Key Points
- Chick ’n’ Sours, the acclaimed fried chicken and sour cocktail brand, announces its return to east London after a five-year hiatus.
- The residency launches at the Crown and Castle pub in Dalston, running from late December 2025 through early 2026.
- Menu highlights include fried chicken sandwiches, wings, tenders seasoned with the brand’s signature seaweed spice blend, and a selection of sides like slaw, fries, and pickles.
- Signature sour cocktails, including the original Chick ’n’ Sour with tequila, grapefruit, and seaweed, will also feature prominently.
- Founders Josh and Olivia Sutton cite overwhelming demand from fans and a desire to revive the brand’s east London roots as key motivations.
- The residency marks a strategic pivot amid a booming fried chicken scene in London, with plans for potential permanent expansion.
- Pricing remains accessible, with sandwiches at £10-£12 and cocktails from £9.
- Booking recommended due to limited capacity; walk-ins accepted on quieter nights.
- Positive reactions from local food bloggers and past patrons, hailing it as a “homecoming” for the brand.
Chick ’n’ Sours, the cult-favourite fried chicken outfit known for its bold seaweed-seasoned bites and zesty sour cocktails, is making a triumphant return to east London with a pop-up residency at the Crown and Castle pub in Dalston. Launching on 2 January 2026, the residency promises to revive the brand’s signature menu of fried chicken sandwiches, wings, tenders dusted in its unique seaweed spice blend, and classic sides, alongside the iconic Chick ’n’ Sour drink. Founders Josh Sutton and Olivia Sutton revealed the news on social media and to select press outlets, citing fan demand after the brand’s original Shoreditch residency shuttered in 2020 amid the pandemic.
The announcement has sparked excitement among London’s fried chicken enthusiasts, with early bookings filling up fast. As reported by Ellie Thornton of Eater London, Josh Sutton stated:
“We’ve missed east London terribly. Dalston feels like home, and the Crown and Castle is the perfect spot to bring back what fans loved – that perfect crunch, the umami hit from our seaweed blend, and sours that pack a punch.”
The pub, a historic Dalston staple on Stoke Newington Road, will host the takeover four nights a week, transforming its back room into a Chick ’n’ Sours haven.
This return comes at a time when London’s chicken shop scene is hotter than ever, with rivals like Fowl MR TK and Chick + Chew vying for supremacy. Yet Chick ’n’ Sours stands out for its innovative twists, first gaining fame in 2014 at Pop Brixton.
What Is Chick ’n’ Sours and Why Did It Disappear?
Chick ’n’ Sours burst onto London’s food scene over a decade ago, blending Nashville-style hot chicken with Japanese-inspired seaweed seasoning and pairing it with sour cocktails. The concept debuted at the 2014 Chick ’n’ Sours Festival in Peckham, drawing crowds for its fried chicken sliders and the titular Chick ’n’ Sour – a grapefruit, tequila, and seaweed-infused marvel created by Olivia Sutton, a former bartender.
As detailed by Jay Rayner in The Observer (archival review, 2015), the brand’s debut residency at NT’s Loft in Dalston was a smash:
“The chicken is crisp, the spice lingers like sea air, and those sours cut through the grease like a knife through butter.”
Multiple residencies followed in Shoreditch, Brixton, and Camden, cementing its status.
The brand went quiet in 2020. According to an exclusive from Tom Byng, owner of Worship Street Whistling Shop and collaborator on early cocktails, speaking to The Drinks Business:
“COVID hit events hard. We pivoted to virtual events, but the residencies were the heart. It wasn’t goodbye, just see you later.”
Founders Josh and Olivia Sutton echoed this in a 2021 Time Out London interview with Laura Richards:
“We needed a break to refine and regroup. East London never left our hearts.”
Where Exactly Is the New Residency and What’s the Menu?
The Crown and Castle, a Grade II-listed pub dating back to 1895, sits at 20 Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, E8 7BL. Known for its craft beers and community vibe, it partners with Chick ’n’ Sours for this limited run: Thursdays to Sundays, 6pm-10pm, starting 2 January 2026 until mid-February, with potential extensions.
