BUCKTOWN — The Chicagoland area is getting four Chick-fil-A restaurants this month, one of which will be located in Bucktown across from the old Vienna Beef Factory.
Chick-fil-A, 1910 W. Fullerton St., opens Thursday, according to the restaurant’s website. A Chick-fil-A in South Loop, 1106 S. Clinton St., is scheduled to open Jan. 21 and two additional locations are planned in the suburbs. The news of the openings was first reported by the Sun-Times.
Located at the busy Damen, Fullerton and Elston intersection, the Bucktown restaurant will neighbor an existing Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen and Subway, as well as a planned Panera Bread. The chain restaurants will neighbor Drive Shack, a riverfront driving range replacing the recently closed Vienna Beef Factory.
RELATED: Plan For Riverfront Driving Range In Former Vienna Beef Lot Approved By Key City Committee
During a 2019 community meeting, neighbors said they were concerned about Drive Shack adding traffic to an already congested area — especially with Chick-fil-A and Panera already expected to set up shop there.
The long-dreaded Damen-Fullerton-Elston intersection finally underwent a $22.5 million reconfiguration in 2017, neighbors pointed out. They don’t want the nightmare traffic scenario to return.
RELATED: Bottleneck At Damen, Elston And Fullerton ‘No More,’ Rahm Says
The team behind Drive Shack told neighbors the company hired an engineer at Kimley-Horn, a nationwide consulting group with a Chicago office, to perform a traffic study. As a result of the study, Drive Shack’s only entry way point will be on Elston Avenue (Vienna’s existing access point on Damen Avenue would be eliminated.)
Supported by Ald. Scott. Waguespack (32nd), city leaders approved plans for Drive Shack in early 2020.
In addition to the Bucktown location, a Joliet Chick-fil-A, 2705 Plainfield Rd., will open Thursday. The South Loop location and an Elgin site, 1110 S. Randall Rd., will open Jan. 21, the Sun-Times reported.
The new Chicago Chick-fil-A restaurants will be open 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday for drive-thru and mobile pickup, the Sun-Times reported.
RELATED: Chick-Fil-A With A Drive-Thru Coming To South Loop
Chick-fil-A isn’t the only fried chicken restaurant opening in Bucktown this week.
Boxcar Betty’s, a family-owned restaurant based in Charleston, South Carolina, is opening its second Chicago location — and sixth overall location — Friday at 1856 W. North Ave.
RELATED: Boxcar Betty’s Opening Second Chicago Location In Bucktown
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