B.J. Novak’s pop-up series Chain will open as a permanent food hall in Los Angeles this fall, featuring a lineup of celebrity chefs reimagining iconic dishes from major restaurant brands.
A New Food Hall in Topanga
Starting on Sept. 2, the food hall will host a six-month residency at Topanga Social inside the Westfield Topanga Mall in the Los Angeles suburbs. The venue will host four chefs who have created their own versions of chain restaurant classics.
Chain began as an invitation-only dinner series where culinary stars experimented with nostalgic items like Red Lobster biscuits and Chili’s egg rolls. It later expanded into a festival and event space. The upcoming food hall iteration represents a permanent shift in the operation.
Chefs Reimagining the Classics
Roy Choi, the chef behind Locol and Best Friend, developed a Charred Chicken Teriyaki Bowl. The dish features charred chicken thighs served over California white rice with scallions and toasted sesame seeds glazed in a Sweet Garlic Teriyaki sauce. Choi said he frequently visited food courts as a child and relied on free samples.
Calvin Eng of Bonnie’s in Brooklyn created a Crispy Cantonese Fishwich inspired by the McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish. The sandwich includes a spiced wild cod and shrimp patty with scallion tartar sauce and American cheese on a toasted potato bun.
Related: Arby’s brings back Steak Nuggets with potato bowl
Mason Hereford of Turkey and the Wolf in New Orleans is doing a riff on a Wendy’s Spicy Chicken sandwich. He jazzes up the classic with Louisiana habanero sauce. Hereford grew up going to the skatepark and eating at Wendy’s.
Mei Lin, known for her time on “Top Chef,” is serving a Mapo Wagyu Cruncho Perfecto. The dish is a Sichuan-inspired twist on a Taco Bell Crunchwrap. It includes mapo-spiced wagyu ragu, chile crisp queso, wonton crunchies, and lettuce wrapped in a pan-fried Mejorado flour tortilla.
“The goal isn’t to recreate the original; it’s to capture the feeling of eating it and then take it somewhere unexpected,” Lin said in a statement.
This approach contrasts with the traditional food court model, which usually prioritizes speed and consistency over culinary experimentation. Instead of offering a standardized meal for a quick lunch, the food hall offers a curated experience where diners pay a premium for a chef’s specific interpretation of a familiar item.
Additional Concepts and Partnerships
The residency will include two other dining concepts. Chain Snacks is a partnership with General Mills to create limited-edition snacks and desserts based on cereal brands. ByChain will feature a different iconic Americana brand each month with a limited-time menu and collectibles.