Ready Or Not: Hunger Strike Mission Guide (March 2026) S-Rank Strategy
Looking to master the Hunger Strike mission in Ready or Not? I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this intense close-quarters combat scenario at Chico’s Mexican Restaurant. This comprehensive guide covers all objective locations, the best loadouts, and proven strategies to achieve that elusive S-rank rating in March 2026.
Ready Or Not: Hunger Strike Mission Overview
The Hunger Strike mission represents one of the most challenging close-quarters combat scenarios in Ready or Not’s Los Sueños Stories update. Taking place at Chico’s Mexican Restaurant, this mission throws you into a high-stakes armed robbery situation where split-second decisions determine success or failure.
| Mission Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Chico’s Mexican Restaurant |
| Mission Type | Active Shooting/Armed Robbery |
| Suspect Count | 8-12 (varies by difficulty) |
| Civilian Count | 4-8 |
| Entry Points | 3 (Parking Lot recommended) |
| Traps | None |
| Difficulty | Medium-Hard |
| Best Squad Size | 4-5 Officers |
As part of the free Los Sueños Stories expansion released alongside Ready or Not’s console launch in July 2026, Hunger Strike serves as a remastered version of the beloved “Fast Food” map from the game’s early access period. The mission showcases VOID Interactive’s commitment to refining classic content while maintaining the tactical intensity that defines Ready or Not.
Mission Briefing and Background
LSPD SWAT responds to an active shooting at a local fast-food restaurant where armed suspects have taken control during what appears to be a robbery gone wrong. Intelligence suggests the suspects are heavily armed and have already engaged with first responders. Your team must neutralize the threat while ensuring civilian safety.
The restaurant’s compact layout creates a pressure-cooker environment where every corner could hide danger. Unlike sprawling maps like Port Hokan in the Hide and Seek mission, Hunger Strike forces intense close-quarters engagements that test your CQB skills to the limit.
Ready Or Not: All Objective Locations in Hunger Strike
Successfully completing Hunger Strike requires locating and securing two critical pieces of evidence. Here’s exactly where to find them:
Objective 1: Inspect the Cash
Location: Van in the parking lot behind the restaurant
Start by choosing the parking lot as your entry point – this strategic decision puts you immediately adjacent to the first objective. Upon spawning, you’ll notice a white van parked near the restaurant’s backdoor with its rear doors conspicuously open. The van contains stacks of cash from the robbery. Simply approach and inspect the money to complete this objective.
Pro Tip: Clear the immediate area before inspecting the cash. Suspects often patrol near the backdoor and can ambush distracted officers.
Objective 2: Inspect the Electronic Device
Location: Second floor, boss’s office
After securing the van, breach the restaurant through the backdoor. Navigate through the kitchen area (expect 2-3 suspects here) and locate the staircase at the far end of the main floor. The stairs present a significant chokepoint – I recommend deploying flashbangs before ascending.
Once upstairs, clear the first room, then turn right into the second room. You’ll find a white electronic device surrounded by trash near the boss’s desk. This appears to be surveillance equipment or communications gear used by the robbery crew. Inspect it to complete the second objective.
Critical Note: Completing both objectives won’t end the mission – you must still neutralize or arrest all remaining suspects.
Best Entry Points and Tactical Approach
While Hunger Strike offers three entry points, the parking lot entrance provides the optimal tactical advantage:
- Parking Lot (Recommended): Direct access to Objective 1 and provides good cover for initial approach
- Front Entrance: High visibility, likely to alert suspects immediately
- Side Entrance: Limited cover, awkward angles for breaching
Room-by-Room Clearing Strategy
Ground Floor Layout:
- Kitchen: 2-3 suspects typically hide behind counters
- Dining Area: Wide open space with minimal cover
- Storage Room: Often contains 1-2 suspects
- Bathroom: Always check – suspects love hiding here
Second Floor Layout:
- Narrow hallway with three rooms
- Limited maneuvering space
- Multiple angles to cover simultaneously
- Boss’s office contains Objective 2
The compact nature of Chico’s Mexican Restaurant means you’re never more than a few feet from potential contact. This proximity makes suppressed weapons less critical than in stealth-focused missions.
S-Rank Requirements and Tips
Achieving S-rank in Hunger Strike demands flawless execution. Here’s what you need:
Mandatory S-Rank Criteria:
- Zero casualties (officers or civilians)
- All suspects arrested (not killed)
- All civilians secured with zip-ties
- All weapons collected as evidence
- No unauthorized force or friendly fire
- Both objectives completed
S-Rank Strategy Guide:
1. Non-Lethal Approach is Essential Unlike missions where lethal force might be justified, S-rank demands every suspect surrender. This means mastering less-lethal weapons and tactics.
2. Systematic Room Clearing Speed kills in Hunger Strike – literally. Take your time clearing each room methodically. Better to spend 20 minutes completing the mission than rushing and losing S-rank to a hidden suspect.
