All of the details have fallen in place for NW 23rd's ChkChk, the restaurant seeking to "reclaim" the fried-chicken sandwich through better sourcing and community activism. The fourth restaurant by Aaron and Jessica Grimmer (The Picnic House, Barlow), ChkChk opens February 5 with what it's calling a "barn pop" design (have you reserved your free sandwich, yet?).
As the above gallery shows, expect rustic tones like all-brass countertops and windowsills, white-washed laminated wood finish on the north wall, and a brick wall finish on the south. To bring the pop, all this is juxtaposed with a geometric rainbow mural, pop-art artworks from various artists, and a giant neon-pink sign that reads, Power to the Peeps. Jessica handled all of the interior design.
Just how ChkChk aims to make its chicken and chickpea sandwiches special has also come together: You'll find Draper Valley Farms chicken fried in non-GMO rice bran oil and sauces—so many sauces. Designed by chef Casey Gipson, who has experience working beneath chefs Tyler Florence and Thomas Keller, the five sauces currently available are Hot Honey (cayenne-infused honey), Buttermilk Sauce (a take on ranch), Pineapple Caramel Sauce (a mashup of teriyaki and sweet and sour), Buffalo Blue Cheese, and ChkChk Sauce, which the restaurant describes only as, "Our secret house sauce."
You specify your sauce while ordering at the counter, and sandwiches will be delivered to you at the register. The 1970-square-foot ChkChk seats 49. In addition to the two key sandwiches, ChkChk will serve mac and cheese, a chicken chopped salad, waffle fries, and a soup of the season.
"We currently don't have any plans for another restaurant opening, but that's not so say we're ruling it out," say the Grimmers. "We jumped on ChkChk so fast because we simply couldn't pass up the opportunity." ChkChk will replace a Subway at 1305 NW 23rd Ave., and after Friday, it will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
