We love our chicken around these parts, so it’s just necessary to update folks when there is any change in the chicken landscape! I’ve known since last week and I just have been covered up with other news, but the latest is that Slim Chickens will be opening on July 13th, and yes, they have applied for an alcohol permit.
Other restaurants on the chicken horizon:
Popeye’s Chicken now owns the Back Yard Burgers building in Bryant, but BYB is renting from them until the changeover. They need to add onto the building for something or other, so there are permits to obtain from the City of Bryant and that takes a little time to get it passed through the Planning & Zoning Committee and then on to the City Council meeting. It could be Fall before anything moves there.
Zaxby’s Chicken is turning the gears pretty quickly on a new location next to McDonald’s at Alcoa and Interstate 30. Expect to be able to eat there within several weeks.
Buffalo Wild Wings is going in along with Holiday Inn Express on the other side of Interstate 30 and Alcoa Road. That will likely be a couple of months before any wings indeed get wild.
Lastly, KFC in Benton on Military has ditched their old location for a sparkly new building just across East Street. It looks like only a few weeks before opening. UPDATE: The word is that it’s opening on Sunday, July 12. Their old location, along with the office buildings behind it, will become a CVS Drugstore eventually.
We’re headed to the ribbon cutting for Slim Chickens joining the Benton Chamber and also, today is their grand opening!
Comment by Shelli Poole on July 8, 2015 at 12:12pm
I heard that Panda Express was a maybe, so…
(top left in the pic in this blog: https://www.mysaline.com/profiles/blogs/big-new-benton-shopping-cent…)
…I tried one while I was in Bentonville during spring break. I found it to be about 3 out of 5 stars, but it was nearly closing time. If you don’t know, it’s a cafeteria-style (not buffet) Chinese restaurant. You pick a main a side and a drink or you can go big and add to it. Moderately priced. No more than going to McAlister’s or Chili’s for a meal, but not as cheap as McDonald’s.
Comment by guy chenault on July 8, 2015 at 11:53am
Based on the number of cars lined up at China on the Go in Bryant every evening for unremarkable Chinese food I would think someone could make a fortune building something similar at the Alcoa location. Panda Express? I have heard rumors..
Comment by Shelli Poole on July 8, 2015 at 11:08am
A lot of people are surprised by the number of chicken restaurants in proximity, but think about how many burger places are dotting our landscape, right next to each other. BK, McD, Wendy’s, Sonic, BYB, dairy bars & more. That’s not even counting all the other places that serve steak and ribs. People are swarming to the area. Restaurants are good. Rest assured, these restaurants do their research before they build here and have a really good idea of whether they will do well. Academy & Kroger are just the tip of the iceberg, kids. Get ready to really boom.
Comment by Geno Hunter on July 7, 2015 at 8:47pm
yeah, I get that whole overpopulated “chicken” thing. There’s a Slim Chickens on Markham across from UAMS, it’s ok, but nothing special in my opinion. And Zaxby’s #2 in Benton is really close to Zaxby’s #1 in Bryant, so the pissing match continues…At least Buffalo Wild Wings offers different fair outside of wings that are different..and has a good drink menu.
Comment by guy chenault on July 7, 2015 at 8:01pm
Call me nitpickin on chicken but wouldn’t it be nice to have a new restaurant that serves something besides…. chicken? Have to admit that I do like Buffalo Wild Wings and they have other stuff on their menu.
Comment by Jennifer Vaughn on July 7, 2015 at 7:59pm
Ty on update. Glad for new places but how about something different or not chicken saline co? Lol
Comment by Allen Wright on July 7, 2015 at 6:43pm
My daughter in law is working at Slim Chickens.They are training daily.Should be open soon.
Comment by Shelli Poole on July 7, 2015 at 5:57pm
I’ve never been to a Slim Chickens, so I’m interested in what they have to offer. Dave, the photo above is of the north side of the restaurant, it faces west, toward Alcoa Road / Landers Dodge across the street.
Comment by Geno Hunter on July 7, 2015 at 5:26pm
slim chickens will be free standing next to Academy Sports