Southern Fried Chicken Craze Coming to Mira Mesa

With fans who self-identify as ‘caniacs’, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers has over 400 restaurants and counting across the U.S. and the globe. The Louisiana-based chain landed in Santee in 2018 and has subsequently opened outposts in Vista and Temecula. Mira Mesa will be the next location, replacing Rockin’ Baja Lobster in Mira Mesa. Mesa Centers’ Brett Feurstein says the popular eatery will be adding a drive-thru to the free-standing building; construction has begun with the aim of opening by the end of the year.

Offering a succinct menu of “fresh, never ever frozen chicken fingers” that are fried to order and served in various combo meals with secret recipe Cane’s sauce, coleslaw, and crinkle-cut fries alongside Southern staples such as Texas toast and sweet tea, Raising Cane’s previously told Eater that it’s planning to bring 30 branches to the area the next ten years.

The company, which was recently named one of the 100 best places to work by Glassdoor, is currently looking at additional locations, says marketing advisor Mica Brandt, who shared, “We have our sights on several more sites and will continue to grow the market as quickly as we can while maintaining our standards of growing the right way versus just for speed.”