4 Recent Chicago Restaurant and Bar Openings to Know, November 2025 | Eater Chicago
"Fresh to Lakeview, this Nashville hot chicken favorite delivers fiery wings, hot honey butter chicken sandwiches, and Middle Eastern–tinged hits like the “Popeye’s Ain’t Sh!t” sandwich, plus a Lakeview-exclusive Dirty Mac—mac and cheese piled with hot chicken, Alabama white sauce, and Hot Chi’s signature seasoning. Beyond the menu, the restaurant plans comedy nights, music performances, and even chicken-eating contests." - Jeffy Mai
Hot Chi - Review - Lakeview - Chicago - The Infatuation
"Chicken sandwiches continue their citywide takeover with Hot Chi’s newLakeviewlocation. Following openings in Chatham and two food halls, this local franchise, known for its “Chicago-style hot chicken,” has built a devoted following with items like its boldly named “Popeyes Ain’t Sh*t” chicken sandwich and a full lineup ofwings. As with its other outposts, Hot Chi offers a range of spice levels, from mild all the way up to the advisory “Call Ya Mama.”" - Nick Allen
Got the hot honey butter medium spice chicken sandwich. The flavor pops! Came out hot n fresh quick. Staff is very friendly and price is great esp for high quality ingredients. No notes!
Right outside Belmont station and near The Vic. Convenient location that takes care of those food cravings. Definitely worth stopping in.
Alec T.
Google
Finally got to make it out after seeing the tiktok ads. Got here early and was greeted with great customer service. I was walked through the menu to find some things to try. Went with the Cheat Day Fries, the Hot Honey Butter sandwich, and a side of the Mac and Cheese. Food was made fresh; it tasted wonderful and very filling. 10/10 and happy to have made the trip out.
henry
Google
The food is great! I loved the southern style chicken (no spice) and my bf liked the mild. The fries are seasoned perfectly. I liked the peach tea as well. They have a bathroom here. Hope lots of success for the business right up against the Belmont station!
janeil D.
Google
This spot is such a vibe. A great addition to the neighborhood. I love the creative menu; it's super fun to explore. I ordered the Southern-style Six-Wing meal, but the team also let me try the garlic sauce with it too! Everything tasted heavenly, and the different combnations of flavors was so unique and interesting.
I think the best part of my experience was the team. Everyone so energetic and kind. They're so excited about the upcoming grand opening; I definitely hope to make it.
Theresa K.
Google
Super friendly staff! Food came out hot and fresh 😋 The CheatDay fries, elote, and watermelon drink were amazing. I can’t wait to come back! :)
izzie S.
Google
Super friendly staff and awesome vibe overall!! Got the medium spice chicken in the fries and Mac and they don't play!! Peanut free too!
DJ S.
Google
Staff - lovely, so nice and helpful!
Food. Delicious sandwich, chicken is juicy and tender with a nice bit from the breading. Important call out is it’s not too much breading. I also got the highest heat level (“Slap Ya Mama”) and for those heat lovers, like myself, it’s perfect! It has me sweating!
10/10 would bring my friends here!
Zain D.
Google
If you’re anywhere near Lakeview and craving top-tier Nashville-style hot chicken, Hot Chi needs to be your next stop. This place nails everything—from the flavor to the vibe to the service.
The chicken is legitimately incredible! It’s crispy, juicy, and seasoned all the way through. No bland bites here.
Fries are ADDICTING and MAC is so so good 👌
Can’t wait to come back and try more from their menu!!
Colin H.
Yelp
Fantastic chicken sandwich, would recommend! The workers are extremely nice and personable. You can tell they care about the product and customers.
Kacie M.
Yelp
So good! Will be coming back all the time. Fries are phenomenal and the honey butter sandwich 1000% YES
Helen H.
Yelp
Located right at the entrance of the Belmont brown and red line makes it very convenient to get to especially during this cold winter. There is plenty of seating and good for groups. The staff was friendly. You order, pay, and pick up at the front.
There are 5 levels of heat. I ordered the hot honey butter chicken in 'hottt' which is the second spiciest. We were warned that the chicken was spicy, but I didn't find it that spicy. You could see where the spices were distributed on the chicken. I could still enjoy the flavor, and there was no pain. It was a large piece of chicken and wasn't dry. I would try the other sandwiches probably with the 'call yo momma' heat level.
Jay R.
Yelp
ATTENTION VEGANS! FRIES ARE NOT VEGAN! (cooked in beef tallow)
I don't want to give this place a bad rep out of the gate, because I know they're fairly new, and the staff seem super personable and welcoming to the neighborhood, so hopefully one day I'll be able to order something there that I can eat!
NaywriChi W.
Yelp
Hey! This used to be Blaze Pizza! Remember that. This is their fifth location and this is the same size as the original location on 87th St. which we been too. I had their Grilled Corn Elote. The staff and service are hot chi chickenriffic.
PS. Soft opening phase until the grand opening which might be on 11/22 or 12/6.
The workers were super nice and welcoming and the chicken was delicious! We each got 2 tenders (mild and hot) and really enjoyed each flavor. The garlic toast is super good and the fries came out super hot and fresh and we loved the Alabama sauce that came with our tenders. Will definitely be back!