Hot Lola's

Still my favorite fast casual place for getting hot fried chicken. I typically go with the OG level of spice and it is just slightly uncomfortable to a person who regularly eats spicy food. A little disappointed that the prices have climbed so much recently, but that's the economy we live in right now. I ordered the five tender combo with fries and it is guaranteed to be multiple meals, also the kids menu is a great option for those that want a smaller but satisfying bite.

Best chicken sandwiches in the city! Huge portions, very crispy and tender chicken and so incredibly flavorful! They are know for their spicy blend of Szechuan style & Nashville hot chicken sandwiches so if you can handle heat try the different higher levels of spice but I dont recommend going into the red ;) The nice thing is that they lower levels for some of us who can’t handle heat- I usually do a “shy guy” on their Hot Lola Original which has a kick but does not burn. It’s a fast food kinda spot so nothing fancy inside but has tons of seating!

The waffle fries were cold and the chicken was dried out and refried. Was shocked at how quickly my order was ready. The food must've been sitting out and dipped in hot grease once ordered. The chicken was mostly skin. Picked most of it off.

I was new to the area and just finished a job and was extremely hungry. After scrolling around I found a place that had some food I recognized. Little did I know it would be one of the best plates I’ve had EVER! I had the chicken wings with O.G. Hot Sauce. OMG!!! The crispy breading. The flavor. The tender meat. I couldn’t stop licking my fingers. The waffle fries were well seasoned and fresh. I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I also want to add that the hostess was so patient with me because I didn’t have a clue what I was going to get. Absolutely outstanding. Five stars all around.

Initially shocked and how delicious the real piece of chicken in the Hot Lola’s sandwich was. The ranch aioli and coleslaw complemented the sandwich very well. I hope you put chick-fil-a out of business.

Chicken was ok - it’s a dry rub so be aware it’s not saucy or wet. I liked the portion and sizes. We had a lot of left overs!

I’m glad I stopped by to try this place. I was craving a chicken sandwich and boy did this place satisfy. The guy at the register was nice and very helpful and I sat down to wait on my food and I swear only 1 minute went by and my food was being handed to me! I ordered the Lola sandwich with the Hot Boy heat level, I hardly tasted any heat and that’s how I wanted it so I was happy. The sandwich with 2 tenders was HUGE, so it could have used a little more of the sauce that was on it and the chicken seasoning could have been a little more flavorful, seems like spicy is the only seasoning that’s added. The coleslaw and pickles made the overall sandwich pretty tasty. I like the perfectly crispy and tasty fries with the comeback dip. My chicken tender sandwich combo with a drink totaled $21 which is still a bit pricey considering a meal for 1 with probably no leftovers. Everything was great, only 1 star removed for value.

Still my favorite chicken sandwich - try the Hot Boy for medium heat. Excellent service and friendly staff. Hope this shop grows franchises all throughout the east.

Hands-down one of the best hot chicken places I've ever had. The chicken is big, juicy, and the flavors are awesome. I initially went here because it was conveniently located nearby the metro stop. My first order was ordered online for pick-up and it was ready on time. The staff is super friendly! I got a tom yum corn salad and a chicken tender at the max level of heat, Flippin Hot. I made the terrible mistake of thinking, "How bad can the highest level actually be?" It is actually VERY spicy. I had to stop and eat the corn salad in between bites. Eventually I knew it was going to give me stomach issues when I was going to be out and about at museums so I stopped. However I knew the flavor of this was AMAZING. The breading also did a good job of sticking to the meat. I was impressed by how juicy and soft the chicken meat was. I came back the next day and ordered in-person so I can get individual flavors for chicken tenders. I don't like how the ordering portal online does not allow you to have any flavors besides the hot ones for individual chicken tenders. I got 3 tenders in the Korean Seoul King flavor, Hot Boy classic spice, and the Taj Ma-HOT curry flavor. The Seoul King flavor had a nice sweetness to it. The Taj Ma-HOT flavor was tasty but not outstanding. The Hot Boy classic flavor was a bit of a let-down because the flavor was a bit different from the Flippin Hot. The heat was turned down for sure, but I thought the spices and saltiness would still be the same. It wasn't. I think I need to go one level up next time and see what the in-between was. My combo came with toast, fries, and pickles. I wish the pickles were crunchier but that's all the complaints I have. I was so full after this. Overall, this is a very solid, hot chicken spot with a variety of choices, frequent diners, spacious, and clean facilities, and excellent staff. I wish we had locations in the West Coast!

