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KFC Capitol Hill: Pelicana ready to perfect Korean Fried Chicken at Harvard and Pine

Wings?

During the pandemic, we have all learned to adjust our expectations. But for owner J Hwang, there has been extra patience required to create his new Capitol Hill restaurant Pelicana Chicken out of the bones of the popular but dearly departed Bill’s Off Broadway.

First planned to debut before summer, the US offshoot of the popular South Korean chain is finally ready to open at the corner of Pine and Harvard.

“Finding perfect taste is the most challenging part,” Hwang told CHS about the delays. Korean fried chicken research and development may, indeed, have been part of the long wait though Pelicana Capitol Hill is starting from a strong base with recipes honed for thousands of locations across South Korea.

Hwang says bogged down city construction permits and hiring at $20 an hour — depending on experience — also took longer than expected in reopening-era Seattle.

CHS first broke the news on new life for the Bill’s space in February some eight months after the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis brought a sudden end to the venue’s 40-year run on the Hill.

Hwang’s long journey to opening wasn’t due to a lack of experience. He’s already started two cafes in the city under the Caffe Torino brand — one at the University of Washington and another in South Lake Union.

The time has included a soft transformation of the Bill’s space with a cosmetic overhaul to the interior, kitchen upgrades, and changes to the bar and counter to ease pick-up and delivery business. Hwang’s Pelicana is shaped to become what could be an ideal weekend sportsball or Squid Game Season 2 hangout with beer, wine, booze, and plenty of TVs.

Pelicana’s arrival in Seattle will mark the franchise’s West Coast debut. A “flagship” Pelicana USA is also being prepared for opening in Buena Park, California.

Pelicana will also join Bonchon as another recent Korean chicken import to the neighborhood with its Instagrammable take on the comfort food. On its menu, Pelicana boasts “over 50 variations, along with the famous second-winning Yellow Snowing Cheese Chicken in the 2015’s NY’s Best Wings Championships.” CHS sampled a selection on a recent visit and can assure — Pelicana Capitol Hill is ready to fry.

As for Pelicana’s official Capitol Hill opening, even after months of waiting, like Hwang, you’ll need a little more patience. The owner said he’s still still working out the exact timing. Could be Friday. Could be next week. Creating “perfect taste” at the corner of Harvard and Pine takes time.

Pelicana Chicken is planned to open… soon at 725 E Pine. Learn more at pelicanausa.com.

 

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weepingsomnambulist
weepingsomnambulist
2 years ago

Best of luck to Pelicana, but I still miss Bill’s.

josh
2 years ago

they couldn’t get the rights to Bill’s famous pizza recipe?

Barb
Barb
2 years ago

I think I’m an outlier here, but I always thought Bill’s had the least character of any place on the hill that I’d go to. Glad something has taken over this spot.

CD Born n Raised
CD Born n Raised
2 years ago

I miss Bill’s already