It's back to the original name as food truck turned restaurant opens second location

Chick Magnet has opened its second location in the former home to Schaller's at 2747 West Henrietta Road in Brighton, just north of Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road.

"Chick Magnet?" foodies in the know may ask. "Wait a minute. Didn't they change their name to The Magnet?"

Why yes. Let's review:

In May 2020, the father-and-son team of Jeff and Riley Christiano launched a food truck called Chick Magnet. It was an immediate hit, but after a season in business, they sold the truck. "We learned that fried chicken breaded to order is not the best fit for a food truck," Riley Christiano said.

Shortly thereafter they opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant called Chick Magnet in a tiny spot tucked back from Penfield Road in Penfield.

In 2022, they ran into a snag with the name due to a trademark issue. They changed the restaurant's name to The Magnet. That issue has been resolved, so it's back to the original name.

"We didn't want to turn our back on the original name," Riley Christiano said.

The menu at both locations are the same, at least for now. The restaurant focuses on creative, hearty fried chicken sandwiches made with thick chicken breasts that are breaded and fried to order. Among its best sellers is the Magnet sandwich, a crispy fried chicken breast served on thick-sliced Texas toast along with lettuce, pickle and homemade "Magnetic Sauce." Most sandwiches may be made vegetarian with the substitution of fried tofu.

Other best sellers are chicken fingers as well as its take on a plate.

Rounding out the menu are sides, including a decadent baked mac and cheese as well as ribbon-cut fries called the nest. For a healthy option, salads that can be made with roasted chicken instead of fried.

The Brighton location has seating for roughly 128 ― 10 times as many as the Penfield location, which seats 12 inside. That location remains open.

If you go

Chick Magnet is at 2747 West Henrietta Road in Brighton. It is open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is closed Sundays for now. Watch its website for updates.

The Penfield location is at 1794 Penfield Road in Penfield. It is open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.

Tracy Schuhmacher covers Rochester's food and drink scene. Notice something open or close in your neighborhood? Send tips to tracys@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: It's back to the original name as food truck turned restaurant opens second location