Chicken salad has arrived in Utah. The Southern-based chain Chicken Salad Chick opened up a franchise this week in Pleasant Grove — an opening that involved long lines and a big crowd to get their hands on that tasty chicken salad.
Chicken Salad Chick is the only restaurant dedicated exclusively to freshly made chicken salad, according to its website.
Arriving in Utah
“Our team sees tremendous business potential in Utah and Arizona because both states are engrained with the culture of community,” said Rylan Mills, one of the co-owners of the franchise. “We knew establishing a place that brings people together, serves scratch-made food, and offers a welcoming atmosphere would be a recipe for success here.”
Utah’s location is now one of over 330 restaurants located in 22 states across the U.S.
“There has definitely been buzz around Chicken Salad Chick before we brought it to Utah. It was certainly part of the reason why we knew the brand would resonate here,” Mills said. “My family had our first experience at the restaurant in Littleton, Colorado. Since Day 1 of trying it, we’ve loved the fresh, delicious food and the family-friendly, Southern hospitality vibe. We knew these were our people and wanted to bring it to our state.”
What can customers expect?
There are more than a dozen made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors to choose from, each named after a woman or girl close to the founder. There are also multiple sides, gourmet soups and tasty desserts to choose from on the menu.
“We know people are very busy and living life on-the-go,” Mill said. “Chicken Salad Chick offers a healthier alternative to many of the fast-food options available for those folks who need something quick or even need a little bit of help with putting a protein-packed dinner on the table for their family.”
This is going to be the only Chicken Salad Chick location in Utah for just a short time. The franchise group Mills works with plans to open six more Chicken Salad Chick restaurants in Utah County in the coming years.
What I ordered
I went to Chicken Salad Chick for lunch three days after it opened, and the lines were still long, and the house was still packed.
The menu options remind me of the foods you get at a family gathering or reunion. There’s a sense of down-home in the menu options and the vibe of the place.
“Beyond our menu, we’re excited to bring Chicken Salad Chick’s mission — to Spread Joy, Enrich Lives, and Serve Others — to Pleasant Grove,” Mills said. “We’re looking forward to serving the Chick’s delicious menu items here and growing alongside this amazing community.”
Here’s what I ordered:
The chicken salad experience: There’s a few different options for the chicken salad experience.
First, you choose how you would like the chicken salad transported to your mouth — either on a croissant, white or wheat bread, or just a scoop of chicken salad that comes with a fork to use. I selected the croissant.
Next, you pick which flavor of chicken salad you would like. There are savory, spicy, fruity and classic options to choose from. I chose the traditional chicken salad, and then for one of my sides, I went with a scoop of the Fancy Nancy.
I liked the traditional chicken salad on the croissant, but the fruity flavors of grapes and the nuttiness of the pecans in the Fancy Nancy made that one my favorites that I tried.
Grape salad: This is one of their sides that has gone viral on social media, and after trying it, I see why. It’s delicious and unique. It kind of reminds me of the type of salad that your aunt might bring to a family gathering. It’s big, juicy grapes slathered in a sweet cream cheese sauce topped with brown sugar and pecans.
Red velvet cake: The cake is moist and rich. It’s not the kind of cake you would expect to get from a fast-food joint. Next time, I need to try the white chocolate layer cake. I’ve heard that one is even better.
Storefront information
- Address: 2093 W. Pleasant Grove Blvd., Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
- Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Price: $
