Raising Cane’s chicken tenders are coming to the Tampa Bay area in 2023

A fast food restaurant that’s famous for its fried chicken fingers and crinkle fries is set to open its first location in the Tampa Bay area early next year.

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers will debut on the Suncoast of Florida at 2525 Gulf to Bay Boulevard in Clearwater. An opening date is set for Jan. 31, 2023, a company spokesperson told the Bradenton Herald.

So far, the chain has only one location serving in Florida, and that’s way down south in Homestead. Another location is coming soon in Miami Beach.

So what can diners expect from the cult favorite chicken emporium?

The offerings might just give Chik-fil-A, PDQ, Zaxby’s and the rest of the fast food chicken contenders a run for their, well — tenders.

Raising Cane’s features a simple spread of chicken finger combo baskets — choose three, four or six white meat chicken fingers paired with crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, coleslaw and a fountain drink or sweet tea.

Alternatively, try a three-tender sandwich, served on a toasted sesame seed bun with lettuce and the restaurant’s signature “Cane’s Sauce.” The ingredients in the creamy, spicy sauce are top-secret, the company says, but food reviewers liken it to a remoulade.

Menu items can also be ordered a la carte. And for those looking to feed a family, an office or a party, Raising Cain’s offers “Tailgate” trays of 25, 50, 75 or 100 fingers.

To wash it all down, the restaurant pours tall glasses of the Southern classics — sweet or unsweet tea, lemonade, a lemonade-tea combo or soda.

The chain prides itself on items that are made fresh daily, including the Cane’s sauce, coleslaw and lemonade.

As for the chicken, it’s fresh, never frozen, Raising Cane’s website says, and it’s marinated for 24 hours and then hand-battered before it hits the fryer.

It’s a simple yet precise approach that has made the restaurant chain famous.

The fast-casual concept got its start in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1996, when it was launched by Louisiana State University alumni Todd Graves and Craig Silvey.

Raising Cane’s now boasts over 600 locations across the U.S.

“We are so excited that this will be our first Tampa-area restaurant. We can’t wait to get started!” company spokesperson Julia Doyle said in an email.

Fried chicken lovers will now face a difficult choice, as a Chick-fil-A is located just across the boulevard. Will Raising Cane’s arrival spark a fast food sign war? It’s too soon to say, but we have a feeling that clucky insults may go flying.

Raising Cane’s opening details

Opening Jan. 31 at 2525 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater.

Visit raisingcanes.com for a look at the full menu.