Are you hunting for a delicious and festive dining experience? The Chicken Koop in Uptown Whittier offers a global fusion of chicken deliciousness at a reasonable price.
The Chicken Koop claims oven-roasted chicken as its its specialty, but there is something for everyone, from traditional Mexican offerings like pozole, tacos, enchiladas, and empanadas to Indian-themed curry wraps and Naan bread, Mediterranean shawarma, Brazilian chimichurri, Canadian poutine (the owner self-identifies as Mexican-Canadian), and chicken tenders and waffles for the kids.
Unrivaled Flavor
Ricardo Basutro, Manager of The Chicken Koop, credits the popularity of the restaurant to their amazing chicken. “Our chicken is marinated 24 hours. So that’s why the flavor of the chicken is really good. All the sauces and sides are homemade as well.” To complement their delicious food, the restaurant also offers an impressive drink menu.
Customers order take out at the counter or sit down for traditional service in the indoor dining room or outside patio. The dining room features lively music and bright, beautiful murals, the largest of which features three crowing roosters.
Conquering the Menu
A beloved Whittier establishment for nearly a decade, my children have long had the ambition to conquer The Chicken Koop’s menu. Although we haven’t tried every item there yet, but as a garlic enthusiast I whole-heartedly recommend both the Chicken Wrap and the Garlic Chicken Plate. The wrap is shredded chicken in Naan bread with garlic spread, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and grilled onions, served with a cabbage salad, tortilla strips and a dipping sauce of your choice. I recommend the Sweet Chili Thai sauce or the Persian-style garlic spread. The Garlic chicken plate is half a roasted chicken bathed in garlic sauce and topped with toasted garlic, served over white rice, with sides of Naan bread and balsamic Brussels’ sprouts dusted with cotija cheese.
Sunday Brunch Options
Sunday brunch features fried chicken, waffles, several different breakfast sandwiches, French toast, and chicken tenders. For those over 21, The Chicken Koop offers a mimosa kit, $30 for one bottle of champagne and two choices of fresh juice. Yum!
If you come for Sunday brunch, you may face some parking struggles. There are several churches in the area and the neighboring public parking lot and streets can be crowded. Last Sunday’s morning revelry was an interesting mix of clientele, families, ladies at birthday lunch, well-dressed post-church attendees and a few young men nursing their hangovers, singing the praises of the house Pozole as the cure all.
Basutro sees the restaurant’s mission as providing great food and a good experience to the community “We bring families together here, because when you share a meal with someone, you’re not sharing just a meal. It’s actually like sharing a moment.”
Opened in 2016, Whittier was the first The Chicken Koop restaurant. However, there are two other locations in Downey and Alhambra.
The Chicken Koop
12824 Hadley St. Ste. 105, Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 464-0322
Online ordering: thechickenkoop.com
Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
