Chica's Chicken

Chica's Chicken
Restaurant information
EstablishedMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
Owner(s)Carolyn Pelechaty[1]
Matt Pelechaty[1]
Head chefMatt Pelechaty[2]
Food typeSouthern
American
RatingBib Gourmand
(Michelin Guide)
Street address2853 Dundas Street West
CityToronto, Ontario
CountryCanada
ReservationsNo
Other locationsSteinbach, Manitoba
Whitby, Ontario
Websitewww.chicaschicken.net

Chica's Chicken is a restaurant in The Junction neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It specializes in Nashville hot chicken.[1]

History

The restaurant opened in 2018, and is owned by husband-and-wife couple Carolyn and Matt Pelechaty.[2] Matt Pelechaty also serves as the head chef for the restaurant.[2] The business is named after the owners' late dog, Chica.[1]

The restaurant opened in the location of a former diner, with much of the interior and aesthetic largely left untouched.[3] While it primarily focuses on take-out, limited seating is available for dine-in customers.[1]

Matt Pelechaty previously worked at Toronto barbecue staple Adamson Barbecue, and did not have familiarity in cooking hot chicken.[2] He credited a trip to Nashville, where he tried fried chicken staple Prince's Hot Chicken Shack for the first time, as the inspiration behind his decision to cook hot chicken and eventually open the restaurant.[2]

Expansion

Chica's opened a second location in Toronto's Annex neighbourhood in fall 2022,[1] but the location ceased operations in late 2023. In fall 2024, the business renewed its expansion efforts, launching new locations Steinbach, Manitoba[4] and Whitby, Ontario.[5]

Food

Chica's offers a limited menu, serving Nashville hot chicken at three spice levels - mild, medium and “hot AF”, as well as three options for sides.[2]

The chicken is brined for two days and seasoned with a mix of spices.[6] The chicken is fried and served to-order.[6]

Recognition

The business's original location in The Junction was named a Bib Gourmand restaurant by the Michelin Guide at Toronto's 2022 Michelin Guide ceremony,[1] and retained this recognition in 2023 and 2024.[6] A Bib Gourmand recognition is awarded to restaurants who offer "exceptionally good food at moderate prices."[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Brill, Jessica (17 July 2023). "Michelin Bib Gourmand honours great restaurants that don't break the bank". RestoBiz. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Aksich, Caroline (29 May 2018). "What's on the menu at Chica's Chicken, the Junction's new kitchen for Nashville hot chicken". Toronto Life. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  3. ^ Carlberg, Amy (4 May 2018). "Chica's Nashville Hot Chicken - Review". BlogTO. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Chica's Chicken Locations". Chica's Chicken. Chica's Chicken. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  5. ^ Hendry, Glenn (24 October 2024). "Michelin award-winning Nashville chicken joint opening in Whitby November 2". InDurham. insauga. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Chica's Chicken - Toronto". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 7 October 2024.