A Lexington restaurant that was forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, then overcame a fire to reopen and is now permanently closed.
Joella’s Hot Chicken at 2305 Sir Barton Road in Hamburg’s shopping district has closed after more than five years in business. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the location is no longer listed on the website and is listed as permanently closed in online searches.
The chain is known for its fried chicken, which can be ordered on a spiciness scale from Southern to fiery. It also offers fried fish and home-cooked sides.
On Nov. 20, 2020, Joella’s Hot Chicken, 2305 Sir Barton Way, Lexington, served a meal with macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and JoJo Sauce.
(Alex Slitz/aslitz@herald-leader.com)
Kentucky-owned Joella’s Hot Chicken also often serves fried fish, especially during Lent, in the form of a sandwich or platter.
This is the second Lexington location for the Louisville-based restaurant chain. Joella’s opened its first restaurant in the city in 2016 on the corner of Cochran and Tates Creek. The building formerly housed Billy’s Bar-BQ. The location apparently remains open.
Burger Chola was apparently closed on Sunday.
Joella’s Hot Chicken on November 20, 2020 at 2305 Sir Patton Road, Lexington.
The location had a rocky start. The company had announced plans to open in a restaurant formerly known as Blaze Pizza in February 2020, but when the coronavirus pandemic closed the restaurant, they said they would not reopen.
But by July 2020, things had improved and the burger joint was able to move forward, with Joella’s opening there in November of that year, with garage doors allowing alfresco dining.
Friday at the new patio of Joella’s Hot Chicken, 2305 Sir Barton Way, Lexington. November 20, 2020.
Friday, November 20, 2020, at Joella’s Hot Chicken Restaurant, 2305 Lord Barton Road, Lexington.
Then, in April 2023, the Lexington Fire Department fought a fire that damaged the exterior of the building and involved a strike cooler.
Joella’s Hot Chicken caught fire in April 2023 in Lexington. No injuries were reported.
There’s no word yet on what might happen to the space.
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