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

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Downlow Chicken Shack

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

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American (Southern)
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+1 604-283-1385
Address
905 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 2H2, Canada
Website
dlchickenshack.ca/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

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

Lively Atmosphere & Friendly Staff
Expect a warm welcome, great music, and a fun vibe that makes you feel like an old friend.

Crispy Crinkle-Cut Fries
Perfectly seasoned and crispy, these crinkle-cut fries are a must-have side that pairs perfectly with the chicken.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
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.
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
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
What People Dislike
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.
Yes, you can choose from various spice levels, ranging from mild to extremely hot ('A Side of Milk').
The OG chicken sandwich and their perfectly seasoned crinkle-cut fries are highly recommended. Dark meat is often preferred for its juiciness.
Many diners find the high-quality chicken and overall experience worth the price, though some consider it expensive.
Visiting during off-peak hours is recommended to avoid the long lines that often form during busy periods.
Yes, they offer cauliflower as a vegetarian alternative, and their sides like fries, mac salad, and coleslaw are popular.
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Downlow Chicken Shack - This unassuming counter-serve eatery has captured the hearts and stomachs of fried chicken aficionados with its mouthwatering Nashville hot chicken and creative sandwiches. With an array of escalating spice levels to choose from, the restaurant caters to a wide range of palates. For those who dare, try the fiery Nashville hot chicken, available by the piece or served up in one of their deliciously inventive sandwiches.
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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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Downlow Chicken Shack takes pride in serving up some of the freshest chicken in town, delivered six days a week from Rossdown Farms, thanks to their friends at Legends Haul. The wings are a standout, bursting with flavor and accompanied by tangy, super tasty pickles. If you’re a fan of heat, their spicy options won’t disappoint—they really know how to do spicy right.
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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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Folks looking out for fried chicken in the city should definitely try this restaurant. Downlow Chicken Shack promises 100% fresh chicken, handcrafted sandwiches, and the usage of natural local ingredients. Known for its impressive fried chicken and fries, the owners of this restaurant vow to deliver the best quality food and an extraordinary experience.
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A standout in Vancouver for its exceptional fried chicken, DownLow Chicken Shack offers a memorable dining experience. Their Original Sando, featuring Nashville-dusted chicken, is a culinary delight – juicy, well-seasoned, and packing a delightful spicy punch. Complement your meal with their signature DL sauce for an enhanced flavour experience.
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Feels Like: Nashville, TennesseeNeighbourhood: UBCInstagram:@dlchickenReservations: Walk-in. If you’re craving one of DownLow Chicken’s famous Nashville-style hot chicken burgers and find yourself at UBC, there is a new second location located on campus. DL Chicken UBC opened in early September, just in time for the new school year.
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Downlow Chicken Shack is a marvellous lunch place in Grandview-Woodland in Vancouver. In this amazing place, you can have various delicious meals made with chicken!. The chicken that this place uses has three main advantages that others don’t: 1- their chicken is delivered fresh five days a week, and it is never frozen!
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A new joint on Commercial Drive, the Downlow constantly has a line for every lunch service!. Don’t worry though – it’s fast food and perfect to take on the go!. As you might have guessed by the name, the Downlow is a fried chicken shack, with sandwiches, wings, and even an entire fried chicken on the menu!
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905 Commercial Dr., Vancouver | 6065 University Blvd., Vancouver | dlchickenshack.ca. Fresh free-run, hormone-free, non-GMO, antibiotic free, grain-fed chicken from Rossdown Farms makes for delicious crispy-fried chicken, cooked with escalating levels of heat. Served in sandwiches or with sides.
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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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The Downlow Chicken Shack is the newest addition to Vancouver’s fried chicken scene, and they are totally blowing up on account of their unique (in Vancouver) “Nashville Hot” style. This stuff is wicked delicious, and never mind the line-up; it moves fast.
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Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. A post shared by The DownLow Chicken Shack (@dlchicken). Downlow Chicken Shack serves fried chicken Nashville-style.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit