Baba's Hot Chicken

Love the riverside food lab location. Great restaurants to choose from. Perfect for foodies. My son wanted to try Babas because he loves hot chicken. He got the tenders combo in medium with macaroni. He said the tenders were juicy, crispy, and well seasoned. The Mac and cheese on the other hand was bland and very processed and chemically testing. Did not taste fresh and homemade at all. He said he would only get chicken next time 😕

I ordered a chicken sandwich combo, they ask what level of heat and I said medium. If I went back I would probably go up one heat level. The sandwich was good absolutely worth repeating. The French fries were perfectly average, absolutely nothing special. I really enjoyed the Food Lab, it was easy and provided plenty of seating for my group of about 40 people.

We ate at Babas hot chicken today and it was delicious. The chicken was seasoned perfectly. My child ate every last bite. Friendly staff. Highly recommend.

The food court area where Baba’s is, is really cool. So many options. The chicken was very good. High quality & juicy. I tried medium & hot. They were pleasant and not annoyingly spicy. Crinkle cut fries were great too. The sauces they gave with the tenders didn’t have much flavor or my mouth was on fire and I didn’t taste em.

I have been here only once after much effort! Such an inconvenience that they don't have a drive thru, there is no parking or way to ever stop. food is good but not sure if it's worth the hassle unless your walking around downtown.

Always awesome service with matching good taste. Definitely recommend anyone that has any doubt about this place to come in and discover true authentic flavor in every bite. Update: I come here at least twice a week to get my chicken fix. These sandwiches are to damn good and I hope everybody gets to try them atleast once 7/17/25

What is really good my wife and I tried the spicy chicken sandwich extreme heat let me tell you that had some kick to it but it also maintains flavor I love things that are spicy but I hate things that cannot maintain flavor with the spice and I will tell you this got a good balance of spice and flavor I probably tone it down to a four or three next time but the level 5 spicy was good

I think the sandwich could improve a lot. Texture on the chicken was good , but the chicken felt underseasoned under the Nashville spice. Slaw was okay. Didn't have a great flavor or acidity, just provided extra texture. I liked the bun a lot, but could be more toasted. Fries were okay.

Chicken is amazing, their loaded fries & loaded mac is very filling. Baba's is so worth it and may be my favorite at the food lab

Overall, I enjoyed Baba's Hot Chicken but unfortunately it wasn't able to dethrone my favorite hot chicken spot. Located in the Riverside Food Lab, Baba's offers chicken sandwiches, Strips, and even fried bone in chicken with a great assortment of sides. The service is good and price is on par with other restaurants in the food lab. I ordered the Baba's Chicken Sandwich Combo that comes with the Sandwich, one side (I chose crinkle fries), and a fountain drink. The sandwich itself is big and has two chicken tenders inside. Although the chicken is good, It was a bit awkward to eat as the two strips just wanted to fall out of the bun. I have a preference to another spot I won't name that opts for two smaller sandwiches in their combo than one as it is much easier to eat. The chicken also comes in different heat levels, I ordered the medium and expected something a bit spicier, still good just not what I was expecting. The fries were really good and was a good portion, arguably these are better than other hot chicken spots I've been to. I really like that you can add a side of bone-in chicken thigh and/or a drumstick with your order. Only problem is the two times I've been they haven't been ready and would have been a lengthy wait. Overall I think Baba's is worth the try but is not something I would continue to bring myself to the food lab to try.

3.5 stars (rounded up because vibes) We stopped by this spot inside the Riverside Food Lab, which is definitely on the darker side--ambiance-wise, not shady vibes or anything. Just giving a heads-up in case you're into brighter dining scenes. First off, shoutout to them for being open on Easter! That was a nice surprise. But let's talk service... it was kind of "hands-off." The two workers seemed mostly focused on cooking, which I get--but it meant nobody was really managing the front or calling out names when food was ready. We had to walk up after waiting awkwardly, thirsty and confused, because they didn't give us our drinks or even let us know our order was ready. Now, food-wise? The loaded fries were a win--huge portion, totally sharable, and actually seasoned well. The chicken had a great crunch and solid flavor too. But... if we're comparing to the king, Dave's Hot Chicken, it just didn't hit the same. My husband ordered the hot sandwich and said it wasn't nearly as spicy as expected, and no one had him sign the "spicy waiver," which Dave's is known for. Missed opportunity to add a little drama, honestly. All in all--it's not a bad spot. I'd eat here again, especially if I was already in the area. It just didn't dethrone my OG go-to. Still worth a try if you're looking to switch it up or avoid long lines elsewhere.

