The Southern fried chicken phenomenon that is Revival in south Minneapolis is coming to St. Paul, taking over the space formerly occupied by Cheeky Monkey on Selby Avenue.

Nick Rancone, who owns Revival and Corner Table in Minneapolis with Thomas Boemer, said that, at 130 seats, the new spot will be bigger than the two other restaurants combined.

For Rancone, it's a homecoming. He grew up in St. Paul and graduated from Cretin-Derham Hall High School. He said the Cheeky Monkey space doesn't need a lot of revamping inside or out. "We're hoping for a pretty quick turnaround," Rancone said. "We just want to be diligent in the licensing process because we hope to have a full liquor license."

At their Minneapolis restaurants, only wine and beer are available. Revival doesn't take reservations, and some days there is a line of eager diners outside waiting for the 11 a.m. opening and a dream of eating the crisp chicken, lemon meringue pie and luscious bur­gers that are a mix of house-ground short rib and grass-fed brisket.

The St. Paul Revival, which Rancone hopes to open this summer, will be in the heart of one of the city's most established and popular food corridors. The venerable W.A. Frost is a couple blocks away, as are Moscow on the Hill, Fabulous Fern's Bar and Grill, La Grolla and the Salt Cellar.

The new restaurant will have sidewalk table seating in front and a patio in back.

Special to the Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Revival's Tennessee Hot fried chicken.

Rancone said he also plans to expand the menu a bit with some barbecue. Boemer and Rancone know their way around a pig, as evidenced by the pork at Corner Table and Boemer's big win at the 2015 pork competition called Cochon 555.

The owners also are expanding hours. Rancone said he expects the St. Paul restaurant to be open every day for lunch and dinner. The Minneapolis Revival will add Sunday service starting April 3.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747

Twitter: @rochelleolson