Episode Details

In this episode of The Perfect Bite, host Sarah Perkins sits down with Christine Cikowski, co-founder and co-owner of Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Sunday Dinner Club, two Chicago dining institutions rooted in comfort, community, and care.

Christine shares her unexpected journey from music business graduate to culinary entrepreneur, and how she built one of Chicago’s most iconic neighborhood restaurants. She opens up about the early days of Sunday Dinner Club, the magical accident that led to Honey Butter Fried Chicken’s signature dish, and how she and her partner Josh Kulp turned a humble idea into a phenomenon.

From navigating expansion and closing a suburban location, to cultivating a workplace where mistakes are part of growth, Christine’s story is a masterclass in leadership, humility, and hospitality.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Honey Butter Fried Chicken was born from an accidental recipe twist
• What it takes to build a restaurant brand with purpose and personality
• How to lead with empathy — and learn to be “really good at being wrong”
• The lessons of failure, resilience, and community through COVID and beyond
• How mentorship, creativity, and Zingerman’s philosophy shaped her approach to business

Make sure to visit Honey Butter Fried Chicken and TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago. You can sign up for the Sunday Dinner Club tasting series at www.sundaydinnerclub.com. 

You can follow Honey Butter Fried chicken on Instagram at @honeybutterchi; Sunday Dinner Club @sundaydinnerchi; TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop @tribeccassandwichshop; and Christine @christinecikowski.

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