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    Roaming Rooster

    3.6 (37 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Hot Chicken Nuggets
    Sanjana R.

    The OG Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich was so tasty! Very crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Loved the Hot Chicken Nuggets too, everything was great. I think next time, I want to try the Extra Hot Chicken, as the Hot version wasn't as spicy as I thought it would be. Even though it was very busy on a Saturday, our food came out in reasonable time. Plenty of seating is available in the food court as well! Overall a nice ambiance but it can get pretty congested with a lot of people.

    Nashville Chicken Sandwich
    Bill Z.

    The chicken itself was nothing special. The coleslaw however is incredible. I would buy just the coleslaw separately. The price for 1 sandwich is too expensive and it's not big enough. Service was quick and the ambiance of Western Market is always great. It gets busy during lunch.

    Menu

    Giving 3.5 stars since it's a new restaurant for us, in a cool DC food hall, and staff is friendly & helpful. Fries 6.7: borderline soggy but fresh cut. OG Nashville Sandwich 4.8: bland and thin. Fried Chicken & Coleslaw 5.4: chicken is bland and jalapeño coleslaw is sour.

    OG Nashville
    Sian S.

    Respectable prices (10.49/burger) but small portion size. TBH I don't have that big of an appetite and I was hungry after a full burger. As far as fried chicken sandwiches go... not bad but not the best. Juicy meat & good toppings but overall honestly kind of bland. Was hoping for better!

    OG Nashville sandwich
    Rose L.

    This location is inside Western Market. It does tend to be pretty busy during lunch time but the wait time for food was not bad. You get to choose your spice level which ranges from mild to extra hot. I ordered the OG Nashville sandwich. It was made to order and came out very hot and fresh. Unfortunately, it was a bit too salty for me which made it not very enjoyable. Maybe next time I'll try the honey butter sandwich.

    Shelly J.

    So I had my eye on this place for quite some time, thanks to IG. So after a YEE, my friend and I, flocked down to RR. I was starving! So the restaurant is inside the Western Market. It's a pick up counter. You order and they make it. Very little waiting time. Especially for a Friday. My chicken was the honey butter. I got medium spicy. Thinking it was going a joke like it won't hit me..even the dude that worked there said its hot hot... but I needed that kick. Just have a jug of water close. The chicken sammich is good as HATTIES in Nashville, I can't say which is better cuz both get same amount of love. I didnt get fries cuz this Sammy will fill you up. Great service btw!! Plenty of indoor seating all over and outside! Please open more locations like in Maryland!! Can't wait to return!

    Toya D.

    + 1/2 | From food truck(s) to brick and mortar, this spot has been on my radar for over a year now. Customer service = Super friendly, accommodating. Cost = Pricey, à la carte Food = Decent. Honestly, a Chick-fil-A/Popeye's/KFC chicken sandwich with a slice of cheese. Everything was served piping hot, which is a must for me. The honey butter chicken was crispy and flavorful. I ordered a medium, but I swear they gave me the 7th level of hell! -_- It was sooo hot. The fries were just OK. Overall, it wasn't bad. I doubt I'd return, because $18 is a little too much for a meal that doesn't include an extra side or a beverage. __ IG: @f.hux I #yelp and I know things. Keep reading... https://linktr.ee/f.hux #foodieHUX #yelpelite #yelpeatsdc #yelpdc

    SuJin C.

    Medium was so spicy but very good. Second time, ordered mild. There was no spice at all. Very inconsistent with menu descriptions. Great addition to the Western Market Foodhall.

    Picture of chicken filet
    Mark G.

    Stopped by Roaming Rooster near old uni and unfortunately the overall experience was quite disappointing. The customer service was so bad that I didn't even want to try what I bought. I was handed a room temperature water which in the grand scheme of things wasn't that bad but the overall impression was already made. I try to look for positives but I couldn't find one here. Maybe the other locations are better but I'm less inclined to try another one.

    Honey butter sandwich (no cheese) w/ medium heat + fries
    Ariston T.

    I haven't been in DC in two years and I can't come to the area and not come get Roaming rooster! I had a honey butter chicken sandwich (hold the cheese) with medium heat temperature spice and it was phenomenal! A perfect blend of crispy juicy flavor spice in a bite that's unmatched! And the fries were great also! (They really need to bring a location to ATLANTA!)

    OG Nashville Chicken Sandwich with fries and a ginger ale
    Aaron M.

    First time trying Roaming Rooster and I really Enjoyed the OG Nashville Chicken Sandwich with Fries. A bit pricey for a sandwich, fries, and bottled drink but hey it's DC!!!

