The Upper East Side has welcomed plenty of restaurants over the years, but few arrivals have the potential to inspire this much excitement over chicken fingers.
Zaxbys has officially arrived in Manhattan, opening its first Upper East Side location at 1267 First Avenue between East 68th and 69th Streets. The September 30 opening marks the Southern chicken chain’s Manhattan debut—and gives New Yorkers another reason to debate which fast-food chicken reigns supreme.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Southern sensation, Zaxbys is famous for its hand-breaded Chicken Fingerz, wings, chicken sandwiches, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and signature sauces. There are also Zalads for anyone who wants to pretend they came for something healthy.
The sauce situation is serious, too. Zaxbys has built a following around 12 signature sauces, ranging from its famous Zax Sauce to considerably more fiery options. In other words, ordering chicken without sauce here would be like going to the Upper East Side and refusing to complain about rent.
The new Manhattan restaurant is part of a much bigger expansion for the Atlanta-based brand, which recently surpassed 1,000 locations nationwide. Zaxbys opened its first New York location in the Bronx earlier this summer before making its move into Manhattan.
And the timing couldn’t be better. NYC’s fried-chicken scene has become increasingly competitive, with national chains and cult favorites battling for attention—and stomach space.
For Upper East Siders, the new Zaxbys offers something different: Southern-style comfort food served fast, with plenty of crispy chicken and enough dipping sauce to make a perfectly respectable lunch disappear in minutes.
There is also a grand-opening celebration planned for October 8, featuring free chicken samples while supplies last. The first 100 qualifying guests can even score promotional swag and a collection of free-food offers.
So, Upper East Side, prepare yourselves.
The chicken fingers have officially entered the chat.
