One of Louisville’s most well-known fried chicken restaurants has had to permanently close due to rising food prices and ongoing financial strain brought on by the pandemic.
Chik’n & Mi, which has been in the Butchertown neighborhood for eight years, announced this week that it will permanently close on Saturday, February 28.
Owners Jason and Aenith McCollum said in a social media post that the decision was made following years of financial strain.
“Unfortunately, the path forward is no longer sustainable and we must move on,” the owners wrote.
1765 Mellwood Ave.
Chik’n & Mi continues to evolve, with a delicious brunch that offers that Asian inspired comfort food that you love.
Featured in the photo is The Scrambled – scrambled eggs with pork belly and edamame. Calabrese potatoes and arugula salad.
The Asian-inspired comfort food restaurant opened in 2017 on Mellwood Avenue, quickly earning a loyal following for its fried chicken, noodle bowls and inventive takes on classic dishes. Over time, it gained recognition not only for its menu but also for fostering a friendly, neighborhood-focused environment.
The owners claim that the independent business faced increasing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s long-term financial effects, rising food prices, and inflated operating costs. They claimed that despite reinvestment and restructuring initiatives, they were unable to pay off debts accrued during that time.
Throughout its existence, the restaurant received a lot of praise, including the 2025 Best of Louisville award for Best Fried Chicken.
Customers will have one final opportunity to eat at the Mellwood Avenue location on Saturday when Chik’n & Mi hosts an all-day dinner service from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“Although this chapter is ending, we remain grateful for what we built together,” the owners wrote. “We believe deeply in the power of hospitality, and that belief is not going away.”
This article appears in Feb 14-28, 2026.