Downlow Chicken Shack — Restaurant in Vancouver

I remember when the Downlow Chicken Shack first opened up… I must have went there at least twice only to be disappointed that they were sold out by the time I got to the door. Fast forward a bit over a year and I can finally say that I’ve tried DL and I understand why it’s always so busy.

When I arrived in August, there was a small lineup outside the door but that’s because they have an order station that’s just inside the front door. The lineup actually moves pretty quick because they’ve got things down pat now. I think I saw about a dozen people working here (1 taking orders, 1 filling orders, and a whole bunch of people cooking up kitchen, fries, and all the other stuff they serve)… really a well-oiled machine.

They had a special going on for their Big Wing Special ($2 each) which come served on white bread and accompanied by their pickles. These full wings (tips intact) were really good. Don’t bother with the bread tho because it seemed pretty stale.

This place is known for their not-so-secret menu items such as their Fries on the DL ($10 + $3.50 for added thigh). This is the dish that I’ve been meaning to try since I saw it on social media last year… a mixture of crinkle-cut fries, melted cheese, creamy/crunch slaw, tart pickles, and their fried chicken. It’s really a hearty serving and I enjoyed the crispness of the chicken paired with the very aromatic spices they used.

That being said, the fries really weren’t the star in this dish and it’s difficult to get to the bottom of the box without really digging into it.

Overall, I actually preferred the Big Wing more than the Fries on the DL… nice and crunchy coating with an easy to manage heat level (I opted for medium but they do have spicier options if you’re...

Down Low Chicken Shack- Commercial Drive: A Fiery First Impression! 🔥

Just had my first experience at Down Low Chicken on Commercial Drive, and let me tell you, the hype is real! I went for the OG Sando Combo with the Chicken Breast at the Hot level, and it was absolutely fantastic. The star of the show, the chicken, was cooked to crispy perfection and the spicy hot seasoning was incredibly flavourful with a serious kick. It wasn't just heat for the sake of heat; there was a delicious depth of flavour that kept me coming back for more. The supporting cast was equally impressive. The coleslaw was refreshingly crisp, providing a nice cool contrast to the heat. The pickles were wonderfully crunchy, adding a pleasant tang. And the side of small fries? Don't let the "small" fool you! The portion was generous, and they were seasoned with a delicious spicy blend that made them addictive. We even had leftovers! The house-made dipping sauce was the perfect accompaniment – tangy with another layer of subtle spice. To wash it all down, I highly recommend their house-made Lemonade and Sweet Tea. The combination was spot on, perfectly balancing the heat of the sandwich. The atmosphere inside was great – lively with good music playing. The staff were also incredibly welcoming. They genuinely seemed happy to have us there, especially when we mentioned it was our first visit. Overall, Down Low Chicken on Commercial Drive is a must-try. The OG Sando Combo at the Hot level was a winner. Next time, I'm definitely feeling brave enough to venture into the Extra Hot territory! Highly...

If you're craving southern style fried chicken, hit this place up! Infinitely better than any KFC or Church's, Downlow uses non-gmo, free-range chickens, and every piece is juicy and thick. You'll need a coupla extra napkins! The fries are good, soft styled and spiced with a mayo chipotle on the side.

The restaurant itself is small, and somewhat chaotic due to its popularity. The wait this Sunday lunch rush was about 25-30 minutes, and the cooks arent separated by any wall. The kitchen /is/ the restaurant, which means this place is loud. Not to mention the wicked (and wickedly loud) tunes they have bumpin'. Still though, the atmosphere is pretty relaxed, and you can hear the staff belting out some tunes as they fry.

I took mine to go and ate in the park nearby, perfect lunch!

Updating as of 2023:

I've had to downgrade my rating on this restaurant for a couple reasons:

Staff has changed, and they're really not as pleasant anymore. I have had some pretty rude encounters when trying to place an order as of late. This might be because of current economic conditions stressing everyone, but any which way, it doesn't make for a great environment anymore. It feels kinda gross these days, not sure if that's because of their increased popularity in the last four years, but it could stand a couple extra wipe downs. Chicken meh-- the last time I picked up chicken, it wasn't cooked all the way through. Maybe just a bad day,...