Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken — Restaurant in Virginia

2nd visit for takeout. 2 smash burgers and fries. $23.97 only reason for this second visit was for me to sample the burger. I got the honey sauce on the side. Nothing special. Done here.

1st visit here. 1/5/25 2 PM Place was empty. A lot of these hot chicken places are popping up around here so the wife and I decided to try one. This place has a burger option that was a driving factor as my wife doesn't eat poultry. The restaurant was in need of cleaning as most of the tables were dirty and the floor needed to be swept up. We cleaned one off to suit us. The high intensity LED overhead lights were overwhelming and made dining unpleasant. The menu is pretty straightforward for the chicken items. Pick your chicken and what heat level. I got the Crimson signature sandwich medium heat. It was ok. The heat wasn't much but it overpowered the taste of the chicken itself and the slaw. The fries were very salty. The wife's smash burger was good and came with crimson sauce vs conventional mustard and ketchup, and lots of pickles which she liked. We may try a different brand of hot chicken place in the future but won't be back to this one.

*Note this review was completed without using ridiculous un-discriptive terms like out-of-bounds, OMG, on point, awesome, the bomb, yummy, delish, to die for, do your self a favor, trust me, or kids emojis etc.. Describe the food, service (or lack of) and provide details on the cost/copy of check and include pictures! Is the place clean? No disrespect to the employees but no one cares about the waiter/waitress/clerk names, or if they look like they fell face first into a tackle box. They get changed like underwear and you don't get to pick one. No we don't care about your allergies or the need for gluten free food.

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They recently opened up here in Stafford within the past month and I went one day for lunch, but they weren’t open as they were working on their fryers… disappointing that I drove all the way there to find them closed, but it gave me a chance to try the new Jersey Mike’s near there (which was excellent, BTW). So, I went back for dinner on a Sunday night, getting there around 6:30PM and they were moderately busy. The cashier was very friendly and helpful. There were a lot of staff working, but I’m not sure what was going on, as they boxes of food that needed to be filled were just constantly backing up. I watched people walk in and then leave and I saw others complain about waiting a very long time. I waited about 30 minutes myself, which is very unreasonable. I do understand they’re new and still working out the kinks though, so hopefully this improves.

As for the food… It’s definitely packaged nicely… looks and smells appetizing. The hot chicken sandwich was decent, but had more heat than flavor. I’ve tried nearly all Nashville Hot Chicken joints in Nashville, including the one that started the movement, Prince’s. And I’ve tried many in the Northern VA area as well and not only have they all offered decent, scalable heat, but they also offer interesting, often times unique flavors. That wasn’t the case with my sandwich here, it was hot, but thin and not very flavorful. The buttery bun was more flavorful, and was very good actually. The pickles and slaw were fresh and good as well.

Mac & Cheese was really good, probably one of the better macs I’ve had locally. The fries were very tasty while fresh, but as they cooled off, they became wimpy and not so flavorful. I do like the spicey salt they toss them in, and they toss them as soon as they come out of the fryer, which is a great way to get the seasoning to stick.

Overall, it was a mediocre visit. Maybe I’ll try them again in 6 months or so, once they have time to work out the kinks and settle into...

Five Stars Shining Bright for The Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken! Wow! Just wow! After a grueling morning tackling gutter cleaning with my wife and son, we stumbled upon a true gem: The Crimson Chicken. What a fantastic find! This wasn't just a quick lunch stop; it was a much-needed boost of flavor and energy that perfectly fueled me up for the afternoon's gutter adventures. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was great. The cashier was exceptionally nice – genuinely welcoming, incredibly informative about the menu, and so knowledgeable. You could tell they took pride in their food, and it made the whole experience even better. And the food? Absolutely outstanding! I opted for the spicy chicken burrito, and it was pure perfection. The chicken was succulent and packed a delightful kick, exactly what I needed. It was clearly made fresh and served piping hot. My wife and son were equally impressed with their meals. Let's not forget the fries! Oh my goodness, those fries were seasoned to absolute perfection. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and that seasoning? Chef's kiss! They were the ideal accompaniment to our burritos. The service was also lightning fast, which was much appreciated when we were on a tight schedule. But beyond the delicious food and excellent service, there were these little touches that made The Crimson Chicken truly memorable. I especially loved the cow bench out front! It was such a fun and quirky detail that added a real charm to the place. Knowing that there's a new store opening in Stafford is fantastic news! You can bet we'll be making a beeline for it. The Crimson Chicken has definitely earned a spot on our regular lunch rotation. Five out of five stars! If you're looking for delicious, hot, and fresh food served with a smile in a great atmosphere, look no further than The Crimson Chicken....