CHATHAM — A former Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) location on the South Side, which closed suddenly earlier this year, is set to reopen soon as Baba’s Famous Steak & Lemonade, a fast-food restaurant known for its cheesesteak sandwiches.
The building at 8307 S. King Drive has been repainted bright yellow in preparation for the grand opening of the new Baba’s.
The restaurant, which offers a menu featuring chicken, catfish, and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, will be ready to serve customers within the next couple of weeks, according to owner Sameh Muthana.
Muthana shared that the business received its retail food establishment license on August 14, as confirmed by Elisa Sledzinska, a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
This Chatham location will be Muthana’s third Baba’s Famous Steak & Lemonade. He also owns outlets in West Pullman at 7 E. 111th Street and in south suburban Dolton.
The new restaurant will take the place of the KFC that unexpectedly closed earlier this year. The Chatham KFC was one of three South Side locations shut down by a franchisee, alongside restaurants in Greater Grand Crossing at 7508 S. Lafayette Street and Bronzeville at 300 E. 35th Street.
The abrupt closure of these locations sparked frustration among community members, particularly because the Chatham KFC had recently undergone renovations, including fresh paint and a resurfaced parking lot. The business was suddenly boarded up without any prior notice to the neighborhood.
In response to the closures, a KFC spokesperson described the franchisee’s decision as “a normal course of business,” acknowledging the difficulty of such decisions but expressing gratitude for the support of loyal customers. The spokesperson encouraged patrons to visit other KFC locations in the area.
News of Baba’s Famous Steak & Lemonade opening quickly spread online, particularly after long-time Chatham resident Worlee Glover criticized the restaurant’s bright yellow paint job on the neighborhood platform Nextdoor. Many neighbors voiced their disapproval of another fried food establishment opening in the area and criticized the building’s new exterior color as “unaesthetic.”
Ora Jackson, who has lived in Chatham for 46 years, learned about the new restaurant through Nextdoor. She mentioned that the owners of Baba’s did not seek input from the community, and as a result, several residents are planning to boycott the establishment.
Ald. William Hall (6th Ward), whose ward includes the new restaurant, issued a statement acknowledging the legality of the decision to open Baba’s but expressed concern about its impact on the community. Hall emphasized his commitment to supporting businesses that genuinely contribute to the well-being of the neighborhood.
Muthana, however, stated that he had not been in contact with the previous KFC owners or with Ald. Hall. He discovered the King Drive property through a real estate agent and decided to take over the space. Muthana said he hadn’t considered holding a community meeting but would be open to the idea.
There are several Baba’s Famous Steak & Lemonade locations on the South Side, noted LaVonne Banks, a Chatham resident since 2015. She highlighted that a Baba’s in East Chatham is just a five-minute drive from the new King Drive location, while another in Grand Crossing is six minutes away. Additional Baba’s locations are scattered across the South and West sides of the city.
“We don’t need any more Baba’s, and we don’t need another KFC,” Banks said. “They don’t invest in us or try to upgrade the community. They don’t do anything for young or elderly people. They’re just here for profit.”
Banks expressed a desire for healthier options in the neighborhood. “We have liquor stores and beauty parlors. It would be nice if it was a produce store. We need wellness,” she said.
Despite the criticism, Muthana is moving forward with his plans. He intends to offer grand opening specials and distribute flyers throughout the community when the restaurant opens.
“All I can say is come in and try it, and judge it based on that,” Muthana said. “I can’t wait to meet the community, and hopefully, I’m welcome in the area.”