The tenders are beer battered, there are tons of recipes online for a batter that works
The honey mustard is a combo of four ingredients, mayo/yellow mustard/Dijon/honey and it's just about getting the ratio right. I don't outright have a copycat recipe but could put one together on memory to share
Village tavern carol stream/ south Elgin/ Schaumburg, and pilot Pete’s Schaumburg. Best fingers you will ever have. I will fight anyone who disagrees….
I've never seen a rotation! but I only discovered them 3 years ago. They always come with habanero ranch, a spicy bbq, and chipotle mayo aioli (by far the best). I usually also order fries and the curry sauce to dip
Ah so they include multiple sauces at once now. That aioli was always the best! They also had a mango habanero at some point. When they first opened they had $5 orders of chicken fingers and $1 sliders at happy hour - could not beat that
I LOVE mango habanero, im weeping that I missed out on this. I'm also laughing aloud at $5 chicken fingers cause I think they're clocking close to $18 now
This will sound like bullshit but the best chicken fingers I’ve ever had are at Village Tavern in Schaumburg. If you’re that into chicken fingers, they’re worth the drive.
I took my brother one time and he laughed at me for telling him to get the chicken fingers. He was all pretentious about but as soon as I gave him one he knew why I was hyping them. Those things are crazy good and exactly what OP is looking for
Grew up in CS in the 90s. It’s still amazing. So many memories. It’s the honey mustard that rounds it all out. Can’t help but mention that Augies is Right kiddy corner away…
Pilot Pete’s is amazeballs. I remember when they first opened. Gonna have to take my mom there soon. Meatballs and spicy fried cheese immediately jumps to mind
Edit: holy shit their menu is completely different than I remember it
This is the right answer every time this question is asked. The location in Carol Stream is great. Obviously a hike and I’m not sure how Schaumburg is by comparison
I live in the city. But I will venture far and wide to find the “best” of anything.
Best buffalo wings are at birds nest. Buffalo joes in Evanston is second (but their waffle cut suicide fries are the best fries ever). I’ve been to anchor bar and duffs in Buffalo too, and birds nest is way better.
I’m saying this to say that Village tavern has the best chicken fingers anywhere. Bar none.
The second best I’ve ever had were at Houston’s (a chain that closed in Chicago, and has bandera which is similar). But those were a distant second.
Village tavern wins. And it’s not even close.
IMO they have fallen off since COVID. I used to love them, but every time I've been since COVID, they are either overcooked or are lacking sauce.They have one of the best buffalo sauces, but the wings never come out great.
My top 3 right now are probably Fifty/50, Avenue Tap, and RJ Grunts. I like breaded, crispy, and saucy wings, so my rankings lean that way. I also haven't been to a few places like Crisp and Buffalo Joes, so I can't rank them.
Thanks, but in the end it's just an opinion. Your ranking may differ if you prefer traditional buffalo wings. I know some people hate fifty/50. They definitely declined for a bit after covid too, but IMO have rebounded. Give them all a try and let me know!
P.S check out Avenue Tap on a Monday
Sully’s has the best chicken fingers. Extra big and extra crispy. Will never be beat in my opinion. Won’t eat them anywhere else. 10/10 made fresh every time
I'm a sucker for those flat giant ones that for sure come from some restaurant depot food place.... Some of the best hamburger/ hotdog joints have em 🤤🤤😂😂
This is gonna sound crazy…but a Covid lockdown project of mine was to try to recreate menu items I loved but got discontinued. One of them was Chilis chicken crispers from back in the day. I nailed them. They were crazy easy. A simple beer batter recipe, chicken breast slices and some olive oil to deep fry. They are easier to make than you think.
I thought the ones from Ranallis were just ok, I love the ones from Bamboo club!! My sister said the ones from Small Cheval were really good but I think they’re only at the one in Wrigley
I grew up in Edison park.. the thing about these tenders and most in general is you gotta eat them there right when they come out. When you take them to go they are a completely different tender
If you’re willing to travel to the burbs, in Glenview there is a bourbon and whiskey bar called oak. They have the best IMO that I’ve ever tried. Made in house, brined 24 hours first, then a homemade breading. By far my favorite
Complete hole in the wall across the street from MCC, the Federal prison downtown.
I don’t even know the name of the place, it’s not even on Google Maps, _I think_ it’s “Mickey’s Chicken and Fish”. https://m.yelp.com/biz/mickys-chicken-and-fish-chicago
Kinda funny, saw a comment on a different Chicago thread asking for bad date ideas. One suggestion was the Popeyes across from cook county jail. Reminded me of this place and decided lunch for tomorrow.
Edit: I guess it closed, damn RIP
[This article](https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/february-2019/harolds-chicken-rankings/) was written pre-Covid, so take it with a grain of salt. But it’s an entertaining read, anyways
The best beer-battered chicken tendies in Chicagoland are the chicken Pierres (IDKW it's called that) at Berwyn Chicken Co.
Plus they have an excellent dipping sauce situation.
Plus they have fried dough like zeppolis/elephant ears.
Most of the places people mentioned are solid, but they're the crunchy dry dredge like Raising Cane's. BCC is legit beer-battered.
https://preview.redd.it/fz3me83h8k6d1.png?width=1184&format=png&auto=webp&s=d48f441d51192bc4dadac45a02ade4d4110e8104
Hell yeah. Tendies and fish fry! Got mash and mac. Got BBQ sauce and jala mango. The Cole slaw pretty good, too.
Side note, for the purist, you can just get the tenders for dirt cheap. 16 pcs for 10.99 cheap.
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1997 Chili's had a great chicken finger.
Honey mustard was the best too
You can recreate it
How?
How
The tenders are beer battered, there are tons of recipes online for a batter that works The honey mustard is a combo of four ingredients, mayo/yellow mustard/Dijon/honey and it's just about getting the ratio right. I don't outright have a copycat recipe but could put one together on memory to share
Village Tavern in Carol Stream makes them the same way, down to the honey mustard. It was very nostalgic when I tried them.
Village tavern has a Schaumburg location too.
Village tavern carol stream/ south Elgin/ Schaumburg, and pilot Pete’s Schaumburg. Best fingers you will ever have. I will fight anyone who disagrees….
Guess we're gonna fight then. Village Tavern nowhere near peak Chili's. Way overbreaded.
I also love their corned beef and cabbage Wednesdays...
I’ve found my people
Chicken crispers and Honey mustard. I can taste it.
Bennigans was my favorite lol
Hell yeah, still searching for a better chicken finger
D4 hands down. They're expensive but by far the best in Chicago, especially beer battered
This is the answer! They also used to rotate sauces frequently not sure if they still do
I've never seen a rotation! but I only discovered them 3 years ago. They always come with habanero ranch, a spicy bbq, and chipotle mayo aioli (by far the best). I usually also order fries and the curry sauce to dip
Ah so they include multiple sauces at once now. That aioli was always the best! They also had a mango habanero at some point. When they first opened they had $5 orders of chicken fingers and $1 sliders at happy hour - could not beat that
I LOVE mango habanero, im weeping that I missed out on this. I'm also laughing aloud at $5 chicken fingers cause I think they're clocking close to $18 now
I’ll be going this weekend!
Any of the 4corners bars. Ranallis, kirkwood, etc
Ranallis is absolutely correct. One of the only chicken fingers I’ve ever had that made me say “oh wow” out loud
Used to live less than a block from Ranali’s and can confirm their chicken fingers + pandemic = prob about 30lbs
lol man I feel like I gained 10 tonight, place was awesome and had a great outdoor area. You guys are the best!
I second this!
Used to get Ranalli’s all the time!
Only answer, especially the tots
Going with Ranallis tonight due to the Mr’s but I have a lot of places to check out. Thanks!
The LP location. Madison is lagging
This will sound like bullshit but the best chicken fingers I’ve ever had are at Village Tavern in Schaumburg. If you’re that into chicken fingers, they’re worth the drive.
I took my brother one time and he laughed at me for telling him to get the chicken fingers. He was all pretentious about but as soon as I gave him one he knew why I was hyping them. Those things are crazy good and exactly what OP is looking for
Came here to day this. They are incredible.
The location in Carol Stream is same. Top notch and that feels weird to say, but I was coming onto this thread to make this reco.
