Our friend recommended this place and the only way to describe it is WOW. Crispy, thick, flavourful chicken tossed in a ton of seasoning. It's absolutely amazing. Plus, their service is superb. It was our first time there and they gave us drinks and a side on the house. I'll definitely be back again! Rating: Food 5/5 Price 5/5 Service 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Parking: Street parking Would I return? Yes read more

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First Timer. This thing was MASSIVE. Photos don't do it justice. Tried the "limited time" Rosemary Chili Sando. Went with dark meat. I took it to go and drive to work so bottom bun was soggy by then but it was still delicious Friend ordered a 2 piece combo. She said fries were meh but the chicken was good. I'll Probably try just chicken thighs next time. Highly recommend going here. Especially if you have a big appetite read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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We went to Downlow at ~8:45pm, looking for a late night snack. It's been along while since we last had fried chicken here! We ordered two pieces of thigh and their Wednesday special smokey wings x6. There were a lot of other customers before us and some takeout orders so we had to wait a bit for our food. While we were waiting, we noticed that they checked the inside temperature of every piece of chicken. For bigger pieces, they even checked at multiple points. I am very impressed and felt very safe to eat their well cooked chicken. The thighs were juicy and not too spicy! I regretted not getting x4! As for the wings, there were actually 2 wings, 5 drumsticks, 1 piece of tender and a lot of pickles. I guess they were close to closing, so they were being extra generous! The staff also gave us two cans of pops of our choice on the house! Guess it's our lucky day! The only down side of the meal was that their floor was pretty greasy and slippery, and there was a puddle right outside at the entrance. Someone actually fell at the entrance while we were eating! read more

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This place is so unique and the chicken sandwiches just so awesome . Huge portions but they would expect that for a $19 burger . Service was terrific ! The back has a couple parking spots for their customers read more

Downlow chicken has one of the best chicken burgers in the city OG fried chicken sando is big , crispy and tender, and staff are friendly and nice to chat with read more

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One of the few legendary institutions in Vancouver. Best Nashville hot chicken in Canada and possibly North America.

Many of us have the same complaint that is when we order a huge order over $20 and ask for a glass of water they said we have to give them $3 for water. Plus the chicken is too salty so be careful if you have high blood pressure read more

Ok, so I was in the neighborhood, and I thought I would get a chicken sandwich meal. I ordered the rookie because I like tomatoes on my sandwich. I ordered chicken breast and it made such a fat sandwich that I couldn't bite into it properly without going over under over under over under oh my god unhinge my jaw!!! I love that Downlow is now doing combo meals, because everybody needs to have an original Coke with a DL sandwich. And the fries!!! I hate crinkle cut fries but I love the dust. Pls add some tater skins to the menu instead of crinkle fries! There, I just made you sooo much richer. Your spice blend is still the best but I miss the curry mayo. read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Rookie Sando w DL fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

THE BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH SHOP in Vancouver. Fight me. Everything from service to the food. There's always a line and take out orders ringing. It's a busy spot and it gives off that chill LA coast burger vibe. Not too much seating, expect to share! Just keep in mind that menu items are seasoned so if you prefer a mild taste, let them know. OTHERWISE get ready for flavour town! The chicken always comes out perfect. Option between breast and thigh! $20-30 per person. Portions are big, make sure to have napkins before you eat, maybe a bib too. These burgers are messy in the best kind of way. Im back here every month now read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Crinkle cut fries! - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Best fried chicken in Vancouver. Had to bring my PS5 to cook some kids on NBA2k26. The owners and workers were amazing. Y'all gotta come down and try them read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken and Waffles Drinks Side Sauce 4 Piece Tenders Combo - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Great Staff Great Chicken Great Service All immaculate never had a chicken sandwich this good in my entire life I got the Paisano and my Girlfriend got the OG We came up from Seattle for a few days and are Lucky they don't have any of these near us or we might weigh 20lbs heavier read more

Such a fun vibe! If you're in the mood for crispy, juicy, spicy chicken, Downlow Chicken Shack is the spot! You can order sandwiches, pieces, or nuggets and pick your spice level from Mild, to HOT to nothing, to pizza flavor. The location is small with two long tables inside and 3-4 benches outside. I thought the mild and medium chicken was SO good. It had a right level of spice and the chicken was very juicy. For sides, I got the truffle fries and slaw. The slaw wasn't my favorite, but the fries had some spice and a slight truffle flavor. Overall, I recommend their Sando and 2 piece combo! read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Came here after hearing all about it from friends and was treated to a nice spread of boneless chicken, Cole slaw, and fries (medium dusted) Once you order you can hang out on the patio if you decide to wait outside, they'll scream out the window when your order is ready. There is seating inside too, but it was a bit crowded. I'm kind of particular about my cole slaw, but Downlow's is good - which contains cumin and red pickled onion. We got both regular and I think spicy chili "pile of thighs" boneless chicken which both of which were eaten up with haste. The fries were crinkly and crispy and complimented the meal. Despite the line the food came out quick and really lived up to the hype from everyone. The prices at a glance are pretty high, but I don't think there are a whole lot of chicken shacks around BC and second, it was really good. I'd definitely try a "Sando" from here on a follow up visit. read more

