Madison is home to many original eateries. The majority of these restaurants come and go, and yet one little food cart on Langdon Street has stood the test of time.
Jin's Chicken & Fish, located on Langdon Street, has been catering to Madison for the past 11 years. Jin's was originally a food cart on Library Mall.?? Jin's continued its success after moving to the Capitol Concourse and the corner of State and Gilman Streets.
However, it was not until five years ago when Jin's moved to Langdon Street did it realize its greatest success. Jin's switched its hours to serve a different kind of crowd. Today, Jin's is only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from midnight to as late as 6 a.m. Students flock to this chicken- and-fish joint as their crazy weekend nights on the town come to a close.
Just as crucial to their success as Jin's schedule change was the change in menu that took place over the years. Jin's originally served chicken and steak dishes to their customers. This all changed one day when Jin's accidentally serviced a misorder on a steak dinner, leading to what Madison students today label as the best chicken sandwich on campus.
Centered between a bread bun are tender pieces of deep-fried chicken.??Lettuce and just the right amount of mayonnaise complement this late night treat. But what separates Jin's chicken sandwich from others is their special sauce.??Jin's spicy sauce adds that special kick that punctuates a spectacular sandwich.
For those who do not like chicken, Jin's also offers a catfish sandwich. This sandwich combines all of the delicious features which makes the chicken sandwich so special, but still fails in popularity when compared to its chicken brethren.
Current owner Jeff Okafo estimates that during a four-hour period his establishment serves 200 to 300 people, using 80 pounds of chicken and 35 to 40 pounds of catfish; statistics that demonstrate the popularity Jin's has with students.
Perhaps another reason why Jin's is so successful is its reasonable price for sandwiches.??At $4, Jin's delivers a great deal for hungry students craving a late night snack.
\We deliver a fresh product, a quality product. We try to give you your bang for your buck,"" said Okafo.
The students of Madison enthusiastically agree with Okafo, as they savor Jin's sandwiches. They also agree Jin's is unique, being the only establishment that specifically caters to the bartime crowd.
The great food is not the sole reason crowds gather at Jin's chicken and fish. The colorful, eclectic atmosphere adds character to Madison's li'l chicken shack.??Students are often greeted with a sizable line,?? which may last as long as 45 minutes. Many students find the sociable line at Jin's a nice continuation to their night on the town. Thus, the line at Jin's serves as an appetizing prelude to the delectable sandwich to come.??
Crazy events have been known to happen in the Jin's line--everything from fights to kisses. Everyone has a colorful memory of waiting in line for their sandwich. Okafo is no exception.
""I had Ron Dayne in line one night, and I kind of made him go to the back of the line,"" Okafo said.
As funny as some experiences may be in the Jin's line, some students get frustrated with the wait. Jin's realizes the dedication of its student customers, however, and promises to be open as long as there are students waiting in line.
""I have people who come by every weekend. ... I don't care if it is raining, snowing, blizzarding, they'll be there,"" said Okafo.
Due to cold weather in Madison, Jin's will soon close, but will re-open again in early March.
Things appear to be only improving for this little food cart on Langdon. With a loyal relationship with the students of Madison, friendliness and a darn good sandwich, Jin's Chicken & Fish looks to remain successful in Madison for years to come.
