A New Chick-Fil-A Is Displacing Michigan Avenue Icon Purple Pig

Chicago’s competitive real estate market is leading a Michigan Avenue icon to move as the Purple Pig is relocating to make room for a Chick-fil-A. The Purple Pig’s been in the space at 500 N. Michigan Avenue for a decade. Helmed by chef/owner Jimmy Bannos Jr. — a James Beard Award winner in 2014 for Rising Star Chef — the Purple Pig’s been an annual fixture on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list since 2011.

Bannos Jr. told the Tribune that the restaurant will move in the spring to 444 N. Michigan Avenue. That’s inside a Michigan Avenue office building and Bannos Jr. said it’s a larger space. He wasn’t immediately reached for comment. Last year Bannos Jr. opened a fast-casual restaurant, Piggy Smalls, inside Wells Street Market food hall. In 2017, People also named him to its list of sexiest male chefs.

While Bannos is a Chicago native, Chick-fil-A is Atlanta based. The fried chicken chain arrived in Chicago in 2011. The company has a trio of locations in the city plus more in the suburbs. A South Loop location, the first Chicago location with a drive-thru, is planned. There’s no word when Chik-fil-A would open its Mag Mile location.

Check back for more for updates on the move’s timeline and other details.