The food truck to restaurant path keeps paying out dividends.
Though Fire & Nice Ale House just closed, wrapping up their service this past weekend, the space is already destined for a new direction.
Tender Lovin’ Chix, the food truck launched earlier this year from Marques (Ques) Johnson and Billy Tserenbat, will take over the space as of November 1. Billy is, of course, the fire behind North Loop’s Billy Sushi, and Ques was one of the owners of the former CHX brand of chicken tender shops before partnering on the food truck.
Currently, the TLC truck offers fried chicken tenders over Tokyo-fried rice, which has won over many fans of late-night snacking in the North Loop. The duo feels they are ready to set down some roots, so when the space on Lyndale became available, they jumped at it (die-hard eaters might remember the space as Heyday).
The plan is to keep it fun and lively, and there’s no shortage of energy between them! The two told me that they’re still working on the possibilities, but to expect an expanded menu, “more bistro-style,” Billy said. “And we’ll have a full bar, with sake too.” Some of the ideas they floated include using the private room to hold chicken tastings, or to offer a special Winner Winner Chicken Dinner that would come with Champagne and caviar served personally by Ques. They have a few months to figure it out, so bet on things ramping up over the winter.
Construction will likely start immediately in November with a planned opening in early spring of 2024. Stay tuned to the truck socials for updates!
Find them at 2700 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls.
Stephanie March
Food and Dining editor Stephanie March writes and edits Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Eat + Drink section. She can also be heard Saturdays on her myTalk107.1 radio show, Weekly Dish, where she talks about the Twin Cities food scene.
Read more by Stephanie March
October 23, 2023
1:40 PM