Kansas City staple Chicken N Pickle has opened a much-anticipated location at 1500 S. Main St. in St. Charles, and for St. Louisans, competition has never tasted better. The Travis Kelce-approved venue combines classic soul food with pickleball – the trendy paddle sport fit for all ages.
Founded in 2016 by Kansas City native Dave Johnson, the indoor-outdoor complex specializes in a block party atmosphere. St. Charles’ 75,000-square-foot eat-and-play concept boasts three full-service bars (seating between 10 and 35 plus), six indoor pickleball courts, four outdoor courts (two covered), fire pits, large TVs, a stage for live music, private event space, a game yard (complete with cornhole, ping pong, bocce, Battleship and Jenga) and a seasonal outdoor ice rink. With a capacity of around 2,000, guests can find seating indoors or outdoors, and groups of up to eight can even book a private igloo. “Skating under the twinkling lights while also catching a Blues game on the outdoor TVs? There’s nothing better!” says St. Charles’ social media manager Chloe Lane.
Chicken N Pickle has 11 locations across the country, but each spot has something unique. For St. Charles, the architecture done by Populous resembles only the Glendale location. Guests can also find the St. Charles flag painted on one of the outdoor courts. “We want each Chicken N Pickle to feel local to the cities we build in and less like another ‘chain restaurant.’ The strong sense of community and pride in St. Charles made it the perfect place to create a fun spot that feels like home for locals while welcoming visitors to experience what makes this city so special,” says Lane.
Of course, Chicken N Pickle has more than lively ambiance: It has good eats too. The ethically sourced menu offers healthy choices for hardcore pickleball players and signature comfort foods for the ultimate cookout vibe. Many dishes feature 24-hour citrus-brined rotisserie chicken cooked over a live oak wood-fire grill. Often complete with a pink smoke ring, the tender meat shines as chicken Tinga but can be ordered in customizable quarter or half sizes as well (including four seasoning options and an array of sweet and spicy sauces). Other popular menu items include the Pickled Chicken sandwich, house-smoked wings, fried pickles and Lane’s favorite, the NKC Hot Chicken sandwich (covered in spicy slaw, pickles and hot sauce on a potato bun).
For a poultry alternative, try the Flat Burger, pulled pork sandwich or quinoa-based Power Bowl (topped with avocado, pepitas and citrus vinaigrette). In the middle of a match, pass around shareables of chorizo queso, deviled eggs or tostadas. Although it centers chicken, the menu is always evolving. “We added a few new wrap options – veggie, Caesar and Buffalo — in addition to red pepper hummus. We will be rolling out some new options in the spring, so we are looking forward to that,” says Lane.
In addition to the wide-ranging menu, founder Dave Johnson loves how pickleball’s approachability makes Chicken N Pickle a place of connection. “Whether it’s through meeting new people on the pickleball courts, sharing a drink at the bar, or coming together for a community event, our goal is to create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable to spend their free time,” says Lane. “Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive community where families, friends and colleagues can create memories.”
