The Best Chicken Tenders on Campus, Ranked – The GW Hatchet

Chicken tenders, a universal American comfort food and a mainstay on children’s menus, are no stranger to Foggy Bottom.

Whether it’s a quick lunch before class or a nostalgic late-night treat after a drunken excursion around town, chicken tenders take up a significant portion of many GW students’ diets. But the availability of more than a dozen options nearby raises a pressing scientific question: Which Foggy Bottom tenders are the best?

An undeniably delicious tender chicken should possess a crispiness that echoes an audible crunch and a breading that coats juicy white meat with a wide range of seasonings, from paprika to garlic powder.

If you’re looking for where to get your next finger-licking solution, here’s a robust ranking of nine procurement options in the area that you can ditch or pass on.

9. Crispy chicken strips from Northern Italy

When the average person thinks of a “chicken strip,” they might imagine a piece of chicken that has been evenly breaded and fried. Northern Italia loses this concept in translation, because the Italian restaurant thinks that chopped pieces of a breaded chicken cutlet are enough.

For $11, the Italian eatery is pawning off about a dozen slices of dry and minimally seasoned chicken as “crispy chicken strips” on the kids’ menu, with a side of fries on the side. With a rubbery texture and a noticeably burnt exterior, Northern Italia’s poor excuse for a tender chicken falls firmly to the bottom of our rankings.

2112 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Open from 11am to 10pm

8. Andy’s Pizza’s chicken tenders

Andy’s Pizza isn’t clamoring to be the star of the chicken tender game. The local praised Pizza establishment is a favorite destination for slice connoisseurs in the District, but their tenders are a far cry from the pizza that draws high praise.

Despite their relatively seasoned appearance, the pizzeria’s chicken tenders are stiff in texture, giving them an uncomfortable bite. The $10 tenders lack the juiciness and crunch needed to compete with real chicken companies, making them an afterthought on the menu.

2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Open from 11am to 10pm

7. Quotes from the GW Hospital Cafeteria

Although GW Hospital is often associated with vomiting, the medical facility offers an assortment of chicken dishes in the cafeteria on weekdays, from wings to grilled brisket on a bun.

The deals offering ($4.49) is among the cheapest in both Foggy Bottom and the District, putting it above the overpriced options below. But they are not the richest in flavor, possessing the driest white meat on this list and an almost non-existent flavor. With more traditional food vendors offering tastier deals nearby, you won’t miss much if you skip the hospital.

900 23rd St. NW. Open Monday to Friday from 11am to 2pm and from 3pm to 7pm.

6. Chicken strips from Whole Foods

Deep inside the supermarket, customers can choose from a flock of routinely heated chicken strips from Whole Foods’ hot bar. With three tenders costing around $4, the supermarket giant offers an affordable and convenient option for those looking to grab a quick handful of fingers.

The catch is that the tenders aren’t as remarkable as their price, with subpar seasoning covering the consistently crispy exterior. Although the slightly stronger sappiness of the comics puts it a step above GW Hospital’s fingers.

2201 I St. NW. Open from 7am to 10pm

5. Absurd Bird’s 3-Piece Chicken Tenders

Absurd Bird offers a convenient option due to its availability on the dining plan, for tender lovers in the University Student Center. While the website claims so Like the other suppliers reviewed, Absurd Bird offers three quotes, I only received two during my visit.

The spicy flavor of the breadcrumbs and the ease with which the meat pulls apart help it rank above the lower entries on this list. Absurd Bird’s small portion size and tendency for the breadcrumbs to fall off limit the otherwise finger-licking deliciousness ($7.99).

2119 H St. NW. Open Monday to Friday from 11am to 11pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 9pm.

4. True Burger’s 3-Piece Tenders and Fries

Located in Chick-fil-A’s previous location in District House, True Burger continues the underground dining hall’s tradition of delivering chicken tenders to students, although it falls short of its predecessor. Served with fries, True Burger’s chicken tenders ($10.49) are by far Foggy Bottom’s largest, with a plentiful portion of the juiciest meat available to students on campus.

On the other hand, the tenders’ wow factor is tempered by their rough texture and minimal seasoning. True Burger’s tenders remain an acceptable option for students when they’re hungry between classes and looking for a quick bite.

2121 H St. NW. Open from 11am to 9pm

3. Shenkman Dining Hall’s Vegan Chicken Tenders

Although they’re not actually made from white chicken meat, the vegan chicken tenders in Shenkman Hall’s dining room offer an impressive alternative to the popular comfort food—simply without the cackling.

Shenkman’s vegan tenders are almost perfectly seasoned with a crunch you can scrape with a knife. Although it’s held back by the slightly dried-out taste of its ‘meat’, the power of its savory breading takes it to the top of the rankings. While it’s not always on the dining hall menu, students should flock to Shenkman to grab this meatless option when it’s available.

616 23rd St. NW. Open Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

2. Wood-carved chicken tenders + fries

Selling tenders within their generous opening hours, Carvings’ reputation for serving American classics at dawn and dusk cannot be overlooked. For $13.50, the most expensive of the non-dining room options, Carvings delivers crispy chicken tenders alongside a big pile of equally crispy fries.

The ease of pull-apart texture and tasty breading guarantee a spot on the poultry stage. Although the one factor keeping the restaurant’s entries from the top spot is its lack of good seasoning compared to the rest of the pack. Either way, Carvings’ chicken tenders remain a solid option for tender lovers no matter the time of day.

2021 F St. NW. Open Sunday to Wednesday from 8am to 12pm, Thursday from 8am to 2am and Friday and Saturday from 8am to 3am.

1. Roaming Rooster’s Chicken Tenders

From his city trek food truck to Foggy Bottom, Roaming Rooster’s has become a staple food provider at Western Market, with a variety of fried chicken meals to enjoy.

Their chicken tenders ($8.99), presented on a bed of sliced ​​bread and pickles, blow the rest of the competition out of the water. With four spicy ones options From mild to extra hot: the chicken fillet has something for everyone and at the same time offers a pleasantly spicy piece of poultry. Despite the less crispy exterior and often double-digit minute wait times, Roaming Rooster reigns supreme in our rankings as the best chicken tenders in Foggy Bottom.

2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Oopen 11am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 8pm Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.