By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
The chicken is so good at Eischen’s, some customers are even flying helicopters into town.
The helicopters have brought law officers to town, said Police Chief Forrest Smith.
Smith took a few pictures of a helicopter that landed Friday. It was a helicopter from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.
About once a month, customs agents have been coming to Okarche for the mainstay, chicken. State law officers are also frequent fliers.
Eischen’s co-owner Julie Kroener said the crew makes regular trips to town for the famous chicken.
“Strangely enough, yes, in the past few weeks we have seen them,” Kroener said.
There have been no to-go orders from the visitors with the whirlybirds.
“We are glad they come to eat chicken, they eat it here,” Kroener said.
Townsfolks who see the helicopter have paid for the meals, too.
She said neighboring business folks at Carter’s Chevrolet have also offered to pay their lunch tabs recently.
“Many times either a patron or we will take care of them, they pay it forward,” Kroener said.
Eischen’s has stayed busy during the pandemic and has reopened to dining in. Masks are required for customers, and curbside takeout is offered.
Okarche has a small airport east of town, Smith said. But the landing pad behind the town hall is closer to use for the helicopter
Recently, dumpsters and equipment that had been stored behind the town hall was moved, and it opened up space for a helicopter to land.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers also use the helicopter landing pad behind town hall.
“We moved the dumpster so they can land closer,’ Smith said.
Smith said police have escorted law officers from the airport to Eischen’s in the past.
“It’s just that good,” Smith said about the local chicken restaurant.
