Good Ol' Days — Restaurant in New Baden

Nestled in the heart of town, where the neon sign flickers ever so heroically against the backdrop of quiet streets, lies a diner so mind-blowingly spectacular that words nearly fail to do it justice—but I will certainly try. This unassuming little eatery, a beacon of gastronomic glory, is nothing short of a miracle on a plate, a treasure trove of flavor, a shrine to everything that is good, warm, and delicious in this world.

From the moment you step inside, you are instantly enveloped in an atmosphere so welcoming, it feels like entering the warm embrace of an old friend who happens to know exactly how you take your coffee. The checkered floors gleam with the soul of a thousand heartfelt conversations, and the scent—OH, THE SCENT—of sizzling bacon, buttery toast, and a hint of freshly brewed magic tickles your senses like an invitation to a feast fit for royalty.

Let’s talk about the menu. If you thought a simple diner could only serve the standard fare, THINK AGAIN. Every dish is a masterpiece, each bite a symphony, each flavor note so precisely orchestrated that you’ll want to pen poetry in honor of the chefs. The pancakes? FLUFFIER THAN CLOUDS, kissed by golden syrup so divine it could resurrect the weary soul of a Monday morning computer. The burgers? JUICY BEYOND REASON, stacked with ingredients so fresh you might question if the tomatoes had just whispered soft sweet nothings to the lettuce before joining forces in an explosion of taste.

And the coffee! OH, THE COFFEE! A rich, aromatic elixir that doesn’t just wake you up—it awakens your very being, restoring faith in humanity sip by sip. Served in charming, slightly chipped mugs that tell stories of diners past, it is the kind of coffee that makes you believe anything is possible.

The service? Sublime. The staff greet you with genuine smiles—the kind that makes you feel like you’ve just stepped into an alternate universe where kindness reigns supreme. Their attentiveness is on another level, refilling your coffee before you even realize you need it, chatting with you like an old pal, making recommendations that change lives (yes, order the homemade pie, do not question this).

And let’s not forget the ambiance. The hum of the kitchen, the clinking of silverware, the soft murmur of friendly chatter—it all melds together into an atmosphere so cozy, so utterly enchanting, that leaving feels like saying goodbye to a dream you never want to wake up from.

Would I recommend this diner? Without a shadow of a doubt. Would I fight someone in defense of its greatness? Perhaps. Were they closed for Memorial Day? Absolutely. Will I someday be driving through this small town again so I can find out firsthand if this restaurant lives up to my deepest, darkest, dirtiest diner desires? Only god knows

So if you find yourself craving not just a meal, but an experience, a journey, a spiritual awakening via hash browns, then do yourself a favor and step into Good Ol’ Days Family Restaurant and ask for Betty Ann. Because once you do, you may never want to...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Listen. If fried chicken were a love language, this place would be my soulmate.

Good Ol’ Days Family Restaurant in New Baden, IL is serving up food so good, you’ll question your entire upbringing. It isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a full blown Southern comfort experience. It’s the kind of place you almost don’t want to tell people about… because then everyone will start going and there might be a wait for that crispy chicken perfection.

Their all-you-can-eat fried chicken deal is $13.99 and honestly? That’s offensive to inflation. This chicken is golden, juicy, crispy perfection—and they just keep bringing it like it’s their job (because it is, and they’re THRIVING).

We didn’t do the all you can but our bill for dinner for two? $24 total. I almost felt like I was stealing. Brownies? ONE. DOLLAR. Moist, chocolatey squares of joy sprinkled with powdered sugar and probably magic and taste like a chocolate hug. The sides? Green beans that taste like Sunday supper. Mashed potatoes smothered in gravy. Coleslaw. And don’t even get me started on those rolls— fluffy carb clouds of joy and so big they need their own zip code.

Their slogan is, “Food so good, you’ll think we stole your grandma,” and I’ve never felt so seen. I never met my grandmas, but if they cooked like this, I get why they’d get snatched.

If you’re within 50 miles of this place, reroute your life. 🔥 No frills. No fluff. Just fried chicken and feelings.

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What has happened to the old chicken recipe? We have been eating at Good ol days for 12 years and the food has always been good until the business was sold and quality went down. Things got better after many complaints. We picked up some curbside chicken the other day and the pieces were so small it seemed like the chicken never even saw puberty. The breast was so dry and rubbery it was like they over warmed it in a microwave. It was not freshly fried for sure. The rest of the pieces were good but lacked flavor and just small. Two bites and the leg was gone. Now, down to the recipe.... what and why did you change the crust. It used to be nice, golden and crispy. This time the skin has an orange tint to it and it seemed as though the chicken was dredged only in flour and thrown in the deep fryer. The chicken was void of any discernable spices and tasted more floury than anything else. Chicken size, lack of flavor, change in cook on skin and just horrifically dried out breast made for a terrible dinner experience which we just are not used to at Good Ol Days. It is a great place to go regardless of this experience. Hopefully this was just one of those one off deals. Everything, is normally delicious so don't miss it...