🙂
Route 66 is, indeed, part of the west, but, equally midwestern treasure with its starting point not far from here and there are still historic stops heading south through Illinois and westward. White Fence Farm was right on 66.
We had such a great time and it was the perfect spot to “let loose”. Thanks, Sallie, for not only commenting, but, doing it twice. I love this blogging “thing”.
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Dear Penny, when I read what you ate I found myself salivating. Why? Because Mom used to make the most delicious corn fritters and I haven’t had them since about 1958! Oh, to find a place that serves them! What a treat that would be. My other favorite among your menu items is pickled beets. I have a friend who makes them and gives me a jar or two every year. Peace.
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Oh, Dee, I’m thrilled to know that this evoked such a delicious memory for you. Wouldn’t it be grand if a place near you served them? I’ve made them and know they can be a bit time consuming, so, appreciate you mother make them, probably in a hot kitchen. We all enjoyed them at White Fence Farm. I snarfed up those pickled beets as I enjoy them, but, have never tried putting them up. I’m the only one, with the exception of daughter Jennifer, who might eat them and consider them a treat.
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The Mother Road Festival was also in Springfield. That Mother Road in Illinois mostly became I-55 which connected both you and I together at ISU even though we came from opposite directions. I know we have talked about it before. There are bits and pieces of it still left and we can see where it used to go into little towns as we zoom past on the Interstate.
Your restaurant looks wonderful. Now, I think I want to make some corn fritters. There are still some of those quaint places along the old Rout 66 around here. Notably, Cozy Dog in Springfield which is the home of the original battered hot dog on a stick. (There are other places who claim that, but Cozy Dog still holds the patent on the equipment used to cook them) Anyway, that’s what they claim.
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This wasn’t part of the Mother Road Festival. Sigh. I wish it had been as it looked like fun in Springfield. We actually have a piece of the old road two miles from our house. I keep meaning to stop and take a picture of the brown sign. You probably see more of them there, Janet, for all the small towns. I know the interstate is fast and more direct, but, they sure did put a lot of small ma and pa places and diners out of business. Around here, old 66 is cut off by 55 and 294 (even our street was cut off).
I think you would like White Fence Farm. It has lots of memorabilia (lots) and sits on what was Route 66. It’s actually now owned by the Hastert family, a political name you may recall. It was a fun place for us all to meet and the food was hometown good. One of these days, I will get to your Cozy Dog. The corn fritters were good, but, I’m betting yours would be better.
We probably talked about this before, but, I think the Dixie Truck Stop is still in McClean, though not much of the original there.
At any rate, I’m glad the the Mother Road and its successor connected us! yay!
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I enjoyed your description of the ‘venerable restaurant’, Penny. What a grand gathering, and how great for the younger ones to hear the adults having fun and telling stories – to say nothing of the food! I can still remember hearing my uncles and aunts having fun together and their lively conversations. How interesting to hear of Route 66 too.
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I’m glad you did, Juliet. We just don’t have the kinds of opportunities these days for the gathering of generations like we used to, so, welcome any and all times of such family fellowship. Children need to hear their elders having fun in discussion, as you did with your uncles and aunts, and I did as well. To do it over food is an added bonus. Thank you.
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It has been probably a couple decades since I went to White Fence Farm and this post makes me want to bring Declan there to experience this bit of Americana! Your post was so enjoyable to read, I felt like I was there with you at the table!
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That is such a nice thing to say, Janet. Thank you. We had fun and it is such a slice of Americana, with all the antiques and memorabilia – and the food. I hope you and Declan do get there. It’s fun for kids, too, so . . . a family outing? 🙂
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What a fun family occasion, Penny. I haven’t had a good old fashioned fried chicken dinner in so long! It looks delicious. There is an exhibit at the Autry Museum devoted to Route 66 and I have been trying to get there for most of the summer. I am very curious to see what aspect of its history they will cover and how. Route 66 signs have gone up all over the place around here. It often confuses me because I guess every city is trying to claim a little piece of the historic route and I am not always understanding how it can be in so many places all at once. Seems it was a very circuitous route around here. LOL! Maybe after I’ve been to the exhibit I’ll better understand that. I’m not sure how I missed so many of your posts this week, Penny. I think I’m losing it! LOL! But I’m glad I didn’t miss this one. I like thinking that we both live close to the Mother Road…we’re practically neighbors. 🙂
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It was a splendid time and we all, grandparents, kids, aunts & uncles, parents, all seemed to enjoy it equally. The food was sinfully good, reminding me of how we used to eat. 🙂
The Autry Museum exhibit sounds intriguing, Debra. I wonder if some of those Route 66 signs are in cities that originally were on 66, then interstates and bypasses were constructed in the 50’s, rerouting traffic. We have a sign only two miles from us. The street actually is the same one that White Fence Farm is on, Route 66/Joliet Road, which was dissected when an interstate and a tollway were put in over the years. When we moved here, there was an old, OLD motel, I think it was called the Wishing Well, that was a stopping point for motorists before hitting Chicago during the hay days of Route 66 travel. It was torn down a few years ago. Sigh. I’m sure you will let us know about the Autry Museum when you have a chance to visit it. What an interesting person he was.
We are, indeed, connected by the Mother Road, Debra; like a long, long string between us. Life gets very busy, so, I understand, and i’m always happy to hear from you – whenever.
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