Eater Inside

Inside Boxcar Betty’s First Fried Chicken-Filled Chicago Location

The South Carolina chain will soon debut at Ogilvie

by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel May 22, 2018, 4:32pm CDT

Boxcar Betty’s original chicken sandwich

Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

Chicago’s first Boxcar Betty’s could open later this week inside the Ogilvie Transportation Center, but right now management is waiting for the city’s OK on an inspection. The Midwestern debut could take longer so the official word from the Charleston, South Carolina fried chicken sandwich mini-chain is that it’s opening soon in the West Loop. Fans will have to wait a little more to taste fried chicken breasts that are brined overnight in three styles (traditional, Buffalo, and sweet waffle-style).

The design for the 1,725-square-foot space is inspired by a boxcar, according to a spokesperson. The back wall is made of barn wood, a throwback to the original location. They’ve taken over the former Eastman Egg Company space inside Ogilvie.

For now, take a stroll through the 22-seat restaurant at 500 W. Madison Street. The chain started in 2014 and they’ve got two locations in South Carolina. Ownership hopes to open a few more locations in the city and suburbs. Come back later this week for an update on an opening date.