Staff was friendly albeit in a bit of a frenzy with what looked like a lot of doordash and takeout orders. Walk up and order yourself on tablets at the front, input your name, get a number and take a seat. I got a chicken club sandwich with what was medium level spice, I guess? I didn't see a chart indicating spice levels and they were all cutsie names so went with what seemed like medium? It was a little spicy, definitely would get the next level higher. Chicken itself wasn't very warm, but was crispy - maybe that's by design since it was a 'club' style sandwich? Overall nice flavors, tasty sauce, crispy chicken (though a little dry and room temp), nice tomatoes, pickles, and lettuce. For 16 bucks I don't think I'd revisit unless someone really wanted to try it.

I was in the area for work and decided to give this fried chicken spot a try. The reviews all recommended the Lola Chicken Sandwich, so I went with that and added waffle fries on the side. The sandwich buns were warm and buttery, and the slaw and pickles did a nice job of cutting through the richness of the fried chicken. I chose the OG heat level, but I think I could've gone up a notch. The combo was around $20, which is a bit on the pricey side, but for a spot in the heart of the city, it seemed fair. Since I came for an early weekday lunch, the place was pretty empty, and the lady behind the counter was friendly. I also used the bathroom, which required a key, so it was clean and well-maintained. Overall, I'd recommend checking this place out.

I always enjoy the food here! The sandwiches are a spicy flavor blast, we got the curry sandwich and fries and the Seoul spice one. Both were insanely spicy but so delicious and flavorful. Waffle fries are okay and you have to pay extra for them, but we love having this option in the neighborhood!

Even though it's been a while since I've been here, they are still a pretty solid choice in the area. I ordered a catering order of 25 tenders split between two flavors (Shy Guy and Hot Boy). The order was ready super quick considering I called the order in about 20 minutes beforehand although it wasn't during rush hour. They packaged it very well, separating the sauces in one box and the chicken in another. The chicken was moist and tasty. Definitely recommend this place.

I normally order from Ubereats but decided to drop in since I was in the area. As always, I never regret my decision to eat here because they have some of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the area. Service: I appreciate the cashier who took our order because she was friendly but the rest of the staff were pretty crappy and unfriendly and the person who brought my sandwich placed the wrong order in front of me and hesitated to speak. Looks like some training in guest services is needed! Facility: very cute spot, I love their decor and style! Food: the Hot Lola's sandwich with no heat was scrumptious! As always, the fried chicken is perfectly seasoned: crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside....the coleslaw is divine and the pickles adds an additional touch. The buns are always buttery but the ratio can become lost in the large servings of chicken and toppings BUT who's complaining?! Not me! That fried chicken is good enough to make me forget about anything lol Price: I would say that the price is very high for a fried chicken sandwich, $15 without a drink and fries and $19 with. I didn't care for the fries but I know that it's normally good. Overall, I probably wouldn't return to the location because the service wasn't that great, but, I may do another Ubereats order or try another location.