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Lively and casual chicken shop. There are a couple of four tops and a couple of two tops for seating, so it's usually grab and go but people move through quickly. Kind of reminds me of a London chicken shop - no fuss food - though pricier than I expected. Went for a Chicken sandwich (Rookie of the year) + a side of small fries. Fries were exceedingly good, some of the best I've had in a while - perfectly seasoned The sandwich was also great - juicy, tender chicken breast on lettuce and special sauce - though I made the mistake of walking with it for 20 mins before eating and the bread was a little soggy (pure user error) Definitely want to go back to try the chicken pieces and maybe another sandwich or two. read more

Date brunch with the kids I'm always game for something new and who doesn't like chicken. My daughter has gone to this restaurant with my son before and we were keen to try it together. The place is busy in Vancouver's East side community. I love the city electric fell off the street. Great little small businesses shops, owner operated, all unique in their own way. Bunny , Spanish grocery shops, book stores, to name a few. The restaurant is quite small not a lot of seating which is a bit rough when the weather is not that warm. It was a bit cold but we sat outside at one of their picnic tables. From their big menu we ordered the following items with a round of old fashion ginger beer, yummy not too sweet. Stinger Sando with seasoned crinkle fries. So glad I had my kids there to help eat all the food, it was too much for me. 2 PC and Mac n cheese side and the Rookie of the Year We all got dark meat, all although there was a white meat option. Tender juicy chicken well seasoned and crispy , we all loved our choices. I can't wait to go back to try something new. The staff were friendly and jolly giving you as welcomed pleasing feel. If I had to give a comment that was less than perfect, it was the lack of seating. This place is a MUST GO AT ANY COST! We loved it!!! read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Down Low Chicken store front. - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Delicious crispy, spicy, juicy chicken! This location on Commercial drive is superior, and the lines out the door show for that. It's a huge difference in quality from their UBC location which I would only rate 3 stars. Their prices went up from inflation since the last I remembered. It's expensive but a good treat if you want quality a chicken sandwich. My boyfriend and I got the: -rookie of the year: the chicken options were breast or light meat. I'm not sure if they change that based on what they have marinated, but it was a bit dry because of that. -Jerk sando: dark or light meat options. Going with the dark meat, the chicken was HUGE and so juicy. I take decently sized bites but it still took me 6 bites of the chicken extending out of the sandwich before I even reached the bread. Of course they have a large range of spiciness and flavours you can choose for all sandwiches. "Side of milk" is quite spicy even as someone who loves spicy food. Once you order inside, you can wait outside at their covered seating area to help free up space inside. Inside is entirely just the kitchen and ordering area, minimal seating. There is one single stall washroom which you'll probably use to wash your hands after! The food is served from a window that reaches out to the covered seating area, which has 3 picnic tables for customers to share and casually eat. It is a 10-15min wait to get orders. If you're driving, they rely on street and residential parking. Commercial drive is quite busy so it's hard to stop outside the restaurant. We biked and there was conveniently a bike lock area right outside the restaurant! read more

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A steady favourite for our family since it opened! Another visit yesterday for our son's birthday did not disappoint. Love the fact that this independent joint has thrived over the years with multiple locations, and they continue to stay true to their high standards for food quality and friendly service. The rustic vibe is consistent with their non pretentious approach which allows for both their food and service to speak for themselves. Still solid as ever. read more

Wow! For what this place is trying to do, you can't do better. Tuesday combo was way better than expected. Absolutely worth every penny. Enough food for two. read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Tuesday Combo (2 drum, fries, pickles, slice of bread, dip and can of pop) for $9 (circa 2025) - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

The ambiance and customer service is unmatched!! The chicken is crunchy and soft and delicious. Definitely recommend!! read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Best Nashville chicken sandwich in town! Great service, great chicken, great sides. I love this place.

