Founded in 2018, Big Chicken is Hall of Fame basketball star Shaquille O’Neal’s restaurant chain which will open it’s first midwest location at Austin Landing on Thursday, August 11th. Big Chicken franchisees Steve Christensen and Reid Richards have partnered with their longtime friend Ohio restauranteur Mike Craddick, signing an agreement to bring three Big Chicken locations to the Dayton area. Craddick previously owned the Nashville Hot franchise in this same space.

At the media preview night we were welcomed and invited to order off the menu. Trying the Shaq Attack– pepper jack cheese, jalapeno slaw, spicy chipotle bbq sauce and the Uncle Jerome– Nashville hot chicken, lettuce, mayou and pickles, Dirty Fries– cheese sauce, bacon, banana peppers and chipotle ranch and Lucille’s Mac N’ Cheese– named after Shaq’s mom, using her recipe and topped with a cheez it crust. The menu has been created by two of Shaqu’s friends that are Chefs. They’ve fused O’Neal’s home-cooked childhood favorites with today’s trending flavors. The sandwiches were tasty, the chicken moist and the sauces allowed you to customize your meal to your taste. Other options include chicken tenders, sliders, popcorn chicken and a caesar or cobb salad.

Save room for dessert- Big Chicken offers 4 options of their ice cream sandwiches, we tried Grandma’s Banana Pudding and the Rocky Road and we were both licking our fingers.

And while Shaq wasn’t there for the opening, you can stand in his size 24 shoe prints as you grab your beverages, which feature Pepsi products, 4 flavored ice tea’s, lemonade or Shaq’s favorite pineapple drink.

There is also a catering menu with Platters that serve, 10, 20 and 30 and box lunches (minimum order of 10) that run 11.75/box. Craddick shared that the next 2 locations will be in Beavercreek and West Chester, as well as out west in Phoenix and Utah.