If there was a contest between all the bizarre street names in Idaho, Chicken Dinner Road may just be the one that comes out on top (Lost Cow Lane is a close second.) This street name is certainly memorable, and it’s even been in the news lately due to a strange controversy involving PETA. But how exactly did Chicken Dinner Road come to be? It turns out this weird street name has an equally unique story behind it, and it makes for a fascinating tidbit of Idaho history.
Stretching right through the rural landscape of southern Idaho's Canyon County, Chicken Dinner Road is one of the most iconic street names in the state. The road is considered a staple among locals and it turns out there's some pretty fun history regarding the name itself, as well.
As is typical with local lore, there are several variations when it comes to the story of how Chicken Dinner Road got its name. It's possible that nobody knows the TRUE story, but the basic details can probably be counted on.
As the legend goes, a local woman named Laura Lamb was responsible for the name. Originally known as Lane 12, the road was apparently quite difficult to traverse and Lamb was in need of a better way to get into town. Luckily, she and her husband were close friends with the Idaho governor at the time, Ben Ross, so she invited him over to dinner.
Lamb was famous for her delicious fried chicken dinners, complete with hot rolls and apple pie. As they feasted on this classic country meal, Lamb hinted to the governor about the poor condition of the road. So, the governor made a deal that if Lamb got the county commissioners to grade and gravel the road, he would see to it that it was oiled.
The governor was good on his word and the road was promptly oiled once Lamb had the commissioners do their part. Therefore, Chicken Dinner Road was born! Well, maybe. Another version of the story states that vandals were actually responsible for painting "Lamb's Chicken Dinner Avenue" on the road in bright yellow lettering, and the name stuck.
Since then, Chicken Dinner Road has become so much more than a random country road in Canyon County. It's a part of our history. The road and its unique name are representative of a simpler time in Idaho, and it definitely makes for a charming story!
