2026 is shaping up to be a big year for Maryland chicken lovers, thanks to the arrival of a rising poultry rockstar. Ekiben, a small but mighty Baltimore chain, is bringing its celebrated fried chicken (alongside other delicious fusion cuisine) to a Frederick storefront, and it’s set to open before the year is out, reports local media outlet MoCoShow.
The 500 North Market Street restaurant will be Ekiben’s first location outside of Baltimore. Though construction has faced some hiccups and delays, progress is being made, and the eatery is on track to open in February or March of this year.
Steve Chu, Ephrem Abebe, and Nikhil Yesupriya founded Ekiben in 2014. The concept introduced the Fells Point neighborhood to its distinctive fusion of Ethiopian and Asian cuisine, and it quickly became a hit. The concept now has three brick and mortar locations open and operational, with the Frederick storefront set to become the fourth.
While Ekiben’s menu features a variety of dishes, including buns, bowls, and sides, it’s the restaurant’s fried chicken that has truly caught the attention of the culinary world. Ekiben earned the fourth spot on Yelp’s list of the 50 Best Chicken Spots in the U.S. and Canada. The concept has also received recognition from no less than the James Beard Foundation, among the highest honors a restaurant can achieve.
