Fry the Coop (Lincoln Park) — Restaurant in Lake View Township

Writing this review is difficult because it’s hard for me to find the right words about how I feel about this establishment. I was simply looking for a quick lunch today and saw this place on google maps and decided to give it a try without too much investigation. I walked in and was greeted by Anderson with a smile and when I asked a question about the sandwich he gave me a straight up and accurate answer. I ordered Mac and cheese as well. As a New Yorker in Chicago that is extremely opinionated I have a very difficult time finding good food in Chicago, and when I rarely do find good food the employees at most establishments work as if they hate their job and show no passion for what they do. I don’t say this lightly, this was the best culinary experience I’ve had in Chicago by a mile and one of the best in my life. The chicken was the most flavorful fried chicken I’ve ever had despite the fact that the sandwich I ordered was the simplest they have on the menu. The Mac and cheese side was easily one of the top 5 Mac and cheeses I’ve had in my entire life. Meanwhile all I see from Anderson is that he is laser focused on his tasks of cooking and running the store (which he was by himself) in a calm precise manner, constantly being aware of the customers and working with the best energy I’ve ever seen from a worker at a food establishment. I’m beyond impressed and like I said words cannot describe the overly positive experience I had eating here. Anderson, keep it up. I will most definitely be back. On top of everything it was fairly priced it’s a shame i can’t give this...

DON’T GO HERE! I don't like giving negative reviews, but this place left me no choice. This restaurant is on its last leg, and it shows. The atmosphere is bleak, the service is abysmal, and the food is downright unappetizing. My experience was ruined by a blabbering, gross, rude employee-in-training, Conchata, who immediately grew irritated by basic requests and had zero customer service skills. Instead of helping, she responded with bad attitude and endless backtalk. Honestly, she should be training for a job in a coal mine or on the back of a garbage truck—anywhere that doesn’t involve interacting with customers.

And the food? Just as bad. I ordered my seasoned fries well done and got limp, soggy, inedible fries. When I asked for them to correct it, they not only copped an attitude but then gave me another order of... limp, soggy, inedible fries. Then came the real kicker: my Nashville Fried Chicken Sandwich had a piece of chicken that was RAW in the middle. Completely uncooked. Absolutely disgusting and unsafe to eat.

It’s no surprise this place is always empty—there’s nothing here worth coming back for. Do yourself a favor and eat literally anywhere else. Parsons, Canes, Gemini, Ranallis – so many better options in the area.

In short: Don’t trust the positive reviews. They’re likely either paid for or fake. AVOID this place...

I work near this location and ordered lunch for me and my client yesterday (delivery via Door Dash). The order was supposed to be delivered at noon, but it came around 11:45, which was OK.

She had the chicken sandwich (not spicy) and I ordered the tender combo with seasoned fries & coleslaw, and a side of mac & cheese because I wanted to try a little of everything (never ordered from this restaurant before).

I was very underwhelmed by the food. I thought the mac & cheese was the best out of everything I tried. The chicken tenders were a bit tough and dry, possibly overcooked? The seasoning on the fries was good, but they were a bit soggy. The coleslaw was decent.

I was excited to try this restaurant because I'm a huge fan of hot chicken, but I definitely prefer Byrd's because their chicken is always...