FireBirds Chicken

Chicken restaurant · San Diego

FireBirds Chicken

Chicken restaurant · San Diego

2

4155 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

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FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by Eater
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null
FireBirds Chicken by null

Highlights

Laid-back counter-serve known for its chicken sandwiches, loaded fries & housemade mac 'n' cheese.  

Featured in Eater
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4155 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105 Get directions

@firebirdschicken

$ · Menu

Information

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4155 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105 Get directions

@firebirdschicken

$ · Menu

Features

delivery
takeout
dine in
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Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@eater

"The first thing to know about FireBirds is that the chicken may be the main draw, but it’s far from the only thing worth exploring on the menu. About that chicken: The sandwiches and sliders are stacked and smothered with toppings like diced bacon, buffalo sauce, and fresh veggies. (For people who like their chicken unsmothered, The restaurant also has simple fried tenders with a side of coleslaw, toast and a sauce on the side.) Beyond chicken there are fried pickles, loaded fries in four styles (simple or drizzled with onion strings, blue cheese and various sauces), coleslaw and mac and cheese." - Roxana Popescu

Best Restaurants in City Heights - Eater San Diego
View Postcard for FireBirds Chicken
@eater

"San Diego’s own homegrown FireBirds touts Nashville-style hot chicken at its City Heights location. Chicken tenders grace sandwiches incorporating King’s Hawaiian buns or garlic toast, sliders, mac ‘n’ cheese and loaded fries." - Darlene Horn

Where to Find Nashville Hot Chicken in San Diego - Eater San Diego
View Postcard for FireBirds Chicken

M

Google
It's all about chicken and other fried stuff. Although they now have dine in service you may want to take your meal to go. The inside didn't have the best ambiance but that was no big deal, just an observation. The other reason I suggest take out is because the Firebird Chicken Sandwich (the most popular one) is SUPER sloppy to eat. I mean, nearly impossible to eat, can't put it down or you'll never be able to pick it up again, sloppy. They really should have cut it in half. To be honest, it's almost too much stuff (I can't believe I said that!). Pickles, sauce, 2 chicken pieces, more sauce, more pickles, (I do love pickles!) there may have been lettuce?? I deconstructed it so I could eat it. Since it is super sloppy can you please, please, please, provide better napkins!? And, leave the napkins on the table. I must have used 20 napkins and had to keep getting up to ask for more. The other item we tried was the Firebird Fries. They had chicken pieces, sauce, pickles and maybe other stuff? Onions? It may have had onion. I liked the fries more than my sandwich partly bc it was easier to eat and for some reason the flavors came through more. We also had the fried pickles. They were really good and crunchy, although we were surprised because we didn't get any dipping sauce for them. That's shocking considering they're all about their Firebird Sauce! So, we asked for sauce and they gave us ranch. That was kinda weird. I definitely think the place is worth checking out, but I'm not sure if I'd come back again, not bc it wasn't good but they are kind of a one trick pony...Chicken, lots of sauce, pickles. I had it, it was good, but it didn't really blow up my skirt.

Nico Ricoy Photo

Google
I had their classic 'Big Ol' sammich. Yes, it's HUGE!! Check out my photo...I have HUGE hands. Super delicious! The perfect amount of crunch and spiciness. Their sauces are mild, medium, and hot. I was recommended the medium since it's my first time. Cesar was kind when he was taking my order. The place is clean. Parking might be tricky but it's worth it. All in all, a pleasant experience that was straight to the point. They're gonna open up a spot at Plaza Bonita Mall which is a lot closer to home and I'm excited. Definitely going back.

Jaleisha Jacobs

Google
It's a nice spot, but obviously very new and still figuring things out. They didn't have mac and cheese or any cheese for that matter. They also don't have high chairs or booster seats for kids. On a positive note, the food is pretty good and the portions are generous. The sliders are large and I really enjoyed the fries. There's parking in the back which is a plus for this part of town. It's definitely worth a try, but if you've been to Nashville and you're expecting Hattie B's flavor and punch, this isn't it.

Jungbae Eriel

Google
So the taste of the food is good and the serving size is as others have mentioned is huge. I especially liked how juicy the chicken was. But for a casual feel place, it is quite pricey ($10 for sandwiches and $12 for fries) I think they should have food that's smaller and less expensive then they would have more customers because I can't go to this restaurant to get just something 'small' and cheap.

sarah stern

Google
This place is still new, so it has some room for improvement. But the things they've got right are worth trying. It's a small menu, very fried chicken focused. We ordered the big ol' sandwich, fries, fried pickles and the fire birds mac and cheese. Both entrees had freshly prepared fried chicken breast. You can choose the heat level for the sandwich which is added to the breading. The mac and cheese is solid, pasta is cooked well and not so cheesy that it masks the chicken flavor. They give you a ton of fries and pickle chips in the orders. We barely made a dent in either of them. Pepsi products on the fountain. The decor is still a little sparse and there was no tv or music on when we came in. While there is parking in the back, it is limited.

Mariano Garduno Jr

Google
Amazing Chicken Sandwich 😍 Each bite had a delicious crunch because of the pickles, coleslaw and chicken. The firefries were extremely tasty but again let me emphasize on the chicken. Extremely tasty and fresh. Will definitely be coming back!

Anthony Nguyen

Google
I was excited to try this place since I've never had a Nashville chicken sandwich but was let down. I had gotten the HOT Big ol' Sandwich. The tender breading just tasted like slightly spicy breading, it was less heat than buffalo wings, maybe comparable to eating a bag of Hot Cheetos.. The meat itself was plain and had parts of tendon in it which made it so I had to tug to fully separate a piece. The bun was really good though. Pickles were soft and mushy. Coleslaw was okay as well. I'm not the biggest fan of coleslaw but I didn't mind eating it in the sandwich. The biggest reason why I rate this low is because there was a chunk of bone in one of the tenders. I'll come back again and try something else. I always give places 2nd chances. But for now this wasn't a good first experience. Order was placed 8/18/20. Around 2:10 PM.

James Rodriguez

Google
They have a great chicken sandwich. There secret sause and the Cole slaw add a lot of flavor. I ordered the single Breast and it was Huge. They have 4 levels of heat for your chicken. I chose Medium and there was a kick to it. Try to dine.