Cancel

Open app

Search

Red Light Chicken

4.8 (230 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Red Light Chicken Photos

Business Info

RED LIGHT CHICKEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Red Light Chicken

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Jason S.

Finally got to try Red Light Chicken in Lincoln Park after having it on my list forever, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. When you walk in, it's a small shack-style setup super simple, quick, and easy to order. The menu is as straightforward as it gets: a chicken sandwich, fries, and an eight-piece nugget with a drink. No overthinking needed. I went with the chicken sandwich (got it hot) which comes with mayo, pickles, and lettuce, plus the eight-piece nuggets and a drink. My total came out to exactly $20, which felt totally fair given the quality. They also have free condiments: ranch, honey mustard, BBQ, ketchup and you can take as much as you want, which is always a win. We ate outside, and even though the spot is small, they've got a surprising amount of seating: a standing counter area and another section with tables on the side. Super easy to grab a seat and enjoy your food. The chicken sandwich was phenomenal genuinely one of the best I've ever had. Great heat, great flavor, super high-quality chicken. The nuggets were also awesome and a huge portion... definitely more than eight. Tons of food and a great value overall. Red Light Chicken is 100% the real deal and a must-try chicken spot in Chicago. Unique setup, amazing food, great experience.

John M.

This update was prompted by my golden doodle Mo. The RLC staff always treats him with a nugget when I stop in for one their incredible chicken sandwich. Two paws up!

Arash R.

One of my favorite fried chicken sandwiches in Chicago. No frills, simple and delicious. Stop by for a quick bite if you are in the area and want to have a solid fried chicken sandwich!! Service is prompt, it is take out and not with limited space to eat outside.

Fried Chicken Sandwich & Shoestring Fries
Ali M.

The tiniest chicken spot! Nice staff. Small menu. Very good sauce and quality tasting chicken. Would return.

Semira A.

There's something really special about Red Light Chicken. The really reasonable prices, friendly service, and REALLY high quality food is exactly the kind of thing that keeps me coming back for more. The nuggets are juicy, crispy, and fried to perfection. When dipped in their signature sauce it's the perfect bite. The truffle fries are also amazing, probably some of my favorite in the city so far. Definitely worth a visit. You won't regret it!

June K.

Thought this would be the best chicken sandwich and I came starving. But I feel as though I missed something. I got a hot and honey but it was barely sweet, and I don't have a sweet tooth. Definitely had a hot sauce spice to it, like tabasco-vinegary! The mayo made it wet, but the chicken itself wasn't juicy, and it just felt like a chunk of breast. The small piece of chicken sticking out of the sandwich was crispy, the rest not so much. I don't get the love.

Menu
David J.

This is it! This is the spot. Red Light makes a solid fried chicken sandwich that hits it out of the park. It's not fussy, it's not overdone, it's just simply a great sandwich. The fries are also excellent though I'm privy to shoestring fries. All in all, this place is great!

Heather V.

A fried chicken shack offering three menu items?! I never thought I'd see the day and I am so happy I have. Red Light Chicken is a quick, over the counter shack offering fried chicken sandwiches dipped in plain, hot, honey, or hot honey, chicken nuggets and shoestring fries. Everything was delicious! Hence the five stars. The chicken was fresh and well seasoned. Even the bun was fresh with the perfect meat to bun ratio. I could've easily housed two more myself they are that good. The fries give me McDonald's vibes in all the best ways; thin, crispy and fresh. The service was quick with an easy ordering process. Place your order at counter and wait for your number to be called. There are two tall standing type tables otherwise this is a grab and go or eat while standing joint. Worth the visit.

Diana J.

Fast and friendly service. Food came out piping hot and very crispy. I got the hot and honey chicken sandwich with extra pickles and fries with house sauce. Outdoor eating area is nice and toasty in the winter would definitely come back!

Hot and honey chicken sandwich
Tom Z.

Delicious chicken sandwiches with fast, thoughtful service! Probably top in the city. I got the hot and honey with some regular fries and I highly recommend. Note that the 'hot' is some sort of tabasco style heat. My usual will probably become just the honey, as I'm not usually drawn to spicy food anyway. The service is super fast, kind, and thoughtful. When I wanted some water the server (possibly owner?) just gave me some bottled water which was appreciated (I rarely see this but strongly believe water should always be free). When throwing trash out they proactively asked if we wanted some wet wipes. Just really thoughtful and straightforward service that seems to take pride in what they do and care about their customers.

Chicken sandwich
Tam C.

