Photo by Bobby Panza
Popular Upper East Side Korean fried chicken spot ChickQueen closed down last week, much to the dismay of its owner and local patrons.
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A Marshal’s Legal Possession notice could be seen in the window of the restaurant located at 1405 Second Avenue (between 73rd and 74th streets). East Side Feed called the City Marshal and the official we spoke with said the business was shut down on January 22.
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When reached for comment, the owner of ChickQueen told East Side Feed that they ultimately decided to close down the business after an attempt to renegotiate the terms of their lease with their landlord failed.
“After the pandemic in 2022 I opened a restaurant. After a few months later, I realized that my store’s monthly rent fee was ridiculously high compared to other places,” the owner said in an email sent Tuesday afternoon, adding that they were paying $250 per square foot, when similar businesses in the area pay anywhere from $120-$140.
The space offered seating for 12. Photo by Bobby Panza.
The owner added that a tougher economy, as well as higher labor and food costs, also contributed to the decision to shutter ChickQueen.
“I negotiated with the landlord for several months, but the results were not good,” they said. “I decided that it was hard to [run a] business.”
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ChickQueen opened in June 2022 and quickly became a go-to haunt for Korean-style fried chicken, a method that involves frying the bird twice to achieve a super-crispy, golden brown end product. In addition to its classic fried chicken, the menu included fast food favorites such as fried chicken sandwiches, boneless tenders and fries, as well as Korean offerings like beef bulgogi and kimchi.
“I love UES people and our valuable customers,” ChickQueen’s owner said in the email. “Even those reasons could not make me stay.”
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Guess even relocating to one of those cheaper rents would not have cut it, even if the popularity would allow price hikes?
Price hikes? Have you ever eaten UES Korean fried chicken? Not exactly cheap eats.