Submitted by jsnowman97 t3_zxia1m in washingtondc
Hey all, I’m on a quest to find the best fried chicken sandwich in the DMV area! So far I’ve tried Honeymoon chicken (pretty good but I didn’t feel like the chicken was the star of the show, too many other flavors and toppings going on) and Astro donuts ( they do a chicken sandwich with a donut as the bun, pretty bomb but a little too expensive for how much you get).
Anyway, what are your favorites? What other places should I try?
Lucky buns! I know roaming roasters is pretty good and popular but IMHO it's a generic chicken sandwich. Lucky buns has some of the juiciest fried chicken I've had in a sandwich and they have some interesting items on their menu too.
> I know roaming roasters is pretty good and popular but IMHO it's a generic chicken sandwich
It's wild how much chicken sandwiches have evolved in the last three years. Pre-pandemic, Roaming Rooster was the chicken sandwich in the DMV.
No, Lucky Buns & Hot Lola's were always better
I'm not commenting on the overall quality; Hot Lola's was (and is) better but didn't get the same social media clout. People didn't line up for it the same way they did for RR until relatively recently.
Yeah. One viral tweet when people couldn't get Popeyes sent RR to the moon
Yep. I'll be honest, I tried Hot Lola's when it first opened in Ballston and couldn't handle even the Shy Guy (which I think was called Shy Hot when they opened) but could do fine with the RR Extra Hot. Roaming Rooster ended up being my gateway into hot chicken.
Now I can't leave Hot Lola's since the Flippin' Hot is the only heat I can actually feel.
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Lucky Buns is great but I feel like Lucky Buns has turned down their heat recently. The last couple of times I've gone the Hot Tiger Bun has barely made me break a sweat; it used to have me panting hard.
IMO Hot Lola's is the clear king based on my most recent experiences.
Haven't tried Hot Lola's but will keep it in mind!
I'm ready for some hate but I don't understand lucky buns at all. It's extremely pricey and serves mediocre food with no attention to any kind of presentation. Plastic cups, plates, beer straight out of the 24-pack for premium prices. The vibe is dive bar but with $20 hamburgers and $10 beers. The service when I went there was not good either, it was like I was supposed to be thankful that they were serving me. I went in totally wanting to like it with no preconceived notions. It seems like a restaurant that thinks it's a social club (or maybe it is)? I guess I'm not the target audience...
To the question, Roaming Rooster is definitely another option but really Popeyes is going to get you most of the way there and also cost less than $5... Kind of a sad state of affairs.
I live pretty close to Lucky Buns and I have seen more rats around the kitchen door and trash area than anywhere else in what is already a generally very ratty neighborhood.
Even if there wasn’t a rat jamboree out back, I wouldn’t eat there just based on the prices and the pissed off vibes
Agree with all of your points. Lucky Buns was very disappointing.
LB in Adams Morgan is much better than Union Market. Hot Lola and Hangry Joes are good. All three serve with huge chicken meat.
Lucky Buns and Roaming Rooster are two completely different categories, imo. RR is the best fast food chicken sandwich you’re ever going to have. LB is not fast food and the price is way higher. This is an apples to oranges comparison.
???
I haven't gone to either place for a while, but I remember Roaming Rooster's sandwich was about $10 while Lucky Buns' Hot Tiger Bun was about $13 or $14; there's a cost difference but they are in the same general category and Roaming Rooster is definitely NOT a fast food restaurant. RR is definitely closer in price to Lucky Buns and Hot Lola's than it is to Popeyes (was $4, now $4.50).
Not sure when the last time it was you went but prices are $16+ at lucky buns and keep in mind it's table service so you're expected to be tipping (whereas RR you can just take out). It's way pricier.
I typically have done pickup at Lucky Buns. (My girlfriend lives about 3 blocks away.) I’d guess the last time I went there was probably late 2021 or early 2022.
Regardless of the cost difference, Roaming Rooster is NOT a fast food place. It is a fast casual restaurant.
