I was ordered, through the grapevine, to make a visit to Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers on 29N (not to be confused with the world’s first self-righting walking cane). Going north, it’s about one block past the KFC. The KFC should be really, really freaked out.
I am a skeptic of any place that can cook your food within several minutes. As an admitted food snob, I thought a few times about visiting Raising Cane’s.
I mean gosh, we have all the fixings for a disaster:
1. Cane’s is where Krispy Kreme Doughnuts used to have its store
2. The restaurant was full of the Id of Jared
3. Only Chicken Fingers?! That sounds stupid. Aren’t chicken fingers, like, for kids?
4. Typical fast foodish fears.
Guess what, Cane’s proved me all wrong.
Raising Cane’s, hands down, has amazing fried chicken. Before I get there, you have to understand that I HATE fast food. I will touch things ( and do so frequently) like Quiznos, Five Guys, Chipotle, etc., but to eat fast food means, I am about to die, lost in the middle of an airport or a mob boss has decided to hold a gun to my head.
Needless to say, my skepticism was gushing. I looked at the history behind the place and it’s pretty sweet. The whole thing started after a failed business plan:
Prior to founding the chain, Graves and Silvey received many objections from those assessing their business plan, including financiers and business school academics. Graves used the concept for the restaurant for an assigned project in a business class he was enrolled in at LSU. He received a “C” on the project.
I love successful failures. I especially love them when they taste good.
Raising Cane’s struggled to find a name for its restaurants. In lieu of “Sockeye’s Chicken Fingers” the founder decided to name the entire chain after his dog. You can find more details about the history of the naming here.
So, what’s on the menu? It’s really simple and basically a variation of the same deal: fries, chicken fingers and texas toast. Texas toast is really, really buttery thick white toast. You can sub fresh squeezed lemonade for 25 cents or something like that.
- The Box combo comes with four chicken fingers, coleslaw, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, Cane’s Sauce, and a 20 ounce drink.
- The Caniac combo is the same as “The Box”, only with six chicken fingers, two Cane’s Sauces, and a 32 ounce drink.
- The 3 Finger Combo combo comes with three chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, Cane’s Sauce, and a drink.
- The Sandwich combo comes with three chicken fingers on a Kaiser roll with lettuce and Cane’s Sauce, crinkle-cut fries, and a drink.
- The Sandwich combo can also come on Texas toast instead of a Kaiser Roll.
- The Kid’s Meal comes with 2 chicken fingers, crinkle cut fries, Cane’s Sauce, 12 ounce drink, and a prize.
- The Tailgate Box can come in either 25, 50, 75, or 100 chicken fingers and each come with cane’s sauce in increments of 8 sauces per 25 fingers. The coleslaw that comes with the Box and Caniac combos can be replaced by extra toast, extra fries, or extra Cane’s Sauce.
Did I mention most of the combos cost under 6 dollars? So it’s cheap and simple, but how about the food?
I love crinkle fries. Cane’s puts honey or something similar on it. The fries are pretty good. On a scale of 1 to 10, they would be a 7.5. This makes them the best fries I’ve ever had served in under 2 minutes.
The fresh squeezed lemonade was amazing (and very sweet) and the texas toast gave me a wonderful heart attack.
The chicken, ah yes, the chicken. It’s fried, but very lightly breaded. I didn’t get that chemical aftertaste or that nasty fillness I get from other fast food joints. Cane’s fresh (never frozen) chicken fingers means there are no bones to deal with, everything is white meat, you aren’t eating some mechanical processed chicken derivative. The frying process keeps the chicken super moist. I stuffed my face and wanted more.
Now, they have a famous sauce that is some combination of mayo, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. It’s good, but I could make better sauces. It does taste somewhat real though, which sets it apart from other sauces at other fast food joints.
Oh, I’m in love. Cane’s does to chicken what five guys is doing to the burger industry. They bring a fresh product to the masses, do it well and do it cheaply. It’s not a fancy place, but it will cure your hangover and you will want to go back. On top of the food being amazing, I also got asked by a manager how everything was. How often does that happen at fast food joints?
