I realize I am entering dangerous territory here.
Chicagoans can debate pizza, hot dogs, Italian beef, baseball, and neighborhoods for hours on end. Apparently, chicken sandwiches belong on that list too. To be fair, I am not trying to change the mind of a single Chicagoan, rather those that may be new to the area or just visiting.
So rather than claiming I already know the answer, I'm doing what I do best and go looking for it. My mission is simple. Find the best chicken sandwiches in Chicago.
Not the most famous. Just the sandwich that makes me stop halfway through and think:
"Yep. This is worth walking across town for."
So far after trying close to a dozen sandwiches, these made the short list
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Red Light Chicken
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Parson's Chicken & Fish
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Fry the Coop
Fry the Coop has built a loyal following around Nashville hot chicken and enough heat levels to make questionable life decisions seem reasonable. Their giant chicken sandwiches have become one of the city's most talked-about entries in the category. Keep an eye out for the heat!
Red Light Chicken has quietly developed a reputation as one of the neighborhood favorites in Lincoln Park, with plenty of locals insisting it serves one of the best chicken sandwiches in the city.
Parson's Chicken & Fish has been on my Chicago radar since I arrived. Between the fried chicken, the patio, and the number of people who have told me to go there, it would be irresponsible not to include it in the search. They were right. Fantastic
But I'm nowhere near finished.
A few other stops currently on my radar include:
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Roost Chicken & Biscuits
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Dave’s Hot Chicken
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Hattie B's Hot Chicken
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Hot Chi Chicken
If you think Chicago's best chicken sandwich is hiding in a neighborhood spot that doesn't get enough attention, let me know.
I'll add it to the list and go find out for myself.
After all, that's kind of the whole point of Chicago On Foot.
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