Chef Michael DiBianca and Venu Gaddamidi of Ciro Food & Drink are teaming up to open The Chicken Spot./Photo by Danielle Bouchat-Friedman
UPDATE: The location opened on Nov. 11
**Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on our Dining Insider blog in July 2019.
Chef Michael DiBianca made his triumphant return to the kitchen this winter when he teamed up with Venu Gaddamidi to open Ciro Food & Drink. The petite restaurant has since been captivating diners with its creative Mediterranean/New American cuisine.
But the dynamic duo has decided to tackle yet another restaurant opening with a much different concept. Gaddamidi and DiBianca are planning to open The Chicken Spot in early August, an upscale fast food restaurant with a menu centered on chicken.
DiBianca, a multi-time James Beard Award semifinalist, will lead the kitchen with help from Brad Rust, the Chef De Cuisine at Ciro. (Rust will fill the same role at The Chicken Spot.)
RELATED: Chef Michael DiBianca Brings His Unique Style to Ciro Food and Drink
The restaurant will open in the former Benjamins on 10th location, and will offer soups, salads, sandwiches, fried and roasted chicken and many sides. Gaddamidi believes that downtown Wilmington is in need of a lunch spot that serves healthy options.
“While there are plenty of lunch spots downtown, one thing was missing—a lunch that is delicious, healthy, quick, full of quality ingredients and under $10,” Gaddamidi said. “We are providing downtown with the dining option it very much needs.”
But of all the foods to focus on, why chicken?
“It’s the most overlooked protein. Most take it for granted. We are going to make chicken great again,” Gaddamidi promised. View the menu at chickenspotde.com.
More information:
The Chicken Spot
204 W. 10th St., Wilmington
Hours—Monday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Closed Saturday and Sunday
facebook.com/thechickenspotde
