A second order of Chick-fil-A could be on the way for Rochester diners

ROCHESTER — A longtime wish of many Rochester chicken fans — a second Chick-fil-A restaurant — could soon come true on the site of a closed Western-themed eatery.

Chick-fil-A has filed plans with the City of Rochester to demolish the Wild Bill's Sports Saloon building at 300 17th Ave. NW to clear the way to build "a 5,000-square-foot quick service restaurant" on the site. The former Wild Bill's stands between Denny's and the Olive Garden, next to the Miracle Mile Shopping Center.

The proposal is in the very early stages with a neighborhood information meeting scheduled for Oct. 15.

Following the neighborhood meeting, the developers will have 30 days to submit a development application. The city, county and state departments then will have 14 days to review the application. This project is not expected to go before the Rochester City Council for a public hearing.

The dimensions of the proposed restaurant are very similar to the one that Chick-fil-A built and opened in early 2017 at 1201 South Broadway in the Crossroads Shopping Center.

The fast-casual restaurant known for its chicken sandwiches has remained popular after opening to an enthusiastic crowd of Rochester diners. That popularity has spurred many rumors of a second Rochester location over the years.

If this proposal moves forward, it will signal the end for a 31-year-old building that was built to house a TGI Friday's restaurant. TGI Fridays operated there from 1993 until it closed at the end of January 2012.

Wild Bill's Sports Saloon took over the building and opened there in April 2012. Wild Bill's abruptly closed in July of 2022.

Depending on how this Chick-fil-A plan is received, there may be a new restaurant on the menu for that site.