Joe Mercer
Founder & Head Chef
The man behind the madness. Joe's Nashville-rooted recipes and relentless pursuit of perfect heat have defined every dish on our menu since day one.
Our Story
About Hangry Joe's
Discover the passion, the heat, and the heart behind Hangry Joe's — the DMV's boldest hot chicken destination in Germantown, MD.
Est. 2018
Our Origin
The Story Behind Hangry Joe's
Hangry Joe's was born from a simple idea: nobody should have to settle for bland, forgettable chicken. Founded in 2018 in the heart of Germantown, MD, hangry joes started as a small passion project by Joe Mercer and his family — a determination to bring authentic, soul-warming hot chicken to the DMV community.
Joe grew up mastering his grandmother's spice blends in a small Nashville kitchen. When he moved to Maryland, he realized the area was missing that same fiery, deeply-flavored hot chicken experience. So he built it himself — one recipe, one tasting, and one hungry neighbor at a time.
"I wanted every bite to feel like a warm hug that also happens to be on fire. Bold flavors, honest ingredients, and a whole lot of love — that's what Hangry Joe's is all about."
— Joe Mercer, Founder & Head ChefToday, Hangry Joe's serves hundreds of loyal customers each week from our flagship location at 19730 Germantown Rd. Our menu has grown, our team has expanded, but the soul of the restaurant — handcrafted heat, fresh ingredients, and community — has never changed.
View Menu
6+
Years Serving
50K+
Happy Customers
12
Signature Heat Levels
4.9★
Average Rating
What Drives Us
Our Mission & Core Values
At Hangry Joe's, everything we do is guided by a set of principles that go far beyond making great food. These values are woven into every dish, every interaction, and every decision we make.
Unapologetic Boldness
We never dial down the flavor. Every dish is crafted with maximum impact — heat, depth, and character in every single bite.
Fresh Every Day
No frozen shortcuts here. We source fresh, quality ingredients daily and prep everything in-house from scratch, every morning.
Community First
Germantown is our home. We invest in the local community through partnerships, events, and hiring local talent with pride.
Honest Hospitality
Real welcome, real warmth. We treat every guest like family — quick service, genuine smiles, and food that delivers on every promise.
Our Journey
The Hangry Joe's Timeline
From a home kitchen dream to Germantown's most-loved hot chicken spot — here's how hangry joe's grew into what it is today.
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20182018
The Spark Ignites
Joe Mercer begins testing recipes in his home kitchen in Germantown, MD — inspired by his grandmother's Nashville spice traditions and a gap in the DMV food scene.
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20192019
Pop-Up Success
Hangry Joe's launches as a weekend pop-up at local farmers markets. Lines stretch around the block and the buzz begins to build across Montgomery County.
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20202020
Brick & Mortar Opens
Despite challenging times, Hangry Joe's opens its flagship location at 19730 Germantown Rd. Takeout-first operations keep the community fed and the team employed throughout the year.
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20212021
Menu Expansion
The beloved hot chicken lineup expands with 12 heat levels, new sandwich creations, signature sides, and the now-legendary Hangry Sauce — developed by our in-house culinary team.
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20222022
Regional Recognition
Hangry Joe's is featured in the Washington Post's "Best Fried Chicken in the DMV" roundup and wins a local "Best of Montgomery County" award for two consecutive years.
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20232023
Catering & Events Launch
Hangry Joe's launches a full-service catering operation, bringing hot chicken to weddings, corporate events, and private parties across the greater DMV area.
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20242024
Online Ordering & Growth
We launch online ordering and delivery, making hangry joe's hot chicken accessible to more of the community than ever — serving 1,000+ orders a week.
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NOWToday
Still Hungry for More
The fire hasn't dimmed. With new flavors in development, an expanded dining room, and a community that keeps growing, Hangry Joe's is just getting started.
Meet the People
The Faces Behind the Flame
Our tight-knit team shares one obsession: delivering the most satisfying hot chicken experience in Germantown. Meet the crew who make Hangry Joe's what it is every single day.
Maria Reyes
Operations Manager
Maria keeps Hangry Joe's running like a well-oiled machine. Her hospitality background ensures every guest experience — from first bite to final smile — is flawless.
DeShawn Carter
Sous Chef & Spice Lead
DeShawn is our resident heat scientist. He oversees all spice blend development, quality control, and the constant R&D that keeps our menu exciting and evolving.
Priya Nair
Community & Catering Director
Priya champions every community initiative and leads our thriving catering program — bringing the Hangry Joe's experience to events, offices, and celebrations across the DMV.