Feature Friday: Wagner's Village Inn

I have wonderful childhood memories of camping every summer with my extended family.  We all met in the middle of nowhere at my mom's cousin's farm.  They had a lake with zip lines, paddle boats, a floating dock, a water slide and the biggest firepit I'd ever seen.  It was truly a magical place.  After a long weekend of late nights under the stars and bathing in the lake, we'd all pack up our tents and campers and head back home.  The drive was so long, the whole family - aunts, uncles, cousins and friends alike - would stop at this wonderful fried chicken place for one last dinner together before we parted ways.


Of course, when I grew up and realized this otherworldly gathering place was just on the other side of Oldenburg, Indiana, the drive didn't seem so long.  It lost a little bit of its magic, but that fried chicken place no longer has to be just a summer stop!



Wagner's Village Inn opened their doors in 1968 and as of January, they are now third generation family owned.  Although good fried chicken is a staple in Southeastern Indiana and there are plenty of good chicken places nearby, Wagner's has to be one of the best.  But contrary to my childhood experience, they've got way more than good fried chicken. 

The usual side dishes — run-of-the-mill mashed potatoes, gravy and canned green beans — only reinforce how great the chicken is.

I'm told the secret to the chicken being so amazing is using young chickens so they're extra tender, using only flour, salt and pepper for the breading and frying in lard.  It makes for a thin, crispy, peppery coating on the skin instead of a thick breading.  That's right.  No fillers, no ingredients you can't pronouce, no fancy methods.  Just real, simple, good homestyle cooking.

Wagner's is open 11:00am-8:00pm every day.  They are currently offering delivery and carry out only but are looking forward to the day they can reopen their doors to the many families that have been coming here for generations.

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