Hot chicken in Bloomington, IL · since 2018The originalis back.
Hand-breaded hot chicken in Bloomington-Normal, made to order by people you know. Pick your heat, order ahead and skip the line.
4.6 from 1,371 Google reviewsHours
The one that started it allBloomington's favorite hot chicken sandwichThe OG Sando
$11Pair it with dill fries for $5
The Classic Fried Chicken Breast Sandwich w/Cider Vinegar Slaw, Pop Up Sauce, and Pickle all served on a Kaiser Bun.
Hand-breaded breastCider vinegar slawPop-Up saucePickleKaiser bun
Pick your heat
Make it the classic: add Dill FriesOur most-loved side, with zero 1-star reviews. $5
You'll choose your heat and sides on our online ordering page.
Hot chicken tenders, sandwiches & sidesFan favorites
Pulled Chicken Sando
Slow Braised Thighs w/Cider Vinegar Slaw,Pop Up Sauce,Pickle. With Housemade Hot Sauce of preferred Heat Level
$11+
Tempura Cheese Curds
Hand Battered to order Super fresh cured Tempura battered Cheese Curds These are not recommended for long travel from restaurant, we will honor the order but cannot guarantee the quality after it leaves here.
$6+
Only in Central IllinoisThe hot chicken horseshoe
Springfield invented the horseshoe. We made it hot. Nobody else in Bloomington builds it like this.
- Texas toast on the bottom
- Hand-breaded tenders at your heat
- A pile of dill fries
- Smoked Gouda cheese sauce over everything
Hot chicken reviews from Bloomington-NormalBloomington says
4.6
1,371 Google reviews
Read them on Google
Read them on Google
★★★★★
Just as good if not better.Google review · Oct 2026, on the new owners
★★★★★
Best chicken sandwich in a 300 miles radiusGoogle review · 2021
★★★★★
Best chicken sandwich in Bloomington-Normal!Google review · 2022
★★★★★
The hype is real!Google review · 2024
★★★★★
100/10 would come backGoogle review · 2021
★★★★★
Best chicken sandwich I have ever had.Google review · 2024
★★★★★
The dill fries were delicious!Google review · 2022
★★★★★
Just as good if not better.Google review · Oct 2026, on the new owners
★★★★★
Best chicken sandwich in a 300 miles radiusGoogle review · 2021
★★★★★
Best chicken sandwich in Bloomington-Normal!Google review · 2022
★★★★★
The hype is real!Google review · 2024
★★★★★
100/10 would come backGoogle review · 2021
★★★★★
Best chicken sandwich I have ever had.Google review · 2024
★★★★★
The dill fries were delicious!Google review · 2022
Locally owned hot chicken in BloomingtonNew owners. Same recipes. Crew first.
Pop-Up is now owned by local Bloomington restaurant owners. We kept the original recipes, kept the crew, and made a few promises we intend to keep.
Read our story01
The original recipeHand-breaded, made to order, the way people fell for it in 2018.
02
A crew that's taken care ofFair pay, holiday pay in writing, and owners who show up.
03
If it's not right, we fix itTell us. Every review gets read and answered.
Pickup, dine-in & catering in Bloomington-NormalGet your Pop-Up
Fastest
Order pickup
Order ahead online and grab it hot. Our best prices are on our own site.
Start an order → Feeds a crowdCatering
Tendo trays and sando spreads for offices, teams and parties.
Get a quote → Stay a whileDine in
Grab a table at 409 N Hershey Rd. Hours and directions.
Plan a visit → Give backFundraisers
Host a Pop-Up night for your school, team or nonprofit.
Host a night →@popuphotchicken on InstagramFresh from the fryer
409 N Hershey Rd, Bloomington, ILHours & location
Hours
| Sunday | 11am – 9pm |
| Monday | 11am – 9pm |
| Tuesday | 11am – 9pm |
| Wednesday | 11am – 9pm |
| Thursday | 11am – 9pm |
| Friday | 11am – 9pm |
| Saturday | 11am – 9pm |
- Address
- 409 N Hershey Rd, Bloomington, IL 61704
- Phone
- (309) 239-7080
- Order
- Online for pickup
Pop-Up Hot Chicken FAQQuestions
Where is Pop-Up Hot Chicken?
We're at 409 N Hershey Rd, Bloomington, IL 61704, on Bloomington's east side. We serve all of Bloomington-Normal.
What are your hours?
We're open every day from 11am to 9pm.
Can I order online for pickup?
Yes. Order on our website and your food is made to order and ready for pickup. Ordering direct with us is the best way to get our menu prices.
How hot is the hot chicken?
You pick: Mild, Medium or Hot. Mild is all flavor with a warm glow, Hot is for real heat lovers. You choose your heat when you order.
What is a horseshoe?
A Central Illinois classic from Springfield: Texas toast topped with meat, fries and cheese sauce. Ours is hand-breaded tenders, dill fries and smoked Gouda cheese sauce. Get the Mac Daddy to add mac and cheese.
Do you cater?
Yes. We cater offices, hospitals, schools, teams and parties across Bloomington-Normal. Tell us your date and headcount on our catering page and we'll get back to you.
Who owns Pop-Up Hot Chicken?
Pop-Up is now owned by a group of local Bloomington restaurant owners. We kept the original recipes and the crew, and we're building Pop-Up to be a great place to eat and to work.
Do you have vegetarian options?
Yes. Our Veggie "Chicken" Sando uses a plant-based patty, and sides like dill fries, Gouda mac and cheese and our salads are meat-free.
Hungry yet?
Order pickup