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A Charleston Fried Chicken Favorite Finally Charges Into Chicago

Boxcar Betty’s brings its sandwiches and more to Ogilvie

Boxcar Betty’s signature item
Barry Brechesisen
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.

There’s a new contender vying for Chicago’s best fried chicken sandwich as Boxcar Betty’s has finally opened its first restaurant outside of South Carolina. Ownership planned on opening the fast-casual restaurant in late May inside the Ogilvie Transportation Center in the West Loop, but their plans snarled until today. Chicago represents the company’s third restaurant, as the first opened in 2014 in Charleston.

The signature sandwich is made with fried chicken (the birds come from a local supplier) which are brined overnight. They’re topped with pimiento cheese, peach coleslaw, pickles, and spicy mayo. Buffalo-style chicken and fried portabella mushroom caps are also served. The sandwiches have earned comparisons to Chick-fil-A. Regardless of tastes, one critic pointed out one advantage: unlike Chick-Fil-A, Boxcar Betty’s isn’t closed on Sundays.

A former Potbelly Sandwich Shop executive is the local operator in Chicago. He plans on opening more locations in the area. But for now, see if Boxcar Betty’s first Chicago shop is worth the hype. Check out a look inside the restaurant here.

Boxcar Betty’s, on the second floor of the Ogilvie Transportation Center, 500 W. Madison Street, open 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Ogilvie Transportation Center

500 West Madison Street, , IL 60661

Boxcar Betty's Fried Chicken Sandwiches

500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60661