We’ve all been there, waking up on a Sunday and craving that classic chicken sandwich but finding out that the staple restaurant chain is closed. Fear not, for there are plenty of places around the Main Line where you can get a fantastic chicken sandwich any day of the week, including Sundays. Here are our picks for some of the best.
Fire Nashville Hot Chicken
126 E Gay St., West Chester
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This West Chester joint brings Nashville flavors to the Main Line. Its standard Closed on Sunday option offers the classic sandwich you crave, or you can kick it up a notch with more creative variations like The Roc, which includes old-school mac and cheese, pimento cheese, hot honey and the famous comeback sauce. Sides made from scratch will complete your meal.
Epicurean Garage
570 Simpson Dr., Chester Springs
Step into the Garage for a lively, funky atmosphere decked out in old-school industrial chic décor. The crispy chicken sandwich here is topped with spicy chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle and served on a country roll. Homemade cheddar grits or mac and cheese are perfect pairings.
Crisp Chick’n
27 N Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne
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The star of the show at this Delaware County eatery is the chicken sandwich itself, served in a variety of ways to satisfy any palate. Popular choices include the Korean BBQ with cucumbers, shredded carrots and Korean barbecue sauce, as well as the Delco, which features American cheese, fried onions and Dijon mustard on a pretzel bun. The Classic Sandwich is a great choice, too, served with pickles and the signature crisp sauce.
The Social
541 W Lancaster Ave., Downingtown; 117 E Gay St., West Chester
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Nashville is the mind’s go-to when thinking hot chicken, but New Orleans knows a thing or two about the trendy sandwich. On the menu at The Social, you’ll find the New Orleans honey habanero hot chicken sandwich, which features buttermilk fried chicken dipped in habanero honey butter and served on a brioche bun with coleslaw and pickles.
Federal Donuts
232 N Radnor Chester Rd., Wayne
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Would it be a chicken sandwich guide if we didn’t mention Federal Donuts? This donut, fried chicken and coffee shop is a Philly favorite and, with its new Radnor location open as of September 27, you don’t have to make the trek into the city any longer. The traditional sandwich boasts a twice-fried chicken breast with buttermilk ranch seasoning paired with American cheese, dill pickles and spicy Rooster sauce. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try out the South Philly sandwich, served up with the classic twice-fried chicken breast and topped with chopped giardiniera, provolone cheese and long hot mayo on a potato roll.
BONUS: Federal Donuts pops up at West Chester’s Artisan Exchange market one Saturday a month to serve up its famous chicken sandwiches. Plus, its coffee and donuts are sold daily at the Wynnewood Whole Foods.
Lovebird
1086 E Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr
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Seven fried chicken sandwiches are on the menu at Lovebird, including one seasonal variation that changes often. Favorites include the Rancher Bird with homemade onion jam, bacon, cheddar cheese and Bibb lettuce and the Baja Bird with chipotle mayo, queso fresco, fresh pico de gallo, cilantro and Bibb lettuce. If you’re looking for an alternative to fried chicken, all sandwiches can be made with either miso-garlic grilled chicken or miso-garlic tofu, the latter which serves as a vegetarian take on the popular sandwiches.
Baba’s Hot Chicken
725 S. Trooper Rd., Audubon
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With five levels of heat and four different sandwich options to choose from, these Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches are crowd-pleasers. Fan favorites include the Original, served with creamy coleslaw, pickles and Baba’s sauce, and the sweet, spicy and creamy Hot Mac, served with mac and cheese and a hot honey drizzle over the top. Made from a recipe that’s traveled halfway across the world from war-torn Kosovo in 1990 to the western suburbs in 2024, the chicken is a cultural delight.
Sedona Taphouse
44 W. Gay St., West Chester; 106 Squire Dr., Newtown Square; 131 Bridge St., Phoenixville
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Take your pick between the crispy chicken sandwich, coated in a hot honey sauce and served with romaine, pickles and topped with ranch dressing, or try the grilled Alpine chicken sandwich, served with crispy bacon, Alpine Swiss cheese, honey mustard, greens, tomato and red onion. Both are served on a fresh brioche bun which can be substituted for a gluten-free bun to make these tasty sandwiches celiac-friendly.
Nanu’s Hot Chicken
6151 Ridge Ave., Manayunk
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Nanu’s Hot Chicken serves up its take on the hot chicken sandwich with cheese, pickles, coleslaw and Nanu’s sauce. With six levels of spice to choose from (no spice to the extra-hot reaper sauce), these sandwiches will satisfy the whole family. After opening its original location in 2023, Nanu’s now has nine locations, including its most recent store in Manayunk, which opened on October 25.
Related: Where to Grab a Great Pizza in Philadelphia’s Western Suburbs