Decided to Google some places to try in Vancouver. Downlow Chicken Shack was within Daily Hive's article! Made our way there early afternoon. It was fairly busy! Two picnic tables out in their patio & some window seating inside. You order inside & they have 2 huge windows to pick up your food from. Wait time wasn't terrible! Less than 10 minutes. Service was friendly & fast Sitting outside on their patio was casual & the weather felt nice! People who sat down were quick to eat their meal, clean their area, & make room for the next person These sandwiches are hefty! Huge pieces of chicken & generous with sauces + slaw. I could barely fit my mouth around the whole sandwich! We ate our sandwiches immediately. When I took my first bite, you heard that perfect crunch from the skin, then you saw the steam coming out from that first bite & the the juices drip down. It was phenomenal. The chicken was seasoned so well & stayed juicy/tender. Their slaw & pickles were a cool addition & added more texture. Go for the jerk chicken sandwich! It was so flavorful & something I've never had before! read more

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They were so kind to my 4 year-old son!! And the food was amazing!! We had chicken tenders, fries and DL Chocolate Cake.

The best fried chicken I've ever had this far. I'm not a big spicy person, so I got the mild chicken and waffle. It came with a jalapeño honey mayo on the side. Unlike other chicken waffles, the waffle is fluffy and had the green onions cooked in it. Personally, I like my waffles on the crispier side, but the chicken got the crisp covered. The service is amazing. The cashier is really nice. She asked if it was my first time, which it is, and she announced it to the other staff and everyone shouted a warm welcome. It is a very laid back restaurant with limited indoor seating but a lot of patio seating. I will definitely visit again if I'm in Vancouver. read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Mild chicken and waffle - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

I understand why this spot gets such great reviews, here is one more! Friendly service gets them two stars. I said this was my first time and the cashier announced it and the entire kitchen erupted in welcome. So sweet! It was a wait but I walked along Commercial Dr and window shopped. The OG Sammie was waiting for me and it was big. The breading on the chicken was crispy and had only a little heat to it. The pickles made the difference as they cut the richness of the deep fried chicken. I liked the sauce and the perfect bun (big enough and kept its shape) for the very large amount of chicken. There are a few tables inside and picnic tables outside. read more

I've been chomping down on Down Low Chicken Sandos for awhile now. I wrote a review of DLCs UBC location a few months ago - check it out. Here I was on - The Drive (Commercial Street) on Monday, after having just been here yesterday. I can't keep away. I hadn't had the OG (Original) Sando in months & thought - I need this in my life right now! Gosh it was friggin ahh may zinggggg!!! I'll confess, I acted & sounded like a Pitbull in heat, biting down on this delightful sando! Thank gawd nobody was around cause I could've been arrested for causing a disturbance. DLC Sandos are massive! Not cheap but 100% worth it every now & then. It can honestly be overwhelming when you hold it in your hands & you try & figure out how to attack it! But just one bite into it, I accepted the mission & proceeded to chomp down more ferociously. With sauce dripping all over my hands (make sure you have plenty of napkins!) & face, I looked absolutely disheveled & I didn't care. The sando is comprised of the secret DL sauce, pickled red onions, slaw & pickles. The potato bun - is supplied by Livia bakery & restaurant just up the street. I was just there yesterday - see my review. Because this sando is so gigantic I skip out on the fries. This location is kinda run down, but locals absolutely love it here & hang out eating away while people watching on - The Drive. read more

