Flamin’ Feathers is expanding its presence in Ohio with a new Cincinnati location planned for 1500 Race St. in Over-the-Rhine, bringing its Nashville hot chicken, halal offerings, smash burgers and late-night dining to the neighborhood.
The New Jersey-based restaurant concept is preparing to open its Cincinnati location in an existing restaurant space near downtown and Washington Park. The restaurant is targeting an opening within approximately three months, pending permits and other approvals.
WhatNow spoke with Sim Dhanju, who is opening the Cincinnati location with his father, Gurmeet Dhanju, about the upcoming restaurant, the decision to expand into Cincinnati and what customers can expect.
Dhanju has about five years of restaurant-industry experience and previously owned and operated a deli in California from 2017 to 2022. After moving to the Cincinnati area, he said he spent time looking for the right opportunity, location and concept.
“I was looking for the right opportunity, right area, and the right concept,” Dhanju said.
The decision to bring Flamin’ Feathers to Over-the-Rhine was influenced in part by the neighborhood’s late-night activity and nearby student population. Dhanju said he noticed that while the area has several late-night food options, there were fewer choices offering seating.
The 1500 Race St. location also appealed to him because of its proximity to downtown and Washington Park, as well as its existing restaurant infrastructure, which he said could make the process of opening easier.
As a franchise location, the Cincinnati restaurant will follow the established Flamin’ Feathers design and branding used at its other locations.
Flamin’ Feathers specializes in Nashville hot chicken and 100% halal food, while also offering smash burgers, milkshakes and waffles. Dhanju said the combination of options was one of the things that attracted him to the concept.
For customers who may want something beyond chicken, the menu includes smash burgers alongside the restaurant’s hot chicken offerings. Dhanju highlighted the hot chicken tacos, chicken waffle sandwich and smash burger as items he expects to be particularly popular in Cincinnati.
The restaurant also focuses on sourcing its meat directly from butcher shops rather than relying solely on large food-service distributors, according to Dhanju.
The Cincinnati location is expected to offer the brand’s existing menu rather than Cincinnati-exclusive items.
Dhanju said working with his father has also been a positive experience. The pair previously partnered on the deli business in California, with his father taking more of an investor role while Dhanju handled the operation.
“He’s been more like the investor,” Dhanju said of his father’s role in their businesses.
Looking ahead, Dhanju said the immediate goal is to establish the Cincinnati location and keep it running successfully. If the restaurant performs well, he hopes to eventually open another location in a Cincinnati suburb.
The restaurant is also being positioned as a late-night option for Over-the-Rhine. Dhanju said the plan is for the restaurant to remain open until approximately 3 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with hours extending to about 1 a.m. on the other days.
The Cincinnati location is expected to employ approximately 15 to 17 people, although that number could change as the project progresses.
Dhanju said his goal is to offer customers good food at affordable prices while maintaining extended hours. He is also targeting sandwiches priced around $9 to $10.
With the restaurant located in a busy part of Over-the-Rhine, Dhanju said he is looking forward to becoming part of the neighborhood and serving customers looking for quality food during both daytime and late-night hours.
Flamin’ Feathers currently has locations in New Jersey and Ohio, including Columbus, as the brand continues expanding beyond its original market.
The Cincinnati restaurant is expected to open within approximately three months, provided permitting and other requirements move forward as planned.
