Dave's Hot Chicken on Route 18

Restaurants.Dave'sHotChicken

Fried Chicken? Gnarly.

BY JUSTIN WANG

MARCH 30, 2026

Yoonchae from KATSEYE once declared, fried chicken is one of the gnarliest foods to grace the fast food industry. Crispy, salty, and endlessly customizable, fried chicken has become one of the most popular fast food options in America. However, in East Brunswick, it seems like chicken isn’t simply just popular anymore. It’s everywhere.

Over the past few years, the town has seen a rapid increase in chicken-focused fast food restaurants. From familiar chains like Popeyes and KFC to newer spots like Wingstop, Chick-Fil-A, and Dave’s Hot Chicken, fried chicken has conquered the local fast food scene. Recently, a Raising Canes in East Brunswick on Route 18 has been approved by the East Brunswick Zoning Board of Adjustment.

For students at EBHS, these restaurants are a familiar part of the town life; whether it’s grabbing a quick meal after school or meeting friends on the weekend, fried chicken remains a consistent option. However, the rise of chicken restaurants may reveal something deeper than just a love for fried chicken; for many students, the trend reflects a broader cultural shift toward a desire for convenience. The question that remains is if this growing number of fast food chains are what EB residents truly want. 

EBHS Junior Jeff Han said, “It is simply what we are willing to accept. None of my friends openly wish they want a specific fast food chain, but when they hear of it being built, they get excited. So, although people don't necessarily want fast food, EB as a whole tends to enjoy it.”

In other words, the popularity of these restaurants may not come from deliberate demand, but from familiarity and accessibility. When the easiest options are the most visible, they naturally become the most popular. 

Other students see the increase in chicken shops more positively, pointing to the increased accessibility these restaurants provide.

EBHS Senior Arav Choudhary said, “I’m glad they’ve been added to our community because they make food more accessible and convenient for people.”

Convenience, while appealing, can quietly shape the choices a community makes. When quick, familiar chains dominate local food options, other types of restaurants may struggle to compete. Independent restaurants, cultural cuisines, and other dining experiences often require more time, effort, and risk to establish. As a result, the very convenience that makes fast food attractive narrows down the variety of options available.

In East Brunswick, the growing presence of chicken chains reflects how strongly speed and accessibility shape consumer habits. Over time, the normalization of convenience can influence not only what people choose to eat, but what kinds of restaurants communities expect and ultimately accept.