Ornery Chicken Menu: A Deep Dive into Bold Flavors and Unique Choices

Have you ever scrolled through food delivery apps, craving something that’s not just another chicken sandwich, but a meal with attitude? If so, you’ve probably come across the ornery chicken menu—a lineup that’s quickly become a local legend in Des Moines and Ankeny, Iowa. What makes The Ornery Chicken stand out isn’t just its catchy name; it’s the bold, fiery flavors and creative twists on classic comfort food that keep customers coming back for more.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll get an insider’s look at the ornery chicken menu, from its signature sandwiches and saucy wings to its crave-worthy sides and inventive treats. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned fan, this post will help you navigate the menu, discover customer favorites, and understand what makes this virtual kitchen a must-try for chicken lovers. Ready to dig in? Let’s explore the ornery chicken menu and see why it’s ruffling feathers in the best way possible.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

The ornery chicken menu is known for bold, creative takes on chicken classics.
Signature sandwiches, saucy wings, and loaded sides are menu highlights.
The virtual kitchen model offers convenient delivery and pickup.
Customizable options and combo meals cater to every craving.
The menu’s unique flavors and quality ingredients set it apart in the local food scene.

The History and Philosophy Behind The Ornery Chicken

Origins of The Ornery Chicken

The Ornery Chicken didn’t start as a typical brick-and-mortar restaurant. Instead, it launched as Des Moines’ first virtual kitchen dedicated to chicken, operating out of a commercial kitchen and focusing exclusively on delivery and pickup. This innovative approach allowed the brand to experiment with flavors and menu items without the constraints of a traditional dining room.

Brand Ethos: Bold, Fiery Flavors

At the heart of the ornery chicken menu is a commitment to boldness—both in taste and attitude. The brand’s philosophy is all about pushing the boundaries of what chicken can be, using fiery spices, inventive sauces, and unexpected combinations to create dishes that are anything but ordinary.

Quality Ingredients and Unique Sauces

Every item on the ornery chicken menu starts with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The chicken is always cooked to order, and the sauces—ranging from creamy ranch to spicy Nashville hot—are crafted to deliver maximum flavor. This dedication to quality and creativity is what gives the menu its signature “ornery” edge.

From the first bite of a Ranch Hand Sandwich to the last crispy tot, the ornery chicken menu is designed to surprise and delight. Each dish reflects the brand’s playful, rebellious spirit and its refusal to settle for bland or boring chicken.

The ornery chicken menu is thoughtfully organized into categories that make it easy to find your next favorite meal:

Sandwiches: The stars of the menu, featuring bold flavors and unique toppings.
Tenders: Juicy, hand-breaded chicken tenders served with signature sauces.
Wings: Choose from Signature, Smoked, or Boneless wings, each with a variety of sauce options.
Side Dishes: From classic fries to loaded mac and cheese, the sides are anything but an afterthought.
Ornery Treats and Drinks: Sweet treats and refreshing beverages to round out your meal.

Delivery and Pickup Convenience

As a virtual kitchen, The Ornery Chicken is built for convenience. Customers can order online for delivery or pickup, making it easy to enjoy bold chicken flavors at home, at work, or on the go.

Combo Meals and Customization

The ornery chicken menu offers plenty of flexibility, with combo meals that pair main dishes with sides and drinks. Customizable options like “Craft Your Own Mac” let you tailor your meal to your exact tastes, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Popular Signature Sandwiches

Ranch Hand Sandwich

The Ranch Hand Sandwich is a fan favorite for good reason. It features a crispy fried chicken breast topped with lettuce slaw, smoky bacon, and house-made ranch dressing, all served on soft focaccia bread. The sandwich comes with a side of signature sidewinder fries, making it a hearty and satisfying meal.

What Makes It Special?

The combination of crunchy chicken, creamy ranch, and savory bacon creates a flavor explosion.
The focaccia bread adds a gourmet touch, setting it apart from typical fast-food sandwiches.

