Probably my favorite chicken place that beats out Dave's Hot Chicken! Main Chick Hot Chicken is located in Clairemont Square, right next to where the old theater was in the line of restaurants down the strip. This place is definitely more of a grab and go since there isn't too many spots to sit and the location is a little narrow around the seating. Service is just okay in my opinion. You used to be able to order from the cashier but I guess they have decided to switch to a kiosk setup now. They also charge a ton for the extra sauce in small packets which I think is pretty lame of them to do, but I guess you gotta make profit where you can. Also, the wait times for getting your order can take a while so keep that in mind if you're in a crunch. Now for the main reason you would come here: the chicken. I think they have such a great flavor for their chicken (which isn't pickle fried like Dave's - Yuck) and just always hits the spot whenever I'm craving chicken tenders or a sandwich. The price isn't too bad for what you get in their combos either. I'll definitely be coming back here when I need my next chicken sandwich/tender fix! read more

I was so excited to try this location by my house since I had finally had their chicken in Carlsbad for the first time. This wasn't the same experience I had with the Carlsbad location. The chicken was a little dry and the fries were too crispy and dry. I did not finish my fries. The sauce was still amazing though. Overall the service was great. The cashier was friendly and this location was super clean. If it wasn't for the dryness of the food, it would have been perfect! read more

I mean... hot chicken isn't really hard to do? Or is it? I don't know, I'm not a chef, just a foodie! Main Chick was okay to me. Cooked really well and seasoned perfectly. The fries and the sauce are the stars here. That sauce rivals Cane's for sure! The fries were crispy and really good all around. They were out of slaw as a side, but had slaw in the sandwich... The storefront is whatever, guess it served it's purpose. Literally a storefront where you can order on a screen if you wanted to. Handful of tables inside and out. Good came out pretty quickly. I do like that their menu is simple with simple pricing. read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Menu - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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I wanted to see if this place is better than chick fil a. It isn't bad, but not as succulent as chick fil a. The only perk about this place is their selection items. Far more superior than chic fil a. But not as good as raisin canes. It's like, right in the middle. The service here was great but the chicken portions I got were a bit small. Love the vibe of the place though! read more

The Food is greatand The service is also great also ambience of the place is really nice..

Plenty of parking. Food came out fairly fast after we ordered. The medium is fairly spicy (per my roommate) so beware. I got the one above mild (aka naked). The sandwiches were good and the buns were perfect. The sandwiches are on the smaller size but include their signature sauce and some slaw. I had the #1 so I had fries and a chicken tender. I saved the tender for later. I forget about this place as it is hidden in the corner, but it is a good go to place. Combo #1 is a bit over $17 with tax. read more

Ordered takeout here and the chicken sandwiches always hit the spot. I've ordered here a few times and it's cooked to perfection every time. The service is awesome. We've never ate at the restaurant before, but I'm sure it's awesome. We always order the mild chicken sandwiches because these definitely can get spicy! Overall I always recommend this spot to everyone. read more

I love hot chicken and have pretty high standards after eating at Howlin' Ray's in Los Angeles, but I randomly came across Main Chick Hot Chicken and decided to try it since they have dark meat chicken sandwiches. Honestly, it was so good. The chicken was juicy, crispy, crunchy, spicy, and super flavorful. The sweet bun, sauce, pickles, and slaw all go so well with the fried dark meat. Every bite just hits. The fries are also really well seasoned and kind of addicting. Two sandwiches and two fries for $17 pre-tax is a pretty good deal in my opinion. Parking is easy and there's plenty of it. The inside is small, less than 10 tables but there's more seating outside. Only downside is the amount of fries they give can be inconsistent, sometimes they load it up and we have leftovers, other times it's barely half full. Overall, I'd definitely come back when I'm craving hot chicken. read more

Main Chick used to be soooo good. Yet everytime I come back, within the last year or so, the food has gotten worse and worse. The chicken was juicy and the sauce was heaven sent. But now I'm not even sure I will return. Their portion sizes have gotten smaller, though their prices are more expensive. Their sauce used to be fresh and delicious but not it's packaged and completely lost its flavor. The chicken has also been declining in flavor (fries too). The seasonings were like a punch and now it's just meh. I want them to go back to their formar glory. This was my go to splurge meal and now I'm not sure it's even worth the price tag. read more

Constantly having issues whenever I pick up orders from here. Sometimes it's not ready for 20 minutes, today they refused to remake an order after it was taken by someone else. What a joke, super unprofessional. read more

Fast service , food was fresh and a good price for two people . Got the number 1 combo and shared enough for two !!!

