West Town Hotspot Split-Rail Temporarily Closing to Focus on Fried Chicken

It’s been a little bit more than a year since Split-Rail opened in West Town, and chef/owner Zoë Schor has decided to switch her restaurant’s focus and concentrate the menu on fried chicken. She’ll close the restaurant starting on September 2 for at least 10 days and up to two weeks. When Split-Rail reopens she’ll feature a new menu.

Schor isn’t ready to share specifics but she teased that she’ll explain more in the coming days. She also has an alleged big surprise for customers.

The former Ada Street chef opened her restaurant with a menu that included upscale chicken nuggets and a deconstructed version of steak fajitas. She mixed playfulness with refined technique. That menu will be revamped based on the positive feedback Schor’s received after hosting a fried chicken and champagne dinner. Schor said she’s worked on the fried chicken recipe for a decade and it’s time to let the bird shine.

“We’re all excited,” Schor said of the pending changes.

Some current menu items will survive in September, but Schor’s quiet on what will make the cut. Running a neighborhood restaurant isn’t an easy task, but Schor and her team seem ready to accept the challenge. She’ll share more details on Split-Rail’s reinvention in the coming days.

• Zoe Schor revamps Split-Rail menu — expect more fried chicken and bubbles, more comfort dishes [Tribune]