Food+Drink

Chicken Eliminated

Eau Claire’s landmark chicken joint can’t find new owner

Trevor Kupfer, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

Ever since the Hastings Way construction got underway last year, Eau Clairians have been abuzz* about Chicken Unlimited – the red-and-white beacon of fried poultry that has staked its claim at 1410 S Hastings Way for a half-century until they closed due to an expected downturn in business. Well ever since December, rumors started flying about the reopening of the business – either because construction ended and people were getting antsy, or people heard about the interest in new ownership. Well the rumors officially ended a few weeks ago, when the Sederstrom family (who has owned the business since 2005) told the Leader-Telegram that the new owners fell through and the couple doesn’t plan to reopen it themselves. So what you may have thought to be a temporary break from greasy goodness may actually become the permanent end to this landmark. But, alas, there’s still a chance to save it. Mary Sederstrom said they’re still open to selling the business, either at that location or the rights to open it in another location. And let’s face it, people. This is chicken worth saving. And that’s not me talking. That’s you, if the five years of results in our Best Chicken category in the annual Best Of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll are to be believed. So drop by the closed location, dial the number hanging on the sign, and solve our collective fried chicken withdrawal.