Christensen reveals name, menu for new fried chicken restaurant

Award-winning chef Ashley Christensen has revealed the name and some menu items for her new fast-casual chicken restaurant, partner MDO Holdings announced Tuesday.

The venture will be called BB’s Crispy Chicken. The James Beard Award winning chef said the name started out as a nickname that she and MDO Holdings CEO Michael Olander, Jr. used to use when referring to the project during the idea stage.

"We were sitting in Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, my full-service restaurant dedicated to fried chicken, and joked that this new venture would be like a ‘baby Beasley’s,’ so we started referring to it as BB’s. After trying out many other options for names, we couldn’t shake this one—it resonated with everyone in our group. I love that it nods to my fried chicken origin story, while also being a distinct, standalone identity—one that encapsulates the approachable, fun, community-driven feel that we’re aiming for with this project," she said.

BB’s will serve five different fried chicken sandwiches, each served on a locally-made brioche bun. Guests will have the option to add toppings and sauces, including Carolina Reaper hot mayo. Fried chicken can be swapped out for char-grilled chicken or cornmeal-fried green tomatoes.

In addition to crispy chicken, the menu will include sides, salads, milkshakes, wine and beer.

Menu items will range from $3 to $8.

The first restaurant will be a 3,300 square-foot location in Midtown East. It is expected to open in the summer. Wegman's is the anchor of the development.

Last summer, Christensen announced plans to open fast-casual fried chicken restaurants at University Hill in Durham and in west Cary. The Durham location is slated to open in the summer, with the Cary location launching later in 2020.

In May, Christensen, who owns Poole's, Death and Taxes, Beasley's, and Chucks, was named the James Beard Foundation awards winner for Outstanding Chef in the country in Chicago. She opened a pizza place called Poole'side Piesat 428 S. McDowell St. next to Poole's Diner last year.