Restaurants & Bars
Storm Takes Out Tree, Destroys White Fence Farm's Iconic Sign — But Restaurant Stays Open
"We're still open, just follow what's left of the fence," owner Laura Hastert told Patch.
ROMEOVILLE, IL — Brief storms tore through parts of the Chicago area Thursday afternoon — and they took a piece of local history with them. A toppled tree at the Original White Fence Farm Restaurant fell across Joliet Road, and when it did, it also took out the iconic restaurant sign that's been there for more than 50 years.
More importantly, though, owner Laura Hastert told Patch, "We're so lucky nobody was hurt." She expressed gratitude that no cars were on the usually busy Joliet Road, part of the historic Route 66, in front of the popular restaurant when it happened.
As cleanup continues, the Original White Fence Farm in Romeoville remains open regular hours. For those who can't make it to the original restaurant, the carry-out locations in Riverside at 3704 S. Harlem Ave., Joliet at 80 Barney Drive; and Downers Grove at 5005 Fairview Ave. are also open, as is a carry out behind the main restaurant in Romeoville.
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"Everyone's OK, the tree work has begun," Hastert said Friday as cleanup efforts were underway. Also damaged were sections of the iconic white fence surrounding the property. "We’re still open, just follow what’s left of it," she said.
Hastert said she just put a Route 66 sign on the pole holding the restaurant's famous sign, which had been there since before 1960, she said. The restaurant boasts on its website that it's been "serving the world's greatest chicken since 1954."
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The sign will be replaced, but may look different, since the existing pole sign was grandfathered in.
"We will have some type of sign," Hastert said. On Facebook, the restaurant said, "Don’t worry, we will work with the village of Romeoville to get a new beautiful sign for White Fence Farm."
White Fence Farm has been sharing photos and videos of the damage and cleanup efforts on Facebook, telling fans, "Thank God, everybody was OK, and we are here to cook for you."
Dine-in hours at the main restaurant at 1376 Joliet Road in Romeoville are from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
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