Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket
Why it's listed
Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket is a one-story brick restaurant at 645 Joliet Road in Hinsdale, Illinois, on what was the original alignment of Route 66. Chicago architect Eugene F. Stoyke designed it for owner Irv Kolarik, and it was completed in 1946 with large canted windows, a flat steel roof and a neon sign on a steel post. A lounge wing followed in 1956. The business began as a lunch counter in a nearby gas station in the late 1930s and grew into a full-service restaurant known for fried chicken. Interstate 55 opened south of the site in 1962 and cut traffic sharply, but the restaurant survived under new ownership beginning in 1963. It is considered significant for its link to Route 66 and for showing the kind of independent, family-run roadside business that served highway travelers. It has remained in continuous operation and keeps much of its original exterior and interior.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the restaurant is significant under Criterion A in transportation and commerce for its association with Route 66. It reflects the private, family-run roadside commercial development of the highway and is one of only a handful of pre-1970 restaurants in Illinois that have operated continuously along the route. It has not been substantially altered since 1956 and retains integrity.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 06000375, listed May 5, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 645 Joilet Rd., Hinsdale |
|---|---|
| County | DuPage County |
| Listed | May 5, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000375 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1946-1956 |
| Architect / builder | Stoyke, Eugene F., Architect |
| Architectural style | No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still operating as a restaurant, with historic functions and current functions both listed as restaurant. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.74747, -87.93954 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 06000375.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5254135
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.