    Sangho K.

    Inside the Western Market, among many other vendors, I was told this chicken sandwich place was awesome. I got the OG Nashville chicken sandwich (Hot heat (spicy) level), chicken tenders (Medium heat level) and the coleslaw. The chicken could've been a bit crispier but overall it was good. My spice tolerance is pretty good and the hot level was bearable but it definitely is hot. The medium spicy level wasn't that far off from the hot so if you can't take the heat, go for the mild. The coleslaw also has a slight kick as it has slices of jalapeño in it. Additionally, the eating area is shared with the other vendors so it gets quite loud during busy times. Pick your lunch/dinner time wisely!

    OG Nashville

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    Great food and plenty of it. Chicken seasoned to perfection - be careful with spice level!

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    Ask the Community - Roaming Rooster

    Roaming Rooster

    Roaming Rooster

    4.3(175 reviews)
    1.4 miU Street Corridor
    Family-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    Quick service and the food is really top notch. Love how…read moretheir slaw is not mayo based- lighter, crunchier. They have some seating inside, but have signs up limiting you to 30 minutes so it's definitely meant to scarf down your goodies and bop outta there. Liked the coleslaw and chicken, hot was good and actually fairly hot! Honey mustard drizzle to add a little oomph definitely the move.

    One of my favorite chicken spots in the DMV has to be Roaming Rooster on U Street. While this…read morelocation is my personal favorite, you really can't go wrong with any of their locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. This Black-owned restaurant has built a reputation for serving some of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the area, and after one visit, it's easy to understand the hype. The Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich deserves every bit of praise it gets -- perfectly crispy chicken, soft bread, and that sweet/spicy balance that keeps you coming back. The OG Nashville sandwich is another standout if you like heat with real flavor behind it. Their tenders are always juicy, the fries are seasoned well, and the Rooster Sauce should honestly be bottled and sold separately. Breakfast is also severely underrated here. The honey butter biscuit and chicken biscuit are easily some of the best breakfast sandwiches in DC. What I appreciate most is the consistency. The chicken is always fresh, crispy, and cooked to order. Portion sizes are generous, and even online reviewers constantly mention how flavorful the sandwiches are and how the fries alone can feed multiple people. The DMV definitely supports this place for a reason. Reddit threads regularly call it one of the best chicken sandwich spots in DC, with people saying the Honey Butter sandwich is "life changing" and even comparing it favorably against national chains. If you're visiting U Street and craving comfort food done right, Roaming Rooster absolutely deserves a stop.

    Photos
    Roaming Rooster
    Roaming Rooster
    Roaming Rooster

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    Ooh Dat Chicken

    Ooh Dat Chicken

    4.1(106 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown
    $

    Oooooh dat chicken that I had for lunch today was pretty good. I was out searching for another food…read moretruck, and then this place caught my attention. I was still a little hesitant until this nice woman came along and vouched for the food. I had no idea about what to order, but as soon as I saw her food come out I was sold. I told the guys to give me exactly what she had, which included a quarter chicken, corn, and potatoes. I got back up to my office and enjoyed all of it. The chicken was well done and well seasoned, the corn was tasty, and the potatoes were better than what I was expecting. Can't really explain it but they were like roasted and mashed at the same time.. whatever it was it was great! Oh and that sweet orange sauce that they gave me took the chicken to another level. Insert fire emojis Lastly, the guys working the truck were some of the coolest food truck people that I've ever interacted with. Combine that with good food and you can def count on my coming back again.

    Well...I meant to take a picture of my lunch. Really, I did. But...it was gone too fast…read more.. Today was my second time at Ooh Dat. Both times I've ordered the same thing - a quarter dark meat with one side. It comes with basmati rice (which you can sub out for a different side) and a choice of a salad, coleslaw, and corn. I've chosen the coleslaw both times - I find it so unique, with its cabbage and basil-like dressing. Definitely NOT your usual slaw. I will try the corn one of these days, though. On to the chicken - They give you a good amount of chicken and it is very, very juicy. I can't comment about the skin (I don't eat the skin, I take it off...I know to some of you that's a sin!) but my co-workers have previously commented that it is nicely seasoned. They also provide you with a mild barbeque sauce, and today they gave me a new sauce, which was curry-based. It's slightly thicker than the barbeque sauce, which while it has good flavor, is a bit thinner (it complements, not overpowers, the chicken). I alternated between both sauces today. I have to also complement the owner/manager - I had exactly $8 in cash (keep forgetting about the taxes for food trucks!) so he let me go without paying the $.80, that was really nice of him. I'll be sure to give it back to him next time! Overall, a solid, filling meal, and I would return!

