Diners across Petersburg have officially weighed in on their favorite local culinary handhelds, awarding top honors to the Kickin Chicken sandwich from Oldtowne Perks. The reader poll, conducted by The Progress-Index, highlighted the city’s thriving food scene by pitting prominent neighborhood specialties against one another in a friendly community competition.
When the final tally was tabulated, the Kickin Chicken emerged as the definitive champion after capturing 41.9 percent of the overall vote. The winning sandwich garnered widespread praise from local patrons who favored its balanced combination of crispy texture, savoriness, and bold heat.
The acclaimed dish is built around a fried chicken breast that comes thoroughly drenched in the establishment’s proprietary hot honey sauce. Served as a hearty handheld, the sandwich has quickly become a signature favorite among regulars seeking an elevated spin on classic Southern comfort food.
According to the restaurant's culinary preparation process, creating the award-winning entree begins with a seven-eighths-ounce chicken cut that is immersed in a wet, house-made batter. The poultry is then repeatedly dredged in seasoned flour before being deep-fried to a golden crisp. Once cooked, the hot chicken is slathered in a homemade spicy honey glaze offering balanced sweetness and heat, before being finished with melted provolone cheese, crisp lettuce, and fresh sliced tomatoes.
Establishment owner Steve Perkinson expressed deep gratitude for the victory, noting how meaningful it is to see labor-intensive, scratch-made recipes receive public validation. He emphasized that developing the menu was a collaborative effort with his family, who originally singled out the Kickin Chicken formulation as their personal favorite prior to the restaurant's debut.
The eatery itself represents a relatively recent addition to the local culinary landscape, having opened its doors in January 2025. Located at 404 A N. Sycamore Street within historic Old Towne Petersburg, the family-owned and operated storefront has built a steady following by offering an array of sandwiches and casual dining favorites.
The latest triumph marks the second major polling victory for the restaurant in recent months. Back in July 2026, Oldtowne Perks swept another Progress-Index contest when it claimed the title of best hot dog joint in Petersburg, securing an impressive 48 percent of the ballots cast in that division.
Reflecting on the consecutive community recognitions, Perkinson highlighted the broader value of celebrating regional businesses. He commended efforts to keep residents actively engaged with the local dining scene, pointing out that such initiatives consistently remind the public of the exceptional food options available across Petersburg and the wider Tri-Cities area.
While Oldtowne Perks secured the top ranking, several other prominent culinary staples finished strong in the ten-nominee contest. Second place went to Maria's Old Town 21 Ristorante Italiano for its Ribeye Ciabatta, while Old Towne's Alibi earned third place honors with its specialty Pimento Cheese BLT.
Maria's Old Town 21 Ristorante Italiano, located at 21 W. Old Street, impressed voters with its upscale steakhouse-style sandwich. The runner-up Ribeye Ciabatta features tender grilled ribeye beef paired with aioli, sliced red onions, fresh lettuce, and ripe tomatoes, all served alongside a rich au jus dipping sauce.
Securing the third spot on the podium, Old Towne's Alibi at 305 N. Sycamore Street delivered a regional twist on a classic lunch staple. Its Pimento Cheese BLT is assembled on toasted sourdough bread layered with house-made pimento cheese spread, crisp bacon, lettuce, and sliced tomatoes.
The reader survey also showcased classic favorites from longtime culinary institutions, including the historic Dixie Restaurant situated at 250 N. Sycamore Street. Serving generations of local patrons in Old Towne since 1920, the iconic diner entered its Petersburg Club, a traditional triple-decker creation stacked with Virginia ham, carved turkey, crispy bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
Another prominent contender was Croaker's Spot, situated at 9 E. Old Street inside the octagonal 1879 Farmers Market building, a historic brick structure that has withstood fires, wars, and severe storms. Featured nationally by America's Best Restaurants in 2024, the soul food and seafood establishment competed with its Shrimp Po Boy, which features five jumbo butterflied shrimp on a toasted bakery sub roll with mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and sauteed peppers and onions tossed in secret sauce.
Rounding out the downtown deli representation was Longstreet's Deli, operating at 302 N. Sycamore Street. The popular destination for both residents and visitors competed with its traditional Reuben sandwich, offering customer choices of corned beef, pastrami, or sliced turkey accompanied by Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing on grilled rye bread.
Morning-focused dining was represented by Let's Do Brunch, one of the newer eateries situated at 216 N. Sycamore Street within the Courthouse Historic District. The establishment, which features al fresco outdoor dining options when weather allows, competed with The Carver, a breakfast handheld containing carved ham, two eggs, and cheese served on choice of brioche or Texas toast.
Together, the diverse lineup of nominees demonstrated the depth of the local dining landscape, highlighting how historic establishments and emerging neighborhood kitchens continue to enrich the culinary identity of downtown Petersburg.
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