Asad's Hot Chicken

"The best chicken sandwich in Philly is right next to a gas station. That’s where you’ll find Asad’s Hot Chicken, which generally has a line so long you’d think they were giving away free gas. The toasty brioche bun and thick cut of juicy meat covered in peppery seasoning makes a sandwich worth zig-zagging through the hellish traffic on Cottman Ave. The roadside halal stand also doubles as a fresh juice and smoothie place, so balance out the fiery chicken with a strawberry-banana smoothie. The best time of day to head to Asad’s is between noon and 5pm on a weekday. Once the evening hits or when it’s the weekend, we suggest bringing a friend and having a car nearby so you can tag-team the line WWE style." - candis mclean

"Verdict: Our favorite chicken sandwich is in the Northeast, and judging by the daily crowds, it’s a citywide feeling. The halal food truck has sublimely crispy chicken tenders and sliders that are so good that people happily line up next to a gas station just to eat them. From the toasty brioche bun to the thick cut of juicy meat covered in a peppery seasoning, it’s a sandwich that you have to have." - candis mclean

"Hot Chicken Sandwich From the years between Sixers championships to our penchant for hazard lights over actual parking, Philadelphians are used to waiting. But unlike those other holdups, the 30-minute wait at Asad’s Hot Chicken in the Northeast will result in a food-inspired trance. The chicken sandwich comes on a brioche bun that serves as an excellent pillow for the thick cut of juicy meat, crisp-fried and covered in a pepper glaze and pickles. It’s a combination of crunchiness, creaminess, and spice that flawlessly melds together so well that even the most impatient person in your group will truly look forward to standing around. " - alison kessler, candis mclean