Joe Martello
Founder & Head Chef
The original Hangry Joe himself. Trained in Southern-style cooking and fueled by an obsession with perfect heat balance. Joe personally approves every new menu item.
Our Story
About Hangry Joe's
Bold flavors, real passion, and a whole lot of heat — this is the story behind hangry joes hot chicken in Philadelphia.
Where It All Began
The hangry joes Origin Story
It started with hunger — the deep, restless kind. Back in 2018, founder Joe Martello had just one obsession: creating the boldest, most satisfying hot chicken that Philadelphia had ever tasted. Growing up eating Southern-style fried chicken at family cookouts, he knew the magic lived in the seasoning, the heat, and the love poured into every piece.
What began as a backyard experiment became a weekend pop-up on South Street, drawing lines around the block. Word spread fast. Hangry Joe's wasn't just food — it was an experience. The aroma alone stopped traffic.
"I wanted every bite to feel like the first time. That's what hangry joe's hot chicken is all about — flavor so good it makes you forget everything else."
By 2020, Hangry Joe's had found its permanent home at 28 S 20th St in Philadelphia — a spot that quickly became a neighborhood institution. Today we serve thousands of satisfied customers weekly, but our recipe and our passion have never changed.
Best Hot Chicken
Philly Food Awards 2023
50,000+ Customers
Served & Satisfied
6 Heat Levels
Mild to Reaper
4.9 Star Rating
1,200+ Reviews
What Drives Us
Our Mission & Core Values
At Hangry Joe's, our mission is simple: serve hangry joe's hot chicken that brings people together over bold, authentic flavors — made with real ingredients, real care, and real heat.
Flavor First
Every recipe is crafted from scratch. We never cut corners on seasoning, marination time, or the quality of our spice blends.
Fresh Ingredients
We source locally whenever possible. Fresh produce, quality chicken, and no preservatives — because great food starts with great ingredients.
Community Love
We're Philadelphians at heart. We hire local, support local causes, and give back to the neighborhood that made us who we are.
Honest Service
We treat every guest like family. Honest prices, fast service, and a warm welcome every single time you walk through our door.
Our Journey
The Hangry Joe's Timeline
From a backyard grill to Philadelphia's favorite hot chicken spot — here's how we got here.
2018
The Backyard Experiment
Joe Martello starts testing hot chicken recipes at family cookouts in South Philly. Friends and neighbors can't get enough — the hangry joes legend is born in a backyard.
2019
South Street Pop-Up
The first Hangry Joe's pop-up on South Street draws lines around the block every Saturday. Local food bloggers take notice and the buzz begins to spread citywide.
2020
Brick-and-Mortar Opens
Hangry Joe's opens its permanent location at 28 S 20th St, Philadelphia. Despite a challenging year, the community rallies around their new favorite spot.
2021
Menu Expansion
We introduce our now-legendary six heat levels — from Mild to Ghost Pepper Reaper — along with our signature sides: honey butter biscuits, mac & cheese, and coleslaw.
2022
Catering & Events Launch
Hangry Joe's catering service launches, bringing the heat to corporate events, weddings, and private parties across the Greater Philadelphia area.
2023
Best Hot Chicken in Philly Award
Hangry Joe's is named "Best Hot Chicken in Philadelphia" at the annual Philly Food Awards — a moment that cements our place in the city's culinary scene.
2024
Online Ordering Goes Live
We launch our online ordering platform, making it easier than ever to get Hangry Joe's hot chicken delivered straight to your door anywhere in Philadelphia.
2025+
The Next Chapter
With 50,000+ loyal customers and growing, Hangry Joe's is exploring new locations and franchise opportunities. The heat is just getting started.
The People Behind the Heat
Meet Our Team
The passionate crew who make Hangry Joe's what it is — every fiery, flavor-packed day.
Maria Santos
Operations Manager
The backbone of Hangry Joe's daily operations. Maria ensures every order goes out perfectly, every guest is welcomed warmly, and the kitchen runs like clockwork.
Darnell King
Pitmaster & Spice Specialist
Darnell is the mad scientist behind Hangry Joe's iconic spice blends. With a background in culinary arts and a love for Carolina heat, he engineered our legendary six-level system.
Priya Nair
Marketing Director
Priya is the creative voice of Hangry Joe's. She tells our story, builds our community, and makes sure the world knows about the hottest chicken in Philadelphia.
Find Us
Visit Hangry Joe's
Our Location
28 S 20th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
Call Us
Hours
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM