A new fast-casual chicken restaurant called Hencraft has opened in downtown Buffalo, claiming to be the second-best chicken creation from the city. The eatery held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday and began serving customers the following day at 11 a.m.
Hencraft, a new fried chicken spot, launched operations in the space previously occupied by Bocce Club Pizza, located at the corner of Delaware Avenue and West Chippewa Street, adjacent to Starbucks. The restaurant emphasizes portable meals like chicken sandwiches and tenders, designed for on-the-go eating.
During the ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday, John Kolaski, president of Patina Group, highlighted the brand's local roots. "This brand started in our thinktank in Buffalo, and it feels right for Buffalo to be the first place it comes to life," Kolaski stated earlier this month. He added that the menu offers "big flavor and big personality" for the hometown crowd.
Kolaski also distinguished Hencraft from traditional Buffalo fare. "We can give credit to the Buffalo wing, Buffalo chicken. We all love it, we all eat a lot of it. This is a little bit different. This is a handheld. This is to take on the go," he explained. Options include chicken sandwiches, tenders, and future gluten-free choices, with sides like fried pickles mentioned as suitable for quick stops, such as drives along Delaware Avenue or trips to the Walden Galleria via the 33.
The opening underscores Buffalo's ongoing evolution in the fast-casual dining scene, building on the city's renowned chicken traditions.