We tried two cult chicken chains that are quickly taking over the nation — and the winner was clear

Move over Chick-fil-A — there are some new chicks on the block. 

Zaxby's and Raising Cane's are two of the fastest growing chains in the entire restaurant industry. Zaxby's grew 13.3% in 2016, reaching $1.6 billion in annual sales and earning the 8th spot in Nation's Restaurant New's list of fastest growing chains. Raising Cane's took the No. 1 spot, increased sales by a whopping 25.9% in 2016 to reach $640.5 million. 

Both chains are children of the '90s — millennial chains, if you will, with Zaxby's opening in 1990 and Raising Cane's opening in 1996. Now they're giving the rulers of the roost, like KFC, Chick-fil-A, and Popeyes, a run for their money. 

Intrigued about this upstart ingénues, Business Insider ventured south of the Mason-Dixon to see what the hype is around these Southern cult favorites. 

SEE ALSO: We visited the fastest-growing restaurant chain in America — and what we discovered should terrify KFC and Chick-fil-A

Arriving at the Raising Cane's in Charlottesville, Virginia, on a sweltering and sunny June day we were hungry for the truth.

The first thing we noticed — a surprisingly minimalist menu. In contrast to much of the chicken community, Raising Cane's boasts just four options, plus a kids combo.

There's just two questions at Raising Cane's: How many chicken fingers do you want, and how do you want 'em?