#FOOD: DL CHICKEN COMING TORONTO MARCH 20, 2026

Vancouver’s cult-favourite fried chicken brand DL Chicken is officially arriving in Toronto. Founded by hospitality entrepreneur Doug Stephen, the celebrated Nashville hot chicken concept will open its first Toronto location at 538 Manning Avenue at Harbord Street, with a soft opening scheduled for March 20. The licensed restaurant will debut with an intimate 20-seat dining room, with plans to introduce a patio and private dining room in the near future as the concept establishes itself in the city.

To mark its Toronto arrival, DL Chicken will also give away 100 OG Sandos to the first 100 guests on March 24 at 11:00 a.m. (limit one per person, while supplies last), with additional social media giveaways planned throughout the opening month. Hours of operation will be Monday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with adjusted hours for the initial opening period.

Known for its bold, crave-worthy approach to Nashville hot chicken, DL Chicken has built a devoted following in Vancouver since its debut, drawing regular lineups for its signature fried chicken sandwiches and comfort-driven sides. The Toronto opening marks the brand’s first expansion outside British Columbia and a significant step in its continued growth.

From Vancouver Cult Favourite to National Expansion
DL Chicken was founded by Toronto native Doug Stephen, a longtime hospitality professional who built an illustrious career in the city’s restaurant scene before relocating to Vancouver. The brand first launched in 2018 on Vancouver’s Commercial Drive, quickly becoming one of the city’s most talked-about casual dining spots. Now, with its Toronto opening, Stephen brings the concept back to his hometown in a full-circle moment for the brand.

Inspired by the heat and flavour of Nashville hot chicken, DL Chicken developed a cult following almost immediately. Its fried chicken sandwiches—crispy, juicy, and layered with bold spice levels—became a defining dish of Vancouver’s casual dining scene, drawing lineups down the block and earning the restaurant a reputation as one of the city’s most popular comfort-food destinations.

The brand’s growth has been careful and deliberate. In a major milestone for the company, DL Chicken was recently selected as a vendor for the highly anticipated Time Out Market at Oakridge Park in Vancouver. The international food hall concept is known for curating standout chefs and restaurants in every city it enters, and inclusion in the market signals DL Chicken’s evolution from neighbourhood favourite to a recognized culinary brand within Canada’s broader food scene.

The Toronto opening marks the next chapter in that expansion.

The Food: Bold, Comforting, and Built to Crave
At the heart of DL Chicken’s success is its flagship fried chicken sandwich: juicy chicken marinated for maximum tenderness, fried to order for a crackling crisp exterior, and finished with crunchy pickles, creamy slaw, and the restaurant’s signature sauces on a toasted bun.

Guests can choose from a range of spice levels—from mild warmth to the fiery signature heat that defines Nashville hot chicken—allowing diners to tailor the experience to their preferred intensity.

The menu is intentionally focused, highlighting the chicken itself while offering indulgent sides that have become staples among loyal fans. Fries, creamy mac and cheese, and other comfort-driven accompaniments round out the offering, creating a menu built for pure satisfaction.

Leading the lineup is the OG Fried Chicken Sando, DL’s flagship sandwich. A thick, juicy piece of fried chicken is layered onto a soft brioche bun with crunchy slaw, pickles, and house sauce, creating a perfect balance of heat, crunch, acidity, and richness in every bite.

Equally beloved are the Chicken Tenders, generously sized pieces of hand-breaded fried chicken that showcase DL’s perfectly seasoned crust and juicy interior. Served with a variety of house-made sauces, they allow guests to experience the brand’s signature spice blends in their purest form.

On the side, crinkle-cut fries with DL Sauce —a tangy, creamy house blend— and the fan-favourite Turbo Crunch Potato Salad, finished with a satisfying panko topping, round out the experience and have developed their own loyal following.

What distinguishes DL Chicken is the balance between simplicity and craft. The recipes draw inspiration from Southern hot chicken traditions, but the execution reflects a modern Canadian sensibility: quality ingredients, thoughtful seasoning, and food designed to deliver bold flavour in every bite. The Toronto location will also debut a new sando created exclusively for the city, offering a local twist on the brand’s signature fried chicken.

A Toronto Location with Its Own Identity
While the food will remain faithful to the DL Chicken approach that built its reputation in Vancouver, the Toronto location introduces a slightly more refined atmosphere.

Located at 538 Manning Avenue at Harbord Street, the restaurant will feature a more elevated design aesthetic than the Vancouver locations, offering a polished yet relaxed setting that reflects Toronto’s vibrant dining culture.

The intimate dining room will seat 20 guests and operate with a liquor licence, creating a casual but comfortable environment to enjoy the brand’s signature menu. Future plans for the space include the addition of a patio and a private dining room, expanding the restaurant’s ability to host gatherings and neighbourhood events.

For founder Doug Stephen, bringing DL Chicken to Toronto represents both a milestone for the brand and an opportunity to introduce the concept to one of North America’s most dynamic food cities.
“Toronto has one of the most exciting and diverse food scenes anywhere in the world,” said Doug Stephen, founder of DL Chicken. “There’s a deep appreciation here for bold flavours and great comfort food. We’ve always felt that what we do would resonate in this city, and we’re incredibly excited to finally bring DL Chicken to Toronto.”

With its first Toronto location, DL Chicken hopes to replicate the energy that made it a neighbourhood institution in Vancouver—serving food that is indulgent, flavour-packed, and designed to keep people coming back.