Since Raising Cane’s opened Oct. 7, Athens' students and residents have had to reevaluate where to get the best chicken. Athens has an abundance of locally owned chicken shops and a few chain restaurants to choose from.
Earl’s Coop, located on the East Green of campus, offers students affordable and convenient chicken. Students can get chicken, a side, a dessert, fruit and a drink all for just one meal swipe.
“I would go to Earl’s Coop so that I can use my swipe,” Abby Henry, a freshman studying business undecided, said.
The opening of Raising Cane’s has provided students with an easily accessible fast-food option. Located right across from Alumni Gateway on Court Street, Cane’s is highly regarded for its self-titled “Raising Cane’s” sauce. This new addition to Athens has caused a lot of buzz from students. Cane’s meals range from $9-$15 depending on how many chicken tenders you get.
Even with the addition of Cane’s, many students still prefer to eat locally. One student, Wanase Phiri, a freshman studying communications and health services administration, said she chooses to eat at Hot Box, a local business.
“I believe that because it’s local, and I’m from Athens, so I do believe in supporting local businesses, as well as their input throughout the political things that are going on,” Phiri said, “How they’ve outspokenly said they will provide relief (for those affected by SNAP benefit shutdowns). Also, the chicken is good on top of all of that.”
Hot Box offers similar menu items to Canes; however, customers can choose between fries or their famous tater tots. On the weekends, Hot Box even has breakfast options like chicken and waffles until 2 p.m. Hot Box meals range from $8.50-$13.50.
Silas Ruggles, a freshman studying engineering technology and management, further emphasizes eating locally when talking about Miller’s Chicken
“I think it just tastes better,“ Ruggles said. "I think you can tell they put a little more care into it, rather than somewhere that just makes it in large quantities.”
Although Miller’s Chicken is a little bit farther from campus, its fans find the food worth it. Miller’s Chicken is a quaint, family-owned restaurant with a variety of chicken options. The menu features items like fried chicken, tenders, nuggets, wings and various sandwich options. Miller’s Chicken has meals ranging from $8.95-$19.50
If you are looking for somewhere to get wings in Athens, Buffalo Wild Wings and Wings Over are great options. Buffalo Wild Wings offers sandwiches, boneless and bone-in wings glazed or rubbed in an array of sauces.
Thursdays, the restaurant provides a buy-one-get-one-free deal on all boneless wings. With the purchase of any quantity of boneless wings, you receive another set of the same quantity free.
Not only is Buffalo Wild Wings synonymous with more than just good chicken but it is also known for its atmosphere. Its restaurants feature 20 to 60 TV screens displaying sporting events, so customers can watch their favorite team while enjoying a delicious meal.
Wings Over offers a wide variety of sauces and dry rubs to pair with its chicken. The restaurant is also open until 3 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, offering more accommodating hours for college students.
No matter which chicken shop you choose in Athens, you are guaranteed to have a delicious experience. Whether it’s from a locally owned unique chicken place or a well-known reliable chain, make sure to try all that Athens has to offer.