The food looks nothing like the instagram/tiktok pages unfortunately. The bun is toooo dry for a sandwich that has no moisture. The sandwich needs more pickles, more coleslaw, & more sauce. If they are charging Dave's Hot chicken prices it should at least be just as good.

Slow service. Very slow. Slow slow slow slow slow. You will wait 40 minutes to an hour easily for a sandwich and a fries.

Back again, this time everything was amazing! I took my whole family here, everyone loved everything! The hot sandwich which we got in mild was great, the fries were cooked well, and the loaded fries which everyone loves the most. The service was super quick even though there was a long line. If there were food that is ready, just ask if that's for your name because it is always so loud in there, so it's hard to hear your name get called. Also, if you guys want to come here and see a long line at the cashier, you can order at the SELF-SERVICE MACHINE which located at the left side and also it's only using card. No one seems to notice that it's available for people to use. Overall, it's really great! Don't forget to try the loaded fries, it was so good!

A popular food stall in the array of options at the Riverside Food Lab, Baba's provides a short and sweet menu of hot chicken sandwiches and appetizers. Being inside the food court makes the ambiance and "cool" factor elevated by default. Would highly recommend the place in general to brings friends for a good time, however parking can be a nightmare during busy times. I can't complain about the service as it was speedy. They had my food out in minutes! I got the hot sandwich combo in medium fearing the multiple flames advertised in the menu. A soda and appetizer was included for which I got fried pickles. Psyching myself for a peptic ulcer-inducing good time, it wasn't really spicy at all! I wish I ordered the hot or extreme heat levels. The flavor was nice and chicken tenders were very juicy. The coleslaw is a relatively controversial topping on chicken sandwiches but I thought it was well done here and provided a refreshingly cool crunch. The fried pickles were surprisingly large and abundant. The coating on them was thick and seasoned well. Overall, a solid offering. I can't wait to experiment more in the lab!

No words but to say delicious! Crispy French fries, the chicken well done and just an overall great food experience.

Fast and good service. Large portion of baba fries. Unique and good taste. A little expensive for fries but they were loaded with chicken and cabbage. Was worth a try.

Man, that was a good chicken sandwich. I got the 'medium' spicy level and it was flavorful with a little spice. The coleslaw was great, and their sauce and honey combo is great. The only better chicken I've ever had was at Hattie B's in Nashville. If you like chicken sandwiches, get one here, it's great. The server was very nice and the ambiance was decent considering it was a glorified food court.

What a delicious deal! I got the sandwich combo with the loaded fries as the side and the fries themselves are a complete meal, they're so huge. The nacho cheese on them is so flavorful. The sandwich was super tasty as well. I got "hot" and it was quite spicy. The counter was kept clean and the staff was very friendly. Definitely would visit again.

Best chicken sandwich in the Cali!! Well seasoned, good sized portions and great service! An absolute MUST TRY at the food lab no doubt. Since they opened it's been a struggle to order on the phone or website.. DoorDash is okay sometimes but nothing beats going in person it's much better eating it hot so be sure to keep that in mind. The Mac & cheese is a little plain all cheese no seasonings could do with some improvements but nonetheless great sandwiches and loaded fries every time.

Baba's Hot Chicken is located in the Food Lab at Riverside - it's one of many options, so beware those with option paralysis! I ordered the sandwich with tenders, which comes with a side of your choice. We had a relatively big group (~6), but our orders were out in 10 minutes! The portions were huge.. I usually don't say this, but I didn't even finish my fries. The fries were just crunchy enough, and delicious paired with sauce. I also thought the chicken sandwich was pretty good! If you're coming with a group, just be aware that there isn't much seating here.

Worst customer service ever. I waited in line and when it was my turn the worker didn't even look up at me or greet me. when i came back to ask if my order was ready, everyone avoided eye contact with anyone coming up to the counter. when i finally got someone's attention, i asked if anyone had called the name "***" he ignored me the first time then when i repeated my question, he looked up at me with a very annoyed face and said "uhh i don't know" then proceeded to walk away from the register. did not bother helping at all. another girl came up to me later and gave me my order (that was ready for a while ). she walked away so fast, i had to get her attention again to ask for a sauce and honey. they lack customer service. if you hate your job, find a new one. no need to be rude towards your customers.

