The Downlow
1 / 10

Downlow Chicken Shack

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Vancouver's first Nashville hot chicken joint, serving up fiery, flavorful fried chicken and creative sandwiches with a side of incredible hospitality...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
The Downlow

Downlow Chicken Shack

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Vancouver's first Nashville hot chicken joint, serving up fiery, flavorful fried chicken and creative sandwiches with a side of incredible hospitality.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This place has reconfirmed its status as the best fried chicken in the world!"

TIP

Choose Dark Meat

Opt for dark meat over white meat for a juicier, more flavorful chicken experience.

Off-Peak Hours Recommended

Visit during non-peak hours to avoid long wait times and enjoy a smoother experience.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

American (Southern)

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+1 604-283-1385

Address

905 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 2H2, Canada

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

Juicy, perfectly spiced fried chicken piled high on a soft bun with fresh slaw and pickles. A flavor explosion!

Best Restaurants in VancouverCrispy, Juicy, Delicious: Top 10 Fried Chicken Spots in Vancouver10 Spots To Eat The Best Fried Chicken in Vancouver | by Noms Magazine+2
Lively Atmosphere & Friendly Staff

Lively Atmosphere & Friendly Staff

Expect a warm welcome, great music, and a fun vibe that makes you feel like an old friend.

Google Review+2
Crispy Crinkle-Cut Fries

Crispy Crinkle-Cut Fries

Perfectly seasoned and crispy, these crinkle-cut fries are a must-have side that pairs perfectly with the chicken.

Google Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

First timer over hereeeee ✨ @DownLow Chicken 📍 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC #fyp #foryou #vancouver #friedchicken #foodie #vancouverbc
@abiteof__
86 likes • 4.7K views

Choose Dark Meat

Opt for dark meat over white meat for a juicier, more flavorful chicken experience.

Off-Peak Hours Recommended

Visit during non-peak hours to avoid long wait times and enjoy a smoother experience.

I love Downlow Chicken it is a MUST GO in Vancouver!! 😍🤤🍗🥒🧇 Downlow Chicken Shack, 905 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC #foryou #yvreats #yvrfood #vancouver #friedchicken
@yvrmunch
224 likes • 7.9K views
TAG A FRIED CHICKEN LOVER! ⬇️❤️‍🔥 #downlowchicken #commercialdrive #eastvancouver #yothatssobomb #chickensando #604foodblogger #vancouverfoodscene
@yothatssobomb
818 likes • 26.4K views

Try the OG Sandwich

The OG sandwich combo is a crowd-pleaser, delivering a burst of flavor in every bite.

Don't Miss House-Made Lemonade

Pair your spicy chicken with their refreshing house-made lemonade, often praised as the best.

NAME: Downlow chicken shack Location: 905 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC #foodreview #friedchicken #vancouver #vancouverfoodie #vancouverfood #foodies #foodlover #foodietiktok #foodporn #yummyfood #instafood #hiddengems #vancouvereats
@deya_day1
42 likes • 1.2K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Choose Dark Meat

Opt for dark meat over white meat for a juicier, more flavorful chicken experience.

Off-Peak Hours Recommended

Visit during non-peak hours to avoid long wait times and enjoy a smoother experience.

Try the OG Sandwich

The OG sandwich combo is a crowd-pleaser, delivering a burst of flavor in every bite.

Don't Miss House-Made Lemonade

Pair your spicy chicken with their refreshing house-made lemonade, often praised as the best.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Downlow Chicken Shack is celebrated for its exceptionally delicious, juicy, and perfectly spiced Nashville hot chicken, especially the sandwiches and crinkle-cut fries. Diners consistently praise the vibrant atmosphere and the incredibly friendly, welcoming staff who often go the extra mile. While some find the prices on the higher side, many feel the quality and experience justify the cost, though a few have noted inconsistencies or issues with freshness at certain locations.