Cane’s…. YOU ARE FREAKING AMAZING!
Let me know what you think!
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it will cure your hangover
Do you get a towel with your order?
For what it is worth, there are at least a half dozen such franchise operations dotting the South, e.g., Zax/Zaxby’s, Otter’s, Big Chic. As I’ve a particular weakness for such food, I’m not complaining.
Craig, are any of them in Charlottesville?
Ooh, let’s talk about chicken finger joints.Gag me with a spoon. Doesn’t anyone have interesting tales from the crawl or something?
But how can they beat the deals at that other joint?
Oh, speaking of raising canes…
yah why are you pimpin’ for chain restaurants all of sudden. what’s next a review of gossip from the fashion square mall?
I think it’s great to support other options. Quit being such a snob, Silmo.
I think the point is to support local businesses rather than chains. I am all for a review of non-fancy, non-expensive restaurants. In faqct I’d settle for a mere list of non-expensive restaurants or any proof that they exist at all.
I can’t respect a chicken fingers joint that only has one type of sauce.
Silmo, local people own the land that Cane’s is on, local people work there, local people eat there, local people benefit from the taxes that the government charges on the food when people eat there.
I’m just trying to review food places and Cane’s has a place in Charlottesville, so why not? Am I not allowed to review non-local places?
I have 2 more local food reviews coming up this week, so don’t worry!
I tried to place back when it opened because I like the story behind it. I also liked the cute doggie on the sign.
I didn’t not like the food. I really didn’t like the fries.
To each his own.
@anoop, I think it has 2 sauces… the other is a honey mustard, but I didn’t try it.
My grammar is so stellar today. I did not like the food.
I can’t respect people who eat chicken fingers.
Upstart, maybe I got lucky.. It’s really a heavy meal, but for fried chicken, I was very impressed for 6 bucks.
I can’t respect people who eat bean curd.
/kidding
you’re a bean curd
What? No respect?
I’ll curd your beans, if you know what I mean.
Curd my beans? I best gird my loins.
What part of the finger does the chicken come from again?
I’ll support local businesses up to the point where it’s more expensive to do so, or they don’t provide value (be it quality of materials/food/service,etc) that rivals the chains. If I buy my dog a large bag of rawhides, it costs about $8-$9 from the local pet shops I’ve been to. At Wal-Mart? $4. Sorry, Wal-Mart wins.
@19: that is one scary chicken.
i’ve only had raising cane’s catering, & it was with quite a bit of beer. it was good then but i’ve never felt the need to go there sober, & somehow i’m never drunk on 29N.
@20: mom!!! thor’s flirting with me again!
& somehow i’m never drunk on 29N
I can’t help but think that 29N would be more enjoyable were I drunk
But Chad, how much time did you spend trucking out to Wal-Mart for that cheap bag of Chinese rawhides?
In my opinion, the cost savings of going to chains like Wal-Mart is negated by the store experience I have at those stores. There is no such thing as a “quick” trip to pick something up. You’re always fighting a crowd and you’re always standing in line.
BTW, if you want chewies for your pup, you might like the Tuffies and Planet Dog toys at Sammy Snacks. They told me that if my dog ever chewed through the Tuffies I bought, I could bring them back and get a replacement on the spot. The company says they’ll do the same, but if you buy their toy at a big box store, you’ll do all the mailing and waiting.
Buying local saves time (and gas!), creates relationships, and gets you free stuff! I buy stuff almost exclusively at Sammy Snacks and the Dog & Horse Lover’s Boutique and always get free stuff along with my purchases. The owners/staff of both are delightful, too. I can’t say the same for Wal-Mart.
I wasn’t too impressed with Canes the first time I went there. That Texas toast nearly killed me, too, Thor.
I’d like to see a review of Jak ‘n Jill’s. Maybe I’ll work up the courage to go there one day.
@23: faulty math, man. I know it’s not easy to factor in hidden costs, they don’t print them on the price tag. But that wal-mart stuff is costing way more than $4 in real dollars and ethical costs.