Just tried Lucky Buns today, it was really good, I would put it on par with Honeymoon. I forgot to mention in the post that I’ve also tried Hangry Joes and personally I liked that one more. Focus of the sandwich was all chicken and its great chicken
Roaming Roaster. Also melange has a damn good one as well
Service Bar does a mean chicken sandwich
Truly, service bar’s chicken sandwich blew me away
Roaming Rooster used to be good but feels like quality has gone down. At least at the Western Market location.
I have a strong suspicion they're doing thing where they expand too fast and their quality drops. They're still good, but they've been better.
The Taylor Gourmet*
The &pizza
lol these are exactly the two chains I'm thinking of. Y'all remember when &pizza had dessert pizzas?
Gd do I miss it. Literally the only reason to go and now it's gone.
Went in once, was casually talking to my mom about her birthday. They overheard, waited til we were done with our food, and literally brought us out a dessert pizza! Truly the best service I’ve ever had, anywhere, including fancier restaurants.
And they really helped out the feddies during the last big shutdown. I love &pizza. Or at least I used to, not sure if they’d do the same things today.
Tenleytown location too, unfortunately.
Ugh I was so disappointed in the Tysons location.
I felt like that for awhile, but I tried it again recently, and I think they've recovered.
Why did they get rid of the chipotle mayo 😢
Went there last night in western market. The problem is that it either gets soggy from the greasy sauce or coleslaw. They should put the sauce on the side for you to add. I had the fried chicken on slaw and it also got soggy. Fried chicken needs to be crispy.
Woo Boi. Locations in Alexandria and Herndon.
100%. I work 1 mile from the Herndon location, and they're my "I've had a crappy day" cure. So delicious!
This!!
This right here. Better than anything in DC
this!!
i’ve tried Roaming Rooster, Hangry Joe’s, Service Bar, Lucky Buns, all fast foods, and Wooboi has the best chicken sandwich. Juicy, big, and the seasoning is to die for.
Thank you for this! I saw your comment yesterday, decided to go to their old town location today for lunch, and my day (and all future days I come here) are now infinitely better
Popeyes (serious)
Seriously yes
Lucky Buns’ Hot Tiger Bun definitely tops Popeyes’ spicy chicken sandwich IMO, but as a 20+ year member of Popeyes Nation, their spicy chicken sandwich is good enough to make me sometimes pass on getting my usual spicy bone-in chicken when I go there. (Sometimes I also say screw it and get both bone-in spicy chicken and a spicy chicken sandwich.)
Just make sure to brace yourself for the after effects.
The answer is Lucky Buns. Also happens to be the best spicy chicken sandwich. I had high hopes for Roaming Rooster when I moved here, but it was pretty disappointing both times I had it.
Little Chicken is good too, but their chicken sandwiches are incredibly hit or miss.
My first bite of Lucky Buns was good, but then it got really mushy and was not pleasant. Woo Boi has been the best I’ve had!
Absolutely second Lucky Buns. Insane.
The Hot Tiger chicken sandwich at Lucky Buns is the best I’ve ever had.
Also voting Roaming Roster
But if I'm keeping real, Popeye's gives even Roaming Roster a run for its money
100%, the Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich is glorious
Roamin Rooster in NE!!
Roaming rooster the one by DC Brau
Honeymoon Chicken
This is the best answer
Queen Mothers
On the pricier side, but damn in that butter isn’t delicious
I always forget about this one! They're really good!
Wooboi Sando level 3
Astro donuts has a highly underrated chicken sandwich
Roaming Rooster. They also do not fuck around with their spice levels.
Their extra hot doesn't even approach Hot Lola's second hottest or WoodBois' third hottest. I like Roaming Rooster, but it's not that hot.
Yeah, I’ve had Roaming Rooster’s Nashville hot chicken sandwich twice, and I can eat it without really needing a drink. (That should NEVER be the case when eating the hottest level of any Nashville hot chicken variation. Your mouth should be on fire, and your brow should be moist with sweat.)
I don't think the Roaming Rooster sandwich is actually a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, they're just one of the many places that have used that to mean "spicy chicken sandwich"
There was another thread here where someone said to go to Roaming Rooster and say "just fuck my day up" and they'll give you something approaching Wooboi or Hot Lola's.
