In Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, Pride Month got an extra crispy twist this year. The Void, an Italian eatery with a bold personality, hosted a one-day Pride pop-up that made national headlines and local hearts full. They called it “Chick-feel-Gay”—a sizzling parody of Chick-fil-A, the chicken chain known not just for its fried fare, but for its donations to anti-LGBTQ groups. The pop-up served up chef and co-owner Dani Kaplan’s delicious take on Chick-fil-A’s famous fried chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and nuggets. But it didn’t stop there. Guests also got slices of cake decked out in the colors of the Progress Pride flag—a sweet addition Chick-fil-A has never dared to make.
In a now-viral Instagram post, The Void declared,
“We took the sandwich and left out the bigotry.”
Even the logo got a makeover: a rainbow-tinted reimagining of Chick-fil-A’s branding! Beyond the parody, the event had a purpose. Twenty percent of all proceeds are going to Brave Space Alliance, a Black trans-led queer center on Chicago’s South Side. It’s especially meaningful, since Chick-fil-A plans to open a new location in the very same Hyde Park building where Brave Space operates. Chick-fil-A has faced longstanding criticism for donating millions to groups promoting conversion therapy and anti-LGBTQ leadership restrictions. But with Chick-feel-Gay, Chef Kaplan isn’t just flipping chicken—he’s flipping the script.