@23: walmart also cheaply supplied deadly chinese treats and tainted pet food. hey, but you saved a couple of bucks!
http://www.itchmo.com/wal-mart-removes-bestro-chicken-jerky-strips-after-dog-death-2321
Feh. Rawhide is only 3.25 at other chains. Besides the rawhides at walmart are made from the victims of female infanticide. At least thats what someone told me. But really, enjoy that savings!
/i know… “awaiting moderation”
hi kids. my j-o-b has kept me both in the middle east and unable to post timely questions. it’s l’esprit de l’escalier, non?
anyways. am i the only one taking issue with what is actually INCLUDED in your combo meal? “fries, chicken fingers and texas toast. texas toast is really, really buttery thick white toast.” yes, yes, i’m all about some carb-loading every now and then (ahem. all the now and then), but fries + fried chick’n + buttered bread?
i don’t know. maybe the blissful shun of anything green on the plate is part of the draw. thoughts?
@Gobbler: Jak’n'Jill’s is delicious. They make a great shake, too.
But Chad, how much time did you spend trucking out to Wal-Mart for that cheap bag of Chinese rawhides?
usually I’m up there for other reasons and it’s a quick stop. I’m not going to commute 30 miles to buy just a bag of rawhides, that’s obviously absurd.
@29, @30
Each person has their own breaking point on ethics/etc. $9 rawhides is mine. I also shop at grocery stores, which has tradeoffs from say, growing your own food. I’d wager we don’t have a ton of people here doing the latter.
Eastender, I agree that the lack of green is pretty depressing. I notice the same problem with I see a KFC commercial (never been to one of those and probably never will step foot in one). All the food is a shade of brown. How appetizing.
@32: haha you made a french joke. and people who eat chicken fingers probably aren’t thinking about eating healthy to start with
@43: I’d wager you keep going off on tangents
oh Chad… equating a Wal-Mart boycott to growing your own food? nice comeback.
> I can’t respect people who eat chicken fingers.
You mean you can do other things with chicken?!
shenanigans can see into the future of comments! i can’t wait to see what 43 ends up being. hopefully a math joke.
@36: i know. it’s like he’s not even trying.
or there’s a string on his back that you pull and out comes a variety of prerecorded lame arguments.
Chik-fil-a is pretty cheap too and not bad chicken… they have a cute little side-salad for $1.65 thats always been fresh and crisp in my experiences. Plus I give them credit for being closed on Sunday, I don’t necessarily agree with the owners religious stance, but he puts his money where his mouth is.
I grow my own food at Walmart, in the gardening center. That’s my trade off.
Turns out, if you jack one of those blue vests, you can get away with pretty much anything. Hell sometimes you don’t even need the vest.
/only if she’s 5′3″…
@ 34 – I also shop at grocery stores, which has tradeoffs from say, growing your own food.
I buy my food at Wallmart but I grow my own additives and preservatives
/am currently distilling my own bleach
@37
reread my post, that’s exactly the point i’m trying to make — people have different opinions on how they value getting stuff from non-chains. some people will be ok with shopping at grocery stores, and some people will be ok with spending +50% less on the exact same item at a chain store.
the whole elitist “you must shop at all local stores, all the time” is really weak and offputting. like i said, if the local business provides a tangible benefit to the chain, then yeah, i’ll go there. this is why the blue ridge country store continues to kick salad creation’s ass all up and down the mall.
jumping on thor for daring to go to a chain and review the food .. (rolls eyes).
@33 they seriously have great shakes? is there any place else in town that does? because i drive to richmond to go to fuddruckers.
speaking of both wasting gas & getting fat.
@40 – they have a cute little side-salad
Is she single???
This guy starts channeling Tim half way in (URLpoo:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9e1alirMhc&NR=1
http://dissectionandintrospection.blogspot.com/2008/02/why-chicken-fingers-are-destroying.html
@46: wtf? i wouldn’t be caught dead at walmart
@47 god damn chicken finger elitists >:\
@44 – “fat”? Oh please, you have nothing to worry about.
