Fried chicken seems to be the new “it food,” judging by the number of fast-casual restaurants opening to serve it. Whether you like your chicken spicy or mild, in the form of tenders, a sandwich, or wings, these spots have options for every taste.
Dave’s Hot Chicken
With four NoVA locations — the newest opened in Fairfax in December 2024 — this popular poultry specialist keeps the menu simple: chicken bites, tenders, or chicken sliders (basically a tender between a bun). For vegetarians, there’s Dave’s Not Chicken, breaded cauliflower served in the shape of tenders or sliders. Whether you choose chicken or cauliflower, you can customize how hot you want it, on a scale from No Spice to Reaper. Multiple area locations
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings
With a guarantee of “never frozen, always fresh,” this fast-casual restaurant that started near Richmond in 2021 is quickly taking over Northern Virginia. It’s currently serving its version of Nashville hot chicken at 22 locations in the area, with another coming soon to Burke. A signature menu item is the Mega Chicken Sando, an 8-ounce seasoned chicken breast topped with cider slaw, pickles, and Hangry sauce on a brioche bun. Other options include chicken fingers, chicken wings, chicken and waffles, a chicken wrap, and more. Multiple area locations
Layne’s Chicken Fingers
The first location opened in 1991 in College Station, Texas, but the first Virginia outpost of this chicken joint began serving patrons this month in Warrenton. The brief menu promises chicken finger or sandwich meals that come with crinkle-cut fries, Texas Toast, Layne’s sauce, and a drink. Get your meat original or spicy (or go meatless with a grilled cheese). Wash your meal down with a milkshake, lemonade, or iced tea. 34 Broadview Ave., Warrenton
Raising Cane’s
This chicken chain has been taking over Northern Virginia, with locations opening in Sterling in 2022 and then Falls Church and Manassas in 2024. It’s got a fairly limited menu that focuses on chicken fingers with fries, coleslaw, and Texas Toast, plus lemonade and iced tea. The secret to its success may literally be in the sauce, a tangy, orange-tinted creamy concoction. Multiple area locations
Wooboi Hot Chicken
Environmental friendliness is top of mind at this small local chain, which first opened in 2018 in Herndon. It uses only antibiotic-free, free-range chicken cooked in 100 percent peanut oil. The menu features tenders, wings, a sandwich, and a burrito. Looking for something lighter? Ask for The Skinny, a piece of grilled chicken with rice and cucumber. Sides include fries, of course, as well as three types of rice. Multiple area locations
Feature image of Wooboi Hot Chicken by Rey Lopez