I tried that and I'd say they got close, but still nowhere near the hottest that those two can provide.
Hangry Joe’s has a pretty decent spicy Korean/Nashville chicken sando.
The sandwich is HUGE too like I need another bun to cover all that chicken
Royal Farms gas station!!
Royal Farms has legit good chicken. Every time I road trip and there is one on the way I stop and get some.
Royal Farms always smells a little like fish to me but man, that is some good chicken. Not sure about the sandwiches, but the chicken itself is quality.
DC9 and Roaming Rooster are my favorites.
Interesting you mention DC9. I’ve never had their chicken sandwich, but I know their burger is very good. (I usually only go there when I attend concerts at the venue.)
I always go before shows at 930 (or DC9 of course). It’s so good! Their garlic fries are amazing too.
Seconding their garlic fries. Best I’ve had outside sf
Damn Good Burger and the Queen Mother's are my two favorite spots for fried chicken sandwiches. And Damn Good Burger also has great burgers and fries, shocking I know. Damn Good Burgers has multiple locations, but you can find both in Arlington.
I second the Damn Good Burger suggestion.
Agree! They call it the fricken good chicken for a reason!
Ekiben in Baltimore for sure
Roaming rooster for sure.
Hip city veg does a vegan chicken that is absolutely amazing. I had two after the first one because it was so surprisingly good!
Agreed. Had it a few months ago, was surprised it was fake chicken.
It’s damn good! But my fave vegan chicken sandwich is at NuVegan. And their chicken drummies are even better!
Little chicken and service bar.
I’m a fan of Swizzler, Hot Lola’s, and Roaming Rooster. The Swizzler fried chicken sandwich is shockingly good (though not Nashville hot like the other two).
Hill East Burgers also has an interesting fried chicken sandwich (topped with gravy) that is worth trying out to see if it’s your thing.
Their curlish fries too!!!
Regardless what anyone else says, Roaming Rooster is overrated. Twice I’ve had their sandwiches and twice I’ve been disappointed. Their chicken sandwiches are good but not great, IMO no better than Popeyes’ spicy chicken sandwich (which is about 40% of the price).
To me, Lucky Buns (Hot Tiger Bun) is the answer to the question. Hot Lola’s is pretty good too, though its standout feature is the massive filet they give you.
I’ve heard good things about Wooboi, but I haven’t eaten there yet.
I've had RR like 10 times, tried every sandwich they have, it never gets better lol. Always mediocre but people are obsessed for whatever reason
Most people were raised on crap
😂😂
Going to pile on for Roaming Rooster. Them having a location in Nats Park is a godsend.
People commenting roaming rooster never had a proper chicken sandwich before that stuff is nasty
Roaming rooster in DC and BRD in Baltimore.
Roaming Rooster
Popeyes
Hi OP, I had a whole big post I keep almost posting on this topic, having - somewhat unintentionally - tried a whole bunch of them.
Anyway, Hot Lola's or WooBois are the answers I'd give depending on if Sichuan pepper flavor is acceptable (Hot Lola's) or not (WooBois) for you, even though I eat at Roaming Rooster more than anywhere since they're easiest for me to get in that specific style. (Lucky Buns is also great, but I think they're just a bit too far off the "standard" chicken sandwich to really fit in.)
Little Chicken
This place is super underrated.
Absolutely ban the Popeye and Chik--fil-a folks. I miss Mason Dixie. That was a good chicken sandwich.
Wooboi Chicken in Herndon Va is legit!
They have one in Old Town Alexandria now, too! So good!
rip to little pearl's daytime cafe menu... they had the best chicken sandwich IMO. maybe someday they'll bring it back! until then, I like lucky buns and barrel.
you're a real one, miss the LP sandwiches so much
Melange has two unique Ethiopian-style (I believe) fried chicken sandwiches. Both amazing!
