Slim Chickens Brings Southern Hospitality To Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield will be home to the newest location of the Slim Chickens franchise, as the international chain plans to open a restaurant in Plainfield. General Manager Sean Ufen said they chose Plainfield because it is a fast-growing area.

"We're trying to bring southern hospitality up north," Ufen told Patch. The other Illinois locations, in Champagne, Bloomington and East Peoria, are typically busy, Ufen said. Plainfield is the first northern Illinois location for them. They're moving into the location at 13429 S. Route 59.

The chain, which features fresh chicken tenders and wings alongside homemade dipping sauce in a fast-casual setting, has over 60 locations worldwide, including one restaurant in Kuwait and one coming in Paris. The chain started up in Arkansas in 2003.

Ufen said Slim Chickens has a similar feel to Portillo's, but instead focuses on southern food.

"My favorite is the chicken and waffles," Ufen said. It's three breaded tenders on a waffle will butter all over it. "It's life changing," Ufen said.

Slim Chickens also offers sandwiches, wraps and lots of sides, which Ufen said are some of their biggest sellers.

For dessert, they'll offer "jar desserts," big messes of deliciousness in a Mason jar, like their chocolate brownie with brownie pudding or New York-style strawberry cheesecake.

Ufen said he and others haven't yet decided whether to offer specials or free food in celebration of the opening, but ideas are bouncing around.

Slim Chickens Plainfield will open April 2 at 10:30 a.m.

Article image provided by Sean Ufen