Our Sterling, Rock Falls and Clinton locations are open 11am-9pm Tuesday-Sunday. Our Lake Carroll location kitchen opens at 11am daily. Please watch our Facebook pages for the most up-to-date information.
Our Sterling, Rock Falls and Clinton locations are open 11am-9pm Tuesday-Sunday. Our Lake Carroll location kitchen opens at 11am daily. Please watch our Facebook pages for the most up-to-date information.
Our banquet room, located in our loft, can accommodate up to 80 people. Booking your social event at our Sterling location will give you a private bar for your guests' enjoyment, as well as private restrooms. Contact our manager at 815-625-2600 to book your event at the Sterling location of Candlelight Inn. Interested in trying our chicken strips in Sterling, IL? Learn more about us through our restaurant, catering, and chicken tender blogs.
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 Sterling, IL!
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 Rock Falls, IL a visit too! Contact us today to learn more about our chicken strips in Sterling, IL.