Great food, horribly rude staff
I’ve only ever ordered takeout, but that’s too bad
Don’t sleep on Baltimore. There are some amazing chicken Sammie’s Ekiban BRD And Blacksauce kitchen
top tier - service bar, melange, hot lolas, wooboi, federalist pig, ekiben (pls come to dc already)
middle tier - popeyes, queen mothers, maketto, astro doughnuts (breakfast biscuit only), lucky buns, fedwich, doro soul food
lower tier - roaming rooster, bantam king (note their fried chicken is amazing, but sandwich leaves a lot to be desired), little chicken, chicken & whiskey, butter me up, the royal, unconventional diner, honeymoon chicken, convivial
​
RIP Little Pearl (cafe) and ABC Pony. Also the chicken parm sando that they used to serve at pogiboy was amazing.
You deserve to be higher up just based on the breadth of your rankings. You've eaten a lot of chicken sandwiches.
Ekiben does a solid sandwich. I’ve heard Lucky Buns as well.
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popeyes tbh
roaming rooster gave me diarrhea byeee
Wooboi Hot Chicken. The one in Herndon has always been great for me.
Moreland’s Tavern.
Tupelo Honey in Arlington has some pretty fire chicken sandwiches. Would highly recommend
Woo Boi is probably my go to Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Roaming rooster is so overrated and bland compared to many others around the area.
So you guys want the hot tiger at Lucky Bun's to be more spicy?
My personal preference tends to be Roaming Rooster. Amazing chicken, enormous sandwiches that always fill me up. That said, I definitely want to shout out Doro Soul Food in Shaw. Their fried chicken and chicken sandwich are absolutely delicious -- so crispy, juicy, and spiced incredibly. I do wish their sandwich was as meaty as a RR sandwich, but overall a great new option.
Bubbie’s Plant Burgers has a vegan version of chicken sandwich I love
I also love the Nandoca’s Choice at Nandos! 😂
Little Chicken are new but really good
The Fight Club by Eastern Market has a pretty good chicken sandwich
Don’t know if the best of all time, but Hot Lola’s is amazing chicken sandwich (and tenders) place 🤤🤤🤤
Surprised nobody has mentioned Z-Burger - that's my #1
Popeyes is best budget sandwich, RR has good coleslaw but is most expensive
Wow. I guess I truly need to pay a little closer attention to Zburger’s menu. I get them often. Normally I get their cheesesteak. Every once in a while their burger. How is it I never noticed they have chicken sandwhiches on the menu? Wow.
It’s hiding! But I like it much better
Barrel in Eastern Market makes an amazing chicken sando
LUCKY BUNS for sure and if you like spicy their Hot Tiger is one of the best and most unique takes on a nashville hot chicken. I've eaten ~100 of them and I haven't lived in DC for over 2 years now.
Pub and the people had a pretty good one.
Woo Boi in Alexandria is awesome!!
Open Crumb!
I agree with a lot of votes here, but figured I’d throw out a wild card - Circa’s fried chicken sandwich hits the spot when you’re craving one.
Uncle C's Chicken & Waffles (6308 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306). I stumbled upon it while grabbing lunch after a painful visit to the car dealership. Incredibly good chicken and waffles and a delightful chicken sandwich. To be clear, I had that across two different visits.
Surprisingly, Granville Moore’s chicken sandwich is pretty good.
Little Chicken might have the best chicken hands down. It’s starting to blow up in terms of popularity, but hot damn it’s good!
Wooboi's is really hot and tasty. I like Hangry Joe's as well, really good fries and their sandwich is HUGE. I don't particularly like Hot Lola's coleslaw on their sandwich but I think their fries are really good. I've had good sandwiches at Big Buns (Shirlington Hot) and whatever Tupelo Honey calls theirs as well. Chickfila is honestly also really good for like $3.50 or whatever, there is reason it's popular. Never had roaming rooster, popeyes tastes good but doesn't agree with my stomach for some reason.
The Diner in AdMo has a surprisingly fire fried chicken sandwich. I would also def give DC9 in Shaw a hard look, too.
Knowles Station in Kensington. I had their fried chicken sandwich the other day and I was blown away by how good the chicken was. Plus, the size of the piece on the sandwich was so ginormous that I ended up cutting it in half and eating one half by itself.
