A Lincoln dining landmark is marking a milestone.
Lee’s Chicken, the city’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a community open house this Sunday.
The event runs from 12 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 5 at Lee’s, located at 1940 West Van Dorn Street. Festivities will include food and drink specials, a DJ, bounce house, games, contests, historic displays, and a proclamation from Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird recognizing the restaurant’s eight decades in business.
Founded by Lee and Alice Franks in 1945, Lee’s has been family-owned and operated throughout its history. Janice Wilcoxon, who purchased the restaurant with her late husband, Ozzie, in 1970, said the key has been balancing tradition with community.
“It’s a family business, and that’s what we like best in the restaurant business,” Wilcoxon said during a recent interview on KLIN’s Drive Time Lincoln. “We’ve tried to keep the booths and all the things that people remember. Some people think it’s corny, but for most who come in, they’re fond memories.”
Wilcoxon, now 84, still comes to work daily. She said staying open through good times and bad—including the challenges of COVID-19—has been possible because of loyal customers.
Dennis Kann, Wilcoxon’s son-in-law and Lee’s general manager, noted the restaurant remains known for its fried chicken recipe, which hasn’t changed since the 1940s.
“Nothing comes in pre-battered — it’s all cut and prepared fresh,” Kann said. “That’s kind of our secret. It’s a lot of work, but it makes a difference.”
The celebration will also feature trivia, tours, a watermelon-eating contest, a hot wing contest, and even a corn-husking competition. Historical photos and advertisements will be displayed to highlight the restaurant’s place in Lincoln’s cultural life.
Lee’s has survived shifts in the city and the industry. Once considered “on the edge of town,” it now sits near new neighborhoods and the Pinewood Bowl concert venue. Its live weekend music, featuring a team of organ and piano players, continue to draw both longtime patrons and curious newcomers.
“People come in and say, ‘We hope you still have the music playing,’” Kann said. “It’s just part of the Lee’s experience.”
As the restaurant turns 80, Wilcoxon said she has no plans to slow down.
“Every day I get up and go to work,” she said. “The people who come in, the memories, the families, that’s what keeps us going.”