Philadelphia-based celebrity Chef Chad Rosenthal, perhaps best known in the city for his barbecue brand The Lucky Well, is due to resurrect a friend chicken concept dubbed Motel Fried Chicken; only this time, the menu is going to be exclusively plant-based.
Motel Fried Chicken is slated to open early next year at 4060 Chestnut St. in University City, followed by another three locations to start, all of which will target college campuses. The second will be Ohio State University, Rosenthal’s alma mater.
In a brief text exchange with What Now Philadelphia, Rosenthal confirmed the news, describing the concept as “100% plant-based fried chicken with healthy and bright side dishes that will lighten up and round the menu.”
Motel Fried Chicken’s genesis can be traced back to 2015 when Rosenthal began working on his fried chicken recipe following a trip to northern California. However, it wasn’t until 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic that Chef, inspired by a “desire to feed and treat the nation to great, quality comfort food” during those trying times, launched his country-wide delivery service as well as a six-month brick-and-mortar popup in San Antonio, TX.
Editor’s note: What Now Philadelphia is due to chat with Chef Rosenthal on Monday, Oct 24, so check back as this story develops and more details are revealed.
