Chicken tender wars: How are Zaxby's, Huey Magoo's and Raising Canes different?

If you’re the kind of person who likes a chicken tender meal now and then, you have plenty of options to choose from in Volusia and Flagler counties.

And while that pretty much guarantees you’ll find something you’ll like, you may not always know the actual differences between today's most popular options.

Chick-fil-A, Popeyes and KFC are perhaps the most well-known and established brands, each with their own fans.

But over the past few years, more restaurants specializing in fried chicken and chicken tender meals have started to see a rise in popularity.

Just this week, Daytona Beach saw the grand opening of the new Raising Cane’s restaurant on International Speedway Boulevard — the chain’s first location in Volusia County.

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Other fairly new options fighting for customers’ attention include Huey Magoo’s, Wingstop and Zaxby’s.

If you are still in doubt over which to try next, here's how they stack up against each other:

Raising Cane’s

The latest to open in the Volusia County area, Raising Cane’s menu has several chicken finger combo meals.

The six-finger Caniac Combo, The Box Combo and two-finger kids' combo all include crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and an option of one or more Cane's sauce.

If you’re planning a party, the restaurant offers its “tailgate” options that include orders of up to 100 chicken fingers.

Raising Cane’s Volusia County store is located at 2451 W. International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach. For information visit raisingcanes.com.

Huey Magoo’s

Huey Magoo’s has also been garnering popularity since its founding 20 years ago.

The restaurant has two locations in Volusia County: one in Daytona Beach and another in Ormond Beach.

Their three-, five- or even seven-piece meals can be both hand-breaded or grilled chicken tenders. These also include coleslaw, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and Magoo’s Dip sauce.

The menu also offers salads, sandwiches, wraps and more.

The Daytona Beach location is at 1268 Beville Road, while the one in Ormond Beach is located at 222 N. Nova Road.

For information, visit hueymagoos.com.

Zaxby’s

Zaxby’s menu has more unusual combinations and options, while also offering traditional chicken tender meals.

Chicken tender combos include four, five or six chicken tenders, along with coleslaw, crinkle cut fries, Texas toast and a drink.

Among Zaxby’s unusual options are the chicken bacon ranch loaded fries and fried cheesecake bites with strawberry sauce. The menu also offers sandwiches, tacos and salads.

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Zaxby has several locations in Volusia County and one in Flagler County.

• 2659 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach.
• 1287 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach.
• 949 Saxon Blvd., Orange City.
• 1693 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand.
• 180 Cypress Edge Drive, Palm Coast.

For information, visit zaxbys.com.

Wingstop

Wingstop offers more traditional chicken tender options in a menu filled with chicken wing and sandwich options.

Their Crispy Tender combos range from three to 30 pieces, all of which come with regular seasoned fries or veggie sticks, two dip sauces and a drink.

Customers can choose if they want the chicken tender plain or tossed in one of many flavors, which include lemon pepper, spicy Korean Q, mango habanero and more.

Wingstop’s Volusia County locations are:

• 1344 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.
• 305 E. International Speedway Blvd., DeLand.
• 2499 Enterprise Road, Orange City.

For information, visit wingstop.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Chicken tender wars: How are Zaxby's, Huey Magoo's and Raising Canes different?