I heard about this place on Instagram and thought I had to give it a shot. My wife and I walked in on a Sunday afternoon and it wasn't busy at all. We ordered and had a seat. This is where things took a turn for the worst. Since the place was empty I started watching how they prepared the food. I noticed that the gentleman that took our order had on clear gloves. I thought to myself they are trying to remain safe and healthy. Upon my review that gentleman proceeded to do the following this the same pair of gloves he had one Touch the screen on the register Touched the cash he received and gave back to customers Touched the cups Touched the doors on the back room Brought out boxes from the back room Touched to go bags Touched the fries that he pulled out of the bowl to place on your to go trays which he also touched. Touched the fries that fell in the floor to throw them away. I was immediately upset. I immediately walked over before he could touch my food and asked him to change gloves. I was not happy at all. I did stay to eat after I ensured he changed gloves before touching my food. The food was ok. The bread was good. I expected fried chicken on the club but I was wrong. No mention that they use turkey bacon instead of real bacon. Overall I was not impressed and highly disappointed. I've attached my receipt for the owner or manager to review the date and time to see the exact actions I am referring to above, I hope they get corrected immediately.

Some of the best hot chicken sandwiches in the DMV - bar none! I've never had a food-gasm, but this gets me close. This is my first time at this location, and I have frequented the one in Ballston many times, and the quality does not change across locations. The fried chicken is huge and the chicken is incredibly juicy and tender. That along with the amazing waffle fries and it is like an elevated version of chick-fil-a in every single way. I order the 6 spicy which is halfway to the max and that is plenty spicy. I would warn people that the max spice is incredibly spicy and to be careful. On top of all that, this place is locally AAPI owned so #supportsmallbusiness.

Good service and tasty food. My sandwich, the Seoul King, was a bit too rich. They dip the friend chicken in the sauce but I think that they should let it drain more. It was just too much. I have tried about every hot chicken place in the DC area and I think that this is a 3.5-4 compared to others. I will come back to try it again.

Hot Lolas is a great option for the neighborhood and is halal (sign posted on outside of store). We've been here a few times and I can say the waffles fries are top notch. Probably my favorite fries in Arlington. This is one of the rare places where I like the chicken tenders better than the chicken sandwich. I think they use different spices for each dish. The service is always great and the food is usually top notch. The only thing I don't like is half the time I go there, I wind up being served pre-made chicken rather than to order. That said, the halal options are pretty limited in Rosslyn so I find myself going back to Hot LoLas again and again.

One of the only places in the area where you can leave feeling you got every penny's worth for your food. Stick to the medium heat ranges, the sandwich is too good to waste by tasting nothing but pepper extract.

If you want that transcendent, mouth on fire, sweaty forehead and burning neck experience, this is the real deal for you! The spice level is from 1-10. My husband absolutely loves spicy food - like eating ghost peppers level - and ordered an 8. He was having the aforementioned throughout the meal and loved it. I took a bite of his and almost died. My 6 was perfect - enough spice level to make you aware but not scaldingly hot that I can't taste anything. I liked the breading to chicken ratio, and the chicken was juicy. We also opted for the Kimcheesy, which is a must! The sourness of the kimchi with the pickles and melted cheese definitely enhance the experience! The waffle fries are scrumptious too. Every piece was crispy and just-out-of-the-fryer warm without being greasy. I can't wait to return!

Chinese Sichuan x Nashville style chicken??? Say less. These chicken sandwiches have earned the number one spot in my personal spicy chicken sandwich rankings (dethroning Popeye's). All of the orders have the option of 6 different spice levels (2 of which aren't spicy at all). I ordered the Hot Lola's Sando with OG Hot, the third spiciest option, and it was perfect for me. There was a decent kick but I wasn't crying or sweating. These chicken sandwiches are perfectly crispy, tender, and juicy, and the Sichuan seasoning is very distinct and delicious. The OG Hot wasn't mala (numbing spice) but the flavor was definitely reminiscent of Sichuan cuisine. The pickles and slaw on the sandwich cut through the grease perfectly. My friend ordered waffle fries (came with Sriracha mayo) and the Kim-Cheezy, which comes with kimchi instead of pickles and I also loved that sandwich. Fair warning: it will be messy to eat so grab napkins!! The staff were very friendly and delivered the sandwich to wherever we chose to sit in the restaurant. It took ~5 min for the sandwiches to come out and they were definitely worth the wait. I plan on coming back to try out the miso honey butter sandwich!