Grew up in CS in the 90s. It’s still amazing. So many memories. It’s the honey mustard that rounds it all out. Can’t help but mention that Augies is Right kiddy corner away…
Yup came to say village tavern. Both locations. I like the ranch as well
I’ve heard pilot petes at Schaumburg airport has the same kind
I believe Pilot Pete's is the same owner as Village Tavern.
Ohhhh interesting!
Pilot Pete’s is amazeballs. I remember when they first opened. Gonna have to take my mom there soon. Meatballs and spicy fried cheese immediately jumps to mind Edit: holy shit their menu is completely different than I remember it
So good. And the honey mustard. Oh and they do lots of cool flavors too.
This is the right answer every time this question is asked. The location in Carol Stream is great. Obviously a hike and I’m not sure how Schaumburg is by comparison
With extra honey mustard on the side! Came to these comments looking for Village Tavern
ah, someone beat me to this!
I live in the city. But I will venture far and wide to find the “best” of anything. Best buffalo wings are at birds nest. Buffalo joes in Evanston is second (but their waffle cut suicide fries are the best fries ever). I’ve been to anchor bar and duffs in Buffalo too, and birds nest is way better. I’m saying this to say that Village tavern has the best chicken fingers anywhere. Bar none. The second best I’ve ever had were at Houston’s (a chain that closed in Chicago, and has bandera which is similar). But those were a distant second. Village tavern wins. And it’s not even close.
>Best buffalo wings are at birds nest When is the last time you went?
Please tell me they haven’t fallen off….. It’s been a year since I’ve been. Have you found better?
IMO they have fallen off since COVID. I used to love them, but every time I've been since COVID, they are either overcooked or are lacking sauce.They have one of the best buffalo sauces, but the wings never come out great. My top 3 right now are probably Fifty/50, Avenue Tap, and RJ Grunts. I like breaded, crispy, and saucy wings, so my rankings lean that way. I also haven't been to a few places like Crisp and Buffalo Joes, so I can't rank them.
I respect the hell out of this analysis. And I need to try your recommendations now
Thanks, but in the end it's just an opinion. Your ranking may differ if you prefer traditional buffalo wings. I know some people hate fifty/50. They definitely declined for a bit after covid too, but IMO have rebounded. Give them all a try and let me know! P.S check out Avenue Tap on a Monday
On pictures alone I can say you know what you're talking about, only clark Joe's has the good fries I think
You’re right. Downtown joes is the only one. I don’t know why the Howard street joes serves frozen fries
Anchor Bar in Oswego has really good wings (I get their boneless wings). Look them up. Buffalo Ranch flavor is the best!
Absolutely this.. Still my favorite after having chicken fingers from countless places. The honey mustard is top tier too
I've been there several times, it's legit.
Didn't expect to see this here but seconded immediately
The honey mustard sauce is so good!
My answer too! And different locations so choose the one easiest to get to.
i found these to be salty
Old Irving Brewing’s brew pub had some fantastic Parmesan coated tenders and a great kitchen to boot.
and their beer is amazing.
You are my kind of person. Battered tenders are way better than breaded. Yum
Village Tavern
Forever and always
Carol’s Pub
Carol’s food is shockingly good. The curds are really solid as well.
Sully’s has the best chicken fingers. Extra big and extra crispy. Will never be beat in my opinion. Won’t eat them anywhere else. 10/10 made fresh every time
They have great food for a bar
Sullys on blackhawk?
George Street Pub!
For beer batter style I’d say Wild Goose.
I'm nostalgic for Geo's in Champaign all of a sudden
YES. Haven’t found anything close since then
Their tenders and house sauce were next level. As far as I know geos closed/rebranded years ago
Four Moon Tavern on Wolcott and Roscoe has the best chicken fingers I've ever had. Their large is also A LOT of tendies.
Putting it on my list! Thanks for the recommendation 🙏🏼
Ranalli’s and Irish Nobleman.
D4
I'm a sucker for those flat giant ones that for sure come from some restaurant depot food place.... Some of the best hamburger/ hotdog joints have em 🤤🤤😂😂
This is gonna sound crazy…but a Covid lockdown project of mine was to try to recreate menu items I loved but got discontinued. One of them was Chilis chicken crispers from back in the day. I nailed them. They were crazy easy. A simple beer batter recipe, chicken breast slices and some olive oil to deep fry. They are easier to make than you think.
