The Budlong Hot Chicken - Chicago

We stopped here for lunch and had a wonderful experience. We both ordered the classic chicken sandwich and shared the mac and cheese. The sandwich was served hot and we really enjoyed the spice blend, which added just the right amount of heat. The bread and butter pickles were homemade, and the bun was fresh and crispy with a delightful sweetness. The chicken was tender and thick, perfectly cooked without being overdone. We appreciated that it wasn't too crunchy but still had a nice crispness on the outside. The mac and cheese was unique, but we found it to be excellent! It was well-seasoned and incredibly creamy—definitely not dry at all. We would highly recommend this place!

The outdoor seating is a nice feature, even though it’s on a busy street, and the interior decor is pleasant, albeit it felt a bit empty for a Saturday night. My food was ready in about 10 minutes, making it a good spot for a quick bite, and it’s more affordable than the upscale dining options further down Armitage and Halsted.

I ordered the hot chick sandwich, and it was tasty, though not quite as juicy as some other reviewers have mentioned. The mac and cheese...

I really wanted to love this place, but at the price I just can't justify it. You're the best fried chicken sandwich in Chicago, and I think they are? I'm closing. But I'd say it wasn't perfect. The chicken itself was very crispy and quite juicy, but I would really like to see a sweeter coleslaw to balance the heat, I think it would go a long way. The Mac and the cheese were okay, but not worth the price tag again.

Look at that juicy chicken, it was definitely on the bigger side of fried chicken sandwiches, that's for sure. I wish there was more sauce on the sandwich, or a sauce on the side. Their sides are on the pricier side, but they're still pretty tasty regardless.