BoulderSooner
11-12-2024, 08:57 AM
Yeah, for those who haven’t been, the original Chicken Shack fronts Route 66 in Arcadia, just a bit east of the famous round barn. It’s only a few years old (maybe 5) in that location, but originally started (maybe as long as 20 years ago) on the edge of Luther, also fronting Route 66, next to a gas station. It was a pretty huge success in Luther; always packed when I’d pass by on motorcycle rides, though I never stopped in.
As mentioned, a few years ago it moved to Arcadia. Not sure if there was a reason to leave Luther other than growth, although in speaking with one of the bartenders I think there might be a McClendon family investment tie-in. This would make a lot of sense, and if I’m not mistaken the rather large property it now sits on is part of Arcadia Farms, which is owned by the McClendon family.
It seems like if that is the case it might also explain the expansion to north Western, which was also once a focus of Aubrey McClendon’s real estate investments. I’m not sure who owns that building. The assessor’s site says that it was purchased by C & HP Investments LLC, addressed in Edmond, property transferred in 2007. This roughly matches up with when McClendon was aggressively buying up Western Avenue properties, so it wouldn’t be surprising to me if there were an AKM connection. I’m definitely not saying this is the case; just thinking out loud and trying to connect dots. If anyone has more detail that would be great.
Anyway, back to the OG Arcadia Chicken Shack: it’s worth a visit if you haven’t been. The chicken is pretty good in my experience, but in fairness I’ve only actually EATEN THERE once, and it was only strips on a quick stop-in with a beer. So I’m specifically not giving an informed food review. I’ve stopped at the place multiple other times simply to cool off or to avoid rain, and it’s quite the place.
The facility itself is the headline. It’s sprawling, both indoors and out. They have an indoor space, plus a very large indoor/outdoor space that stays reasonably cool in the summertime, and a vast outdoor space, some of which is developed and some of which is more pasture-like. Fire pits, giant jenga, cornhole, all of the things. They regularly have live music, pretty good live music in my experience.
Anyway, I know this thread is about the Western Ave location, but wanted to clear up the history/location of the original (it’s not Steak and Catfish Barn), which might also give some hints to the business approach of the new location (though they couldn’t be any more different spatially).
they also have a location in Harrah .. that does very well .
As mentioned, a few years ago it moved to Arcadia. Not sure if there was a reason to leave Luther other than growth, although in speaking with one of the bartenders I think there might be a McClendon family investment tie-in. This would make a lot of sense, and if I’m not mistaken the rather large property it now sits on is part of Arcadia Farms, which is owned by the McClendon family.
It seems like if that is the case it might also explain the expansion to north Western, which was also once a focus of Aubrey McClendon’s real estate investments. I’m not sure who owns that building. The assessor’s site says that it was purchased by C & HP Investments LLC, addressed in Edmond, property transferred in 2007. This roughly matches up with when McClendon was aggressively buying up Western Avenue properties, so it wouldn’t be surprising to me if there were an AKM connection. I’m definitely not saying this is the case; just thinking out loud and trying to connect dots. If anyone has more detail that would be great.
Anyway, back to the OG Arcadia Chicken Shack: it’s worth a visit if you haven’t been. The chicken is pretty good in my experience, but in fairness I’ve only actually EATEN THERE once, and it was only strips on a quick stop-in with a beer. So I’m specifically not giving an informed food review. I’ve stopped at the place multiple other times simply to cool off or to avoid rain, and it’s quite the place.
The facility itself is the headline. It’s sprawling, both indoors and out. They have an indoor space, plus a very large indoor/outdoor space that stays reasonably cool in the summertime, and a vast outdoor space, some of which is developed and some of which is more pasture-like. Fire pits, giant jenga, cornhole, all of the things. They regularly have live music, pretty good live music in my experience.
Anyway, I know this thread is about the Western Ave location, but wanted to clear up the history/location of the original (it’s not Steak and Catfish Barn), which might also give some hints to the business approach of the new location (though they couldn’t be any more different spatially).
they also have a location in Harrah .. that does very well .