Lake View Buzzes as TikTok-Famous Hot Chi Chicken Prepares Grand Opening on Belmont
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Lake View ·
The Lake View neighborhood is abuzz with anticipation as Hot Chi, the South Side-born Nashville hot chicken restaurant with a Middle Eastern twist, prepares to open its new location at 953 W Belmont Avenue. Partner Kinan Moufti has become a familiar face in the community, often spotted beneath the Belmont 'L' stop handing out free sandwich vouchers and documenting the entire journey on social media, where the restaurant has amassed millions of views.
"Documenting the journey has been a wonderful way to kickstart our relationship with the Lakeview community," says Moufti, who operates Hot Chi alongside brothers Amer and Mutaz Abdullah. The restaurant, founded in 2021, has built a devoted following for signature creations like their hot honey butter chicken sandwiches and the harissa-glazed "Popeye's Ain't Sh!t" sandwich with whipped garlic sauce. The upcoming Belmont Avenue location will join their existing spots in Chatham, the Old Post Office, and Sterling Food Hall in the Loop. The social media campaign has been so successful that Moufti reports strangers regularly stop him on the street to express their excitement.
Lake View residents eager to experience Hot Chi's unique blend of Nashville heat with Middle Eastern flavors can follow the restaurant's countdown to opening day on Instagram or TikTok, where they're also announcing plans for thousands of free sandwiches to celebrate the grand opening.
Sources:
1. https://www.timeout.com/chicago/news/from-tiktok-to-lakeview-hot-chis-newestand-most-viralchicken-sandwich-shop-is-almost-here-110625