Savor the return of Trader Vic’s & Koo Koo Roo while enjoying glammed-up versions of dishes from Panda Express, Red Lobster, KFC & much more
ChainFEST has been referred to as Chef Tim Hollingsworth’s “glow-up” of chain restaurant food. The Michelin-starred chef, famed for his work in the kitchens of French Laundry, Otium, and Per Se, is bringing ChainFEST to LA for the second time on October 5 at Skylight Row DTLA.
Produced in association with his friend BJ Novak (“The Office”), ChainFEST offers gourmet variations on iconic chain-eatery dishes. You and 10,000 other food lover will also get a chance to try dishes from chains we don’t have in California, like White Castle.
You don’t have to be a chain restaurant aficionado to enjoy ChainFEST – just a curious palate and an appetite for new, unexpected tastes.
Some highlights:
Tiki lovers lamented when Trader Vic’s legendary bars and restaurants shut down their LA locations. ChainFEST attendees will be able to savor a festival-exclusive Trader Vic’s Mai Tai, some classic favorite dishes, and check out authentic memorabilia and decorative objects from one of the world’s largest tiki collections.
Do you miss Koo Koo Roo? The last LA location of the beloved fast-casual chicken eatery shut down 10 years ago, but festivalgoers will be able to savor reimagined takes on Koo Koo Roo classics and learn about the coming return of Koo Koo Roo.
Chef Tim Hollingsworth is collaborating with Red Lobster on an exclusive, limited time only Butter-Poached Lobster Biscuit made with Red Lobster’s much-loved Cheddar Bay Biscuits for VIP ticket holders.
Hot Ones has collabed with Panda Express to create the species item ever served by Panda Express: Blazing Bourbon Chicken. Hot Ones signature Last Dab Apollo hot sauce is wok-tossed with crispy boneless chicken bites and fresh veggies in a spicy-sweet bourbon sauce topped with sesame seeds. This spicy dish will be paired with a festival-exclusive sweet & sour side dish and frozen beverage.
Don’t miss your chance to sip on a French Fry Martini inspired by Red Robin’s Bottomless Steak Fries. ChainFEST attendees will also get to try a new Red Robin burger featuring five layers of heat, along with a side dish inspired by the burger chain’s widely adored onion rings.
Chef Tim Hollingsworth has curated an array of specialty sauces for dipping and dripping on KFC chicken. ChainFEST attendees can be among the very first to try these new sauces.
Cracker Barrel and Chef Tim Hollingsworth worked together to create a dish inspired by one of the chain’s staples: Chicken Fried Steak. Available only at ChainFEST, Chef Tim’s Country Fried Steak will be topped his special Dijon cheddar gravy sauce and sandwiched between a Cracker Barrel hand-rolled buttermilk biscuit.
Johnny Rockets will offer two festival-exclusive milkshakes created by ChainFEST.
Have you tried the first slider ever created? East Coast-based burger stalwarts White Castle will serve up their created-in-1921 slider with a top-secret sauce available only at ChainFEST.
Coffee chain Dutch Bros will be at ChainFEST serving up their beloved coffee drinks, including one created with a special festival-only twist.
Pernod Ricard will serve custom cocktails made with its portfolio of spirits, including Absolut Vodka, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Malibu Rum, Altos Tequila, and Kahlua Coffee Liqueur at the festival to savor while walking around the festival. Chain-exclusive cocktails will be served, along with special collab drinks made with ChainFEST’s restaurant partners.
Your all-inclusive ticket covers all food – at least 13 unique gourmet bites!
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, August 23 at 10:00 a.m. PST. Cash App has an exclusive Cash App Visa Card presale beginning this Wednesday for 48 hours. Cash App Card holders will receive a 10% discount on beverage and merchandise at ChainFEST, along with a curated taste of iconic Los Angeles flavors at the Cash App Neighborhood. Tickets start at $99.99 per person. To register for presale tickets, register at ChainFEST.