Nashville Hottie

For those who like it hot, the Nashville Hottie delivers. This sandwich starts with a breaded chicken breast dunked in spicy Nashville Hot sauce, then layered with crisp pickles and served on grilled Texas toast.

Why Customers Love It

The heat from the Nashville Hot sauce is balanced by the tangy pickles and buttery toast.
It’s a bold, Southern-inspired take that packs a punch without overwhelming the palate.

Ol’ Crusty Cluck

The Ol’ Crusty Cluck is all about texture and flavor. A lightly breaded chicken breast is paired with fresh lettuce slaw and the signature ornery sauce, then served on a pillowy brioche bun.

Standout Features

The ornery sauce is a closely guarded secret, known for its tangy, slightly spicy kick.
The brioche bun adds a touch of sweetness and richness.

Mother Hen

For a lighter option, the Mother Hen features a grilled chicken breast topped with lettuce slaw, salsa fresca, and ornery sauce, all on hearty wheatberry bread.

Why It’s Unique

The grilled chicken and fresh salsa make it a healthier choice without sacrificing flavor.
The wheatberry bread provides a nutty, wholesome base.

Hot Shot

The Hot Shot is a fiery favorite, combining breaded chicken with Nashville Hot Sauce, lettuce slaw, salsa fresca, and ornery sauce on a toasted brioche bun.

What Sets It Apart

The mix of spicy sauce, fresh salsa, and creamy ornery sauce creates a complex, layered flavor profile.
The toasted brioche bun holds up well to the saucy fillings.

What Makes These Sandwiches Stand Out?

Bold Sauces: Each sandwich features a unique sauce, from ranch to Nashville Hot to the signature ornery blend.
Fresh Toppings: Lettuce slaw, salsa fresca, and pickles add crunch and brightness.
Unique Bread Choices: Focaccia, Texas toast, brioche, and wheatberry bread offer variety and elevate the experience.

Tenders

The ornery chicken menu’s tenders are a staple for chicken lovers. Each order includes four juicy, hand-breaded tenders served with a slice of garlic toast and your choice of dipping sauce.

Why They’re a Hit

The tenders are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor.
Garlic toast adds a savory, aromatic touch.

Ornery Tots

Ornery Tots are a must-try for anyone who loves loaded comfort food. This dish features crispy tater tots topped with chopped chicken tenders, smoky bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, jalapenos, and your choice of sauce.

What Makes Them Irresistible

The combination of textures—crispy tots, tender chicken, melty cheese—makes every bite satisfying.
Jalapenos and sauce add heat and moisture, making this a perfect shareable snack or meal.

Ornery Wrap

The Ornery Wrap is a portable, flavor-packed option. It wraps up chicken tenders, lettuce slaw, salsa fresca, and ornery sauce in a soft tortilla. It’s also available as a combo with tater tots and a drink.

Why It’s Popular

The wrap format is convenient for eating on the go.
The mix of fresh and bold flavors keeps it interesting.

Specialty Items

The ornery chicken menu occasionally features limited-time or seasonal specialty items, such as spicy mac and cheese bowls or unique sandwich creations. These specials keep the menu fresh and give regulars something new to look forward to.

Satisfying Different Cravings

Whether you want something classic (tenders), loaded (Ornery Tots), or portable (Ornery Wrap), there’s an option for every mood.
The ability to customize sauces and toppings means you can tailor your meal to your spice tolerance and preferences.

Wings, Sides, and Add-Ons

Wing Options

The ornery chicken menu offers wings in three styles:

Signature Wings: Traditional bone-in wings tossed in your choice of sauce.
Smoked Wings: Slow-smoked for extra flavor, then sauced to order.
Boneless Wings: Bite-sized, breaded chicken pieces perfect for dipping.

Sauce Selection

Choose from a range of sauces, including classic buffalo, Nashville Hot, ornery sauce, ranch, and more. The variety ensures there’s a wing for every palate.

