Honey Butter Fried Chicken & Tanta Chicago: Two Restaurants Celebrating Three Years of Doing it Right

Two of Chicago’s most popular restaurants are celebrating three years this Wednesday. While these two spots are very different, their raving fans will agree on one thing: their food and drinks are delicious.

Avondale’s Honey Butter Fried Chicken, 3361 N Elston, has become a destination for fried chicken. They focus on local and sustainable ingredients and their chickens are antibiotic-free, cage-free, and humanely raised. The honey and cheese is from Wisconsin and the dairy, eggs, and beer are Midwestern. They also take care of their staff: they pay well enough that the staff doesn’t work for tips and they receive health insurance, paid sick time, paid time off, paid parental leave, and gain sharing. As a former server I can tell you that this is practically unheard of in this industry!

To celebrate their third year they’re offering their 3-piece fried chicken for $8.50, which is the price of a 2-piece, and follow it up with a $3 birthday cake dump cake. Wash them down with a $3 Front Porch cocktail, including the new Finn’s G&T made in collaboration with CH Distilling Company, another local business. They’re open between 11am and 9pm and these specials are offered all day on September 14.

Also celebrating three years on Wednesday is Tanta, 118 W Grand Ave. “Tanta Turns Three” starts at 6pm on their rooftop, and partial proceeds from the celebration benefit 826CHI, a non-profit organization helping students cultivate creative, expository writing skills. Chefs Daniel Mejia of mfk and Ce Bian of Roka Akor are collaborating with Tanta’s Jesus Delgado to create a street food-inspired feast. The Drifter’s Liz Pearce will be joining in the fun to make specialty cocktails with the Tanta team.

Tanta

• Purple Potato Causa with king crab, huancaína sauce, avocado mousse, and salmon roe
• Raw Prawn Cebiche with sea urchin leche de tigre, and cancha
• Octopus Anticucho with choclo purée and piquillo pepper aïoli (pictured)

 mfk

• White Anchovy with peas, radish, and pistachio
• Mini Tortilla Espanola with blue caramelized, shallots, and whipped brandade
• Steamed Clams with linguiza and salmorejo

 Roka Akor

• Madai with grapefruit dressing and trout caviar
• Cured Salmon Tartar with goma sauce, shiso, and taro chips
• Charred Heirloom Tomato with black garlic dressing, fennel, and micro Asian herbs 

There will also be live music. Tickets for this event are $125 inclusive.

Congratulations, Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Tanta! Here’s to many more years of doing it right.