Just four days since opening a location in Long Beach, chef and owner of The Chicken Bodega, Rob White, is hard at work during a lunch rush. With a small staff of four, White pivots between taking orders, training employees, slathering sauce on lightly toasted ciabatta rolls and tending the grill.

The chicken strips are breaded by hand and double brined, the legs, fire grilled to perfection, the Bodega Chicken Sandwich, is a crispy, fried delight, with red cabbage coleslaw, garlic aioli and pickles layered on top. It’s all pretty simple and delicious.

In 2019, White opened his first location in Whittier with a former business partner he’d met on a flight home from New York. After eight years in the industry, White had been waiting for the opportunity to open up his own establishment.

Since his partner left the biz, White has worked on building out the menu even more and, quite recently, found another opportunity in Long Beach. Originally from Seal Beach, White has spent many an evening strolling Second Street with friends in search of good food and seized the opportunity to open a second The Chicken Bodega in Belmont Shore.

With constant customer traffic on a Tuesday afternoon, we’re guessing the locals are already digging the new spot, but don’t take our word for it, try it yourself (or watch the video).

The Chicken Bodega is located at 5327 E. Second St. For more info, visit thechickenbodega.com. The restaurant will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and reopen Dec. 26 at 11 a.m.