Iconic Portland Steakhouse Kicks Off Five Napkin Chicken (Right in Its Parking Lot)

The parking lot at the iconic Laurelhurst Market will be smoky this summer: Armed with a new 14-foot smoker, executive chef Ben Bettinger will serve his signature "heavily marinated" Five Napkin Chicken for lunch, starting this Thursday. To make it, Laurelhurst Market marinates boneless chicken thighs and then smokes, grills, and bastes them with Bettinger's signature take on Alabama white sauce, a vinegary, mayonnaise-based sauce.

You can get the chicken as a sandwich or a plate with two sides. Recent sides included a grilled red cabbage slaw and roasted rapini with parmesan aioli, stewed peppers, and onions.

The idea for Five Napkin Chicken came about from a trip to Columbus, OH, for the Timbers final. "We ate a ton of hot chicken," Bettinger tells Eater. Hot chicken in Columbus? It's definitely traditional to Nashville, but you never know when inspiration will strike.

Five Napkin Chicken joins Laurelhurst Market's menu of deli sandwiches, sides, and beverages—including beer and wine—and its house-made sausages will also be available from the new outdoor grill. Order at the counter, with seating indoors and out.

It starts this Thursday, May 12, and will be available Thursday through Monday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Wednesdays to be added when summer heats up.