bb.q Chicken Schaumburg — Restaurant in Schaumburg Township

After I wrote my review for Bonchon over 6 years ago, I had no intentions of ever writing another one. After all, how could any experience I have in life ever top that? For years, the people have been waiting for a day I announce a successor to Bonchon. After a long hiatus, the time has come. I now formally proclaim the crown belongs to bb.q Chicken. I stumbled on this gem on the way to the airport. Little did I know this restaurant would end up changing my life forever. I have been driving 2 hours to this place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for the past several years. I developed a severe gambling addiction to be able to afford eating here so often. I’ve filed for bankruptcy multiple times, my house has been foreclosed, and I now live on the streets. My wife has left me and took my two children, whom I love so dearly. The courts decided I am legally insane and ruled I am never allowed to see them again. I had nothing to my name, but my wife somehow managed to take half of that. All of this was worth it for being able to indulge in the delicious chicken at this fine establishment. The variety of flavors that are offered are unmatched anywhere. My personal favorite is the spicy galbi chicken. Like an acrobat walking effortlessly along a tight rope, so too does this chicken walk a fine line between sweet and savory. Just one bite of this delicious chicken is enough to make me forget that I will never be able to walk my daughter down the aisle. Not only is the flavor joyful, but they have cooking down to a science. The outside of our dearly departed chicken is bold and crispy, while the inside welcomes you to a juicy center. The meat slides right off the bone as do my tears slide down my face when remembering my family. The chicken isn’t the only thing worth having either. Their ddeok-bokki offers a rich creamy sauce with rice cakes that are just the right size (the big ones hurt my jaw). To my Bonchon brethren, I urge you to renounce your chicken and be born again in the sauce of bb.q Chicken. And if anyone in the year of 2024 and beyond still say they prefer SoHo (God forbid), they need to lock you in Guantanamo bay and throw away the key. You must be reeducated to learn what flavor really means. People pass me on the street all the time and always ask “if you could do it all again, would you do anything different?”. I always tell them “I wouldn’t...

In 1995, nestled in the vibrant heart of Seoul, South Korea, Yoon Hong-guen embarked on a culinary journey that would span the globe. With an unwavering passion for cooking, chicken, and flavor, Hong-guen founded bb.q Chicken, a Korean fried chicken restaurant destined for international acclaim.

The chicken at bb.q Chicken is anything but ordinary. The restaurant prides itself on delivering unique and creative flavors that tantalize the taste buds and offer a memorable dining experience. Additionally, bb.q Chicken pays homage to traditional Korean cuisine with dishes like Ddeok-Bokki, a classic Korean street food.

A standout dish at bb.q Chicken is the Kimchi Fried Rice with Cheese. For those who prefer, the dish can be ordered without the cheese. This sumptuous creation combines the traditional kimchi base with rice, chicken, vegetables, and a perfectly fried egg on top. It is a true culinary masterpiece that one could enjoy daily without ever growing weary of its delightful flavors.

The accommodating staff at bb.q Chicken gladly catered to our request for a vegan version of the Kimchi Fried Rice, omitting the chicken and egg. Rather than presenting a lackluster dish, the chefs skillfully crafted a vegan alternative that was bursting with flavor.

The Golden Original, a fan favorite on the menu, lives up to its reputation. The chicken is impeccably cooked, offering the perfect combination of crispiness and juiciness. Unlike many other establishments that serve overly crunchy and dry chicken, bb.q Chicken has truly mastered the art of fried chicken.

Another noteworthy dish is the Special Sauce Boneless Chicken Lunch. This selection features six tender boneless chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. The dish is an excellent alternative to the Golden Original, striking the perfect balance between sweetness and spice. The unique special sauce is simply unparalleled.

It is also worth mentioning the fries at bb.q Chicken. The restaurant has managed to perfect this seemingly simple side dish. The fries are crispy, golden, and utterly addictive.

In conclusion, bb.q Chicken offers an extraordinary dining experience, complete with inventive flavors, traditional Korean dishes, and impeccable service. A visit to this renowned restaurant is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you longing for your next culinary adventure at...

Of the many restaurants I've been to before and some I've written a review of, I think this particular chain restaurant's prices are definitely HIGH up there relative to the product. For that high of a price point, you'd expect customizations, choices, authentic ingredients, excellent food quality, etc., right? But nah, not really.

Sure, the chicken was mostly OK but some simple points just don't make sense... For example, my friend tried to order 8 pcs of Hot Spicy chicken tenders for around $16 (already, that's $2 for each piece the size of a regular chicken nugget but elongated) with the sauce on the side. The young Korean guy manning the counter said it's not possible and that she should order the Original (same price as Hot Spicy, by the way) and pay extra $1.50 for the sauce as side. My friend then asked if there is any difference on the taste of the bare fried chicken fresh from the fryer (without the sauce) and the Original. He then said No. So my friend then asked that IF the chicken is indeed MADE TO ORDER why can't he just put in an order for Hot Spicy chicken and they simply don't toss the chicken in with the sauce and instead put the sauce in a cup separate from the chicken (hence, sauce on the side)? He just said something along the lines of 'It's just how it is'. My friend just didn't argue any further and proceeded to order it paying around $18~ total for the 8-piece chicken tenders and side sauce. FYI, the amount/level of sauce is just about half their serving sauce cup.

After that, we proceeded to eat the chicken in the car on our way home. It seemed fresh and tasted ok. But then when she tried to bite off the end of one chicken strip, it was very hard. I tried it myself but it was indeed as hard as rubber. That pieced seemed like either old reheated chicken or inedible chicken cartilage. Either way, we just tossed it out and said "Goodbye $2".

This is probably something you want to have maybe once a month or when you wanna splurge or something, definitely not an everyday or every week thing.

I do hope they improve on these points so other people won't have the same...