Best hot chicken ever. Fries and sauce are awesome too. Pricey but worth it in my opinion.

Food always good lunch spot need to come down and try the ube cheesecake and the Macc and cheese. read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Always good best place for lunch - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

I don't know why I don't go here often... only bad thing is I didn't get my drink that came with my order :/ BUT... wow. I swear the first time I came here, I didn't like it that much and I'm a local. I decided to stop by again because there's not really a Chick-fil-a nearby. I'm glad I did. I got combo #1 which came with 2 tenders and a sandwich with fries. I also got the mac and cheese on the side - to me I think this is WAY overpriced (~$8) but it's still good. I loved the seasoning and taste of the tenders and the coleslaw and pickles are so good with the sandwich. I got their MC dip + ranch and honestly loved both sauces. The ranch honestly tasted a bit like tzatziki sauce/dip which I didn't mind at all and really appreciated a different type of ranch taste! Will be back again! I'm in shock of how good the seasoning and taste were! Definitely wasn't that good the first time I came! read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - half eaten chicken tenders - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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A solid 4.5. I wanted to start off by saying the customer service here is on another level. The sweet lady who works the cash register is genuinely amazing at her job. She explained the menu in thorough detail and made it very easy to understand. This is such a nice energy to have at a restaurant and definitely adds to the experience. I ordered the #2 combo which was three large tenders, fries and two sauces. I am not someone who usually craves fried chicken but my boyfriend loves it and I've been on the hunt to find a place we both enjoy. This defintley beats a few other Nashville style chicken places I've been to like Dave's hot chicken. The pricing was fair, average for a chicken spot. The ambiance was clean, simplistic and welcoming. The food itself was bomb. As I already mentioned, I'm not a big fried chicken girl but this was juicy, crispy and satisfying to eat. Just the right amount of heat and paired very well with the buttermilk ranch and hot honey both made in house. The only reason this place isn't a 5 for me is because of the $2 fee for extra sauce. As with a lot of other places the extra fee for sauce just seems like an annoying money grab that will always make restraunts loose a star for me. All around great place, definitely worth trying if ur a Nashville chicken lover! read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Combo 2 - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

This is officially my new favorite fried chicken sandwich place. The price is super affordable, and both the sandwiches ($7) and fries ($6) are just so darn delicous. Mild chicken breast packs a lot of HEAT, so I don't think there is a need for any spicier unless you want the burn to overwhelm the flavor of the chicken. The chicken thigh is juicy and tender. The batter was crunchy and the bun was soft. Crinkle cut fries are amazing. Very crispy exterior with a nice fluffy interior. I loved the dipping sauce. Tons of free parking available, although my Google maps took me to a random rear parking lot. Outdoor and indoor dining available. Service is quick. There is a shared bathroom for all the restaurants in the shopping center, it requires a code. read more

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Main Chick is the BEST chain for hot chicken (yes, better than Dave's) and I make the trip out to one every time I'm in Socal. This specific location has always been consistently amazing, convenient with a huge parking lot, and never crowded even at peak dinner hours each time I've been. My go-to is always Combo #3: two chicken sandwiches with fries. Their tenders are crunchy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. Main Chick's hot is pretty spicy; personally, I enjoy the medium and the heat is a sweet heat. Their coleslaw is super crunchy and tangy, plus the pickles are to die for. Buns are high quality brioche and they SEASON SEASON their crinkle cut fries. TLDR, their ingredients are fresh, their flavors are on point, and they just kill every component. Truly, my only complaint is that I wish it was open later read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Hot Chicken Sandwich - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

This us located In Clairemont near Michael's, Krispy Kreme, Outback and is next door to the movie theater. The parking lot is huge. Service is pretty standard order at the counter and they'll bring you the food or let you know when it's ready. This place has both indoor and outdoor seating. This place is pretty good if you want chicken with a kick. The chicken tenders are a bit salty by themselves. The only downside is hydration. The combos don't come with drinks and the water cups are tiny (think around 4 ounces). If opting for water, they do have a large container of water for self service. Overall, not bad. Just be prepared to spend extra for a drink read more

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Great for quick takeout, but not ideal for dine-in. The food is solid crispy chicken tenders and fresh pickles. The 3-star rating is mainly because the space is very small with limited seating, making it feel more like a ghost kitchen. Best enjoyed fresh, since the food can get soggy in the takeout box. read more

