It's a perfect hen: Chicken Shack puts a gourmet twist on comfort food
John Dix, the man behind the popular From the Hearth restaurants and drive-throughs, has brought something new to Redding.
In mid-March he and partner Jonah Mills launched the “new” Chicken Shack on Churn Creek Road with a new decor, new logo and a new menu that features what they describe as “gourmet comfort food,” including an upscale version of that Southern classic chicken and waffle.
Dubbed “The Entree,” it consists of buttermilk fried chicken, house-made gravy, a bacon and cheddar waffle, chives, brown sugar pecan butter and bourbon maple syrup.
Dix and Mills had their first encounter with it several years ago, at a restaurant in Brooklyn, and, in Dix’s words, “we fell in love with it and that’s why we wanted to open our own (chicken and waffle place) in Redding.”
So earlier this year he bought the Chicken Shack. The “new” Chicken Shack opened in mid-March.
Reviews on Yelp have been almost universally positive. “I tried the chicken and waffle and was blown away by the flavors,” wrote commenter “Magen S.”
Also popular are the Mother Clucker waffle sandwich, chicken waffle cones and the chicken wings, the latter tossed in sauces of your choice including spicy Korean, mango habanero, ghost pepper, Mimi’s BBQ, agave mustard or teriyaki.
Last week I joined a friend there for dinner. The place was busy and got even busier as time passed.
I had the chicken and waffle and my friend ordered the Agave Mustard Bird, a brioche bun sandwich with a fried chicken breast, Swiss cheese, agave mustard, shredded lettuce and onion straws.
At the next table were Brandon Thornock, his wife, Jody, and daughter, Madelyn, who was enjoying a waffle with cinnamon butter, while her parents had salads topped with grilled chicken.
“It’s classier, they definitely stepped it up,” Thornock said of the “new” Chicken Shack.
Sitting at another table nearby were Meriah Romero and Dyllan Johnson with orders of buffalo chicken fries and garlic fries. “The best,” Romero said of her garlic fries.
Roughly half the business is take-out, Dix told me, and he’s about to launch an online app to make it even easier.
Dix’s favorite menu item is the Crystal Fire chicken and waffle sandwich — buttermilk fried chicken breast, Crystal hot sauce, shredded lettuce, dill pickles and Worcestershire aoli sauce.
While he and wife Diana supervised the restaurant’s decor, Dix told me “the community” got the final say. On his personal Facebook page he posted options for tables and chairs and wall paper and had his followers vote on them.
If you’re thirsty, Dix and Mills have added craft beers and wine. And for dessert you can have soft serve ice cream or a Liege waffle.
“People are pretty wowed” about the place, Dix said — so much so that the owners are already thinking about a west side location for the restaurant.
There are gluten-free and keto options on the menu as well, Dix pointed out.
Knowing Dix’s work ethic and drive and his highly capable team, I can’t help but think that the Churn Creek location of the “new” Chicken Shack may be the first of many.
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About Chicken Shack:
Address: 2586 Churn Creek Road, Redding
Phone: 222-9464
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Website: www.chickenshacknorcal.com
Social media: Facebook, Instagram
Owners: John and Diana Dix, Jonah and Natalie Mills
Established: March 15, 2019
Sample menu items:
- Mother Clucker waffle sandwich $8.25
- The Entree (chicken and waffle) $9.75
- Naked Chicken brioche bun sandwich $8.15
- “Classic” chicken waffle cone $7.15
- House salad $10.25
- Chicken wings (5 piece) $7.55
- Buttermilk tenders and fries (8 piece) $15.95
- Liege waffle dessert $4.95