Citizen Chicken + Donuts Opens TODAY in West Hartford

Stephanie Webster February 06, 2021

If the buzz around KFC’s 2020 rollout of their fried chicken and donut sandwich says anything about our appetite for this decadently delicious combo, I’d say with great certainty that the new Citizen Chicken & Donuts, opening today in West Hartford, has some serious legs. From the folks who brought you Hartford Baking Company, Citizen Chicken & Donuts has made a smart addition to the team, a chef who knows things about Southern cooking, and definitely knows his fried chicken. Texas born, Chef Van Hurd, of Sayulita’s, Taino Smokehouse, and Riverhouse Catering, will be at the helm alongside Hartford Baking Company founder, Scott Kluger, who will handle the carb-ier side of Citizen’s menu, including the donuts, brioche sandwich breads, cronuts and other goodies. Kluger says “Fried chicken is not our background or culture so it’s nice to have somebody from that world to bring real authenticity to the menu.” It’s really the perfect pairing, and you can find this comfort food mecca at Hartford Baking Company’s original location on New Park Avenue in West Hartford.

Let’s dig into the fine print on this fried chicken and donuts situation. Citizen Fried Chicken & Donuts will offer both indoor and outdoor seating in good weather, but plans to function primarily as a delivery and takeout business. “We will do delivery from day one,” said Kluger, using their own drivers.

In terms of the all important menu, Citizen will be serving up serious comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Morning starters will include Hartford Baking Co.’s famous egg sandwiches on their signature brioche buns, cold brew coffee drinks and, of course…donuts.

Citizen Chicken and Donuts Menu page 2.png

Chef Hurd says “We will be making 10-12 varieties of cake and yeast donuts daily. Yeast-based donuts will be made in the Hartford Baking Company commissary, while the cake donuts will be made on-site.” Don’t worry people…the coveted donut fry smell will be in full effect when you walk in the door.

And then there’s Chef Van Kurd’s fried chicken, “grandma’s buttermilk fried chicken,” to be exact, says Kurd. We’re talking fried chicken, buckets of fried chicken, and fried chicken sandwiches, on Hartford Baking Company’s sourdough bread vs biscuits cuz…that’s their jam. I had the pleasure of tasting Van Hurd’s fried chicken pre-opening and it’s everything you want fried chicken to be…moist on the inside, lightly fried with no greasy finish…just damn..it’s excellent. There will also be a gluten free chicken option made in a separate fryer. Southern sides will also be making an appearance, including collard greens, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes with gravy…all “stick to your ribs comfort food” says Kurd.

When asked if they were planning to create a fried chicken sandwich ON a donut, co-owner, Kat Kluger says “Scott (Kluger of Hartford Baking Co.) is working on creating a savory donut for use with sandwiches…possibly even zaatar.”

For dessert, if you’re not down with donuts all day, Citizen will serve up chocolate chip cookies and blondies to satisfy your sweet tooth. But honestly, if you can’t find something to love in their daily 10-12 varieties given their unique and epically delicious spin on brioche donuts…well…you’ve got issues.