MILD SAUCE
A CHICAGO FAVE COMES TO L.A.

Sometimes you wonder, how does this taste so good? It must be the sauce, right? Are we talking “secret sauce”? Foodies along busy Olympic Boulevard along the border of Beverly Hills have been talking about sauce, Mild Sauce that is, these days.

Mild sauce is an iconic Chicago condiment often lathered and enjoyed on top of chicken and fish found in a number of restaurants on Chicago’s west and south sides. Now that secret sauce is the secret recipe at Mild Sauce, a fish and wing spot that serves the Windy City’s beloved sauce.

“Our mission here is to bring mild sauce to the Chicago community in Los Angeles, as well as to introduce its sweet taste to Southern California,” says co-founders Kenneth Caldwell and Apryl Correa.

Caldwell, a Chicago native, spent years perfecting the signature Chicago-style chicken and fish recipe through numerous restaurants he owned in Chi-town. After relocating to SoCal, there was one thing he longed for—mild sauce.

“After moving to Los Angeles, I couldn’t find any Chicago style chicken and fish restaurants,” Caldwell recalls. “I knew this was an opportunity to bring it here, especially since there are Chicago transplants in California missing fresh fried chicken, fish and mild sauce.”

A family-friendly shop, the menu includes Jumbo Fried Shrimp, Catfish, and Chicken Strips all batter fried with high-quality seasonings and spices. Paired with homemade sides, like their secret recipe coleslaw, fried okra, and French fries, all the food is fresh daily and cooked to order coming to you hot, juicy and right out of the fryer.

During our recent visit, we feasted on the Shrimp & Catfish Combo, along with the Trio Combo with chicken wing, catfish and shrimp. Of course, everything comes with sauce on top unless otherwise specified.

The sauce is definitely tasty but it’s not the greatest thing I’ve ever had. I’m more of a barbecue sauce guy and this is light and tangy, but it is flavorful. I was a big fan of the fried goodness. The wings are solid for sure, and fish options are spot on.

I think I’m a bigger fan of Chicago-style pizza (hot dogs too) but there’s something to be said about this sweet sauce on top of fried foods. I’ll definitely be back. It is worth noting that the “hot” sauce is hot so if you’re a fan of heat, that bad boy will be right up your alley.

FYI, Mild Sauce will be starting a new late-night program from 11pm to 4am via Uber Eats, Grubhub, Yelp, Doordash, and Eat 24. It looks like buzz food will now have a new favorite friendly option.

Mild Sauce is located at 8500 W. Olympic Blvd. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Call 310-652-3310.

Story By: Jose Martinez

Photography Courtesy Of: Mild Sauce