New Washington Heights Chick-Fil-A Spurs Spicy Uptown Debate

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — News that a Chick-fil-A would open its first uptown outpost in Washington Heights this week has spurred a heated debate about LGBTQ activism, small-business growth and the deliciousness of fast-food chicken.

While some uptowners celebrated news of the new Chick-fil-A opening Thursday at 601 W. 181st St., others raised concerns about supporting a chain that openly supports conservative policy.

“I think it’s going to be a sad day," Annette Fernandez told Patch. "It’s a shame that real estate owners and local electeds and organizations are allowing Uptown to be developed so thoughtlessly, as opposed to supporting local small business ownership and innovation."

This response was contrasted by resident Sapheya Saber, one of nearly a hundred locals who replied to Patch's query about the new Chick-fil-A on Facebook this week.

"Me, a lesbian with no self-control, is incredibly excited," Saber said. "Every single corporation contributes to my oppression in some way, I'm going to eat the chicken."

Chick-fil-A did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment about the uptown opening.

The national chain is perhaps best known in New York City for its complex history supporting conservative and Christian organizations, detailed in an extensive 2021 report from Business Insider.

In 2012, after news broke that Chick-fil-A gave about $2 million to seven anti-gay groups in a single year, the fast-food chain pledged to stop the majority of its controversial donations.

But Chick-fil-A made headlines again last year when The Daily Beast named owner Dan Cathy as a "high-dollar donor" to a charitable foundation bankrolling opposition to The Equality Act, which would enact a federal ban on LGBTQ-based discrimination.

Now that Chick-fil-A has a new outpost opening in Washington Heights, locals have a decision to make. To eat the chicken, or not to eat the chicken?

It's a debate the neighborhood sunk its teeth into.

“Hate has no home in the Heights," Beth Kirkpatrick said. "I won’t be giving my money to Chick-fil-A when there are great chicken places in the neighborhood that don’t support anti-LGBTQ causes.”

“I’m also very upset with that fast food opening up here," Patricia Suma added. "Bring us a Whole Foods or more groceries, not a bigoted chain that is anti-LGBTQ+."

"We need healthy food options in the neighborhood — we don’t need another fast-food spot," Franchesca Feliz, an uptown resident and founder of Uptown Girl Productions, told Patch. "Especially not one that has an owner that donates to anti-LGBTQ organizations."

But local Susan Tran said she felt OK about eating at Chick-fil-A because her friends did.

"You don’t like them, don’t purchase from them," Tran said. "My gay friends still eat there, so why shouldn’t I?"

Several people were just plain excited to see the Chick-fil-A opening on 181st street.

"Love em," Miguel Espinal said. "Can't wait."

"Can't wait! Super hyped I won't have to go to New Jersey or downtown anymore," a different Upper Manhattan resident wrote.

"New businesses are always good for the community," Rosi Santana said. "It gives people options."

But several locals told Patch it's a question of who serves the best food, and in Washington Heights, that's never going to be Chick-fil-A.

"Washington Heights is famous for delicious Dominican-style chicken," Myra Alperson said. "Far superior to anything from a chain.

"Let's stick with those El Malecon, Mambi, El Conde and so many more."