LINCOLN SQUARE — The long wait for Budlong Hot Chicken in Lincoln Square has ended — sort of.
Owner Jared Leonard vowed that the restaurant, which has been "coming soon" to 4619 N. Western Ave. for two years, would open by the end of March and he made good on that promise, if only for a handful of hours, last Friday.
"We staged what I would call a soft pop-up open," Leonard told DNAinfo via text.
A Facebook Live feed served as the pop-up's only announcement and between 12:30 and 2 p.m., Budlong served about 50 customers, according to Leonard.
"It was a glorious sight to be seen: Budlong chicken being served at 4619," he posted to Facebook.
Then the doors closed — temporarily.
This week has been set aside for staff training, with the official, permanent opening to follow.