In case you’re in full Kroger-ransacking mode in anticipation of this weekend’s snowfall (forecasted to be in the range of 0 to 30 feet!), the Scene's events department has just the thing to distract you — and warm you up. That’s right, it’s time for Hot Chicken Week running Jan. 26 through Feb. 1.
More than 30 traditional and nontraditional purveyors of piquant poultry will be offering special deals on hot chicken dishes as they vie for your votes in three categories: Best Overall Dish, Best Traditional Dish and Most Unique Dish. Get your squad together, download the app and start planning how you are going to divide up the work to visit, order delivery or carry out from all of these spots. I just hope you don’t have an annual physical in the next week, because anybody who makes it to every restaurant is gonna have some jacked-up bloodwork.
As always, be patient if waits are long or kitchens run out of food. Please order sides and drinks when you can, to help out the restaurants’ average ticket sizes and to keep yourself hydrated. Lastly, please tip generously — these folks work hard during Scene food weeks.
You can check out the list of participating restaurants here, and know that the roster and specific dishes are being added continuously. Here are a few I already have my eyes on:
It should be a competitive family affair as Hattie B’s squares off against its progenitor, Bishop's Meat & 3. Like a vampire going after its maker, Hattie B’s is offering a Wings and Waffles dish for the competition, while Bishop’s goes bigger with a full leg quarter and a side dish plus a roll.
Limo Peruvian Eatery is expanding the geography of hot chicken with their spicy Brasa chicken served with limo and rocoto hot sauce, crispy potatoes and chimichurri. Here’s hoping that one stays on the menu after the week is up!
You can always count on Punk Wok to come up with something slightly off-kilter, and their Curry Back Mutha Cluckers! looks delightfully wacky. The plate is covered with vindaloo sauce and a yogurt drizzle before a naan is placed under an infernal South Indian-spiced piece of fried chicken topped with mango and sweet pickle chutney.
BoomBozz is making Hot Chicken Week a challenge for you. They are daring you to eat six wings in seven minutes for eight dollars. Think that sounds easy? Not so fast. These wings are spiced with two of the most intense peppers in the world — Dragon’s Breath and Carolina Reapers. I actually interviewed the hot head behind the Reaper, and that dude is crazy! He really wants to hurt people. Rumor is that the Dragon’s Breath makes the Carolina Reaper taste like a green bell pepper. I, for one, do not want to find out.
But if you do decide to ride the snake, be sure to let us know — and vote for all your favorites.