Hot Lola's Sando is my favorite hot fried chicken sandwich!! It has a unique fusion twist on the classic hot fried chicken sandwich by combining Nashville Hot and Schezuan flavors. I love their creative names for their 6 spice levels that range from Flipping Hot (hottest) to Not Hot (mildest). As someone who can handle spice, Get Lit is borderline too spicy for me so I usually opt for the OG Hot. If your spice tolerance is low, I'd recommend Shy Guy, which is still just as great. I love the chicken- huge, SO juicy, and crispy! Pairs well with their soft potato buns or their seasoned waffle fries. Their creamy coleslaw also balances the spice from the chicken (which helps a bit). At $12-$14, it's a great value. If you're not feeling up for a sandwich, I also highly recommend their tenders. Their waffle fries are also thick cut and crispy - perfect to munch on. Parking might be a bit hard in this area, but this location is near the Rosslyn metro. Service is okay, but there is plenty of seating area and is kept clean.

Compared to the original Ballston Quarter location, this one is just as good! I got the Hot Lola's sando with my spice level right in the middle, which was just perfect because I know going any higher is torturous for me! Spice aside, it was flavorful and I could taste the Sichuan twist. This is massive piece of crispy chicken, a step up from your Chick-fil-A sandwich (which I still love). I happened to have ordered a side of toast, which served as a new bun underneath because the chicken is that large. Plenty of seating in this location. I had a later lunch around 2pm and there were a few customers inside. Service was fast at that time. Make sure to bring napkins to your table. The sandwich gets a bit messy!

When I want a yummy lunch while at work, I walk down to get Hot Lola's. Best chicken around, and they are always super helpful and kind. I'll keep coming back as it's so good!!

The food was good ... once I was able to blot off whatever the suave was that was slathered on both sides of the bun. I've never been to this restaurant before and it was clearly stated on the menu that the sandwich came with slaw and pickles ... which I asked for them to hold. There was no mention of the sauce, so beware that it exists, and a whole lot of it. Restaurant: please list all items that come on or with an item on the menu.

This was a pretty good sandwich, the sauces were on point, and I'm not a huge sauce person, fries were seasoned and crispy, chicken was very flavorful and juicy, and also crispy, sandwich held together nicely, very solid option for hot chicken! Just a little more expensive than I think it should be.

Sichuan hot chicken Juicy and perfectly fried Cannot have enough -original haiku by Alisa L. on Hot Lola's chicken I'm obsessed with this place and every time I have a bad day, my partner automatically asks if he should order me some Hot Lola's. The fried chicken (they use thigh meat so dark meat) is so juicy and the breading so crispy and light and the spices/oil so perfect (I think they fry the chicken and then dip in oil infused with spices like Nashville hot chicken). The chicken in the sandwiches is also hefty and so filling. The waffle fries are also perfectly crispy and fresh, and the hot lola's sauce the perfect compliment for the chicken and fries. I've had the sandwiches before, which are great, but I personally prefer the knockout (boneless chicken thigh, drumstick and waffle fries) Spicewise, it's obviously going to be based on your tolerance. I think of myself as someone who can eat spicy foods, but am not particularly good at it (maybe 75% percentile in this area), and OG Hot is perfect for me (some spice but not scorching and can easily eat it). I sometimes get the Get Lit for fun, but that has HEAT (for me) and I need ice cream after. Also, they use different spices sometimes for the different levels, a warning in case you're particular about spices (i.e. my partner doesn't like habanero and you can taste it in the Get Lit).