I tried the dark meat leg and thigh combo along with a tender (medium spice) and added hot honey plus the MC Sauce. The medium heat level had a nice kick--spicy but not overwhelming. The tenders were juicy and, funny enough, I ended up with two instead of one (a win since it's $6 for one tender--definitely a better deal if you're paying per piece). The dark meat was medium-sized, juicy, and what I'd expect from a solid fast-food chicken spot. The hot honey didn't bring much heat, more sweet than spicy, but still a decent add-on. The MC Sauce was okay--not bad, but nothing standout. Honestly, ranch would've been enough, but I wanted to try their sauce options. Service was quick and efficient. Overall, a solid 4-star experience. Good chicken, fair portions, and fast service. read more

Main Chick is my favorite Nashville hot chicken tender place of ALL TIME. The seasoning on their chicken tenders is perfect, without fail. The taste penetrates to the inside of the chicken, with the outside perfectly crispy, and the inside never dry, super soft and tender still. They have their recipe nailed down and are ALWAYS consistent, not just with their food, but with their customer service as well. All the workers there are super friendly and welcoming, serving customers with a smile on their face. I knew I loved Nashville hot chicken before, but Main Chick really convinced me of how much! My go-to order is the 3 tender combo, mild spice. I love my spicy food and the medium spice is still doable enough to where it's enjoyable, yet still has a strong kick to it, but I have since learned that the mild is the sweet spot, where you will still feel okay after finishing the meal, yet still enjoy it just as much as the medium. A lot of other Nashville hot chicken places tend to be reliant on their sauce to make the food taste better, but Main Chick is only enhanced by the sauce and still delicious by itself as well. Their mac and cheese is also a MUST and complements the rest of the food so well. Something to note is that they do NOT have a bathroom inside! I recommend getting their food to-go, as they also have limited seating as well! read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

One of my favorite fried chicken places EVER. It's always freshly made (why the wait can be a little longer) and it's served to you right out of the kitchen. The chicken is so tender and has so much crisp. The sauce is perfectly sweet and savory to go with the chicken. The slaw is amazing and the sweet bun is the perfect counteract to the spicy chicken. I got the medium and that has my nose running so def be aware when you choose your level of spice. You get a free drink if you check in! The lady at the counter was so kind and gave us honey on the side when I forgot to ask for some! THEY ALSO HAVE HAPPY HOUR ON THE WEEKDAYS YOU GET TWO SANDWICHES FOR ONLY $9! read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Combo 3. 2 Sandwich & Side of Fries - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

Main Chick is always amazing, this is my go to hot chicken spot. I've tried multiple chicken spots and nothing beats main chick. Service is always fast and sometimes they bless me with an extra tendy. The restaurant is small, not many places to eat but I usually just order it as takeout and eat it at home. A must try for sure! read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Medium 6 piece tender - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

I think this place deserves a higher rating! My #1 hot chicken spot in all of Socal (I'm a repeat visitor over the last 3 years). The food is 100% always fresh and always comes out quick. The portions are generous and fair for the quality/price. Flavor is insanely savory and the fries are seasoned as well. The sauce is top tier and I love the pickles they use. Even the bun for the sliders is sweet and yummy paired with the crunchy slaw. I love everything about Main Chick! read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

Definitely work a try if you're on a quest for a great chicken sandwich. Service was quick and there was outside seating available. I would probably pick Dave's Hot, but MC comes close. read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

I used to love this place, went a few times per week. However last week i was served a tender that wasn't cooked through and today was charged $1.39 for the sauce for my tender. That brings one tender and a drink with sauce to $11.29 Maybe new management? read more

Usually so bomb. Tasted different this time. Maybe it's me. Service was great. Restaurant was clean. read more

I had the combo #1 hot chicken sandwich, tender and fries! Great taste, in this day and age good value. Service great got in and out fast. The fries were just the way I like me hot and crispy! I recommend. read more

My experience initially didn't go as planned but they recovered nicely. Great deal for the family meals, where most places don't even think about you having more than one person to feed. The strips were BIG and well spiced and with hot honey it's so fire. The coleslaw tangy and sweet. My kids ate a little too much of the MC sauce. All in all a good experience with great staff that care about their product and service. read more

Dark Meat Chicken Sandwich Great texture and a little greasy but delicious Love how spicy hot it is! SPICY IS MY WHEEL HOUSE! Dark Meat is right up my alley. SPICIER THAN POPEYES GHOST CHICKEN SANDWICH Hottest level Possible Love how spicy hot it is! SPICY IS MY WHEEL HOUSE! read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Dark Meat Chicken Sandwich Spiciest level possible - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

