Zaxby's Is Opening 1st IL Restaurant: See Where

PLAINFIELD, IL — Illinois is getting its first Zaxby's, and Plainfield is the lucky village that will be home to the southern fast-casual chain, the village announced Monday.

Zaxby's purchased the former Slim Chickens restaurant at the intersection of 135th Street and Route 59 in Plainfield, officials said. Born in Georgia, Zaxbys specializes in fried chicken, including chicken fingers — or as the chain calls them, Chicken Fingerz — as well as sandwiches and wings.

Remodeling is underway, with Zaxby's opening expected for this winter, according to village officials.

The first Zaxby's opened in 1990 in Georgia and has since expanded to include more than 950 locations in 17 states, according to its website.

In addition to Zaxby's, the popular coffee shop 7 Brew is also joining the ever-growing Route 59 corridor in Plainfield. The Village Board approved plans Nov. 3 for the drive-thru-only business taking over the shuttered Chili's at 12740 S. Route 59.

RELATED: Drive-Thru-Only Coffee Shop Approved For Former Chili's Lot In Plainfield

"We could not be more excited about welcoming the very first Zaxbys to Illinois and 7 Brew — an innovative coffee venue," Mayor John Argoudelis said in a statement. "Plainfield continues to attract new, popular fast-casual options for our residents."