Alexander Alusheff

Lansing State Journal

LANSING – Hot Chicken Kitchen will replace Tom + Chee on Washington Square.

The grilled cheese restaurant closed in April after three years of operation, said Corey Ward, co-founder of the Cincinnati-based franchise. Because it was operated by a franchisee, Ward declined to discuss the exact reason the store closed.

The menu at Hot Chicken Kitchen revolves around Nashville-style fried chicken, which is spicy, served with toast and topped with pickles. Sides include mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole and collard greens, said Tom Pugh, the new operator of the restaurant at 123 S. Washington Square.

The restaurant will open next month. Renovations are ongoing.

“There’s nothing like this in downtown Lansing,” said Pugh, of Grand Rapids. “We’re surrounded by sandwich shops.”

Hot Chicken Kitchen launched earlier this year with locations in Hilliard, Ohio and Madison, Alabama. Lansing will be its third location, Pugh said.

Alexander Alusheff is a reporter at the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at (517) 388-5973 or aalusheff@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexalusheff.