About Hangry Joe's
Hot Chicken
Hangry joes started with one simple obsession — make the boldest, most crave-worthy hot chicken Philadelphia has ever tasted. From a backyard recipe to a full-blown fiery institution, this is our story.
The Story Behind
Hangry Joe's
Hangry joes was born in 2018 from a late-night craving that Joe Martinez simply couldn't satisfy. After trying every hot chicken spot in Philadelphia and finding them all lacking that perfect punch of heat, smoky depth, and satisfying crunch, Joe decided to create his own recipe in his grandmother's kitchen on Passyunk Avenue.
What started as a weekend side-hustle — selling plates to neighbors out of a repurposed food cart — quickly became a full-time obsession. Word spread block by block. By the end of 2019, the line outside Joe's cart stretched around the corner every Friday night.
"I wasn't trying to start a business. I was just hungry — in every sense of the word. Hungry for good food, hungry to prove something, hungry to feed my community something real."
In 2020, despite all odds, Hangry Joe's opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 300 Market St, Philadelphia. Today, Hangry Joe's hot chicken serves thousands of loyal customers every week, bringing that same backyard recipe — perfected, amplified, and served with love — to every single order.
View Our MenuOur Mission & Core Values
Every piece of Hangry Joe's hot chicken is guided by a set of principles we don't compromise on — ever.
Uncompromising Heat
We craft every spice blend in-house, hand-selecting the finest chilies to deliver the exact burn profile that keeps you coming back for more.
Fresh Ingredients
We source fresh, never-frozen chicken daily. Our produce comes from local Pennsylvania farms whenever possible, keeping it real from farm to plate.
Community First
Hangry Joe's is Philadelphia's restaurant. We hire local, give back local, and treat every customer like a neighbor — because most of them are.
Made With Passion
No shortcuts. No compromises. Every order is crafted with the same obsessive love that went into Joe's very first plate back in 2018.
The Hangry Joe's
Way of Doing Things
Quality Without Compromise
Every bird is brined for 24 hours, dredged in our signature spiced flour, and fried to absolute perfection. We will never rush that process.
Radical Transparency
Our ingredients, allergen info, and heat levels are clearly listed. We believe you deserve to know exactly what you're eating.
Sustainability Matters
We use compostable packaging, partner with local farmers to reduce food miles, and donate unsold food to Philadelphia food banks nightly.
Joy in Every Bite
Food should make you happy. Whether it's your first piece of hangry joe's hot chicken or your hundredth, we want that same wide-eyed, lip-numbing grin every time.
Our Journey Through
The Years
From a backyard cart to Philadelphia's most talked-about hot chicken destination — here's how hangry joes grew.
The Recipe Is Born
Joe Martinez develops the original hangry joes hot chicken recipe in his grandmother's kitchen on Passyunk Avenue, perfecting the spice blend through dozens of late-night test batches.
Street Food Sensation
Hangry Joe's food cart launches on weekends in South Philly. Lines stretch around the block within weeks. Local press calls it "the hottest thing to hit Philadelphia streets in years."
First Brick-and-Mortar
Despite a challenging year, Hangry Joe's opens its first restaurant at 300 Market St, Philadelphia. The community rallies around the opening, making it one of Philly's most celebrated debuts.
Philly's Best Hot Chicken Award
Philadelphia Magazine names Hangry Joe's "Best Hot Chicken in the City." Online orders explode. Hangry Joe's introduces online ordering and local delivery to meet soaring demand.
Catering & Events Launch
Hangry Joe's expands into corporate catering and event services, bringing the full hangry joe's hot chicken experience to weddings, parties, and business events across the Philadelphia metro area.
Still Hungry, Still Hangry
Serving 50,000+ customers, maintaining a 4.9-star rating, and still hand-crafting every spice blend in-house. The mission hasn't changed — just the scale of the fire.
Meet Our Team
Every plate of Hangry Joe's hot chicken is a product of this passionate, dedicated crew who show up every day to make something great.
Joe Martinez
Founder & Head ChefThe original hangry one. Joe created every spice blend and perfected the brine technique that makes our hot chicken legendary. Still in the kitchen every day.
Maria Chen
Operations DirectorMaria turned Joe's chaotic passion project into a machine. She oversees daily operations, supply chain, and makes sure every order goes out perfect and on time.
Darius Thompson
Head of CateringDarius brings the Hangry Joe's experience to events across Philadelphia and beyond. His energy and attention to detail have made our catering division the city's favorite.
Sofia Reyes
Customer Experience LeadSofia is the reason our customers feel like family. She leads front-of-house operations and has personally resolved every single complaint since we opened our doors.
Want to join the Hangry Joe's family?
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