Crimson Coward Is Bringing Nashville Hot Chicken to Alexandria—How Hot Will You Go?
The restaurant is coming to Cameron Square, with chicken sandwiches, loaded fries and five heat levels ranging from no heat to “Burrrrn, Baby, Burn.”
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Alexandria’s next chicken spot comes with a question: How much heat can you handle?
Crimson Coward, a California-born restaurant chain specializing in Nashville hot chicken, is preparing to open at 5557 Cardinal Place in Cameron Square. The company’s Alexandria webpage lists the restaurant as “Coming Soon,” and Cameron Square also identifies it as an upcoming tenant.
The company has not listed a specific opening date or operating hours on its Alexandria page. A storefront photograph shared on its Facebook page shows window graphics advertising an earlier summer opening. For now, the current official word is “coming soon.”
That gives diners time to decide where they belong on the spice scale. The brand offers five heat levels: Country, which has no heat, followed by Mild, Medium, Hot and the emphatically named “Burrrrn, Baby, Burn.” A household with very different opinions about spicy food can still order from the same menu.
California roots, Nashville inspiration
Crimson Coward’s story begins with founder Ali Hijazi, a Los Angeles native whose enthusiasm for Nashville hot chicken led him to Tennessee to learn more about the dish. According to the company, research and recipe testing followed, and the brand launched in California in 2019.
“Our journey began with a single, unforgettable bite of Nashville Hot Chicken,” the company writes in its account of its beginnings. It says meals are cooked to order and describes its chicken as halal.
What’s on the menu?
For a preview of what could be headed to Alexandria, the chain’s published menu offers plenty to consider:
- The Crimson: A boneless chicken breast sandwich with Crimson sauce, slaw and pickles on a brioche bun.
- Home Style: A chicken sandwich served on toasted bread with melted American cheese.
- Garlic Twister: Chicken, pickles and garlic sauce wrapped in a tortilla, then pressed and grilled.
- Joey Eat Fries: Fries piled with boneless chicken breast, Crimson sauce, slaw, pickles and cheese.
- Chicken & Waffles: Two chicken tenders served over a freshly made waffle with maple syrup.
Sides include mac and cheese, fried pickles, potato salad, slaw and Crimson fries. These are examples from the brand’s menu; Alexandria’s opening menu and prices have not yet been confirmed.
The Alexandria restaurant will join a regional presence that already includes locations in Annandale, Springfield and Woodbridge, as well as National Harbor across the Potomac.
At Cameron Square, Crimson Coward is listed alongside businesses including Tropical Smoothie Café, F45 Fitness and Metropolitan Nail Bar, adding another dining option to the development’s retail mix.
This is a developing story. Opening details remain subject to confirmation.