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Mouth watering! I got the original with a fried egg. White meat. Ate every single bite. My husband shared the chicken and waffles with my daughter with bacon on the side, which they were kind enough to put on the actual side for her. They also ate every bite. Waffles we thick and savory - not as good as the . Plus they yell funny sayings at people to make it feel welcoming. read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Door - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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My friend really hyped up this spot, and I thought how good could it really be? But once I tried it, I was proven wrong. It was amazing. During my first visit, I tried the chicken sando, and my friend chose the "hot" spice level. It was pretty spicy, but very delicious. The spice isn't the kind that hurts your mouth or overpowers the other flavours. Personally, I would go for the medium spice level. The batter isn't too thick, but the chicken was very crispy and made fresh. The chicken itself was not dry at all, very juicy, and flavourful. All the components of the sando paired really well with the big piece of chicken (I think it has Downlow sauce on the bun). The sandwich itself is huge - I probably would not need a side to go with the sandwich, and would still be full. Although the sandwich itself is a bit pricy at around $15, I'd say it's totally worth it. I took my parents here for a snack on my second visit. We got the 4 piece chicken tenders, and I asked for my pieces to be medium, while theirs were mild. The chicken tenders come with a sauce of your choice and we went with their classic Downlow sauce, which is supposedly their most popular. Again I was not disappointed. The chicken tenders were made fresh, very crispy, the meat was not dry, and had a good flavour. The Downlow sauce paired well, especially with my medium-spice-level piece. I went on a Friday afternoon (~4 pm) and the lineup was out the door. I went again on a Saturday afternoon (~4 pm) and there was no lineup. So it can really vary. I'd say service is quick but since everything is made fresh, the food can take some time. There are 2 picnic tables outside for you to enjoy your meal. I did see a lot of people get takeout, though. I rarely think that places are worth the hype - but Downlow Chicken Shack truly delivers. I can't wait for my next visit! read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Original chicken sandwich "hot" spice level - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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I had a chicken craving so I went here to fulfill it! I've only had Downlow once before (a sandwich) and it was so good and the fries were Amazing. This time did not disappoint either--the two-piece thigh and fries combo hit everything I wanted. The chicken was well-seasoned (a little too salty). I got medium spice and it was a perfect spice level for me! In my opinion it was a little too much batter but feels unavoidable because they obviously need to coat the whole chicken piece. Despite this, the batter was thin and crisp and delicious. The chicken thigh was so juicy! Paired with ketchup and their signature DL sauce, you can't go wrong. The fries were equally as delicious! Although they were too crispy for my soft mouth. Unpopular opinion but I wanted more soggy fries, lol! Service was amazing. I ordered online on the bus and my meal was literally ready one minute before I got up to the pick-up window (which is outside on the left!). Can't say too much about the space as there weren't many seats inside and the outdoor seats were full as well. I went home to eat! read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Two piece boneless chicken thigh with fries combo. Ketchup & DL sauce - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Delicious chicken and waffles.. love the savory onion waffles .. wish the waffles were crispy like the chicken read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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The best chicken sando I have ever had PERIOD and trust me I have tried many many chicken sando places. We ordered the nashville chicken sando and the jerk chicken and also their fries. Everything was delicious. But nothing beats the awesomeness of their nashville chicken sandwich. Tad spicy for folks who have low spice tolerance but DELICIOUS juicy crispy chicken sandwich with a perfect balance of slaw and mayo that just elevates the flavors of the sandwich to the next level. The jerk chicken was also great and was super flavorful again tender juicy crispy chicken in a delicious sandwich. Their fries were amazing and ALOT. We drove from Seattle and this was our first stop on our food trip to Vancouver and it did not disappoint. They have a few tables outside to sit and enjoy your sandwich. Food comes out pretty quickly and disappears in your tummy pretty quick too. Staff is friendly and do not forget to ask them for whats on their secret menu and I am sure that will be delicious too. all in all highly recommend this place and would rate this as the best chicken sandwich I have ever eaten in my life. Already craving these sandos and cant wait to go back. read more

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This place does have quite the buzz and lots of folks waiting outside. I ordered the chicken sandwich with fry chicken skin and egg. My better half ordered the big wing and fries. Everything is by default a bit spicy. Including the fries. The big wing is just one giant chicken wing. It's good but a bit too spicy. The lemon pepper flavor is REALLY peppery. The presentation on the chicken sandwich is disappointing. It's just piece of fried chicken, with egg and everything kinda put in different places, all on top of a piece of bread. It's kinda just thrown around, you can't actually hold it as a sandwich. The chicken itself is good. It's juicy and the skin flavorful , though I think the flavors are too strong. That combined with the poor presentation, means I cannot give it more stars. I think this place does not live up to the hype. read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken sandwich. - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

One-line review: A good experience. We ordered the chicken and waffles x2 and ate on their patio. The food was tasty; 'hot' spice level was right. We had tried 'extra hot' before and found it painful to eat; 'medium' was so mild as to be disappointing. The meat to crunch ratio was better than at the UBC Downlow, which featured what looked like big chicken thighs but was mostly batter. Still, you can get more meat at some of their rivals. It was cool to be eating outside, and they are now hosting guests in their dining room, but in the interest of COVID safety... Service was adequate but unremarkable, except for the woman who handed us the food. She was cheerful and seemed genuinely happy to be interacting with customers. We parked for free on Venables. There are metered spots on Commercial. Bottom line: Good enough for a return visit, but there are spots we like even better. read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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I love the chicken sandos here. Hot, juicy and delicious! Flavour profile is something they have perfected

I just wanted to try their new burger the boujee Sando (because I'm boujee) but actually I liked the sound of the truffled medium spiced crispy chicken which was a huge piece and truffle mayo, slaw, pickles, pickled red onions on a potato bun. Their burgers are huge here! I also wanted to try their truffled fries which I thought we be truffled seasoned but it's just the sauce that is truffled mayo. The sauce is pretty good but I actually just prefer their regular DL fries and the DL sauce is way better. Also first time trying their popcorn chicken, which would be a nice snack if it wasn't paired with a burger and fries making this a feast but they are super big not really popcorn size, of course DL has to make everything massive size! You really get your moneys worth! And super full after. read more

