"The award for the biggest pivot during the pandemic goes to Sesame Grill. The fine-dining, French-fusion restaurant was on the brink of closing due to COVID-19 but has since become a successful gourmet spicy chicken tenders takeout. The restaurant purchases fresh batches of chicken daily for its jumbo-sized tenders and marinates them with its own mix of flour and cornstarch. There is a mild option, but the spicy tenders are the most popular. The spice level ranges from mild, medium, hot, very spicy, and Carolina Reaper. The spicy seasoning Sesame Grill uses ranges from $68 to $110 per pound. The restaurant’s frying oil is changed twice daily and the coating for the chicken is made fresh to order. The Carolina Reaper spice level is sure to set your mouth and stomach on fire. The jumbo tenders come with fries, coleslaw, and a housemade dinner roll. Its makeshift new menu is based on customer feedback. It currently includes fried chicken sandwiches, jumbo shrimp, homemade chicken noodle soup, Thai Tea, and even fresh fruit smoothies." - Kristie Hang
