I moved to Oklahoma City in 1944, and there was one Beverly’s at that time, on Lincoln Blvd. By the time I was in high school and college, there was the May Avenue location too, and they became the place to go after a movie or game. Sixty years later, if we’ve been to a play or movie, often we’ll say, "Let’s go to Beverly’s!" So far, no one has mentioned the "finger bowls" that were brought to the tables along with the chicken baskets–little metal buckets with warm water and a lemon slice, for rinsing off the chicken grease! One of the charms of ’40s and ’50s Beverly’s! It’s fun to read other people’s comments, too.

There was a "Chicken in the Rough" in Richmond VA many years ago on West Broad Street. The name of the restaurant was the Wakefield Grill. Great fried chicken, but I was too young to remember much else about it. We would go there after church for lunch on Sunday. They had great homemade biscuits too. It was near another bygone great place called The Clover Room, which had great ice cream, malteds and sodas.

Frank

Milt; that place is still there on May ave. It is now Jimmy’s Egg. This chain was started by an Asian, grad of Okla State Univ. he has covered the Okla. City area. Has very g[:D]ood breaksfasts.[:D][:D]

i have never seen one.I did happen to find a small creamer bottle,remeber these, they are tiny milk bottles that had cream for your coffee.the bottle is labeled "CHICKEN IN THE ROUGH" COPYRIGHT 1937 BY BEVERLY OSBORNE. Does anyone recall anything earlier ?

The above posts bring back a number of memories. I could not remember the name of Beverly Osborne, but I knew that the franchise began in Oklahoma City. There was a location on N May Avenue between NW 15th and NW 16th Streets which was only a block from my grandparent’s home. We ate at that location many times in the 1950s. When, on vacation, I saw Chicken in the Rough signs elsewhere I learned what franchising was. My parents were of the opinion that none of the franchisees were as good as the "real thing" in Oklahoma City.

I lived in Ypsilanti (gateway to Ann Arbor) Mich. for 13 years and maybe ate at Haabs once – nice old-school classy family place. I may have to work it into a pending road trip – the Chicken in the Rough always got my curiosity.

When I was a kid, we dined at Novack’s Chicken in the Rough in Lincolnwood. I loved the chicken and fought with my brother and sister for the hot buttered rolls and the dipping honey. When Novack’s closed, the building on Lincoln Avenue was sold and became the first Lou Malnatti’s Pizza in the Chicago area. The last Chicken in the Rough was in Northbrook on Dundee Road. It was located on a golf course which was sold in the 70’s and the land was developed into an upscale subdivision.

The New Mexico variation is the Albuquerque-based local chain Mac’s Steak in the Rough — chicken-fried steak fingers served a la Chicken in the Rough. Similar to a Dairy Queen Country Basket only way better.

I worked in Myrtle Beach SC years ago that was called BURGIE’S CHICKEN IN THE ROUGH. It was a few blocks down from the pavillion and was open 24/7/365 and there was tremendous traffic all hours. There were small juke boxes at each booth. The CITR was fantastic. I went by a couple of years ago and at that time was called Country Kitchen (maybe Kountry Kitchen). The juke boxes were still at each booth.

Scarlett

We have a "Chicken in the rough" here in Port Huron MI. It is located in the rear section of the PALMS KRYSTAL BAR. http://www.smartpages.com/home/palmskrystalbarrestaurant1

Barry, MI

thank you markolenski, that brings back old times.[:D][:D][:D]

Check out this postcard

http://www.thejumpingfrog.com/si/1119911.html

How about a little history lesson; Back in the 40’s a couple from Oklahoma, Beverly Osborn (I can’t remember the wifes name) drove to California. The wife had fried chicken for the trip. (this was common in those days) As they were eating along side the highway, Beverly said to his wife "This is chicken in the rough" When they returned to Oklahoma, they started a resturant named Beverly’s Chicken in the rough. He had three resturants here in Oklahoma City, one still open. He sold the trade mark, the chicken with cigar and golf club. We have seen this trademark in a lot of places in our travels. They did have good food, and Beverly’s still serve a good breakfast in thier little place at Penn. Ave and Northwest highway.[:D][:D][:D]

Just curious…what made "Chicken In the Rough" so special to those of you who were privileged enough to have tried it? Sure wish I had the opportunity these days. Is there some sort of recipe available? Thanks!