In Green Bay, we’re known for our rich football history and our vibrant community, but there's another local treasure that deserves the spotlight: chicken booyah. This hearty, flavorful stew has deep roots in the area and is cherished by both locals and visitors alike.
Whether you’re heading here for the first time or you visit often, you can’t say you’ve visited Green Bay without experiencing a warm bowl of chicken booyah. If you’ve never heard of it before and think we’re pulling your leg, we promise we’re not. Yes, it has a silly name but this soup is serious business (okay not really, but it *is* seriously delicious).
What is Chicken Booyah?
Chicken booyah is more than just a meal; it’s a local tradition that really reflects the warmth and hospitality of Green Bay. When the first French-speaking Belgians arrived in Wisconsin in 1853, they brought along with them all kinds of wonderful things, including the recipe for the savory slow-cooked stew known as chicken booyah.
Every recipe is slightly different based on family recipes, but essentially it’s a stew featuring tender chicken, a medley of vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. Usually, people include carrots, potatoes, onions, and green beans, but it’s extremely versatile. Some variations call for different types of meats and vegetables, but chicken is by far the most common.
Aside from the warming comfort of this dish, what sets chicken booyah apart is the culture around it. Typically, it’s cooked outdoors over a wood fire in 10 or 20-gallon batches. This makes it a popular choice for festivals, community events, tailgating, and family gatherings.
Where to Get Chicken Booyah in Green Bay
There are a few places to get your hands on a piping-hot bowl of chicken booyah! Here are some of our favorites:
The Booyah Shed - Obviously, this place is going in the top spot because it’s literally in their name — although they offer a lot more than just booyah on their menu. But since we’re talking about booyah, let’s start there. You can get a cup, bowl, quart, or 4-quart serving of this stick-to-your-ribs stew which means you have options whether you want it to be an appetizer, side, or main entree. If you want to try something else on their menu, we recommend the Perky Porter Pulled Pork sandwich or the Perch Plate on the Friday Fish Fry menu.
The Rite Place - Don’t want to risk chicken booyah not being one of the soup of the day options? Head to The Rite Place, where it has earned a permanent spot on the menu. This family-owned restaurant is a great place to get a “down home” style lunch or dinner that will fill you up and taste exactly the way you want it to. In addition to the booyah, we recommend trying their Broasted Chicken Plate or, if you’re really hungry, the Jumbo Shrimp Dinner.
Kroll’s West - If you’re coming here to check out Lambeau Field or Titletown, you’ll definitely want to stop at Kroll’s West, which is located right in the heart of the Stadium District. Here, you can get a classic butter burger, prime rib sandwich, and of course, homemade chicken booyah. The Kroll’s Homemade Booyah comes with chicken, roasted vegetables, beef, oxtail, and potatoes. This is an authentic recipe and a sure bet, especially after a chilly football game.
Souper Day - We would be remiss not to include an actual soup expert on our list. Souper Day is located inside of The Revolution Market on Holmgren Way. They specialize in soup (of course) but they also serve delicious wraps, salads, and even mix-and-match sliders! Each day, they have six different kinds of hot soups on the menu and while chicken booyah isn’t always one of them, they do have it available in their freezer section to take home with you.
So, are you going to head to one of these places and order yourself a big, steamy bowl of chicken booyah the next time you’re here? 🍲 We hope so… and if you do, don’t forget to tag us in your social media posts using the hashtag #LoveGB so we see what you ordered!
