Krispy Krunchy Saga Finally Ends...at Fiesta Mexicana

Way back in the old days of fall 2012, we were promised a Krispy Krunchy Chicken at the corner of Broadway and Clifton, in the space at 4662 N. Broadway now occupied by the Michelin-starred Carino and formerly 42 grams and Brass Heart.

After a partial buildout was completed, the franchise owner rug pulled the concept, denying Uptowners Krispy Krunchy Chicken and substituting the merely crispy crunchy chicken of Chester's. 

Chester's was unfortunately a short-lived restaurant, lasting a mere 5 months before shutting its doors in the fall of 2013.

Good things followed, however, with the conversion of the space at 4662 N. Broadway to fine dining in early 2014. 42 grams opened in January 2014 and wowed the city's culinary scene for a brief moment before closing abruptly in 2018 amongst allegations of spousal abuse by the restaurant's star chef, Jake Bickelhaupt. 

Brass Heart followed in the spring of 2018 and after a short closure and rebrand, Carino followed in December 2023. Carino is an amazing restaurant and we are so lucky to have it, but this post is ultimately about....chicken.

We were extremely sad when Uptown stalwart Fiesta Mexicana closed at 4806 N. Broadway in October 2024, and the space has been sitting empty ever since looking for a new restaurant.

We spotted things happening in the space a couple of weeks ago when paper went up in the windows. Tipsters shared a new bright yellow paint job on Tuesday.

Courtesy Reader GR

Another valued reader / tipster found new signage this morning (put up sometime yesterday evening) showing that the space will soon be home to..... Krispy Krunchy Chicken!

Courtesy Reader RJM

So, if you have been waiting 13 years for Uptown to finally have it's own Krispy Krunchy Chicken, the wait is over. 

The chain is in gas stations and laundromats in Chicago, but this is a standalone store. Although this location isn't listed yet, expect an opening by early 2026. The menu, which focuses on "Cajun" fried chicken, is here.

Sad that this won't be another sit-down, but we'll take another business on the strip.