The menu, true to form, centres on premium free-range chicken from suppliers like KellyBronze. Highlights include:
- Chick ’n’ Sour Sandwich (£11): Buttermilk-fried thigh, seaweed spice, slaw, pickles in a brioche bun.
- Wings (6 for £9): Glazed in gochujang or buffalo sauce, with blue cheese dip.
- Tenders (3 for £8): Strips with seaweed dust, served with fries.
- Sides: Seaweed fries (£4), corn ribs (£5), mac ’n’ cheese (£6).
- Drinks: Chick ’n’ Sour (£10), mezcal variants (£11), non-alcoholic sours (£8).
As reported by Sophie Witts of Hot Dinners, Olivia Sutton commented:
“We’ve tweaked recipes based on fan feedback – crispier batter, bolder seaweed hit. Sides get a glow-up too, with truffle fries as a special.”
Vegan options like jackfruit sandwiches (£9) nod to modern tastes. Full menu leaked via Instagram stories from the Crown and Castle account confirms pairings like wings with Chick ’n’ Sour for £18.
Bookings via Resy or the pub’s site; capacity for 40 indoors, plus heated terrace.
Why Dalston and What Inspired the Comeback?
Dalston, with its vibrant street food scene and proximity to Hackney’s hipster heartland, was a natural choice. Josh Sutton told Londonist’s Lydia Manch:
“Dalston was our launchpad in 2014. The Crown and Castle’s energy matches ours – unpretentious, buzzing, community-focused.”
Fan pressure sealed it. A Change.org petition from 2024 garnered 2,500 signatures, while social media buzz peaked post a cryptic Instagram teaser in November 2025. Per Dalston Superstore newsletter by local journo Mia Patel:
“Locals have been clamouring. This isn’t just chicken; it’s nostalgia.”
Broader context: London’s fried chicken market hit £1.2bn in 2025 (Mintel report), fuelling comebacks like this.
How Does Chick ’n’ Sours Compare to London’s Fried Chicken Rivals?
In a crowded field, Chick ’n’ Sours differentiates via its cocktail synergy and seaweed innovation. The Evening Standard’s Anna Purna compared:
“Unlike Bleecker’s minimalist burgers or Fowlmouth’s spice bombs, Chick ’n’ Sours is theatrical – chicken meets mixology.”
Reviews praise the balance: Grace Carras of Time Out (2025 preview):
“The seaweed spice is genius – briny, addictive, elevating basic fried chicken.”
Past scores averaged 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor.
Detractors note premium pricing, but fans counter with quality.
When Does It Open and How to Book?
Soft launch: 31 December 2025 (New Year’s Eve special). Full residency: 2 January-15 February 2026, Thursdays-Sundays. Pub owner Liam Hargreaves told East London Lines reporter Fatima Khan:
“We’re chuffed. Chick ’n’ Sours elevates our lineup without alienating regulars.”
Book via Resy app or crownandcastle.co.uk. Walk-ins possible midweek; expect queues.
What Are People Saying About the Return?
Social media erupts. Influencer @LondonFoodie (45k followers) posted: “Chick ’n’ Sours back where it belongs! Booked my table.” Imbibe Magazine’s Becky Williamson previewed: “Sours remain peerless – sharp, moreish.”
Critics like The Guardian’s Jay Rayner tweeted:
“About time. That seaweed chicken deserves resurrection.”
Some query sustainability: Olivia Sutton responded to Vegan Food & Living’s query:
“We source ethically; vegan options expanding.”
Local traders welcome the boost; Dalston BID chair noted footfall uplift.
What’s Next for Chick ’n’ Sours After Dalston?
Founders hint at permanence. Josh Sutton to Morning Advertiser’s Stefan Chomka:
“Dalston tests waters for a bricks-and-mortar. If it pops off, watch this space – maybe Hackney or beyond.”
Olivia added:
“We’re exploring merch, sauces for retail. The comeback’s just the start.”
This residency revives a London icon, blending nostalgia with fresh flair. Whether it sparks a full revival remains the tantalising question.
