Sweet Chick

Having conquered the USA with five stateside locations, fried chicken and waffle restaurant Sweet Chick has flown over to UK shores to open its debut London site in Fitzrovia, just a few minutes’ walk from Oxford Street.

As soon as you step foot inside, it’s impossible to deny the ultra-hip vibe – the low-lit space features mint green walls, neon signage and cosy booths, while a thumping hip-hop soundtrack adds to the buzz. This effortless cool should come as no surprise though, considering Sweet Chick was co-founded by rap legend Nas.

Sweet Chick’s menu is an ode to the comfort food found across the southern states of the US, which means you’ll encounter the familiar likes of velvety mac ‘n’ cheese (here topped with a Ritz cracker crumb) and sticky chicken wings, alongside some dishes which are less well known on these shores.

The bucket of biscuits, available as a starter, was a standout for us. Forget your Rich Teas, as these US biscuits are made of soft dough and shaped to look like scones. They’re cooked in meat gravy, which is made from the drippings of cooked pork sausage, and taste like a sausage roll without the filling – the biscuits are given a flash of heat by a spicy house-made honey which is drizzled over them and served with an array of unconventional spreads, including a tangy lemon curd and a tart fermented jam.

Sweet Chick’s signature dish of chicken and waffles is available in a classic version, or can be pimped up with add-ons such as tomato sauce and mozzarella. We kept it classic on our visit, enjoying two helpings of crispy coated chicken and doughy waffles, the contrast of sweet and savoury and crunch and fluffiness working in perfect harmony.

We’d recommend finishing up with the decadent doughnut ice-cream sandwich (the filling changes daily), while post-dinner drinks could include signature cocktails that reference some of rap’s greatest hits. If you’re confused about what to order though, Sweet Chick’s army of fun, polite and knowledgeable staff are on hand to help.   

Restaurants with celebrity backing are nothing new, but this fried chicken and waffle spot has undeniable cool-factor thanks to being financially backed by world-famous rapper Nas. Sweet Chick was founded by restauranteur John Seymour alongside Nas back in 2013, with the original site opening in Brooklyn, New York.

Since then, Sweet Chick has gone on to become a mini chain, operating three more sites in New York as well as one in Los Angeles. This debut London site (and the group’s first international outpost) is found just off Oxford Street, on a former Carluccio’s site.

The restaurant features a main dining room and a dedicated bar which can seat around 60 guests combined, but there’s also an intimate terrace attached where diners can enjoy their food on warmer evenings. Speaking of the menu, it features the group’s signature dish of fried chicken and waffles, with the chicken having being brined overnight in sweet tea brine.

Much of the menu is inspired by the comfort food dishes seen across Southern American, so that means you can expect to find the classic likes of biscuits and gravy, which is a popular US breakfast dish that sees soft dough biscuits (similar in look to scones) which are covered in meat gravy, made from the drippings of cooked pork sausage, and often topped with bits of bacon, minced beef or other meat. You’ll also find shrimp and grits, another dish traditionally enjoyed at breakfast time which sees shrimp paired with corn - sort of like a polenta.  

The menu also features the more familiar likes of mac ‘n’ cheese, as well as a few dishes which have been inspired by Sweet Chick’s London location, while the extensive drinks list covers signature cocktails and local brews from London Fields Brewery. Dessert meanwhile, includes the decadent likes of a doughnut ice cream sandwich and a daily-changing sweet pie.