@44: I like them. Also, try a shake from the soda fountain at the back of Timberlake’s Drug Store on the mall. Delicious.
Can’t vouch for the shakes, but Jack-n-Jill has the best foot-long hot dog in town, IMO. Get mine all the way (chili, mustard & onions).
I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE?
“the best foot-long hot dog in town”
..just wait.
@24 and @27: If you wait until late enough at night you can be drunk on 29N and avoid the crowds at Wal-Mart all at the same time.
/boycotting Wal-Mart for over a year
Jack-n-Jill has the best foot-long hot dog in town, IMO
too easy
my j-o-b has kept me both in the middle east and unable to post timely questions.
No TCP in the UAE?
/does geopolitical techno-rap on the side
Jack-n-Jill has the best foot-long hot dog in town, IMO
But do they serve steak?
I am beginning to get the sneaking suspicion that W8LUCMDK is rather, well, penis oriented.
I suppose every intartube message board needs a delegate from Acronymic Phallo-centric Camp. For me, his ‘rallying around his maypole’ is much more entertaining when read with a beavis and buttthead voice in mind.
“Heh heh.. he said.. ‘pole’.”
So, enough, well, beating around the bush. Tell me W8, tell us all, once and for all… is you’re penis just that enormous? If so, congratulations! I am very happy for you.
Glad we could clear that up. No if you’ll excuse me, Im going to go watch “Shaft”.
you wanna borrow the extended version?
you wanna borrow the extended version?
I am afraid to answer that question.
@61: Wait till you see my Firecrotch.
@58: ‘yeah, you know me’
/drags out bad jokes even after they’re un-funny.
drags out bad jokes even after they’re un-funny.
which is the only time they are truly funny
/zen humorist
I’m a big fan of Cane’s as a hangover cure. The staff is remarkable polite and the food is fresh. It gets my vote.
Can anyone give a review of Moore’s Creek Family Restaurant?
Anyone else ever find that the only days they really crave Chic-Fil-A are Sundays?
C’ville needs a new Bojangles.
Anyone else ever find that the only days they really crave Chic-Fil-A are Sundays?
glad to hear it’s not just me
@66 Popeye’s, yes. Bojangles, no.
Moore’s Creek is really cheap and really unappetizing from my experience.
I’d go except I don’t want to die trying to turn in there. There’s a traffic jam there morning, noon and night.
@69 – They do breakfast better than they do lunch/dinner, the few times I’ve been there. Definitely cheap eats too.
Can anyone give a review of Moore’s Creek Family Restaurant?
Yes. Its nice inside, and the staff is friendly. I had a small mexican family. The father was tasty, but the mother was woefully over salted. The twin brothers were cold by the time they arrived at my table. On top of that, their choice of water was no where near up to snuff.
I don’t think I will be back.
Re: Chicken Tenders
I haven’t been to Raising Cane’s yet, but it seems like a good concept. I really like the idea of doing only one or two things, but doing it/them well. I.e. Five Guys, or Chipotle, etc.
Re: Chic-fil-a
I grew up in ATL, where Chic-fil-a more or less started, so I like them a lot. Ate it a ton in high school (chicken biscuit for breakfast is pretty awesome). So It’s an easy top 5 for fast food for me. Also, a new menu item they’ve got, which is really good, is their milkshakes. Love the cookies and cream shake when I’m up 29N (further down south and it’s Arby’s Jamoca). But, a couple more reasons to eat at Chic-fil-a. Back from my health watching days, I think they’re “char grill” sandwich only has 3 grams of fat, and the fried only has 9. Pretty healthy. Also, from the 3 or 4 times I’ve used the drive through up 29N, I’ve had tremendous service. The first time, the dude on the speaker was so enthusiastic it blew my mind. Maybe Chic-fil-a pays very well, but I just couldn’t believe how genuine excited and happy the guy was taking orders. Additionally, one time I sat in the drive through for about 10 minutes after I’d ordered (due to an extremely bad customer at the pickup window). When I finally pulled up, before I could say anything, sincere apologies from the window, and gift certificates for 3 free sandwiches. I just think that’s above the call of duty for fast food, and that’s consistently the level of service I get there.