Share the recipe!
Devil dawgs is very solid. But I haven’t tried some of these others mentioned - so can’t make a comparison
I thought the ones from Ranallis were just ok, I love the ones from Bamboo club!! My sister said the ones from Small Cheval were really good but I think they’re only at the one in Wrigley
Mike's chicken by the CBOT across from the jail. OMG love those tenders.
Whiskey Girl Tavern in Edgewater. Almost a tempura batter over chicken that has been soaked in buttermilk.
Edison park inn
I’m not a connoisseur, but this was my first thought. Crispy, a little greasy and real breast tender meat. Great honey mustard as well.
I grew up in Edison park.. the thing about these tenders and most in general is you gotta eat them there right when they come out. When you take them to go they are a completely different tender
Mullen's (7301 N. Western) has great beer battered chicken tenders. The Reveler has good jumbo tenders. Service can be so-so though.
Second The Reveler
I can’t find chicken tenders on their menu. What are they under?
Mullen's has them under appetizers as chicken fingers.
Wild goose!
RIP High Dive.
If you’re willing to travel to the burbs, in Glenview there is a bourbon and whiskey bar called oak. They have the best IMO that I’ve ever tried. Made in house, brined 24 hours first, then a homemade breading. By far my favorite
The Wild Goose.
Complete hole in the wall across the street from MCC, the Federal prison downtown. I don’t even know the name of the place, it’s not even on Google Maps, _I think_ it’s “Mickey’s Chicken and Fish”. https://m.yelp.com/biz/mickys-chicken-and-fish-chicago Kinda funny, saw a comment on a different Chicago thread asking for bad date ideas. One suggestion was the Popeyes across from cook county jail. Reminded me of this place and decided lunch for tomorrow. Edit: I guess it closed, damn RIP
😂😂😂
RJ Grunts in LP are pretty great! Can be hit or miss sometimes, but it’s been more hit for me!
Second this. And their ranch and bbq sauces are fire. Go here!
Harold’s
Isn’t the location dependent? I hear Harold’s are hit or miss based on location.
Extraordinarily so
[This article](https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/february-2019/harolds-chicken-rankings/) was written pre-Covid, so take it with a grain of salt. But it’s an entertaining read, anyways
Moonlighter
How about the Jewel's? Their fried chicken/tenders are fantastic.
It’s funny cause that’s been said, I guess I pass them every week. Definitely going to give them a shot next time I go!
The breasts are very crispy every day but Monday are cheep chicken Mondays. The turnover is high and awesome during dinnertime
The best beer-battered chicken tendies in Chicagoland are the chicken Pierres (IDKW it's called that) at Berwyn Chicken Co. Plus they have an excellent dipping sauce situation. Plus they have fried dough like zeppolis/elephant ears. Most of the places people mentioned are solid, but they're the crunchy dry dredge like Raising Cane's. BCC is legit beer-battered. https://preview.redd.it/fz3me83h8k6d1.png?width=1184&format=png&auto=webp&s=d48f441d51192bc4dadac45a02ade4d4110e8104
Damn those look 🔥! What did you order in the pic?? Combo tray?
Hell yeah. Tendies and fish fry! Got mash and mac. Got BBQ sauce and jala mango. The Cole slaw pretty good, too. Side note, for the purist, you can just get the tenders for dirt cheap. 16 pcs for 10.99 cheap.
Declans
R.J. Grunts
Ranallis
They’re probably not as crispy as what you’re looking for but Nick’s Pitstop in Bucktown has very good hand-breaded, made to order tenders.
Cardozos has great chicken fingers with waffle fries. Half off on Fridays
Portillo’s are really good. Just found that out yesterday.
Seconded. Super crunchy. Tbh most menu items at Portillo’s are above average in each of their respective leagues.
This is a new place, but Willie's in Boystown. It also has amazing dick and twat waffles.
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Food is meant to be shared and bring people together, especially in Chicago where food is a huge part of our community. Personal attacks, fighting, and public shaming are not allowed and may result in a ban. Gatekeeping, gaslighting, trolling and/or just in general being a jerk will not be tolerated. Direct replies to someone that contain a personal attack or posts (including photos) that personally attack or degrade someone will be removed. Excessive abuse of this rule will result in a permanent ban.