Hot chicken! Getcha hot chicken here!
We’re sure you’re already familiar with the South’s “It” dish that originated in Nashville, Tennessee, but North Carolina has gotten its own fair share of southern joints serving up delicious hot chicken sandwiches and wings, and we wanted to line them up in one convenient place. Here’s 5 Southern-style hot chicken shops (and one unique surprise at the end)
1. Horace’s Hot Fried Chicken
A chicken restaurant for the future, Horace’s offers delivery and pickup, perfect for the times. Their chicken is hot & ready, gluten-free, and is best served with a side of ranch and definitely pickles. While Horace offers delicious chicken wings too, you gotta try the hot fried sandwich. Get the Horace’s favorite, a spicy chicken sandwich between a brioche bun topped with pickles spicy mayo, and coleslaw, plus a side like potato salad or mac & cheese.
Where: 327 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
2. Cibi! Cibi! Fod Truck
Cibi! Cibi! Food Truck is pulling up to serve delicious cheesesteaks, smash burgers, and, you guessed it, Hot Chicken Sandos. And if you’re in the mood for something scorching, try it with some Daba Hot Sauce in Habanero flavor. Right now, they’re pulling up at Slow Play Brewing, where you can get a spicy chicken sandwich topped with slaw & pickles with a side of fries and wash it all down with a cold refreshing beer.
Currently: 274 Columbia Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29730
3. Bossy Beulah
Bossy Beulah’s is an ode to generations of chicken making and the recipes of the owner’s grandma, Beulah or Beaut for short. That’s five generations of perfecting their chicken recipe until it’s just right. We’d recommend getting the hot thighs sandwich which comes with a Joyce Farms fried boneless chicken thigh drenched in hot sauce, pickles, Duke’s Mayo, and a Copain bun. They’ve also got the same thing but with a scrumptious chicken breast, and one topped with a slice of Swiss cheese. And don’t sleep on their chicken wings either!
Where: 2200 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
4. Local Loaf
This NoDa restaurant might not dedicate their menu to hot chicken, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to make a mean sandwich. Their Chicken and the Egg Breakfast Sandwich is made with hand breaded chicken tenders, a poached egg, and homemade chipotle cheerwine sauce. They’ve also got chicken tenders and eggs without the bread and a chicken kickin’ sandwich that nixes the egg.
Where: 800 E 35th St, Charlotte, NC 28205
5. Leroy Fox
[Photo by LocalCarolinas via Instagram]
Leroy Fox’s is a gourmet restaurant focusing on fried chicken, meats and southern-style sides. From their Fried Chicken Benny that’s served up for brunch, to their Fried Honey Buffalo Chicken Sandwich served on a brioche bun with mayo, pickles, and lettuce. Try it with a side of sweet potato tater tots or cajun french fries.
Where: 1616 Camden Rd Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28203
6. Yafo Kitchen
Yafo’s might not be Southern-style hot chicken, but they’ve got an equally delicious Israeli hot chicken that is out of this world. It’s a Fried chicken schnitzel on a bun with spicy red schug, slaw, pickles and tzatziki, and your choice of side, like hummus, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, or rotisserie potatoes.
Where: 1231A East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
[featured image by bossybeaulah via Instagram]