Northern Virginia is home to hundreds of fast food chicken restaurants. From nationwide chains to regional franchises, Vienna residents have so many options to choose from, but which ones are worth a try? Five fast food restaurants that serve chicken as their main dish were evaluated based on their customer service, sides, sauce, accessibility, flavor and health. 

1) Raising Cane’s: After going viral on social media for their famous sauce, Cane’s has grown significantly in popularity across the U.S. The locations in our area are well maintained, and the workers are enthusiastic and efficient. While some long lines form due to its popularity, it is never a long wait for the food. Their menu is limited as it only includes a chicken sandwich and chicken fingers in different quantities. Their sides include coleslaw that many swap out for another Cane’s sauce and buttery Texas toast that can be used to form a small sandwich with a chicken tender. Their fries are warm and salty but could be crispier. However, the quality of the chicken is the best part. It is crispy, tender and almost buttery. Paired with the Cane’s sauce, it does not compare to any of the other chicken tenders on this list. Their food is low in grease, leaving customers feeling good after eating. The closest Cane’s is in Seven Corners, around 20 minutes from Madison. While the menu lacks variety, Cane’s proves that being simple and doing it well can still make it the best.

2) Wingstop: Wingstop has also gained online popularity, mainly for its wide range of wing flavors and seasoned fries. Unlike Cane’s, Wingstop offers significantly more variety, with chicken tenders (which we reviewed), corn, sandwiches and more alongside their wings and fries. Their sauce ranges from classic buffalo to sweeter and spicier flavors for any customer’s preferences. Their ranch is another standout as it is creamy, flavorful and considered one of the best among fast food chains. Unfortunately, the experience can be inconsistent, as orders often take a long time to come out, especially around game days. The food can feel heavy or overly greasy, but the flavor of the rubs and sauces are unlike any other restaurant. There are two locations in Fairfax, each around a 15 minute drive from Madison. A helpful tip is to call ahead before you leave the house, in hopes that the food will be ready upon your arrival.

3) Popeyes: Popeyes advertises its Louisiana style seasoning, and it shows in terms of flavor. The chicken is meaty and juicy on the inside with a crispy, well-seasoned breading surrounding it. While their chicken tenders are really tasty, they do not compare to the chicken sandwich with the pickles, mayo and toasted bun. Their sides, like their famous biscuit and cajun seasoned fries, are delicious and unique compared to the other chains on the list. However, the biggest downside is the quality of the location off Maple Avenue. The building is poorly maintained with leaks and limited seating, which affects the overall experience. Service can be slow, making it less reliable, but the food has never been inconsistent. While the food quality is strong, the environment and service brings its ranking down. 

4) Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is one of the most well-known and consistent fast food chains, conveniently right in front of Madison. Its chicken has a unique flavor, thanks to being fried in peanut oil. Similarly, everything seems to pair perfectly with their famous Chick-fil-A sauce. Their mac and cheese is also a standout side. Their customer service is incredible, and they always seem to handle the Friday night crowds after football games with ease. If you aren’t going on foot, getting in and out of that location can be confusing with the occasional traffic from the carwash above the restaurant. Another potential downside is that it is closed on Sundays, which while respectable, can be inconvenient. Overall, Chick-fil-A is the most famous because of its dependability as it is always clean and consistent, but food itself is not incredible. 

5) Dave’s Hot Chicken: Dave’s Hot Chicken offers a different experience with its focus on Nashville-style hot chicken with customizable spice levels. Customers can choose from mild to extremely spicy, so there is something for each person’s preference. The fries are crispy and the sauce is another standout, yet the flavor of the chicken itself is less memorable compared to others. It has a slightly unusual taste that does not appeal to everyone, especially customers expecting a more traditional flavor. There was little customer service interaction as you mainly order on a tablet, which can be helpful for first timers looking at all the options. It is around 10 minutes from Madison located in the Leesburg Pike shopping center. While it is a good option to experiment with, it doesn’t quite compare to the others.