The Remote Restaurant That Serves The Best Fried Chicken In Michigan
By Will Suphan|Published February 13, 2023
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Will Suphan
Author
Will has been living in Arizona off and on for 30+ years in the Phoenix Metro and Tucson areas. He has traveled all over the state as well as having lived all over the Southwest. He's been writing for OnlyInYourState for one year and has previously written for Digital Journal. Will has a passion for travel and writing and combining the two is what he loves most. He loves solo international travel and has been to Thailand, France, Japan, and Cambodia.
If you’re taking a road trip through Michigan and get a hankering for some truly delicious fried chicken, you can’t go wrong with Iva’s Chicken Dinners in Sterling. The recipes are from Iva Osterhout and her signature chicken dishes have been served here since 1938. This restaurant became so popular that three kitchens had to be installed to keep up with demand. This place is definitely worth a visit, even for a day trip in itself. Keep in mind that it is open seasonally and will reopen on March 2, 2023.
Iva’s started with humble beginnings when she cooked for oil rig workers that were boarding with her and they raved about her food and more and more people wanted to try it. Now, the third generation of her family is serving her recipes. Right now, Iva’s niece Monica King, her husband, and their five children are keeping this iconic restaurant going strong.
The interior has a simple, rustic, down-home, welcoming feel with family photos on the wall remembering those who have worked here and made a ton of full, happy bellies.
The star of the show here is, of course, the signature fried chicken which can be ordered two ways. First, a younger chicken rolled in flour, pan-fried, and steamed in an iron skillet. Second, a mature hen that is boiled until tender and topped with gravy.
Diners can order individual plates or family style with soup, a relish plate, cabbage salad, cottage cheese, vegetables, biscuits, golden chicken gravy, dressing, and whipped potatoes. For a little more you can get a drink and dessert.
Chicken isn’t the only thing on the menu. Iva’s also serves steaks, pork chops, shrimp, cod, walleye, and scallops. In addition, luncheon favorites like the Iva Bowl, Chicken Salad, Chicken Nuggets, and Chicken Sandwiches are available along with several sides including wings, giblets, cheese sticks, and more.
The chicken noodle soup is as thick and hearty as it gets, with massive noodles and bits of scrumptious chicken. If this doesn’t fill you up, you can finish everything off with pies like Coconut Cream, Banana Cream, Rhubarb, and Apple, or some vanilla, mint chocolate chip, or rainbow sherbet ice cream. Everything can be ordered as takeout as well.
