“Is Bussin'”: Set to Take Over the United States, Is Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken a Fan Favorite? Here’s What They Have to Say

When Big Chicken Shaq opened its doors in 2018, it was the celebrity appeal behind it that drew the crowds. The same people then started returning for the food. Shaquille O’Neal was eager to bring the kind of food he loved and grew up on in the ’80s to the masses in his own fast casual dining concept. From a dozen locations, it’s grown to 300 locations in development. Chicken lovers flock to Big Chicken Shaq locations to eat like the Los Angeles Lakers icon. There’s no doubt Shaq knows his food, and he knows what people will love.

The NBA legend has been hands-on in creating the menu with his chefs and business partners. He’s given every dish a character and story and it only seems to add to the appeal.

Shaquille O’Neal’s faves become fan faves

Chicken was a staple in a young Shaquille O’Neal’s household and the love translated all the way to 2018 when he opened his first Big Chicken Shaq restaurant in Las Vegas. He’s one of the many foodies who would hunt the farthest corners of the earth for a chicken sandwich. But when you have the resources of an NBA pro-turned-analyst, you can make sure the perfect sandwich quest ends at your doorstep.

The MDE – Most Dominant Ever – is O’Neal’s go-to at Big Chicken Shaq. Topped with pickle slaw and the eponymous ‘Shaq sauce’, it’s a nod to his NBA career with three NBA Finals MVP titles and 15 All-Star selections.

He doesn’t just put his name on everything. He’s building a character for each dish. That’s why Big Chicken Shaq added the Charles Barkley to its menu in 2022. Named after his Inside the NBA co-host he’s constantly teasing, the Barkley sandwich comes packed with mac and cheese, fried onions, and roasted garlic barbecue aioli. As Shaq described, “It’s a sloppy sandwich for a sloppy guy.” Always nice to express yourself with food.

YouTube food reviewer with over 9.59k subscribers, Foodieherb, was smacking his fingers eating a sloppy sandwich off the Big Chicken menu. “Chicken is crunchy, it’s juicy. The Shaq sauce is bussin’, the cheese give it a creaminess, the bun is buttery,” and most importantly, “You got chicken hanging out the side of the bun.” That literally speaks Big Chicken.

When one of the first locations opened in Chicago’s Rosemont area, diners queued up for several blocks to get their hands on a chicken sandwich. It appears Chicago loves the Uncle Jerome. This sandwich is named after O’Neal’s friend and bodyguard, Jerome Crawford, who loves to put hot sauce on his food.

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For its first day in Chicago, Big Chicken gave the Windy City a nod with a special ‘Stan-wich,’ where the buns were replaced with the Stan’s glazed donut. Right there in Michael Jordan’s territory, Big Chicken also flaunted their popular dessert, the ‘Big Cookie’ which is the size of an NBA basketball’s circumference.

More locations mean more mouths to feed

In 2021, Big Chicken embarked on its grand franchising expedition. Currently, 300 locations are in development across the country. At least 50 of those will open in Texas and about 20 are in the works in Michigan.

It’s now a thing that whenever a Big Chicken Shaq opens in a city, fans and food bloggers flock to it to try its acclaimed menu. Texas-based food and travel show, Texas Eats checked out a kiosk version of Big Chicken. The restaurant group is adding more accessible versions at the movies and sports arenas like this one that’s also offering self-checkout. The fun part is there are boxes pre-made at the counter and you can pick one up, scan a QR code, and purchase your meals.

Making people happy is the mission of Big Chicken. That showed when YouTuber Byron Tries visited the Glendale, California location. The popcorn chicken, from its crispiness to its seasoning, seemed to hit just right. With massive expansion plans, the enticing menu is making those goals look within reach of Big Chicken Shaq.

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