When we moved to Ohio as we’d meet people one of the first things that I’d be asked once they found out that we’re foodies was “OH! Have you tried Hot Chicken Takeover or Ray Ray’s Hog Pit yet? Every. Single. Time. Now that I’ve had both, I get why.
Hot Chicken Takeover
Hot Chicken Takeover does Clintonville
When we moved to Ohio as we’d meet people one of the first things that I’d be asked once they found out that we’re foodies was “OH! Have you tried Hot Chicken Takeover or Ray Ray’s Hog Pit yet? Every. Single. Time. Now that I’ve had both, I get why.
OH! You’re a foodie! Have you been to [Insert here either Hot Chicken Takeover or Ray Rays Hog Pit] or [insert which ever wasn’t listed first] yet? You HAVE to go.
Joe DeLoss started HCT after experiencing Nashville hot chicken for the first time in 2013, fell in love with everything about it, and started frying it up in his own kitchen after getting back to town. The first time that he served people that weren’t his friends and family it was in an empty parking lot, from there moved to a walk up window in Old Town East, and finally settled into the North Market. This summer the Clintonville location was added. (I’ve also heard rumors that they’re going to be adding yet another location, but can’t remember where I heard that, so take it with a grain of salt.)
The seating in both locations is communal, which is something I VASTLY prefer in casual settings, as it forces conversation amongst strangers, and eating with other people is soul soothing in a way nothing else is.
Eating at Hot Chicken Takeover is always an adventure. Seating at the restaurant includes three long communal tables. Grab a seat and you’ll realize it isn’t about chicken, it’s about people gathered around our tables. – North Market’s Meet the Market on HCT
Hot Chicken Takeover operates much like Dave’s Killer Bread does in Portland, when it comes to it’s employees. According to North Market’s Meet the Market [Which you can read HERE] 60% of HCT’s employees have either been homeless or overcome another such challenge. To me, that makes HCT even more bad ass.
Miss B’s Banana Pudding, Chicken, and the Best Ranch You’ll Ever Have.
They keep it simple at HCT, you choose which part of the bird you want, you choose the heat that you want, I can handle the hot, but tend to stick to the warm, and can get it either as a meal or not.
Get the meal. Trust me on this. The mac is to die for. So is the ranch.
ANNNNNNNNND, you absolutely have to get Miss B’s Banana pudding. Like FO REAL have to get it.
I am not a fan of banana flavored anything, I avoid it almost at all costs. Except for this. It is SO. FREAKING. TASTY.
Which ever location you check out, you won’t be disappointed.
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