They're a beer & wine store with an attached cafe, so the drinks options are pretty awesome as well.
Good hope Carry out has some good stuff
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Doro in Shaw
Yes! Was scrolling waiting for this. Recently opened and deserves all the attention it can get.
I couldn’t agree more! Sooooo good.
Crisp & Juicy
Arlington
I have to disagree. The Chicken Place is far better than Crisp N Floozy which is greasy and overly salty.
Well the only solution is to duel. I’ll get the black powder.
I already concede lol ;) I'm full from yucca.
🤣
I love the chicken sandwich at St. Arnold’s.
Doro Soul - new Ethiopian fried chicken option in Shaw
Have you ever tried just making one at home? Super easy and if you make it to your liking, it will be vastly superior to anything you can get at a restaurant.
Garden District.
Service Bar on U St!
It’s definitely Chicken + Whiskey
Roaming Rooster is still king
Roaming Rooster
Swizzler
Sorry I am broke. $4 Popeyes.
Roaming rooster, but don’t sleep on the chicken sandwiches at Melange either
Queen Mothers is the best. Alternatives that are awesome are Hot Lola’s, Lucky Buns, and I really enjoy Detour Coffee in Arlington which has a shockingly good chicken sandwich. Tried to like Roaming Rooster, couldn’t but I thought they had a lot of average chicken meat for your money.
For the value it’s chick fil a
Honeymoon chicken and Slashrun
Clyde’s in Chinatown had an off menu buffalo chicken sandwich a few years ago. Don’t know if they still do - it was fantastic.
During lockdown I tried to eat and rate all the hot chickens in town. Then I had to lose about 15 pounds. Worth it.
Ppl have amazing picks in the comments but don’t sleep on Ghost Burger and Union Pub.
Yard house
Slim Chickens
Roaming Rooster woo woo
If it’s fresh, rofo pulled chicken
Roy’s boys.
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Silver diner in Cathedral commons has a pickle brined fried chicken sandwich. I add mozzarella and bacon to mine; skip the banana peppers, the arugula and honey mustard and just go with mayo, tomato, and lettuce. I think It’s really good. But nothing compares to the hole in the wall joint up in Maine called Frederick’s Southside that makes the best fried chicken sandwich in history. Thanks y’all for the lucky buns tip though.
I'd be surprised to taste one tastier than Popeyes or Chick-fil-A (struggle with their anti-gay stance but respect them for closing on Sundays , even though that costs them probably tens of millions ).
The best fried chicken is in Virginia. You’re definitely asking the wrong sub on this one (sorry).
Go to Queen Mother’s, and if you like it hot, go to Wooboi. Honorable shoutouts to Melange and Hangry Joe’s.
I’d like to request the mods ban whoever voted for Popeyes.
Imma eat at all four of these
> I’d like to request the mods ban whoever voted for Popeyes.
lol seriously. Even ignoring that it's not particularly hot, it's also not particularly good. I like Popeye's, but an unspiced chicken patty with some lightly spiced mayo ain't it.
EDIT: Add the person who said Chik-Fil-A too.
Popeyes. Next.
Chicken sandwich at Clyde’s in Georgetown was absolute 🔥
Roaming Rooster
The best one is at busboys and poets. Comes with delicious ass fries and an aoili and bun. Also its halal if u eat halal
You need to try some more chicken sandwiches in the city. Everything at bus boys is avg at best now a days. Place has fallen off
fucking gross! subpar food, dirty restaurants, overpriced. fuck all that.
Place is absolute trash.
They are a national chain, but I’ve come to love Chick-Fil-A’s chicken sandwhiches. Also, pre-pandemic I had a Nashville Hot chicken sandwhich at BJ’s Brewhouse and it was delicious. Not sure how they managed to keep the chicken so crispy with the hot sauce on it but they did. (Though the chicken sandwhich I had delivered from them was not as good as the one I physically had in the restaurant.)
Yes to Chick fil a as well. Some fast food chains get it right
💯💯💯
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oliver_klosov3 t1_j20gtaa wrote
Hot Lola's.