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One of the best chicken sandwiches I've had. There's usually a line and pretty busy so be prepared to wait. The DL fries are a good bang for your buck! Loaded fries with chicken on top for around $12? Always get a side of pickles to take in between bites so you don't get tired of it. I'm a huge fan of dill so the mac salad was a hit for me. The sandwich itself was juicy but too big for me to finish so definitely shareable. read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - DL fries and Original Sandwich - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Overall 7/10. Food: Two pieces and a side combo (2 boneless thighs & macaroni salad) for $13.75. Rating: 7/10. The chicken is served on a slice of bread with BnB pickles. The batter is on the thicker side, and I didn't get a lot of thigh meat. Very unfortunate. The chicken piece is boneless, as it says, and it is very interesting as I am used to thighs having bones. Some people may find the bone the best part, but those who find bones a hassle would love DL's boneless thigh. I think all their chicken pieces are boneless. The macaroni salad is the dry kind, not the saucy kind. The chicken was not on par with the hype I've been hearing. I heard the sandwiches at lunchtime are something. I may come back but not in a rush. Parking: There are a few spots at the back and paid street parking on Commercial. Space: Fast food. Small shop with little seating inside and out. People: There's a minimum of 10 people in the kitchen, all wearing DL t-shirts. I think they were singing together at certain times. They have merchandise for sale, including the DL t-shirts if people are interested. They ask for a name after your order is taken. Our order was under the name "Cody," and when we got our order, it said "Cody Banks" on the box. A funny personalized touch. There were a few people in front of us at 5 pm on Friday. read more

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I don't like coleslaw. That's why I ordered the tenders. But I watched the guy put the bun top with coleslaw on top of my tenders....realize the mistake and removed the top and some slaw. The remaining slaw made my tenders soggy by the time I got home. For a place that is so highly regarded it's disappointing to see how apathetic they were to the mistake. It's cool if you make a mistake but make some effort to keep your consistency. read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Long story short : - overrated food - great service and friendly staff - price is bit expensive We went here and got the nashville sandwich and the chicken strips. It was good to be honest but it wasn't that special! It was fine quality chicken nothing wow about the seasoning ,on the contrary too much spicy powder! Prices were a bit above average ( but everything is getting super expensive these days so can't really say) Does it beat the other regular fried chicken franchise ? I dont believe so! read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

After driving by the green shack one random day and wondering why there was a big lineup down the street, I put two and two together after an acquaintance raved about the best fried chicken (and shared many of their Instagram pictures to boot). Finally, the fiance and I buckled up and made a trip out to the Downlow Chicken Shack to try the highly recommended fried chicken. A minor mistake on our part may have been the fact that we didn't come hungry, so we avoided ordering the more intriguing combo names (re: pile of thighs) so we chose two pieces and a side of fries. When we went there was no seating inside the restaurant at all: it was either order ahead, or order at the window and wait for pickup. How was the chicken you ask? I give props to the cashier for helping us navigate the menu and decide on the level of spiciness for the fried chicken. When she heard I was a wimp when it came to spiciness, she suggested we go with the classic (no additional spices, hint of honey). Despite still feeling full, I appreciated the lightly friend chicken thighs that weren't swimming in deep fried oil, and the classic was a great choice and not spicy one bit. Hands down it was more delicious than what you would find at the food court or at a chain establishment, but I'm holding out on naming this the best fried chicken. My only disappointment has to do with the fries/menu. When I tried tasting the fries, I found they were a lot spicier than I expected and I could only partake in a handful overall (a few a time). It was only upon a second look at the menu that I discovered there was no choice for the spiciness level of fries: it was medium spice, and I had missed that from trying to read the entire menu printed on a standard sheet of paper. While there were a few menus posted at strategic locations, I wonder if it would help if the menus were printed on bigger sheets of paper (or multiple). If I come back, I will make a point of trying another side, like one of the salads. After visiting, I'm certainly glad for the experience, and I can understand why the lineups can get so long! read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Ordering window - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Tasty fried chicken on commercial drive! Made fresh so I placed an order online and was notified of my pick up time. Online ordering was super quick and easy. I got two medium spicy boneless thighs for two people. Total was $9.90 and it was quite well portioned. Good crunch and yummy pickles. read more

Downlow Chicken Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia