Tom’s Chicken Shack is Back!

Tom’s Chicken Shack owner LaRee Locken.

By Amber Ward

New owner LaRee Locken had a vision of the old Tom’s Chicken Shack back in action, and she just knew that it was God’s will for her to re-open the legendary restaurant.

She started out with $10,000, and one week before the restaurant was scheduled to open, an anonymous donor provided her with the rest of the money she needed to open the doors. Her vision of the Chicken Shack and all its glory became a reality.

Locken has been a Julian resident the past five years, along with her four sons Lenny, Levon, Luke and Luis. She has worked at the Lake Cuyamaca Restaurant, the Rongbranch and as chef at the Pine Hills Lodge. Locken is no stranger to the restaurant business and is very grateful to have the opportunity to be in business.

“I care about what I put on the table, and I want everything to be perfect,” she said.

Everything on the menu at Tom’s Chicken Shack is homemade and can be served family style (large servings), if preferred. Locken has managed to obtain some of the old recipes from the previous Chicken Shack owners, the Steiners.

Everything is made from scratch: French fries, mashed potatoes, gravy and even the barbecue sauce. More importantly, Locken assured, there are no frozen chickens at Tom’s Chicken Shack. All of the chicken is fried fresh, which takes about 10 minutes. The final result is “the best fried chicken ever,” she said.

“It is well worth the wait, so please don’t be in a hurry; we have plenty to keep you occupied,” the owner said. Diners can play a game of tic-tac-toe, enjoy some reading material or take a look at the Tom’s Chicken Shack memory journal. All are welcome to come down and enjoy good family food.

Tom’s Chicken Shack is at 4354 Highway 78 in Wynola, three miles south of Julian. The restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The restaurant features All-U-Can Eat fried chicken from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays and a Friday Night Fish Fry. In addition, a Christian Fellowship Dinner is served family-style on Fridays.

For details, call (760) 765-2344.

Photo By Amber Ward