White Fence Farm Still Open: Panic After Denver Eatery Shuts Down

ROMEOVILLE, IL — After three generations in the restaurant business, the Hastert family has no plans to quit. White Fence Farm owner Laura Hastert is spreading the word that the local restaurant — famous for ultra-fresh fried chicken that's pressure cooked, then flash fried — isn't going anywhere. Fans of the restaurant, which has its original location and farm in Romeoville as well as five carryout locations, will be happy to hear the news after the closing of a Denver-area eatery by the same name sparked some local panic.

"We are not closing," Hastert said emphatically, adding that her phone has been blowing up with calls and Facebook messages from worried customers. "It's been nonstop since Thursday," according to Hastert, who said some callers were so upset they were even crying, worried that the site of so many family meals might be shutting down.

The Village of Romeoville also rushed to reassure worried fans of the farm. "It has come to our attention that a restaurant called White Fence Farm in Lakewood, CO is closing their doors," the village said on Facebook. "We are here to assure you that The Original White Fence Farm Restaurant in Romeoville is still serving the chicken they are famous for."

“Generations of families have celebrated big life events at White Fence Farm, and generations more will be able to continue that tradition," Mayor John Noak said in a press release.

While the Colorado restaurant has the same name, it is not a franchise and is not linked to the Original White Fence Farm and its Illinois carryout locations.

Although the Illinois restaurants aren't closing, they could still use some help — literally. Hastert said White Fence Farm is hiring at all of its locations. Potential employees should stop by any of the five locations and fill out an application, she said.

The original White Fence Farm, 1376 Joliet Road in Romeoville, seats 1,100 people and serves up the self-proclaimed world's greatest chicken, along with coleslaw, famous corn fritters, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, fish, pork chops, steak and even vegetarian options. Romeoville also has a carryout behind the main restaurant, along with a farm that's home to goats, alpacas and even a llama. There are four other carryout locations:

• Joliet, 70-80 Barney Drive
• Plainfield, 12337 S. Route 59
• Downers Grove, 5005 Fairview
• Riverside, 3704 Harlem Avenue

As for the chicken, "We haven't changed the recipe," said Hastert, adding, "It's made with love." That love comes from employees, some of whom have been with White Fence Farm for 40 to 50 years. "Without them, this place wouldn't exist," Hastert said.

The Romeoville restaurant is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Carryout hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The original restaurant is marking its 64th anniversary, "and we hope to be here another 64 years," said Hastert, who continued the family business started by her grandparents, founders Robert "Bob" Hastert Sr. and his wife, Doris, and continued by her father, Robert Hastert Jr.

The restaurant has earned its share of accolades over the years and was named one of the "Illinois iconic eats" by the Food Network. Here are some more honors for the eatery:

• White Fence Farm In Romeoville Named Among 'Great Suburban Restaurants'
  
• A Trip to White Fence Farm Always Worth the Drive
  
• White Fence Farm Makes List of Best Illinois Restaurants NOT in Chicago
  

Photo courtesy of White Fence Farm