Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal’s fast casual restaurant chain, Big Chicken, has officially opened its first Maryland location at The Villages at Waugh Chapel, located at 1407 South Main Chapel Way #103 in Gambrills (Anne Arundel County).
Founded in 2018, Big Chicken combines O’Neal’s childhood comfort food favorites with modern flavors. The brand is backed by a partnership that includes Las Vegas-based JRS Hospitality, Authentic Brands Group, Craveworthy Brands, and O’Neal himself.
The menu features crispy chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, hand-breaded sides, Cheez-It® crusted mac and cheese, and hand-crafted milkshakes, with many menu items inspired by stories and flavors from Shaquille O’Neal’s life.
Local food creator @NomtasticKim recently stopped by the new restaurant and shared some of her favorite menu items, including:
- The Hot Shot ($6.99): A fried chicken tender topped with Cholula mayo, pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, and cheese curds.
- 3 Tenders ($7.99): Served with a choice of sauce or tossed in Nashville or Holy Hot oil. She recommended the Golden BBQ and Memphis BBQ sauces.
- Double Chocolate Shake ($7.99): Available in both regular and mini sizes, with additional flavors including Salted Caramel, Cookies & Cream, and Peanut Butter Chip.
The opening marks Big Chicken’s first restaurant in Maryland as the chain continues expanding across the country.