"Straight up Delicious Chicken. This place has tasty crinkle fries perfectly seasoned. Their Chicken was packed full of flavor with perfection on their fried skin. Prices seem high if it’s your first stop in the area but for Vancouver it’s on par. Staff were friendly and. Very lively singing random songs. Expect a crowd as this place is small and very popular. Overall it’s a great place for a delicious meal."

Coach T

"Two years after my first visit, I'm back, and this place has reconfirmed its status as the best fried chicken in the world. The chicken is consistently delicious, tender, and incredibly soft, complemented by their fantastic sauces.
The staff is exceptionally kind and friendly. I was surprised and grateful when they gave me a free side after I told them I was visiting from out of town and hadn't been there in two years.
I highly recommend trying the tenders and the Big O sandwich, and you can't go wrong with their amazing lemonade. I'll make sure to visit every time I'm in Vancouver!"

Daniel Osorio Flores

"Fires are overseasoning, but the cashier did a wonderful job providing all customization options, Thank you!

Burger was very freshly made and my husband loved it so much; very unfortunately, my husband felt nauseous after sitting in the inside area for five minutes, he might be too sensitive to the deep fire oily smell.

He could not eat anything till two hours after we drove home. Glad the cold burger still tastes fantastic. He’s still willing to try this store again!!"

Elephant Bea

What People Like

Juicy, perfectly spiced hot chicken
Incredibly friendly and fun staff
Crispy, seasoned crinkle-cut fries

What People Dislike

High prices
Inconsistent food quality at times
Can be overwhelming during peak hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville hot chicken is deep-fried chicken coated in a cayenne-pepper-based paste. It's known for its spicy kick and is a specialty at Downlow Chicken Shack.

Best Restaurants in Vancouver10 Spots To Eat The Best Fried Chicken in Vancouver | by Noms Magazine10 essential places for fried chicken in Metro Vancouver

Yes, you can choose from various spice levels, ranging from mild to extremely hot ('A Side of Milk').

Best Restaurants in Vancouver10 essential places for fried chicken in Metro Vancouver

The OG chicken sandwich and their perfectly seasoned crinkle-cut fries are highly recommended. Dark meat is often preferred for its juiciness.

Google Review

Many diners find the high-quality chicken and overall experience worth the price, though some consider it expensive.

Google Review+3

Visiting during off-peak hours is recommended to avoid the long lines that often form during busy periods.

Best Restaurants in Vancouver

Yes, they offer cauliflower as a vegetarian alternative, and their sides like fries, mac salad, and coleslaw are popular.

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It’s funny how a place called Downlow could make you feel so high with the scrumptiousness of its otherworldly fried chicken. Considered as the first Nashville hot fried chicken joint in the city, Downlow is refreshingly buzzing with old school hip-hop and oozing of playfulness. With the heat level option of mild to “A Side of Milk”, Co-owners Doug Stephen and Lindsey Mann’s crispy fried chicken will have you hooked on your first bite.

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Made with Two Rivers chicken, every order at Downlow Chicken Shack on Commercial Drive is made fresh. While there are options to get chicken by the piece or as tenders, the sandwiches are where DL really shines. Though there are a variety of offerings, you can’t go wrong with the OG: Nashville-dusted chicken paired with special DL sauce, sweet-and-sour coleslaw, and pickles.

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A post shared by Hanna McLean (@hannamclean_) on Dec 18, 2018 at 7:32am PST. Easily one of Vancouver’s most beloved local brands, DownLow has become a true staple in the comfort food scene. DownLow offers Nashville hot chicken in several different forms, including sammies, by the piece, and atop one of our favourite secret menu items ever: Fries On The DL.

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Look no further than Downlow Chicken Shack’s Wing Wednesday!. This popular joint offers an irresistible special on their delectable wings and the value is good. Sink your teeth into their perfectly seasoned and crispy wings, available in a variety of flavours.

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Fresh chicken gets delivered to Downlow Chicken Shack nearly every day to ensure that their Vancouver chicken wings are as quality as can be. And, they really are. The taste is divine, the meat is tender, and the sauces are sure to tantalise your tastebuds.

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