Lakers icon Shaq brings his Big Chicken restaurant to Glendale

Lakers icon Shaquille O’Neal’s quick and casual chicken restaurant – featuring sandwiches like Shaq Daddy and Big Aristotle – is expected to arrive in Glendale by the end of the year.

Big Chicken will open in a 2,600 square foot space across from the Americana at Brand, according to Matthew Silverman, managing partner of the restaurant. It will occupy a retail space at 252 South Brand.

This is the restaurant’s second location, which opened its first location last year in Las Vegas.

“Southern California, you know I love you,” O’Neal said in a video breaking the news on Instagram.

“People always ask, when is Big Chicken coming? When is Big Chicken coming? he says in the video. “Well I’m here to tell you, late 2019 in Glendale, CA: bok bok, bok bok. “

According to Silverman, “SoCal has a special place in O’Neal’s heart,” referring to the former basketball star’s tenure with the Lakers.

“He had been there for so long. He has a house there. he added. “It made sense. “

The menu will be very similar to Vegas’ flagship restaurant, which is anchored by crispy chicken sandwiches, sporting names related to the Shaq.

One sandwich, the MDE – named after O’Neal’s self-proclaimed title “Most Dominant Ever” – includes a condiment called “Shaq sauce” and pickles.

Chicken sliders, salads and sides are also offered on the menu.

While the hope is to open before the holiday season, the schedule is still strengthening, Silverman said.

Nationwide expansion is underway, he added.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.