Popeye’s, yes. Bojangles, no.
Bingo. I agree totally. We need a Popeye’s. I’d only eat there maybe once a year, but for that one day, it would be heaven on earth.
@66 — Moore’s Creek has good breakfasts. Pretty basic, but a good value–eggs, a bread, a breakfast meat and hash browns or grits plus coffee for about $7 including tax & tip. And there are always cops eating there when I’ve been there. Not sure what that says about the place.
Lets sum up all my thoughts:
-We need Bojangles, not Popeye’s. I feel like there used to be one on 29N back in the day, like 7 years ago.
-Chic Fil A is gross. That pickles ruins everything.
-Raising Canes is good, but nothing earth shattering. The Texas Toast is amazing though.
-Wayside is the place to go to for some good local fried chicken.
-I might have to steal some of that dude’s air guitar moves.
-I find W8LUCMDK rather funny, if juvenile. I say keep it up.
My chicken-eating roommates swear by the fried chicken at Gibson’s Grocery in Belmont. Anyone else had it?
@73 good to hear about their milkshakes. that’s one more thing i’ll be deprived of when i crave chick-fil-a while driving the length on I-95 on sundays.
I’d have to agree that Cane’s chicken is good. It’s supposedly fresh and never frozen which sells me on buying the stuff, but what really gets me goin is the sauce. I order a few extra sauces and make sure that every bite I take is covered in the stuff. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cane’s doubles as a Meth house and the sauce has some Meth in it, because I can’t get enough of it.
Going along with the stream of convo–Compared to Cane’s, ChickenfilA sucks. When you order a sandwich you get some chicken (which is ok) in between two pieces of bread with a pickle slice (maybe two if your lucky) stuck on top of the chicken. That’s not good. Bojangles is good, but real greasy. Popeyes has some damn spicy chicken which I find to be delicious. Now, both Popeyes and Cane’s got their start in Louisiana which says something about how good they have to be to compete with the food down there. I say stick a Popeyes where the KFC is right next to the Cane’s and watch the chicken mobs take over.
Glad to pass it on. They are big though, so you might not need anything but. I recommend the vanilla or cookies and cream.
i lub fast food, but I don’t like Canes or ChikFellate. The outer seasonings on both are just a little off to me. I like KFC the best. I like Wayside chicken when it’s not overcooked. I like the chicken at Everyday Cafe. I don’t like pre-made grocery store fried chicken because it’s hard on the outside.
If you are a Canes lover and chicken finger fan – check out Todd Graves on the new Louisiana 2 Step commercials!
Thor – you mentioned the loathing of major fast food, but did you know Chipotle is owned by the big yellow arches? yuck.
Chompette… Welcome. Help yourself to some Texas toast and watered down generic soda product.
@ compette, I don’t care who owns a food joint, I care what the food tastes like. Also, I think Chipotle was spun off my McDonalds..
see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipotle_Mexican_Grill
Chipotle was an independent concept, later invested in by the McD. McD’s stake grew to a majority, and then McD later divested itself. Now Chip’s a public company, so owned by a lot of people.
Durty Nelly’s – great old Charlottesville…also Bizou.
I had Syracuse friends in for basketball and they thought Durty Nelly’s was the most awesome place.
Also – Lord Hardick’s..cute place, very cute.
I just got an email that says….
The Jr. League of Charlottesville’s
Provisional Class
PRESENT
Rock Out, Dine Out!
Benefiting the Music Resource Center
On Wednesdays in April, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers,
located at 1805 Emmet Street North, will generously donate
$1 when you order a combo meal AND
mention the Jr. League or the Music Resource Center.
All proceeds will benefit the Music Resource Center,
a local non-profit that provides area teens a music education that
equips them with life skills for the future.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.jlcville.org http://www.musicresourcecenter.org
http://www.raisingcanes.
Snort. Nothing says classy southern belle like chix fingers dipped in ranch.