Popular Texas Chicken Chain Has Its Eyes on El Paso

El Paso loves trying new restaurants, especially when they’re serving something we don’t already have. Throw hot chicken, loaded fries and smash burgers into the mix, and you’ve definitely got my attention.

That’s why this latest restaurant expansion news caught my eye. A growing Texas chain called Urban Bird Hot Chicken has nearly 30 locations across the state, and now the people behind it say they’re interested in bringing the concept to El Paso.

Before we start planning our orders, though, an El Paso location isn't official just yet.

Urban Bird Hot Chicken Wants to Expand Into El Paso

Urban Bird Hot Chicken got its start in the Houston area in 2020, inspired by Nashville hot chicken. Since then, the Katy-based chain has grown to 29 Texas locations, with five more under construction.

West Texas is still missing from the map. The closest Urban Bird to El Paso is in Killeen.

Founder Brandon Gawthorp says the company is “really interested in El Paso” and is currently looking for an experienced restaurant operator interested in bringing a franchise here.

So, no opening date or location to obsessively drive past just yet, but El Paso is officially on their wishlist.

Urban Bird's Menu Goes Beyond Hot Chicken

Of course, if you're going to tell El Paso you're interested in coming here, we're going to need to see the menu.

Urban Bird started with Nashville-inspired hot chicken served with kale slaw and fries, but the menu has since expanded with dry barbecue and lemon pepper flavors.

There’s also chicken and waffles, loaded fries and smash burgers. Urban Bird even acquired gourmet burger chain Bun Slut, bringing its popular smash burgers into the mix.

Basically, you can go for the hot chicken and somehow leave thinking about a smash burger. I respect it.

Could Urban Bird Hot Chicken Be a Hit in El Paso?

El Paso isn't exactly a city afraid of a little heat, so hot chicken, bold flavors, loaded fries and burgers sound like they could fit in pretty well here.

For now, Urban Bird is still searching for the right franchise operator to make an El Paso location happen. Nothing is official yet, but the interest is definitely there.

And if someone does bring Urban Bird to El Paso, I have a feeling those loaded fries are going to get plenty of attention!