This may be the simplest 5 star review ever. * Korean inspired southern-style chicken. * Korean staff, friendly and authentic. * The hottest spice level is SERIOUSLY HOT!! They actually do it here! I had to convince them over their protests. It was a dry rub full of ghost pepper. Some sweat-panged minutes later as I finished the chicken, I decided the pain I would experience later (it hurt to pee! this happens! i looked it up and it takes SO MUCH CAPSAICIN) was worth the great food and heated experience. (Oh, you can get less than the top level. I would if I were anyone but me.)

I adore this place and go to or order from it regularly. I usually get the OG hot tenders with fries, but I am also a big fan of their corn salad. Always very quick service and I love the atmosphere!

Best fried chicken sandwich in the DMV. Most fried chicken sandwiches go for the traditional Nashville hot flavor, but this sandwich brings something different to the table with its combination of house-made chili oil and Chinese Sichuan spices. Not sure if they use dark meat, but the chicken is always juicy and crispy AF. It's a hefty sandwich too, and coupled with their crispy waffle fries, you get a meal that'll leave you very satisfied. I also like how the sandwich spice level is very customizable (a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most spicy). If you like spice, I recommend the OG Hot. I'm definitely going to be coming back.

Thrilled to welcome another Hot Lola's location! Their fried chicken sandwiches are our go-to when we've had a long week and want a delicious carry-out meal. I usually go for one of their less spicy options but the spicier ones are on point as well. Their sandwich is stacked high with a huge piece of melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The breading adds a nice crunch without being overwhelming, and lets the chicken shine through. It's topped with slaw and pickles which add a slight herby kick (but you can get these on the side if you prefer). Don't. Skip. The. Fries. You know those waffle fries that have a slight kick to them that you just can't stop eating? Yep, these are an even better version of those-- probably my favorite fries in Arlington.

If you are a diehard fan of "burn your soul" spicy foods, this is the place. As a fried chicken fanatic, it wasn't a pleasant experience. The flavor was all over the place and your mouth got cut wounds from overcooked breading. Hot-Boy level gave me stomach cramps while my mouth suffered from a nasty aftertaste. Some part was hard to chew. The bun was too sweet to balance out the already sweet sauce. Service was poor. The staff was very friendly but we couldn't help noticing how dirty and unorganized the place was. If you wanted an open kitchen, please ensure to keep it neat. We placed two orders at the same time but one wasn't ready for 35 minutes and I had to wait another 5 minutes. We ended up with one room-temperature soggy sandwich along with a hot one. Must have been forgotten the order as the shop was almost empty.

Not bad but not great- Pros: the slaw was great, heat was good and large quantity of meat Cons: tenders in the sandwich are too thick at points and not great for a sandwich, should be a bit flatter and more uniform in thickness. The sauce they put on the Nashville hot was too sweet and too much, made a huge mess and masked the flavor of chicken and seasoning.

The sandwiches were MASSIVE. It was just your run of the mill hot chicken place, but the fries were what stood out to me!

Probably just had one of my favorite hot chicken sandwiches of all times. Find out why?! I live near Hot Lola and have always been eyeing it out because I love spicy food, I love spicy chicken sandwiches and I love putting my behind through flames and fire. So finally came the day when I went to Hot Lola's to try out their Chicken Sandwich on the spiciest level. This sandwich was a fiery, burning yet packed with tons of flavor treat. I enjoyed each and every bite of it. It was not too greasy and not too messy to eat. The buns were both covered with sesame seeds and they were delightful. The chicken was crisp and juicy. I also got the coleslaw which was fresh. Appropriately seasoned and not creamy or drenched in mayo. The place was clean and the staff was amazing. All in all Hot Lola gets a 4.7/5 from me. Do check this place out!

Bottom line: Amazing Sichuan pepper-flavored fried chicken! The chicken is fried to order. It is juicy, crispy, and topped with your preferred level of spice. Employees are nice, place is clean, and plenty of seating! Go here!