Really feel burned by my order. Essentially 29 dollars for a #3 meal and a side of mac and cheese. Insane for fried chicken. Probably similar to daves though, is it as good? Nope. Mac: gooey, just tasted like roux and cream. No cheese flavor and way undersalted. Added my own salt. Still just tasted like plain cream. Awful and for 8 dollars a side laughable. Chicken sammies: so small we actually laughed when wr opened the box. Each bun had a small dry tender smaller than my palm. For like 20 for 2. Flavor was ok with the sauce, but it was dry and much worse than daves which is my usual go to. Fries were okay but i only got a tiny cup of sauce and extras were 1.50. Had to use the sauce to make the sandwiches edible Never again read more

Awesome spot! The SD location doesn't skimp when it comes to amount of food. I had a big order of 6 different combos and they were nice enough to include extra tenders in each combo since some were smaller than others. This was a huge surprise as the location in Woodland Hills just gives u small pieces and don't seem to care. If you get the 3 tender piece combo, more likely than not, you'll actually get 5 pieces! Thank you to this location and putting your customers first. 10/10 would recommend coming here read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tenders: 5/5 Perfectly crispy! The seasoning is sweet and spicy and savory. And overall delicious! Sandwich: 3/5 The sandwich was incredibly underwhelming after having the tender. It tasted like bread with some coleslaw and chicken. I think the sandwich needs some sauce to pull it all together. Sauce: 2/5 This is the worst hot chicken sauce I have ever had. Fries: 5/5 Just like the tenders, perfectly crispy! And with just the right amount of seasoning. read more

This place is really good and for a good price you can get really full the area where it's in is really nice. I definitely recommend recommended for people from out of the state. read more

Great food, poor service the last few times I've been there. Make sure you check your receipt for accuracy.

Combo #3 2 Chicken Sandwiches, Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries, 1 MC Sauce Great deal for the cost! I got the mild flavor and the chicken was delicious. read more

This place has been on my radar for a while now. I'm glad I finally got a chance to try it out. Main Chick is located in Clairemont Square, in the food court area, next to the movie theater. Easy enough to find and no problem with parking. The place has a small dining area, but there is also seating outside in the general food court area. I looked up the combos before hand, so knew what I wanted to order. I ordered the combo with the chicken sandwich, chicken tender, and fries. Hot, juicy, and tender chicken. Not lacking in batter or overly battered, for me it was perfectly battered and had a nice crispiness and I loved the dry rub or whatever they seasoned the chicken with. The chicken sandwich was basically that delicious chicken tender and two lightly toasted buns with cole slaw. It had me thinking, man this is pretty good! As far as spice level, naked seems to be mild spice and I think mild is probably medium. So naked is truly not naked. I usually order the lowest spice level before advancing. Next time, I'll probably go with mild. The fries are crinkle cut and were pretty good also. I believe they sprinkle the same dry rub they use on the chicken on the fries. Nice crisp texture and flavor. Service was good. The woman at the counter was pleasant, friendly, and answered my questions. I really enjoyed the food here. I'm a fan and will definitely return. Interestingly, I found out that there is another location that is closer to me down Linda Vista Road. So I'll probably try that location next time I'm craving some delicious chicken. Main Chick rates a solid 4 / 5 for me and I am a fan that will be returning. 4 / 5: Food 4 / 5: Service 4 / 5: Cleanliness 4 / 5: Overall read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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The guys here are awesome. I would give there menu an 11 on the 1-10 treated with respect thank you guys

Idk y'all, I'm not about Main Chick. Maybe it's the long wait times or the lack of FLAVOR with their spices, but I'ma keep looking for my SD/Nash hot chicken. Ordered takeout on a weekday evening for two, and the website was super easy to navigate. We got two combos, 1 and 3 and waited until the anticipated wait time (which was a solid 30 mins from ordering). We were surprised, but maybe it was busier than we thought. I had to wait an extra 15 mins when I was there, and it seemed like there were 5 other parties waiting for their to-go order, which was interesting. The texture of the chicken was great, juicy and tender! But honestly the spice could use some work. The levels of heat were a nice touch, but with the mild and medium spice levels, there was like...no flavor just heat. We were kinda disappointed. I would definitely like some korean fried chicken compared to Main chick. The fries were a nice touch, crinkle-cut isn't my fave but they were tasty and a nice "side." In all, I'd skip Main Chick. Onto the next Nash chicken joint. read more

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Storefront - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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There are no words how about how bad this place was. All the food is overpriced. $20 for three chicken tenders ....no. $1.39 for a side of ranch they don't offer you one free. They're all $1.39 bad atmosphere subpar customer service. Blah blah blah don't waste your money. read more