Hot chicken sandwiches with varying heat levels. Service is great, with a great casual place to dine.

overall score: D order: loaded fries i would never get this item again as it was almost disgusting to eat.. after a few bites i got sick of it. there was way too much fries compared to the chicken. i basically finished my chicken on my first bites. not to mention, the price was insane. service: ordered on a kisok and food came out fairly quick. ambiance: located inside food labs and there was plenty of seating.

Bomb sandwiches, great deals! Definitely check it out 10/10 recommended Loaded fries 10/10

Me and my boyfriend tried this out last night & when we got there to pick up we only saw two employees handling online and in person orders. We were notified our online order is ready but When we came to pick up the girl working there told us it's not put together yet. Once we came back home we realized they forgot to include our loaded fries, ranch and Utensils so we were both annoyed about that. Chicken sandwiches were great and tasty, but just wish this place had a better system because we weren't the only ppl who had issues with either their order or had other ppl waiting. SO we will try again hopefully it's a lot more organized or fully staffed lol

Great hot chicken. Medium is plenty hot for me. : D There are 3 more levels of heat above. Fast service. Small take out vibe.

Baba's Chicken in Riverside! Well seasoned chicken and a great size, I loved the flavor and it was definitely one of the best hot chicken tenders Our meal came with "bread" or "toast" but it was genuinely just a random piece of white bread not toasted or anything. Chicken: 8.5/10 Bread: 5/10 Would try other items in the future!! The service was very fast, we went on a busy holiday and we still got our food pretty quickly. Located in the food lab, can walk around downtown or chill in the outdoor or indoor seating.

They have great service nice and friendly ! I would totally recommend if you're in the DTR area! 10/10

Riverside food lab does not disappoint, I love coming down to Riverside for Baba's Chicken for the service the food and the atmosphere. The menu has a variety of different options and combos I always like getting the Baba's sandwich combo which includes a sandwich, one side and a drink. The sandwich which you can chose the level of heat you'd prefer it to be from classic, medium, hot and extreme, I personally go with hot the amount of heat you get from the chicken does not mute all other flavors in the sandwich which includes coleslaw, pickles and Baba's special sauce the amount of seasonings that are used to make the chicken are simply amazing. The mac an cheese to go with it makes the combo even better but personally it is Hands Down best Spicy Chicken Sandwich in the Inland Empire!!! Be sure to check them out on your next visit!!!.

ALL of food at Baba is scrumptious and leaves you wanting more, be far my favorite place at the Food Lab. If you haven't checked it out then you're missing out, come in a try a bite. You'll be glad you did, and the customer service is always great too. Wish I could give this place ten starts!

amazing service from Donna!! thank you for being so patient with us and helping us decide

Food is good, I've just had better When it comes to a hot chicken place I prefer a place that gives you lots of sauce and just has more flavor in general Fries were pretty solid but expected more from the sandwich. The fried pickles were a bit of a miss for me too. But still solid if you just really like hot chicken

First time here and the customer service was great! Thank you Jocelyn, for your kind customer service. The food was great, just enough spice and flavor. Definitely recommend coming here!

Food is fresh, spicy, hot and fast. Great food, with a great taste. Portion was generous.

Awesome place great food, super friendly people, stormyy was super helpful and super clean spot place rocks so hard

Stormee service was as great as her name!! Definitely coming back! Oh and chicken was bomb too!

I come here maybe every few months since I live further away but man this place is delicious!! They added these loaded fries a while ago to their menu and I'm obsessed!!! Their sauce is so flavorful and thick, they added some nacho cheese with some pickles, chicken and fries. It's so filling!! The staff is always so nice even when they are busy with a long line. They are always sure to give me extra sauce too. It's in the Riverside food lab so it's very busy inside but typically clean and all the restaurants inside are colorful and vibrant. Nice place to come with friends and enjoy the atmosphere.

