Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, becomes emotional as he arrives at a party celebrating his 100th birthday while seated between his grandsons Sir Charles Rickette, left, and Quintin Rickette for a motorcade down West Madison Street on Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Gus Rickette, the legend behind the Uncle Remus restaurants, turned 100 today and the West Side community threw him a party. He and his late wife, Mary Rickette, co-founded Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken in 1969 in the Austin neighborhood.
Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, points to his image on billboards as he arrives at a party celebrating his 100th birthday while seated between his grandsons Sir Charles Rickette, left, and Quintin Rickette for a motorcade down West Madison Street on Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, arrives to a party celebrating his 100th birthday while seated between his grandsons Sir Charles Rickette, left, and Quintin Rickette for a motorcade down West Madison Street on Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, arrives at a party celebrating his 100th birthday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, becomes emotional as he arrives at a party celebrating his 100th birthday while seated between his grandsons Sir Charles Rickette, left, and Quintin Rickette for a motorcade down West Madison Street on Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Storms roll in as family and friends celebrate during a party for Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, on his 100th birthday on Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, sees himself on a billboard as he arrives at a party celebrating his 100th birthday while seated between his grandsons Sir Charles Rickette, left, and Quintin Rickette on Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, spots himself on a billboard celebrating his 100th birthday while seated between his grandsons Sir Charles Rickette, left, and Quintin Rickette for a motorcade down West Madison Street on Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, greets Mayor Brandon Johnson during a party celebrating his 100th birthday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Family and friends celebrate during a party for Gus W. Rickette Sr., the co-founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, on his 100th birthday on Aug. 11, 2026, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