3. Communication and Coordination If playing with AI squadmates, use commands liberally. Order them to cover doors, clear rooms, and secure suspects. In multiplayer, constant communication prevents blue-on-blue incidents.
4. Evidence Collection After neutralizing threats, systematically collect all dropped weapons. Missing even one piece of evidence will cost you S-rank.
Recommended Loadouts for Hunger Strike
The close-quarters nature of Hunger Strike demands specific loadout considerations. Here are my tested configurations:
Lethal Loadout (General Completion)
- Primary Weapon: 590M Shotgun
- Sidearm: PC19
- Tactical Equipment: Tactical Shield
- Armor: Heavy Armor
- Throwables: Flashbang x3
- Attachments: Flashlight (essential for dark corners)
The 590M shotgun dominates in Hunger Strike’s tight corridors. Its pump-action mechanism might seem slow, but the stopping power more than compensates. The tactical shield provides crucial protection when pushing through doorways.
Non-Lethal Loadout (S-Rank)
- Primary Weapon: VPL-25 (Assault Rifle)
- Sidearm: TRPL (Pistol)
- Tactical Equipment: M320 Flash
- Armor: Heavy Armor
- Throwables: Flashbang x3
- Face Protection: Gas Mask
For S-rank attempts, this non-lethal setup maximizes your chances of forcing surrenders. The VPL-25 delivers accurate pepperball rounds that incapacitate without killing, while the M320 Flash launcher provides additional crowd control options.
Important: Set the VPL-25 to single-fire mode to conserve ammunition. You’ll need every round when facing 10+ suspects.
For more weapon recommendations, check out our complete Ready Or Not Best Weapons Guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After countless runs through Hunger Strike, I’ve identified these critical errors that sabotage S-rank attempts:
1. Rushing the Second Floor
The staircase creates a fatal funnel. Suspects positioned upstairs have every advantage. Always clear with flashbangs first.
2. Ignoring the Kitchen
Players often breeze through the kitchen toward the dining area, missing 2-3 suspects hiding behind equipment. Clear methodically.
3. Friendly Fire in Tight Spaces
The narrow corridors make crossfire incidents common. Maintain proper spacing and muzzle discipline.
4. Forgetting Civilian Management
Unsecured civilians can wander into firefights. Zip-tie everyone immediately upon contact.
5. Incomplete Evidence Collection
Weapons often slide under tables or into corners. Check thoroughly before ending the mission.
Advanced Strategies and Pro Tips
Mirror Gun Isn’t Necessary
Unlike trap-heavy missions, Hunger Strike contains zero explosive devices. Save your equipment slot for more useful tools like the tactical shield or additional flashbangs.
Sound is Your Best Intel
In the quiet moments between breaches, listen carefully. Suspects often give away their positions through footsteps or dialogue. Use this audio intelligence to pre-fire corners or prepare breaching charges.
Exploit the AI Behavior
On higher difficulties, suspects become more aggressive but also more predictable. They’ll often rush toward gunfire, allowing you to set up ambush positions.
The Two-Team Approach
In 4-5 player squads, consider splitting into two teams:
- Team A: Clears ground floor methodically
- Team B: Holds the staircase to prevent flanking
This prevents suspects from circulating between floors and creates a more controlled engagement environment.
Flashbang Timing
Deploy flashbangs 1-2 seconds before breaching. Too early and effects wear off; too late and you’ll blind yourself. Practice the timing in other missions first.
Mission Walkthrough: Step-by-Step
Here’s my proven route for S-rank completion:
Step 1: Initial Approach
- Spawn at parking lot
- Stack up on van, inspect cash (Objective 1)
- Form up on backdoor
Step 2: Ground Floor Breach
- Flashbang kitchen through door
- Clear kitchen thoroughly (2-3 suspects typical)
- Secure any civilians immediately
Step 3: Dining Area Sweep
- Pie the doorway carefully
- Watch for suspects behind counter
- Check bathrooms – always occupied
Step 4: Staircase Assault
- Deploy flashbang up stairwell
- Move quickly but carefully
- First officer watches up, second covers rear
Step 5: Second Floor Operations
- Clear first room (often empty)
- Stack on second room (boss’s office)
- Flashbang and breach
- Inspect device (Objective 2)
Step 6: Final Sweep
- Return downstairs methodically
- Re-clear all rooms
- Collect all weapons
- Ensure all suspects/civilians secured
Difficulty Variations
Hunger Strike’s challenge scales significantly across difficulty levels:
Casual Mode
- 6-8 suspects
- Slower reaction times
- More likely to surrender
- Civilians stay hidden
Standard Mode
- 8-10 suspects
- Moderate aggression
- Balanced surrender rates
- Some civilian movement
Hard Mode
- 10-12 suspects
- Hyper-aggressive behavior
- Rarely surrender without suppression
- Civilians may panic and run
Adjust your tactics accordingly. On Hard mode, consider bringing a full 5-officer team for maximum firepower and coverage.