DELICIOUS! I cant express enough how much I enjoyed my spicy chicken sandwich from Babas! I didn't want to commit to a normal sized sandwich mostly since it was my first time so I went with their Mini Baba with fries. Other than the chicken to bun ratio being off(more bun than chicken) it was the tastiest spicy chicken sandwich I've had in a while. Baba's is located inside "The Food Lab" so it's bustling with people eating all kinds of food. If you're lucky (and it's busy) you may eventually find a table to sit at otherwise you may just be looking around. My bf and I did not risk it, once we saw a seat we sat down and made sure to have one of us sitting there at all times. Once we sat down we really were able to appreciate the inside. The vibes inside are cool! Anyway, before we sat down we ordered our sandwiches. Service from the employee wasn't the best. She seemed like she was trying real hard to avoid any kind of extra convo other than ordering. And since there were only 2 workers (cook and cashier) she kept on leaving the front to package food so that delayed our ordering some more. Once we ordered we were told we'd get a text when our food is ready. Cool! We got a text right away and then we ate. And again, it was great! I wasn't expecting it to be so good; it was so good my bf and I went back to order their regular sized baba to go for later. Though we got our food the first time pretty quickly the same could not be said for our second order. We waited such a long time! There was an anime convention down the way so maybe that elongated the wait some more but honestly it was worth it. Not only was the sandwich good but also their Mac n cheese. That was so good too! I'm super glad I live right down the way from Riverside because I have a feeling I'll be coming back for some more Babas soon!

Amazing service always comes out fast! And great quality food especially the loaded chicken fries!

i usually LOVE babas and although sometimes the service isn't the best there has never been an issue with my food until today. it might've been because they were busy when i visited or perhaps a staffing issue however, they took a while longer than usual to get the food to me and when i did go ask about my order, i was surprised to see my order just needed to be bagged and when i opened it up they had given me the wrong spice level. although not a big deal to all, this was a little disappointing because hot tenders with babas quality are hard to come by and i come out of my way. both employees and management should be paying more attention to their priorities, even if that means adding an extra employee to ensure customer satisfaction!

DONT I MEAN DONT get the hot or extreme chicken even the hot was the spiciest thing I ever had I could not even finish it

Last time I came here service wasn't all that great this time around alli helped me and made it worth my while she was amazing excellent customer service 10/10

The chicken sandwiches were good and filled me up but the crinkle cut fries tasted plain and the chicken could have been a bit more tender but the sandwich was delicious. The service was fine and the ambiance blended in with the other restaurants. Overall I would try something new on my next trip to the lab.

If I could give an award out for professionalism, kindness, respect and amazing service it would go to Alli and Cece and others working the kitchen for the best service and fast pace work hands down. Babas chicken deserves some recognition for their amazing employees. Great job to who ever does the hiring. I can only assume the reason these employees work so hard and maintain such great service is due to amazing management. I am so impressed by the work ethics these young people have. It is crazy crowded here in the food lab in Riverside no place to sit or stand and Babas has 70% of the customers and the staff is staying polite, Calm and working fast. There are a lot of food service workers who could use some training from the upper management at this location . Happy employees make the best employees. Also, the food is always fresh and amazing. Way to Go Babas Chicken. #1 best Fast Food industry in my opinion and will be for you also when you give them a try.

My family and I attempted to visit the Festival of Lights for the opening night of the 2023 season & ended up at the food hall eating Baba's. It was definitely the highlight of our night because it was delicious. The prices are not bad for the portions, in my opinion, especially when comparing it to other places. The employees working were very nice and quick despite the large crowds and a line that I thought would take an hour. We waited maybe 15-20 minutes, but once we ordered, the food came out in just a few minutes. I was so impressed! The fries were so good with a yummy seasoning and the chicken was seriously cooked to perfection. My stepson LOVED the macaroni and cheese. I tried it too and it was very good. I'd love to go back when it's a little less busy and enjoy the food half area because it's really cool looking inside.

Stopped into food lab before a show and picked babas. I ordered the chicken sandwich with fried pickles as my side and kiddo got tenders with Mac n cheese. The food was fresh and portions are big but I think it's kinda lacking in flavor and I wish there was more slaw on the sandwich. Mac n cheese noods were a lil crispy still. Staff was nice.

Okay okay, Soooo i know i said cluck chicken was my faves chicken but man oh man after having baba's the second time, THIS PLACE TAKES THE CAKE. carbs galoreeee, chicken sandwich, mac & cheese with their well done crispy fries. their ranch is super good idk i have an obsession with really good ranch. I love the riverside food lab it's so cool inside & how they have bars in the vicinity as well. The gentleman was a good cashier cause he recommended the spice level for my sandwich .

