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Hank's Farm Pairs Rustic Atmosphere With Delicious Food

You may catch a glimpse of peacocks running across the front drive, or a gazebo that seems to be freely floating above a pond. The one thing you wouldn't notice, if not for the sign jutting above the farm's front hedges, is that this beautifully landscaped estate is actually home to one of the most delicious, and truly unique, dining destinations in Starved Rock Country: Hank's Farm Restaurant. Founded in nearby Naplate in 1941, Hank's Farm has been a staple restaurant for locals and travelers alike, for the better part of a century. In 1975, the restaurant was purchased by the Allen family, who still own the legendary eatery to this day. In the decade that followed, Hank's outgrew its original supper club location and the Allen family began a search for a new building. When this converted dairy barn in northeast Ottawa hit the market, they knew they'd found the perfect home for their famed home-style cooking.

By Ryan Searl

You may catch a glimpse of peacocks running across the front drive, or a gazebo that seems to be freely floating above a pond. The one thing you wouldn't notice, if not for the sign jutting above the farm's front hedges, is that this beautifully landscaped estate is actually home to one of the most delicious, and truly unique, dining destinations in Starved Rock Country: Hank's Farm Restaurant. Founded in nearby Naplate in 1941, Hank's Farm has been a staple restaurant for locals and travelers alike, for the better part of a century. In 1975, the restaurant was purchased by the Allen family, who still own the legendary eatery to this day. In the decade that followed, Hank's outgrew its original supper club location and the Allen family began a search for a new building. When this converted dairy barn in northeast Ottawa hit the market, they knew they'd found the perfect home for their famed home-style cooking.

Hank's Farm has fully embraced its rustic locale, adding a lake, paved walking paths and a menagerie of roaming peacocks, chickens and ducks to the 20-plus acres around the restaurant. The impeccable rustic theming, an aesthetic that seems to have only grown more popular in recent years, is without a doubt one of their big claims to fame. When you first walk inside the barn, you'll immediately be greeted by a cozy atmosphere, enhanced by wood-lined walls and exposed beams. Hank's Farm truly feels like a destination restaurant, with the warm lighting, sturdy wooden furniture, and latticework separating the dining area from the raised bar and renowned salad bar. While many restaurants try to evoke a feeling of nostalgia with a hodgepodge of antiques, Hank's Farm's design feels earnest and rooted in the farming tradition.

While barn dining is a great amenity, it's the delicious food that keeps people coming back to Hank's. A sprawling menu of home-style favorites is infused with casual Italian-American cuisine, a winning combination that's been the foundation of Hank's since the 1940s. Longtime fans rave about items such as the chicken piccata, chicken Oscar and char-grilled steaks. You'll also find ample pasta options and amazing baked penne, made with homemade meat sauce and three cheeses. While the famous Sunday brunch, a bountiful buffet of delicacies and desserts, has been put on hold by the pandemic, Hank's still offers enticing specials throughout the week. Drop by for the fried chicken and barbecue ribs combination on Wednesdays, seafood dishes on Fridays, or the ever popular Down On The Farm Fried Chicken Dinner, served every Sunday. You'll find some featured new menu items such as the bison rib-eye, a very lean cut perfect for beating the summer heat.

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