Performance Optimization Tips
Hunger Strike’s compact map generally runs well, but here are optimization tips for smoother gameplay:
- Disable unnecessary visual effects – The restaurant’s lighting is mostly static
- Lower shadow quality – Minimal impact on tactical visibility
- Keep texture quality high – Important for spotting suspects
- Enable DLSS/FSR if available for better frame rates
Maintaining 60+ FPS is crucial for quick target acquisition in CQB scenarios.
Comparing Hunger Strike to Other Missions
Understanding how Hunger Strike fits into Ready or Not’s mission roster helps appreciate its unique challenges:
Vs. Thank You, Come Again: Both feature commercial robberies, but Hunger Strike’s multi-floor layout adds vertical complexity.
Vs. Valley of the Dolls: Valley’s medical facility offers more room to maneuver. Hunger Strike’s cramped quarters demand different tactics.
Vs. Port Hokan: Where Port Hokan sprawls across warehouses, Hunger Strike compresses action into a single building, creating sustained intensity.
This variety showcases why Ready or Not’s 26 missions each require unique approaches.
Los Sueños Stories Update Impact
The July 2026 Los Sueños Stories update brought significant improvements to Hunger Strike:
Visual Enhancements
- Improved lighting for better visibility
- More detailed restaurant interior
- Enhanced suspect models
Gameplay Refinements
- Adjusted suspect spawn locations
- Improved AI pathfinding
- Better audio cues for tactical awareness
New Weapons Integration
The update added four new weapons, with the 590M Mag-fed Shotgun becoming particularly effective for Hunger Strike’s close-quarters combat.
Community Strategies and Speedrun Tactics
The Ready or Not community has developed fascinating approaches to Hunger Strike:
The “Flash and Dash” Method
Speedrunners deploy all flashbangs simultaneously while rushing through the restaurant. High risk, high reward – not recommended for S-rank attempts.
The “Lockdown” Strategy
Some teams prefer securing the perimeter first, preventing suspect movement between areas. This methodical approach takes longer but ensures control.
The “Vertical Dominance” Approach
Experienced teams sometimes clear the second floor first, using height advantage to control ground floor movement.
Equipment That Doesn’t Work Here
Save these items for other missions:
- Breaching Shotgun: All doors open normally
- C2 Charges: Overkill for standard doors
- Mirror Gun: No traps to detect
- Riot Shield: Too cumbersome in tight spaces
Focus on speed and accuracy over specialized equipment.
Voice Commands and AI Management
When playing with AI squadmates, mastering voice commands becomes crucial:
Essential Commands for Hunger Strike:
- “Stack up” – Prepares breach
- “Open and clear” – Initiates room entry
- “Cover this” – Maintains security
- “Secure all civilians” – Manages non-combatants
The AI performs admirably in Hunger Strike’s straightforward layout, unlike complex missions where pathfinding struggles.
Modding and Custom Content
While discussing vanilla strategies, it’s worth noting Hunger Strike’s popularity in the modding community:
- Weapon mods add variety to loadouts
- AI enhancement mods improve squadmate intelligence
- Difficulty mods create new challenges
- Visual mods enhance atmosphere
Always backup save files before experimenting with mods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hunger Strike harder than the original Fast Food map?
The remastered version features improved AI and more complex patrol patterns, making it moderately more challenging while maintaining the classic map’s spirit.
Can I complete Hunger Strike solo?
Yes, but S-rank becomes significantly harder without squadmates to cover multiple angles. I recommend at least AI companions for optimal performance.
Why can’t I find the electronic device?
Many players check the wrong room upstairs. Remember: first room, then turn RIGHT into the second room. The device sits near the desk among scattered papers.
Which weapon is absolutely best for this mission?
For general completion, the 590M shotgun dominates. For S-rank, the VPL-25 non-lethal rifle is mandatory. Your goals determine your loadout.
How long should a typical run take?
Casual players average 15-20 minutes. S-rank attempts often extend to 25-30 minutes due to methodical clearing. Speedrunners can finish in under 5 minutes.
Do suspects respawn if I take too long?
No, Ready or Not doesn’t feature respawning enemies. Take your time to ensure thorough clearing.
Should I use the same tactics on all difficulties?
Core tactics remain consistent, but Hard mode requires more aggressive flashbang usage and tighter team coordination due to increased suspect aggression.
Conclusion
Mastering Hunger Strike requires balancing aggression with caution, speed with precision. The mission’s compact design creates intense firefights where every decision matters. Whether you’re pursuing S-rank perfection or simply trying to complete the mission, remember that patience and preparation trump rushing every time.
The Los Sueños Stories update has revitalized this classic map, making it more relevant than ever in 2026. As you continue your journey through Los Sueños, the skills honed in Hunger Strike’s cramped corridors will serve you well in future operations.
Good luck, Officer. Chico’s Mexican Restaurant awaits your decisive action.