Honeygrow, a Fast-Casual Stir-Fry Chain, to Open Its First Chicago Location

Salad restaurants are increasingly trendy, and now Honeygrow—a Philadelphia-based salad/stir-fry chain—has announced plans to open its first Chicago location this fall. Ownership signed a lease to be neighbors with the upcoming Shake Shack and Do-Rite Donuts in the West Loop at 179 N. Morgan St. Honeygrow CEO Justin Rosenberg told Crain’s that he expects to open more Chicago locations.

Honeygrow debuted in 2012 and their menu comes with several preset stir-fry and salad options. Some are traditional Southeast Asian, like the sesame garlic. For those closer to the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area, there’s regional options like the Chesapeake crab that comes flavored with Old Bay. Another regional dish is a stir-fry based on the Philly roast pork sandwich. This may mean Chicago will get the Italian beef stir-fry the city has secretly desired.

The chain touts 15 locations in Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and Delaware plus plans to open a location in Brooklyn in April. One of Honeygrow’s investors also owns a stake in Five Guys Burgers, Crain’s noted.

In recent months salad chains have invaded Chicago. Just Salad plans its fourth Chicago location in the West Loop. Meanwhile, Sweetgreen plans its third Chicago location in the West Loop. It’s going to be fun to see if McDonald’s makes friends with the salad chains when the burger giant moves its corporate headquarters to the West Loop.