Paula was the best employee with customer service I will most definitely come back thank you again Paula for the amazing food she recommended the chopped chicken lol so yummmmmmyyy:)

so my wife and hi came to have dinner and look what i found! it seems they mark their chickens with markers or something and when i messaged the business, they claimed it was coleslaw! i ordered only two tender that didnt come with any coleslaw, and how did coleslaw get inside of this tender? cole slaw just doesnt seep through like this! What a ridiculous alternative of words. All I am gonna say, is the quality of this place turned into another mcdonaldization. Been a customer since 2021, thanks alot of for this good experience.

It was the kiddo's birthday so before a trip to the Game Lab, so I thought giving the Riverside Food Lab a try was in order. We were originally looking for a restaurant that is not there anymore. But thanks to the nice selection of eateries, there were still places she wanted to try. After a lap around the area, she decided on Baba's Hot Chicken. Baba's located between Bricks and Birch and Fufu's. You can't miss it. Baba's can also get pretty busy. A good sign IMO. I ordered the Baba's Hot Chicken sandwich with Fries and the kiddo got the chicken tender combo with Mac and Cheese. I can tell you that much like every other restaurant nowadays, it was not cheap. $42 (I did add a tip) for two meals with drinks. After about 10-15 minute wait we were ready to dig in. The sandwich was really tasty. A soft bun filled with chicken and some cole slaw and slathered in Baba's sauce. Ask for extra napkins because wow the sauce is all over the place lol. Very messy sandwich. The fries are crinkle cuts and they give you a nice portion. The kiddo enjoyed her tenders even if the mild was spicy to her SMH. So would I come back to Baba's Hot Chicken? Yes. The meals were tasty and although pricey, you aren't going to leave hungry. Service was friendly and the food was fresh. If you're going to visit the Food Lab, this place is worth your time.

Stopped at Baba's while visiting family and we were all really satisfied. The menu isn't huge, you can basically get chicken tenders, or you can get tenders on a sandwich. We all got sandwiches of one size or another, and they were darn tasty. The medium had a little less kick than I would expect from Nashville hot chicken, but it was just right for my parents. My one complaint is that there was a little too much dry seasoning on the chicken. The fries were a hit, and the Mac-n-cheese was pretty tasty, really creamy and velveeta-y lol. This place is also located in a little food court type thing with several different restaurant options, so if you're with a group that can't decide where to go, this is a great option!

Found my go to for late night food! I drove down the mountain to get some food and I was not disappointed! The food was fresh the workers were very nice! I was planning on getting the baba's loaded fries & Mac n cheese but they were sold out of it so he recommended the grilled cheese and it did not disappoint. The loaded fries were delicious and the pickles were so fresh and crunchy. Parking was free and since I went late at night, it was empty and a quick experience. They were also playing good music so it's a cool place to go out with friends especially in riverside where there are many bars & clubs.

The loaded fries here are amazing and always filling! The ambiance can be a bit packed but worth the wait and service is always quick and welcoming.

I haven't tried the chicken sandwich yet but the loaded fries were delicious! We got medium spice chicken and with all the saucyness on the fries it wasn't really that spicy but tasted great! The pickles, slaw, sauce, and everything else mixes in super well. Regular size is perfect for 2.

Another fried chicken joint and I'm not mad about it. The tenders at Baba's are massive, juicy, crispy and delicious. I do wish they distributed the seasoning a little better, but nonetheless they're still great. The mini Baba sandwich was a pretty standard size sandwich and it comes with a side. It's a bit overpriced, though, considering most other places offer two sliders and fries for the same price. Their fries were good, though; seasoned well, crispy outside and like mashed potatoes inside. The fried pickles weren't the greatest; too much pickle, not enough breading. They would have been good if they were just slices of pickles instead of wedges. It's sort of like biting into a salt bomb. The mac and cheese was also very mediocre, but it was free with a Yelp check-in, so I won't complain. The restaurant is located inside the Riverside Food Lab so it can be a bit chaotic trying to find somewhere to sit. The vibe is pretty trendy/hipster; graffiti and murals on the walls, neon lights, etc. Although it's overpriced, I would recommend the sandwich, tenders, and fries. (Mac and cheese too, only since it's free lol)

Amazing amazing loved it always order the fries the other day ordered the Mac and cheese and it was sour idk why but never requesting that again but the other food is just amazing