Fried Chicken at Mini Hut - King of the ButterCrust

The longtime favorite of many a Southwest Side Chicagoan's is expanding so I'm giving them their own thread. I was surprised to see Mini-Hut doesn't have its own but not surprised thats its mentioned often in the "Best Fried Chicken in Chicagoland?" thread.


Longtime locals favorite near Midway

The soon to be original location is listed on the 6600 block of W. Archer but the entrance is just off of it. Its total no frills inside and best to call your order in ahead because theres no chicken thats been sitting under a heatlap longer than Mike Ditka served here.

epicFades wrote:Mini Hut is far and away the best chicken I've had in the Chicagoland area. Nothing even comes close.

Just went there today. Ordered the 4 piece dinner and fried cauliflower, then went to Tom's to drink beers and wait. The chicken was just glorious. Worth the drive, for sure.

Binko wrote:

metro man wrote:I have to second the Mini Hut recommendation. I grew up in the area and have been eating this chicken for over 30 years. As a disclaimer I had my first job at Mini Hut when it was at Archer and Austin where the Jewel is currently located. That was exactly 30 years ago this summer. My buddy Tony worked the fryer - chicken, shrimp and fish. I worked the front - dogs, tamales, beefs and burgers. This is where I learned to make a proper hamburger and I have done it the same way since. I learned a lot of other things that summer also.

As I type this, waxing nostalgically on my unbridled youth, I am getting a hankering for a Hut Burger and a chicken basket. Those were the days. Sigh.

I'm going to third the Mini-Hut recommendation. I finally got around to trying it today, even though I've passed by it probably a hundred times in the last few years. The fried chicken is spot-on. Perfectly crispy light crust, juicy, a little bit on the salty side, but not objectionably so. To my tastes, it's the best fried chicken I've had in the Chicagoland area. As a poster above said, be prepared to wait 20-25 minutes for it to cook. If you're in the neighborhood, it's worth checking out.

I basically fourth those quotes as far as Chicago proper goes and am happy to inform all it's fans that after 30 plus years there are plans for it to expand. This received via email. They're opening their first "concept store" at 8618 S. Kedzie. "The public is invited (June 29th, 2013) to sample free chicken wings and try Mini Hut's soon to be famous fried chicken....owner Ajay Bhatia plans to open three more locations by the Fall, and may open as many as 30" So it sounds like buttercrust fried chicken may be coming somewhere soon near you. This isn't a bad thing.


"If you have not tasted Don's recipe for fried chicken you are in for a treat"

Mini Hut (Original Location)
6659 W Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60638
(773) 586-2115

Mini Hut (2nd location)
8618 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60652
(773) 737-4420

So glad you started this thread. I had Mini Hut for the first time back in November, also after reading the 'Best Fried Chicken' thread, and I really enjoyed it. Is it my favorite? Hard to say but it's definitely in the conversation. I could sure go for some right now.

=R=

This is awesome. It's literally a couple blocks from Aunt's. Can't wait to try it. Also can't believe I missed it all the years of my life. But I can see why since it's pretty much just a doorway and not much of a sign. I'll report back with my thoughts. Thanks again LTH.

I too love the MiniHut. Here is some information that might be helpful, from my Yelp review in 2012:

This is some seriously awesome chicken! The fries and slaw are OK, the rolls are boring, but THE CHICKEN IS AMAZING. Tender and juicy, with just the right amount of flavorful, crispy breading. Delicious the next day for lunch. Well worth the drive from the north side. $21 bucks gets you 12 pieces and sides.

Enter Mini Hut under the awning on the side of the building just off Archer. We ordered out to Tom's Tap just across the small side street (on Archer). Mini Hut delivered to us. Tom's has plates and napkins, so grab forks and ketchup at Mini Hut (on the wall behind the register), as your food box will not contain these items. Tom's is a friendly sports bar with Fat Tire by the pitcher, decent wine, big TVs, and lots of seating.