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Famous Candlelight Chicken Tenders in Clinton, IA

11am-9pm Tuesday-Sunday
Dine In, Curbside Pickup & Delivery

View Menu   Order Online   Call 563-243-3200

Banquet Facility

Our banquet room is located on the first floor veranda of our restaurant. It can accommodate up to 175 people, with a beautiful view of the Mississippi River. Contact our manager at 563-243-3200 to book your event at the Clinton location of Candlelight Inn. Interested in trying our chicken tenders in Clinton, IA? Learn more about us through our restaurant, catering, and chicken tender blogs



Banquet decor with a river view
People dinning on river view outdoor deck
Sunset view of boats docked along the river
Banquet set-up in roof covered outdoor area

The Story of Chicken George Tenders

In the early 1970s, Bob Prescott, founder, and father of the current Candlelight Inn owner, Matt, was busy serving his guests at the Candlelight Inn at the 100th block of West Third in downtown Sterling. One of his regulars, a gentleman named Roger Young, came in to dine. Roger asked Bob for “something different.” Immediately, Bob thought about his fry cook George's new dish.

A little backstory, one day, George de-boned and cut up chicken breasts and then lightly battered them. He then fried them up and served them – to himself. Even Bob hadn't tried them yet! Bob asked George to fix some up for Roger, and the rest is history.

Roger loved them and asked Bob what he should ask for when he came in to eat the next time. Bob told him to ask for “Chicken George”, incorporating the name of the cook who made the dish. The news of this new chicken recipe spread and resulted in people coming in requesting it even before it was put on the menu! Word of mouth made Chicken George famous.

With a famous dish named after the cook who brought it into the restaurant, the four Candlelight Inn Restaurants now serve an average of 6,000 pounds of Chicken George each week. Chicken George tenders are now available in their original hand-battered version, grilled, prime, (grilled with our prime seasonings) or buffalo. You may also try our fan-favorite Sweet & Sour George, Mac & George, or the Georgie sandwich. No doubt, these are the best chicken strips in Clinton, IA!

Want to learn more about the story of Chicken George or our restaurant’s history? Read more about us by browsing through our website. If you’re looking for sumptuous meals to fill your stomach with, you may give Candlelight Inn Restaurant & Catering in Lake Caroll, IL is another notable location to dine in. Contact us.

Clinton, Iowa

511 Riverview Drive
563-243-3200

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