Based on a recommendation from our friend Nate we decided to try out Jennie's Diner (2575 Lincoln Highway, Ronks PA 17572) when visiting Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We were going to be nearby anyways and the online reviews talked about giant portions, delicious chicken and a fun Americana atmosphere. It sounded like a perfect ending to our visit to Pennsylvania.
First of all, if you have seen that show on Food Network "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" this place qualifies as a #1 Dive! I mean that in a good way though. The place is right off a busy county road, railcar style (long and skinny) with the kitchen in the back. When we walked in I was on sensory overload for a minute-the red white and blue garland around photos of local service men and women hung as trim around the ceiling, the waitresses in tye-dyed Jennie's t-shirts, the smell of gravy and grease and the din of the crowd.
Even though the diner was full we were seated pretty quickly as the waitresses keep things moving. The menu is 3 pages of diner fare including a handwritten specials list that has at least 35 different meals on the specials page. They serve hot opens, salads, burgers and other comfort classics like fried chicken and meatloaf.
We decided on cheeseburger and fries for Zoe, hot open turkey for me and the fried chicken for Michael. The burger was standard stuff, tasty but nothing special. To my disappointment the waitress ordered me a hot roastbeef not turkey and because she was a little on the surly side I decided to not make waves and just stick with it. The sandwich contained close to a pound of beef between 2 slices of white bread and a giant scoop of mashed potatoes. The whole thing was liberally dosed in homemade beef gravy. The gravy was peppery and had a beefy taste and a silky texture and look. The potatoes were creamy and lovely with that gravy. The beef was really dry. If there had not been a top slice of bread soaking up all that gravy it probably would have been fine, but without direct gravy contact it just wasn't doing it for me....my bad for not insisting on what I ordered (which I hear is quite good).
Michael got the famed chicken platter. It came with 2 vegetable sides, a giant scoop of mashed potatoes in chicken gravy (yum!) and at least 6 or seven pieces of chicken. The chicken was one of those smaller roasters, but given that number of pieces you don't mind at all. The chicken was hot, crisp and juicy all the way to the bone. I have had fried chicken at Hattie's in Saratoga-fabled to have some of the best in the country. I have made Emeril's amazing recipe for fried chicken and have had fried chicken in both Atlanta and Austin. None of that chicken even comes close to this chicken. The breading was simple-salt, pepper, flour and maybe something to give it a tiny touch of sweetness. I am not sure what that is though but plan to figure it out. That flavor unlike most chicken ran right through to the bone. Other reviewers have suggested that Jennie's uses shmaltz (chicken fat) in their cooking and this would make sense based on being in Pennsylvania Dutch country...I don't know what they used but I really wish Jennie and her chicken were NOT 5 hours away.
The chicken was so good that it overcame my dry beef the so-so burger and the fact that someone had recently cleaned both bathrooms with straight bleach-by the gallon. It made me tear right up, and they didn't wipe away a good portion of that bleach.
That chicken was so good that I am now on a mission to replicate it as soon as possible.
Jennie is cash only, but for your convenience has an ATM onsite. Our meal with tip was $30. Dress-super casual.
Do not pass by Jennie and her chicken!
Thanks Nate!
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