AUSTIN — A fire tore through the flagship location of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken on the West Side on Thursday morning.
Chicago Fire Department Spokesman Larry Langford said crews responded to a blaze at the restaurant at 5611 W. Madison St. It was a small fire but it caused significant damage, Langford said.
Akisha Williams Hunt, older sister to the beloved chicken shop’s president Charmaine Rickett, said the fire started from coals in the barbecue pit as workers were preparing rib tips for the day. The flames spread throughout the room in seconds after a worker stepped away, she said.
“It actually happened in a blink of an eye,” Williams Hunt said.
No workers were hurt. One police officer was hospitalized for minor smoke inhalation, Langford said.
The damage from the fire will force the flagship location to close for three to six weeks, Williams Hunt said. The other locations of the fried chicken franchise will continue to operate.
“They’re coming back better than ever remodeled,” Williams Hunt said.
Uncle Remus is a quintessential chicken shop in Chicago and one of the best known restaurants to come out of the West Side. The shop is famous for its signature mild sauce, and is thought to be one of the originators of the smoky, spicy and sweet condiment.
Thursday’s accident at the original Uncle Remus location isn’t the only time the chicken shop has had a fire. Another location suffered a fire years ago, but the business bounced back, the family said.
Orlando Mattox, a family member who works for the store, said the fire won’t stop the chicken franchise from expanding to a new store on Taylor Street and opening another shop in Georgia.
“It’s just a small setback for something even better, because you know, we’re growing as a business,” Mattox said. “I think it’s a new beginning.”
Pascal Sabino is a Report for America corps member covering Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park for Block Club Chicago.
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The Link LonkSeptember 04, 2020 at 02:50PM
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Fire Forces West Side's Beloved Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken To Close, But Owners Vow Comeback - Block Club Chicago
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