Congress Park may be getting a new go-to for crispy comfort food, as a fried chicken concept called Chicken Riot moves quietly through Denver’s development pipeline for a sliver of a storefront at 2906 E. 6th Ave. Plans on file show the 658-square-foot former Truffle Cheese Shop turning into an interior-only, counter-service spot with roughly a dozen seats and a heavy carryout focus. The team behind the project has not announced any target opening date.
According to WhatNow, a tenant-finish and change-of-occupancy application lists Caleb Benton of Tredwell Hospitality as the applicant and calls for new kitchen equipment, updated finishes, and seating, with no exterior work proposed. Plan review documents included with the filing put the occupant load at 22, list 12 interior seats, and estimate about 70 meals per day with roughly 80 percent of business expected to be carryout.
Benton told WhatNow that they "do not currently have any plans to open Chicken Riot," even though the outlet reports that building plans were approved last week. The same report notes that the Chicken Riot name was registered with state business records in November and that the concept already appears on Tredwell’s public listings, hinting that the brand is being positioned even if an opening is not yet locked in.
Former Cheese Shop Could Flip To Fryer-Fueled Takeout
The compact space was previously home to the Truffle Cheese Shop, which has since closed its doors. Westword reported on the shop’s recent shutdown and related tax troubles, leaving behind a small footprint that is well-suited to a takeaway-heavy setup. That tight layout, plus a proposed five-day operating schedule, fits the mold of the new wave of counter-service chicken spots that prioritize quick pickup over lingering dine-in crowds.
Riot BBQ Veteran At The Helm
The application lists Benton of Tredwell Hospitality as the owner of the project. Benton is a hospitality executive who helped launch Riot BBQ last year, and 5280 notes that he was among the partners who scooped up equipment and reworked a former barbecue joint into a new counter-service operation, a background that tracks closely with the quick-service model described for Chicken Riot.
What Has To Happen Before Congress Park Sees Chicken Riot
With building plans already approved, the usual next steps include final inspections, health-department signoffs, and securing a business license before doors can open, a sequence that can stretch from weeks to months depending on how smoothly inspections and equipment installations go. For now, Benton’s cautious public stance and the tiny scale of the project suggest neighbors should expect a low-key, pickup-focused neighborhood shop rather than a full-service restaurant, assuming Chicken Riot ultimately makes the jump from plans to fried chicken reality.
