About Hangry Joe's
Hangry Joe's was born from a simple obsession: making the boldest, most craveable hot chicken in Catonsville, MD and beyond. We're passionate about bringing real heat, real flavor, and real heart to every plate.
Hot Chicken
How Hangry Joe's
Came to Be
Hangry Joe's started as a late-night craving and a cast-iron skillet. Founder Joe grew up in Maryland eating spicy, home-cooked chicken that his grandmother perfected over decades. When he moved to Catonsville, he couldn't find anything that came close — so he built it himself.
— Joe, Founder
What started as a pop-up at local markets quickly became the most-talked-about spot in the neighborhood. Word spread about hangry joe's hot chicken — the signature recipe featuring a proprietary spice blend, hand-battered tenders, and the iconic comeback sauce. Today, we serve hundreds of guests daily from our home at 708 N Rolling Rd, Catonsville, MD.
Scratch-Made Daily
Every item is prepared fresh, never frozen, using house-made spice blends.
Community First
We source local ingredients and give back to the Catonsville community.
Real Heat Levels
From Mild to Reaper — every heat level is crafted to be genuinely delicious.
Award-Winning Flavors
Recognized by local food critics as the best hot chicken in Maryland.
Our Mission & Vision
Everything we do at Hangry Joe's flows from three core commitments — to our food, our people, and our community.
Our Mission
To serve the boldest, most craveable hot chicken experience in the United States — one fiery plate at a time. We refuse to compromise on flavor, quality, or the joy of eating something truly great.
Our Vision
To grow Hangry Joe's into a nationally recognized hot chicken brand that people trust for consistent, crave-worthy food — while staying rooted in the authentic spirit of our Catonsville origins.
Our Promise
Every visit to Hangry Joe's should feel like the best meal you've had this week. We promise fresh ingredients, real heat, honest prices, and staff who genuinely love what they serve.
The Hangry Joe's Timeline
From a backyard pop-up to a beloved Catonsville destination — here's how we grew.
The First Flame
Joe perfects his grandmother's hot chicken recipe and starts selling at the Catonsville Farmers Market on weekends. Lines form within the first hour every single time.
Ghost Kitchen Launch
Hangry Joe's launches as a ghost kitchen delivery brand during the pandemic, quickly becoming one of the most-ordered delivery items in the Baltimore metro area.
Brick & Mortar Opens
Our first physical location opens at 708 N Rolling Rd, Catonsville, MD. The opening weekend sees a line around the block and sells out within 4 hours.
"Best Hot Chicken in MD"
Baltimore Magazine names Hangry Joe's the best hot chicken restaurant in Maryland. The award validates what our regulars already knew — hangry joe's hot chicken is the real deal.
Catering & Events
We launch our full-service catering operation, bringing Hangry Joe's heat to weddings, corporate events, and festivals across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Franchise Expansion
Hangry Joe's opens its franchise program, bringing the bold hot chicken experience to passionate operators across the United States. The heat is spreading nationwide.
Meet the Team Behind the Heat
Our team is the secret ingredient. Every person at Hangry Joe's is obsessed with great food and even better hospitality.
Joe Martinez
Founder & Head ChefThe original hangry joe himself. Joe turned a grandmother's recipe and a lifetime of heat-chasing into one of Maryland's most beloved restaurants.
Maria Chen
Operations DirectorMaria keeps the whole machine running. From supply chain to guest experience, she ensures every visit to Hangry Joe's is seamlessly excellent.
Marcus Reid
Executive Sous ChefMarcus brings classical culinary training to the kitchen while honoring the soul-food roots of Hangry Joe's hot chicken. He develops every new menu item.
Priya Nair
Community ManagerPriya is the voice and heart of our brand. She connects Hangry Joe's with the community through events, partnerships, and genuine storytelling.
Our Core Values
These aren't just words on a wall — they're the principles that drive every decision we make at Hangry Joe's.
Uncompromising Flavor
We never cut corners on ingredients, spice blends, or preparation. Flavor is our non-negotiable foundation — everything else builds on it.
Fresh & Honest
Real ingredients, no shortcuts. We prep fresh daily because our guests deserve to taste the difference between real food and the alternative.
Community Roots
We buy local, hire local, and give back local. Catonsville raised us, and we intend to make this community proud every single day we operate.
Joy in Every Bite
Food should make people happy. We measure success by the smiles, the return visits, and the "this is the best thing I've eaten in weeks" moments.
Integrity Always
We stand behind every plate we serve. If something's not right, we make it right — no questions, no hassle, no exceptions.
Always Innovating
We respect tradition while pushing our menu forward. New heat levels, new sauces, and seasonal specials keep our regulars as excited as first-timers.