Fried chicken sandwich came out on a mushy bun. Chicken itself did not taste fresh and some parts of the meat were a bit stringy. Based on the way the fried chicken looked, I presume they were not using fresh oil. Fries were nothing spectacular either. Do not understand the hype for this place

Hot honey with mayo

See all

3 years ago

Red light chicken is a tasty and affordable quick bite! I love the casual and clean aesthetic, and everyone there was kind to customers

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Nora C.
450
9
42

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Deb M.
0
11
0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of S. C.
0
25
12

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2
Photo of Edgardo R.
148
17
11

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of S F.
0
15
5

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Great chicken. Friendly staff. Reasonable prices. What more does a person need? I'll be back.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Great little chicken shop in the neighborhood. Staff is excellent as well. A must go for a chicken sandwich craving!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of D G.
137
214
34

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ivy S.
4
161
144

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Judson H.
768
180
567

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

This quality of the chicken is outrageously good. Recommend the honey fried chicken sandwich - wasn't a big fan of the spicy sauce.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Sergey R.
18
21
12

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Best chicken sandwich and fry combo i've ever had. 10/10 everything. spicy mayo is perfect

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Greg W.
0
14
31

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

insane. Never disappoints. Must get hot honey and the spicy mayo. Friendly staff and fast

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Simon S.
368
50
3

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of s o.
0
2
5

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Krys m.
57
20
0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 4 of 6

Ask the Community - Red Light Chicken

You might also consider

The Art of Chicken

The Art of Chicken

4.3(288 reviews)
1.7 miBucktown
$$

Kaitlyn was amazing at the order counter. Very nice and accommodating…read more Service is Walkup and order. No line Food was good . I had a quarter chicken with herbal it tasted great Nice decor with a chicken theme

Well this was a bucket list to visit and pay patronage to my coworkers husband's restaurant which I…read morenever heard of. Where do I start well I did enjoy the sides a lot. Luckily I had a discount and was able to try it most of the sides. It was french fries the mashed potatoes and the ethnic Mexican elote for corn on a stick with chili butter and Mayonnaise which I heard of and seen but never tried until now. Anyways starting with the mashed potatoes they were delicious. They were not too thick and texture nor was it too whipped. It was just right as well as the gravy that they use which is not too salty. The french fries had the right texture and crisp as well as the season that went well with it it wasn't too soggy and it wasn't too bland. The Mexican elote which I was surprised as a comedian named Leon Rogers mentioned about this Hispanic treat and I just didn't imagine chili powder with mayo on corn but now I taste the difference it is a wow delicious. As for the tune styles of cooking chicken between El jefe and crazy Chico I went for the crazy Chico. This one is Brian's in herbs. It was ok. A healthy choice to eat for dinner versus eating fried chicken but it was fresh but I didn't taste the wow it's not bad but it was not a wow good. When I come back next time I'm going to have to try the El jefe version and it comes in two different sizes I went for the quarter order. Service e was very friendly as I was the co-workers guest. As for the ambience it was very casual and minimal that's the way My co worker husband wanted it because they could focus on specialties versus having so many things in the menu and then lack the best of what to deliver. So far 4 out of 5 stars but will be coming back.

Photos
The Art of Chicken - The Art of Chicken.(keepsmilingphoto.com)

The Art of Chicken.(keepsmilingphoto.com)

The Art of Chicken
The Art of Chicken - The Art of Chicken.(keepsmilingphoto.com)

See all

The Art of Chicken.(keepsmilingphoto.com)

The Budlong Southern Chicken - So frikken good.

The Budlong Southern Chicken

3.8(422 reviews)
0.2 miDePaul, Lincoln Park
$$

my favorite local comfort food. quick service, delicious options, and in a great location.read more

I'm actually SO surprised I haven't written a review for Budlong yet?! This has been a long time…read morecoming.... What's not new: the chicken, is in my opinion the best in the city. The sheer SIZE of these things, and they are fried to perfection. One sandwich is enough to fill you which I appreciate. The pickles that they use too are thick cut and balance with the chicken well. The more pickles the better!! What is new: these fried chicken wraps. OMG. I don't want to compare them to a mcdonalds snackwrap because that would be offensive to Budlong.... because the ones BL makes are just out of this world. As expected, the chicken size is great, it actually fills the wrap. I ended up ordering both the hot honey and the bbq. Both were awesome I just wish I got something with a little more spice. But I still will be ordering these again! I also tried the fried pickles for the first time which were great! I just wish they used dill pickles instead of bread+butter (I assumed they used this?) because they were a bit too sweet for me. But if you like bread and butter pickles you will love these. Next time I go I neeeeeed to try their plant based nuggets. I'm not vegan, but I LOVE vegan foods, and think more restaurants need to follow suit! Also on my list is the Peach Hand Pie and the Banana Pudding... I think that speaks for itself If you haven't been into Budlong - WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!! Get yourself some chicken and thank me later :)

Photos
The Budlong Southern Chicken
The Budlong Southern Chicken
The Budlong Southern Chicken - Fries

See all

Fries

Red Light Chicken - chickenshop - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...