Cities are known for their iconic places. Dubuque is no exception, from the Fourth Street Elevator and Shot Tower to Julien Dubuque’s Grave and Jack’s Chicken Palace. Yes, Jack’s Chicken Palace. Very few restaurants stand out quite like Jack’s with its gigantic white chicken roosting high above the threshold, foreshadowing crispy, golden deliciousness to all who enter its clutches.
Dubuque natives have known Jack’s Chicken since its inception as Feeney’s Chicken Palace in the 1960’s. When Jack Terry took over, he renamed it Jack’s Chicken Palace, frying up chicken for years before his son-in-law Nick took over the frying baskets. From there, Jeff Field and his family bought the business and provided Dubuque with the same great chicken for nineteen years. When Jeff decided it was time to pass this emblem of Dubuque on to the next opportunists, two local entrepreneurs jumped at the chance.
About eight months ago Michael Hansen and Sean Soler decided to expand their restaurant empire and purchase Jack’s Chicken Palace, keeping Dubuque’s fried chicken needs satisfied. Currently, the two also own and operate Refresh Dubuque, a sandwich and boba shop located in the Jubeck New World Brewing building. This café offers a variety of salads and sandwiches, many catering to a more health-conscious crowd. The two businesses could not be more different, and yet they complement each other and the desires of Dubuque in their own way.
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