Chicken for breakfast: Raising Cane's opens in Oakland
Alexis Komperda didn’t sleep Monday night — she wanted to be awake so she didn’t miss the opening of Raising Cane’s in Oakland.
By 5:30 a.m., she and her friend Crystal Savko, freshmen at La Roche University in McCandless, were the first two in line for the 8:30 a.m. opening.
“We thought this would be a fun thing to do,” said Komperda of Latrobe. “I’ve never had it, but it’s the first one in Pittsburgh, so I want to try it.”
They were there with Savko’s younger sister and her two friends, Kylee Scheib, Rylee Sykes, Karrigan Thomey — freshmen at Valley High School — and at least 100 other people waiting outside along Fifth Avenue.
Savko was one of 20 people selected to receive three combo meals per month for one year.
“This is very exciting,” Savko said. “I am thrilled. I’ve had this chicken before in Times Square in New York (City) and it is really good.”
Raising Cane’s chicken tenderloins are hand-battered, breaded and cooked to order. Their customers are called “Caniacs.” The chicken fingers come with the signature Cane’s sauce, which is a top-secret recipe. Most of the employees don’t even know the ingredients. It’s described as “tangy with a little bit of spice.”
The girls all ordered the combo box, which is four chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, one Cane’s sauce, Texas toast, coleslaw and a fountain drink for $11.39.
“We’re excited,” Scheib said.
Ian Strapp, area leader of marketing, fry cook and cashier for Raising Cane’s, said openings typically have people waiting in line before the staff arrives, which is what happened Tuesday.
Before Tuesday, the closest Cane’s to Pittsburgh was in Boardman, Ohio. Two more are expected to open in South Fayette and North Versailles. Dates haven’t been determined yet, Strapp said.
The company made a $1,500 check presentation to Strong Women Strong Girls, a local not-for-profit organization that champions the aspirations and potential of girls and women through mentorship.
“This is very cool,” he said. “People love Raising Cane’s because we don’t have a huge menu, but what we do, we do well.”
The Oakland restaurant is in the former bar and grill Thirsty Scholar at 3610 Fifth Ave.
The company is hiring more than 200 employees with pay starting at $15 per hour.
Details: raisingcanes.com.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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