On January 27, 2025,  Raising Cane’s opened up a new Raleigh location on Hillsborough Street. 

The new location, just a minute from NC State University’s bell tower, rivals Franklin Street’s UNC location. 

Raising Cane’s, often referred to as Canes, is popular  in Texas and Louisiana for their chicken finger meals, Texas toast, and original sauce. Its popularity spread through the power of social media and expanding across the country.  

I never went to the Canes near UNC’s campus, but I succumbed to peer pressure and adventured to the opening day of NC State’s Raising Canes.

Here was my consensus — Cane’s is solid, but not worth the hype. I would rate it a 6.5 out of 10 at best.  

The vibe was definitely unlike most fast food chains, so they get an extra point. But, to be fair, I doubt a normal Tuesday at Canes would include many theatrics.  

Opening day brought a DJ bumping very loud music, a security guard to make guests feel extra safe, and best of all, a woman going around giving out free merch. And honestly, who doesn’t want to go home with a free beaded bracelet that says ‘fried chicken’?

When I first walked in, the grand staircase and multiple disco balls immediately caught my attention. Since the restaurant is located on a college campus, it isn’t very big. There isn’t a whole lot of space to enjoy your food without feeling cramped. 

After a 25 minute drive and a 25 minute wait for our food, I expected the three piece chicken finger meal, fries, and High-C to blow me away. Yet, after the first bite, I was yearning for some good old Bojangles supremes. 

Don’t get me wrong, Cane’s could be great for a late night snack, but it lacked as a full meal. I didn’t notice a unique flavor in the chicken, and frankly, it was slightly soggy. 

I was impressed, for all of two seconds, that Texas toast was part of the meal, but then I compared it to a Bojangles biscuit, and I was disappointed. The toast was, again, soggy and had a garlic flavor that over powered the rest of the meal. 

My favorite part of the meal was the french fries. A well salted, crinkle cut fry was a delicious and slightly unique type of french fry. If you like a solid thicker fry, like the crinkle cut, versus a shoestring McDonald’s fry, Cane’s could be the place for you. 

Nevertheless, I sat in my corner booth, enjoyed my company, and basked in a true college- paced restaurant. The people around me were bubbly and excited to be trying a trending restaurant — some even sending vlogs to their friends, fan girling over the free Cane’s scrunchies. 

Overall, Raising Cane’s is a good fast food, fried chicken restaurant. But if it’s between a two minute drive to Bojangles or a 25 minute drive to Cane’s, without a doubt, I would be in a Bojangles drive-thru.