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    Ooh Dat Chicken
    Ooh Dat Chicken
    Ooh Dat Chicken

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    Nash & Smashed - Chicken thinner than the pickle across the whole sandwich.

    Nash & Smashed

    4.3(17 reviews)
    4.0 miChevy Chase

    Amazing chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. Haven't tried a burger yet because I always crave the…read morechicken. Even the "mild" has a bit if spice for some.

    This fried chicken could actually rival that of local chicken sandwich chain Roaming Rooster. That…read morewas my first thought when I opened the box of my Honey Butter Buzz chicken sandwich. Eaten fresh at the gas station, the chicken was still steaming after I took my first few bites. I ordered it "spicy" and it was just the right level for me. Like Roaming Rooster's honey butter chicken sandwich, Nash and Smashed's also has cheese in it, which I think overpowered the honey butter oozing from the top of the chicken. The chicken itself, though, was delicious and juicy. I got a side of their creamy signature sauce in the bag, but I did not really need it since there was already plenty of sauce for me inside the sandwich. It probably would have gone well with their waffle fries had I gotten them. The sandwich alone was enough to fill me up. A big reason for me coming to Nash and Smashed was a 3.99 deal for the Oh My Thigh chicken sandwich that they advertised on their Instagram page. I was bummed to learn this location was not doing it. This gas station version of their menu didn't even have that chicken on it, so the worker had no idea what I was talking about. Just a warning if you see any deal on their social media page. There's stool seating on the side with a lovely view of the gas station and Connecticut Ave out the window. There was enough room for four to five people. Another comparison to Roaming Rooster, the chicken sandwich prices are a little cheaper than RR's. Only a few menu items sound similar, but Nash and Smashed has a larger selection of burgers, chicken buckets, sides, and drinks. FWIW some guys next to me raved about their hamburgers, especially the sauce.

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    Nash & Smashed
    Nash & Smashed
    Nash & Smashed

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    Nando's Peri-Peri - 2 Two 1/4 Chicken Breasts with garlic bread and mashed potatoes

    Nando's Peri-Peri

    3.8(1.3k reviews)
    1.2 miPenn Quarter
    $$

    I visited Nando's PERi-PERi for dinner on July 8, 2026, around 7:00 p.m. with a group of eight. A…read morefew of us were first-time visitors, so after being seated, we waited for someone to take our order. Unfortunately, the hostess never mentioned that we needed to order at the counter. There was a sign, but it wasn't very noticeable when we walked in, so we completely missed it. A quick explanation when we were seated would have made a much better first impression. Once we realized how ordering worked, everyone went to the counter. I ordered last, but my meal was fairly simple: The Wingman (6 wings with PERi Chips and PERi-PERi ranch) plus a side of rice from the kids' menu. Everyone else received their food, ate, and finished before my order ever came out. To the staff's credit, one employee noticed I still hadn't been served and appeared to rush my order. When my food finally arrived, I was disappointed to find one of my six wings was so small and burnt that it wasn't edible (see photo). Some of the other chicken served to our table was also a little over-charred. On the positive side, I really enjoyed the lavender lemonade, and I liked the variety of PERi-PERi sauces available to customize the flavor and heat level. Overall, the experience had some service and food quality issues, but there were enough positives that I'd be willing to give Nando's another try. Hopefully, the next visit will be smoother.

    I was very confused by the process of ordering online then getting your drinks. Drinks are self…read moreserve and food is brought to you. My food came out pretty quickly. Service was eh at first but then the manager and servers got better. The food was eh. I was highly influenced by the UK YouTubers I watch that ADORE Nando's and I was so excited to try it out but this was a flop to me. I wasted $21 because the chicken just wasn't that good to me. My sprite and fries were great though. lol. Overall I don't have to rush back to Nando's again but my mom enjoyed her chicken sandwich. I think I would be open to trying anything other than the whole or half chicken.

    Photos
    Nando's Peri-Peri - Nando's newest flagship restaurant in Penn Quarter

    Nando's newest flagship restaurant in Penn Quarter

    Nando's Peri-Peri - Two 1/4 Chicken Breasts with Portuguese Rice

    Two 1/4 Chicken Breasts with Portuguese Rice

    Nando's Peri-Peri - Brussel sprouts

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    Brussel sprouts

    Roaming Rooster - sandwiches - Updated September 2026

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