Fried chicken is a dish that is loved by people all over the world. The crunchy batter coating and juicy, tender meat inside make for an irresistible combination. While fried chicken is popular globally today, it has a long and interesting history. Tracing the origins of the oldest fried chicken restaurant in the world takes us on a fascinating journey through time.
The History of Fried Chicken
Fried chicken has its roots in ancient cooking traditions across various cultures. Ancient Romans and Greeks were known to fry chicken in oil as early as the 4th century BCE. In medieval Europe, cookbooks contained recipes for fried chicken. The Scottish are said to have been among the earliest Western cultures to deep fry chicken in fat. Meanwhile, in Asia, fried chicken has been popular for centuries as well. Chinese cooks were pan-frying chicken as far back as the Han Dynasty over 1800 years ago.
However, when it comes to the modern version of fried chicken that we know and love today, its origins can be traced back to the American South. Enslaved Africans brought along their traditional methods of deep frying chicken in oil to the Americas. Scottish immigrants also settled in the South and shared their takes on fried chicken. Over time, these cooking traditions merged and evolved into Southern-style fried chicken.
The earliest known recipe for Southern fried chicken appeared in 1824 in the cookbook The Virginia House-Wife by Mary Randolph. Fried chicken grew in popularity across the South throughout the 1800s. By the late 1800s, fried chicken was tied to racist stereotypes of black people in the South who cooked and ate fried chicken. However, African Americans continued to develop fried chicken into a distinctive regional dish.
The Rise of Fried Chicken Restaurants
As fried chicken’s popularity spread across the South, restaurants dedicated specifically to serving fried chicken began emerging in the region. One of the first fried chicken restaurants opened in 1929 in Orlando, Florida. This restaurant, called Mammy’s Cupboard, grew into a small chain throughout Florida before eventually closing. Other early Southern fried chicken chains included Bojangles, started in North Carolina in 1977, and Church’s Chicken, founded in Texas in 1952 under a different name.
But the oldest continuously operating dedicated fried chicken restaurant in the world opened much earlier than any of these chains. This historic restaurant is located in a small town in Indiana.
The History of Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins
Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins in Oneonta, Alabama proudly holds the title of the oldest continuously operating fried chicken restaurant in the world. This historic restaurant first opened its doors in 1930 and has been going strong ever since.
Oneonta was founded as a coal mining town in the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, it experienced growth as a railway stop between Birmingham and Chattanooga. It was during this period that saw the founding of Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins.
The restaurant was opened by Wilbur “Peck” Brooks and his wife less than a year after they got married. Peck got his nickname from his childhood job of picking pecks of cotton. He went into business selling fried chicken using his wife’s great-grandmother’s recipe. This recipe, nearly 200 years old now, is still a closely guarded secret at Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins today.
The Great Depression Years
The Great Depression hit Oneonta hard as jobs in the coal mines and rail yards dried up. But Peck Brooks kept his restaurant open by bartering and being willing to extend credit to cash-strapped patrons. His restaurant became a place the community could gather for a good meal when times were tough. Even when Peck had to temporarily relocate the restaurant, he brought it back to Oneonta as soon as he could.
Handing Down the Business Through Generations
In 1943, Peck Brooks unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 53. His wife took over the business for two years until their son Noble was ready to run the restaurant in 1945 at age 23. Noble Brooks continued to use his family’s original chicken recipe, cooking the chicken fresh in cast iron skillets every day. His wife Athelle handled the business operations of the restaurant.
Noble and Athelle’s three sons all grew up working in the family business. In 1977, their middle son Dan took over operations of Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins. He ran the restaurant for over 25 years. In 2003, the business passed to Dan’s son Brad Brooks, who is the current owner.
Under Brad’s leadership, Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins has expanded. While still located in the same building in Oneonta, the restaurant has enlarged its dining space. Brad also opened a second location in nearby Cleveland, Alabama in 2015.
Consistency Through the Generations
Remarkably, while Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins has been run by four generations of the Brooks family, little about the restaurant has changed over its 90+ year history. The chicken is still cooked using Peck’s original recipe in cast iron skillets. Side dishes like fried okra, beans, and potato salads are made from old family recipes as well. Prices have stayed low, with a fried chicken dinner plate costing under $10 even today.
What Makes Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins the Oldest?
Several factors have contributed to Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins having the longevity needed to be considered the oldest fried chicken restaurant in the world:
- It has been in continuous operation since originally opening in 1930 with no closures or change of ownership outside of the Brooks family.
- It has stayed true to traditional Southern cooking methods and recipes developed in the early 1900s.
- The ownership has successfully passed down within one family across four generations.
- The restaurant is located in a small, rural town and supported by the local community.
There are a few other extremely old fried chicken restaurants in the United States. For example, Grey Plume in Columbus, Nebraska opened in 1931 and is still operational today. However, Grey Plume is only open seasonally, making Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins the oldest fried chicken restaurant with continuous year-round service.
Why Fried Chicken Remains Popular
Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins has certainly benefitted from fried chicken’s enduring popularity across the country and the world. Here are some of the reasons why people continue to love this tasty dish:
- It combines the deeply satisfying crunch of a crispy coating with the juicy tenderness of properly cooked chicken.
- It is relatively inexpensive and accessible compared to other types of restaurant meals.
- The variations are endless, from extra spicy to lemon pepper to garlic parmesan crusts.
- It is a nostalgic food many people have fond childhood memories of eating.
- The smell of frying chicken is mouthwatering and hard to resist.
- It serves well as a fast food meal to grab on-the-go or as a main course for a family dinner.
As long as these qualities continue to make fried chicken an iconic comfort food, historic restaurants like Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins will keep putting out their signature dishes for old and new generations alike.
Visiting Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins Today
Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins continues to run just as it did when it first opened in 1930. The dining rooms maintain a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere with old photos on the walls and antique memorabilia throughout. Employees wear vintage-inspired uniforms, keeping the old-timey feeling alive.
Their menu stays true to classic Southern fare like:
- Fried chicken (legs, breasts, tenders, livers)
- Pan-fried chicken livers
- Chicken ‘n dumplins
- Greens (collard, turnip)
- Black-eyed peas
- Macaroni and cheese
- Cornbread
- Banana pudding
The restaurant has become a popular destination for fried chicken lovers willing to make the trip to Oneonta, Alabama. Over 90 years and four generations later, Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins remains committed to preserving the fried chicken traditions of the past while continuing to delight patrons today.
The Future of the Oldest Fried Chicken Restaurant
Brad Brooks hopes to eventually pass the business down to his children, which would mark the fifth generation of the family running this historic restaurant. But he admits uncertainty about whether his kids will want to take the reins. Operating a small town restaurant is challenging and time-consuming work.
However, Brooks remains passionate about keeping his great-grandparent’s traditions alive. He sees the value in preserving cooking methods and recipes from the past. Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins anchors the community of Oneonta and provides a place for old friends to meet. The future is unclear, but this remarkable restaurant has already demonstrated impressive staying power over the past nine decades.
Conclusion
When looking for the oldest continuously operating fried chicken restaurant in the world, the search leads to the small town of Oneonta, Alabama. Here Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins has been providing authentic Southern comfort food since 1930. Using original family recipes and cooking methods, four generations of the Brooks family have kept this restaurant going for over 90 years.
Fried chicken continues to be a cherished dish worldwide. Brooks’ House of Chicken ‘n Dumplins represents a link back to the early origins and evolution of this popular food. Paying a visit to the restaurant is like stepping back in time to experience fried chicken’s heritage. While the future is uncertain, Brooks’ remarkable legacy is secure as the oldest fried chicken restaurant in the world.