Popular fried chicken brand from Vancouver opening first Toronto location

A fried chicken brand that’s been drawing lineups down the block and developing a cult following in Vancouver is opening their first ever Toronto location soon.

DL Chicken is famed for their Nashville hot chicken, and to celebrate the opening of their first Toronto location they’ll be giving away a ton of free fried chicken sandwiches.

Their fried chicken sandwiches are the brand’s signature item: fried chicken available in a range of heat levels, with pickles, slaw and DL Chicken’s signature sauces on a toasted bun.

They’re also known for their selection of comforting sides such as crinkle cut fries, mac n’ cheese, and something called “Turbo Crunch Potato Salad” with a panko topping. While the fried chicken sandwiches may be DL Chicken’s signature, they’re also well known for their gigantic hand breaded fried chicken tenders served with their sauces for dipping.

Not only is this the first Toronto location for DL Chicken, it’s actually also the brand’s first location ever outside of British Columbia. In Vancouver, DL Chicken was actually selected as a vendor for their Time Out Market (an international food hall concept with a world famous reputation) in Oakridge Park.

A press release says the Toronto location of DL Chicken will have a “a slightly more refined atmosphere” with “a more elevated design aesthetic than the Vancouver locations, offering a polished yet relaxed setting.” A cozy dining room seating 20 will be licensed to serve liquor, and a private dining room and patio should be coming to the Toronto location of DL Chicken soon.

To celebrate the opening of the first Toronto location of DL Chicken, the new restaurant will be giving away 100 fried chicken sandwiches to the first 100 people to show up on March 24, with a limit of one sandwich per person.

While the DL Chicken brand may have first opened in Vancouver back in 2018, it was dreamed up by longtime hospitality entrepreneur Doug Stephen who is actually originally from Toronto.

“Toronto has one of the most exciting and diverse food scenes anywhere in the world,” said Doug Stephen, founder of DL Chicken. “There’s a deep appreciation here for bold flavours and great comfort food. We’ve always felt that what we do would resonate in this city, and we’re incredibly excited to finally bring DL Chicken to Toronto.”

The Toronto location of DL Chicken at 538 Manning Ave. at Harbord Street is slated to soft open on March 20.