Which came first, a natural rise in the popularity of hot chicken sandwiches, or the National Restaurant Association’s forecast predicting it? While fried chicken never goes out of style, the trend is particularly strong right now in Philly, where new options continue to appear in surprising places.
Particularly popular is Nashville hot chicken, the cayenne-heavy, coleslaw-and-pickle-topped combo that ranges from moderately hot to burn-your-lips fire. It’s popping up on existing menus or starring in entirely new ones.
At venues old, new, and unexpected, here’s where to head for a sandwich with Tennessee style spice in Philly.
Hangry Joe’s
The waiver that comes with the “angry hot” chicken — the spiciest level available at this Old City spot that opened in February — clears the chain of any harm that might consequently befall the consumer, “even death.” If that’s a bit too intimidating there are five lesser levels to choose from, although even the “no heat” option might still be a “little spicy,” the menu admits.
In addition to a gargantuan brioche sando and its potato-roll “junior,” the chicken is served in wraps, as bites, as Korean nuggets, or as tenders, which can be ordered individually or as a quartet alongside powdered sugar-topped waffles, complete with syrup. There’s also a salad option for those looking to break up all that cayenne-red with some greens. Available beverages include fruit teas, milk teas, and smoothies.
300 Market St. | 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday | Halal | $2-$15
Big Chicken
A quick Google search reveals the namesake for the “Uncle Jerome,” the Nashville hot chicken sandwich at this chain co-owned by Shaquille O’Neal, isn’t a relative of the basketball star at all, but instead his bodyguard, a former Jersey cop with a “mean 1-2.”
Whether or not that speaks to the spiciness of the sandwich is unclear, but Shaq’s formidable figure is a good indicator of serving size at the new outpost below the Comcast Center. The 5-oz. slab of chicken breast — once breaded, fried, and sauced up — is topped with pickles and mayo, plus lettuce in place of the more traditional coleslaw.
The Concourse at Comcast Center, 1701 JFK Blvd. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday | $4-$12
Asad’s Hot Chicken
Yes, it’s on the edge of a gas station in Northeast Philly, but that hasn’t stopped this little stand from consistently drawing long lines since opening a little over a year ago. Two more locations have already opened near the original (one in Philadelphia, one in Bensalem), with a fourth planned for West Philly’s Powelton Village.
The chicken, running the spice gamut from “mild” to tongue-flaying “reaper,” is available as sliders or tenders, or in combo pairings that come with fries. There are also dessert options like banana and strawberry puddings, and a range of milkshakes and fruit smoothies.
7300 Roosevelt Blvd. | 11 to 12 a.m. daily | Halal | No seating | $4-$14
Screamin’ Rooster
Bringing Nashville heat to Chinatown Square since opening this June, this new, non-chain spot offers 16-hour marinated chicken in four escalating tiers of spiciness, plus a separate lemon-pepper variety. Besides sliders, the chicken is available in tenders or wings, served with fries, or drizzled with honey alongside waffles. A “side chick menu” features smaller bites like pickle fries and single tenders, and drink options include sodas and Red Bull.
Chinatown Square, 1016 Race St.| 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday, 11 to 3 a.m. Saturday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday | Halal | $4-$21
Bud & Marilyn’s
Two hot chicken options are on the menu at the retro-minded Midtown Village spot from 13th Street restaurant doyennes Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, where analog TVs, transistor radios, and rows of records line the mostly wood-paneled walls.
Nashville hot buns ($14, two per order) come topped with pickles as well as burnt scallion ranch and pickle brine slaw. The larger entrée ($25) sees half a fried bird on potato bread with hot dip, pickles, and charred scallion ranch.
1234 Locust St. | 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Sidecar Bar & Grille
Along with late-night happy hours and drag brunches, Nashville hot chicken has long been a thing at this Grad Hospital corner bar from Mike Strauss (of Mike’s BBQ fame) and the Stockyard Sandwich Co. duo.
Instead of slaw, crisp lettuce is the cooling topper of choice for the buttermilk-dredged chicken thighs, served with pickles, cheddar, and ranch in a potato roll ($16-$18, depending on lunch, brunch, or dinner menus). The brunch option comes with a side of mixed greens and breakfast potatoes. There’s also a smaller version, the “Hot Jane” ($12), available on the weekday lunch menu.
2201 Christian St. | 11 to 12 a.m., daily | $5-$30
Southgate
It’s Southern-via-Seoul at this Rittenhouse gastropub, where the menu blends traditional Korean with modern American cuisine. Served alongside fries, this Nashville-style Korean fried chicken breast is topped with pickles, slaw and kewpie mayo, packed in a brioche bun ($17).
1801 Lombard St. | 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday | $4-$28
Wishbone
The University City store may be no more, but the Center City location of this counter service spot is a solid option for anyone seeking that cayenne kick — as well as for night owls, since it stays open till 4 a.m. on weekends.
Like all the sandwiches here, the Nashville hot chicken ($11) is a weighty offering, a bun-burster doused in a cayenne-butter dip and topped with house slaw and pickles. Sodas are available, as well as a wide selection of bottled and canned beers and a dozen cocktails to be enjoyed in-store.
210 S. 13th St. | 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 11 to 4 a.m. Thursday-Saturday | $5-$13
Love & Honey Fried Chicken
The name for this Northern Liberties spot — which just inked its first franchise deal — refers to the owning couple’s feelings for one another, but the menu stands as an ode to buttermilk fried chicken, whether in wings, drumsticks, “drumettes,” or tenders, which are available in orders of up to 40 at a time.
Dredged in hot chili oil and packing a serious punch, the Nashville hot chicken ($13) is topped with buttermilk ranch slaw and sweet pickles in a toasted brioche bun. Stop by early on the weekends to grab a biscuit jawn ($13), which sees your choice of chicken tucked into a honey buttermilk biscuit with pimento cheese spread and hot pepper jelly.
1100 N. Front St. | 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday | $8-$60
Flannel
The all-day Southern comfort food at this family-friendly East Passyunk spot — opened in 2019 by industry veteran Marc Grika, who had previously overseen numerous Starr and Garces restaurants — includes a Nashville hot chicken sandwich ($17) that extends far beyond the boundaries of its grilled brioche bun. It comes topped with dill pickles and an avocado-ranch dressing, alongside a serving of fries and slaw.
1819 E. Passyunk Ave. | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday | $5-$28
Hot Cluck’s
It’s tenders and “cluckers” (brioche bun sandwiches or sliders) at this 6-month-old Germantown spot. The sandwiches ($11-$16) come with or without a “fresh cheese” sauce and are topped with pickles, coleslaw, and a house sauce. Just fries and mac and cheese are available as sides, but beverage options are many: a range of lemonades, ice teas, milkshakes, fruit smoothies, and mixed soda drinks.
Keep an eye on social media if you’re in the neighborhood — Hot Cluck’s recently announced a $100 store credit giveaway on Instagram.
10 W. Chelten Ave. | 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12 to 11 p.m. Sunday | Halal | No indoor seating | $4-$45
Nanu’s Hot Chicken
Opening early July in the former Nick’s Roast Beef location on Cottman Avenue, Nanu’s expands on the familiar sando and tender menu with a few shrimp options as well as cauliflower tenders for vegetarians, served with either waffles or fries. But it’s all about the chicken here, offered in five levels of spiciness, in either Nashville style or additionally drizzled with hot honey. Sides include mac and cheese and a “waffle sando,” while a range of puddings and cheesecake smoothies round out the dessert selections.
Nanu’s stays open late, but there’s no indoor seating; that might have to wait for one of the three upcoming, unspecified locations they’ve already announced on social media. As with Hot Cluck’s, the Nanu’s crew is big on giveaways — follow their Instagram to keep up on raffles and, hopefully, more eating challenges.
2210 Cottman Ave. | 11 to 2 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 to 3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, 11 to 12 a.m. Sunday and Monday | Halal | No indoor seating | $4-$15
OK Hot Chicken
Launching this week with a three-day soft opening — and free sliders for the first 25 customers each day — this addition to South Philly comes courtesy of brothers Beddy Sonie and Berry The, who’ll be running it out of the same storefront as their Indonesian dessert shop, Martabak OK.
The chicken, all-halal, comes in four levels of spiciness that are “hotter than you can imagine,” per the menu. Available exclusively during evening hours, offerings will be accessible via delivery or onsite window service.
1801 Washington Ave. | 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday | Halal | No indoor seating | $3-$31