Popular Sides

No chicken meal is complete without the perfect side. The ornery chicken menu features:

Sidewinder Fries: Thick, curly fries with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
Tater Tots: Golden, crunchy, and perfect for dipping.
Mac n’ Cheese Varieties: Creamy mac and cheese, with options like Nashville Hot Mac for a spicy twist.
Pimento Snackers: Bite-sized pimento cheese balls, fried to perfection.
Cole Slaw, Mashed Potatoes, Corn: Classic, gluten-free sides that balance out the bold main dishes.

Add-Ons and Customization

Extra sauces, cheese, bacon, and jalapenos can be added to most dishes, allowing you to customize your meal and turn up the flavor to your liking.

The Appeal of Sides

Sides like mac and cheese and pimento snackers elevate the meal from ordinary to extraordinary.
Gluten-free options ensure everyone can enjoy the ornery chicken menu.

Customer Favorites and Specials

Bestselling Items

Certain dishes have earned cult status among regulars:

Ranch Hand Sandwich: Loved for its balance of crispy chicken, bacon, and ranch.
Nashville Hottie: A go-to for spice lovers.
Ornery Tots: The ultimate comfort food, perfect for sharing.
Signature Wings: Always a crowd-pleaser, especially with ornery sauce.

Limited-Time Specials

The ornery chicken menu often features seasonal or limited-time specials, such as spicy mac bowls or unique sandwich creations. These items keep the menu exciting and give customers a reason to check back often.

Value Combos

Combo meals like the Ornery Wrap Combo offer great value, pairing main dishes with sides and drinks for a complete meal at a reasonable price.

Why Customers Keep Coming Back

The menu’s variety and bold flavors make it easy to find a new favorite every time.
Specials and combos provide both excitement and value.

Ordering Experience and Availability

Virtual Kitchen Model

The Ornery Chicken operates as a virtual kitchen, meaning there’s no dine-in option—just fast, convenient online ordering for delivery or pickup. This model allows the brand to focus on food quality and speed.

Ordering Platforms

Customers can order from the ornery chicken menu through several platforms, including:

ToastTab: The official ordering site for pickup and delivery.
DoorDash: For fast delivery to your door.
Other Local Delivery Apps: Depending on your location, additional options may be available.

Tips for Maximizing Your Order

Try a Combo: Combos offer the best value and let you sample more menu items.
Mix and Match Sauces: Don’t be afraid to try something new—ask for extra sauces on the side.
Order Ahead: For busy nights, order ahead to avoid wait times.

Convenience at Its Best

The virtual kitchen model means you can enjoy bold chicken flavors wherever you are.
Online ordering is quick, easy, and user-friendly.

Bold, Fiery Flavor Profiles

The ornery chicken menu isn’t afraid to turn up the heat. From Nashville Hot sauce to the signature ornery blend, the flavors are designed to stand out and challenge your taste buds.

Whether you prefer spicy, creamy, or classic flavors, the menu has something for everyone. The variety of sandwiches, wings, and sides ensures that even picky eaters will find something to love.

Creative Comfort Foods

Dishes like loaded mac and cheese, pimento snackers, and ornery tots take comfort food to the next level, blending nostalgia with innovation.

Standing Out from the Crowd

The ornery chicken menu’s creativity and quality set it apart from typical fast-food chicken joints.
The focus on bold flavors and unique combinations keeps customers coming back for more.

Conclusion

The ornery chicken menu is more than just a list of dishes—it’s a celebration of bold flavors, creative comfort food, and the rebellious spirit that defines The Ornery Chicken brand. From signature sandwiches and saucy wings to loaded sides and sweet treats, every item is crafted to surprise and delight.

If you’re in Des Moines or Ankeny and craving chicken with attitude, don’t settle for ordinary. Explore the ornery chicken menu online, order for delivery or pickup, and experience the bold, ornery spirit that’s redefining what chicken can be. Ready to taste the difference? Visit The Ornery Chicken’s ordering platform or follow them on social media to see the latest specials and menu updates. Your next favorite meal is just a click away!

For more, visit our website, S-Ornery home.com