The Roost Fried Chicken is Flocking Downtown

Lunch near the Chicago Board of Trade is about to get spicier thanks to the Roost Carolina Kitchen. The fried chicken specialists plan on opening a third location in February at the corner of Van Buren and Financial Place. They’re taking over the space at 400 S. Financial Place, unit C.

This location will be primarily a to-go spot with a focus on catering during weekdays. At 400 square feet, there’s not a lot of seating available. Compared to Roost’s locations in Lakeview and River West, the new restaurant will offer a pared-back menu: fried chicken tenders, hand-cut fries, and fried chicken sandwiches. Yes, customers can order their sandwiches on a biscuit. They’ll be open for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays and close up by 3 p.m. Customers will also have access to an online ordering system for office catering and all to-go orders via the restaurant’s website.

The Roost was among the first to bring Nashville hot chicken to Chicago. They’ve settled in as one of the most-popular spots for fried chicken in the city, known for a crunchy batter that explodes with heat. Everything is fried to order. This is a return to the area for the Roost. Its food truck, affectionately known as the “Cluck Truck,” would frequent the neighborhood. The Roost retired its truck in 2012 after it opened in Lakeview. The return will happen soon as they’re slated for an early February opening.