I love hot Lola's! Prices have gone up since they opened years ago, but I think the sandwiches also got bigger. Everything on the sandwich blends together so well - slaw is so fresh and the spices taste unique. Employees are really nice as well. One tiny piece of critique - At the Rosslyn location, it did feel like the chicken was a little over-fried. In the picture, you can see that the color on the breading is a little too dark of a brown. Chicken is still very juicy (they use dark meat), but the breading turned out a little too crunchy for my tastes - from my recollection, the Ballston location is a little better.

So happy this opened in the neighborhood. Been a fan since day 1 and I'm happy to report that the sandwiches are still tasty! With generous portions too. 5 stars for remaining delicious and consistent.

Great new addition to Rosslyn, and another winner from Kevin Tien. The hot chicken sandwich is juicy, crispy, and H-O-T. Waffle fries and sauce are also delicious, and a great fast casual option for lunch.

I ordered hot Lola's from door dash while visiting dc staying in Arlington. sweet Jesus the flavors of the chicken are amazing. Szechuan peppers flavor the chicken so it has a peppery heat but not to spicy they have options of heat available. the waffle fries are not like Chick-fil-A they have lots of flavor and make a good wake up meal after a hangover lol. can't wait to visit the area again... Chick-fil-A could never!!

What a fat juicy chicken sandwich. I'm craving it again. Sauces were there and the contents were there. I recommend.

Picked up some wings and drumsticks, got a mix of Hot Boy and OG Hot flavors. The chicken was good quality, appropriate heat level to leave your tongue burning (the toast will help calm it down - it's damn good toast!) Price isn't cheap and if you want buffalo-slathered wings look elsewhere. I'll be trying a chicken sandwich from these folks, stat!

Same delicious chicken, perfect crisp, great flavor, be careful not to order too hot. Nice new location in Rosslyn

forewarning, this place sells SICHUAN style fried chicken. I came in thinking it was normal nashville hot chicken, and didn't know until i tasted it. there's no indication whatsoever on the menu that it would be Sichuan. their website says it's a sichuan nashville mashup but the sichuan flavors are so strong you wouldn't know. sichuan flavors are quite polarizing and i'm not a big fan so i'm only judging based on how the chicken was cooked. there was just wayyy to much breading. the insides were hot and juicy but with the hard breading on the edges, each tender was only half edible. the fries were good but very greasy, like the chicken. i felt like absolute doo doo after eating half of it. just way to much oil and grease.

I've heard many people rave about hot Lola's and I had to try it! The spices are lovely and the staff is so kind. My friend and I told our cashier it was our first time and they gave us some recommendations. My friend got the hot chicken sandwich with fries and I got the chicken tendPersonally I found the chicken to be the slightest bit dry but I loved how crispy the breading was. The coleslaw also could have been sweeter for my taste but overall I enjoyed trying their food!

Nice enough chicken sandwich with good options for a spicy kick. But really wish it were better. My main knock is that their chicken feels low quality A always too heavily breaded and occasionally get some very tough chicken pieces - so I usually feel like the ratio of quality chicken in the sandwich winds up a little low. Imho not quite worth the money but I do wish there were better hot chicken options in the area

Absolutely delicious! By far the best food we had while we were there. The service was great with friendly and helpful staff. The ambiance was nice. There is also seating at the windows so you can people watch. Definitely recommend!!

My favorite fried chicken place in the area! I really love how crispy and flavorful the chicken is. I ordered the knock out, which is drum + boneless thigh. It was perfect because I like how tender dark meat is, but I hate eating bone in thigh cause it's so messy. I ordered spice level hot boy and it was not very spicy. Will definitely try their other spice levels next time :)

This is a new location that just recently opened in Rosslynn in June 2022. Spacious with plenty of seatings. I came here over the weekend and was able to find parking easily. I got the Stay Tender combo (3 Tenders, Pickles, Toast, and Fries or Coleslaw), spicy level: Hot Boy. Very juicy and lean chicken meat with flavorful, crispy batter. The seasoning was just right with a splash of Szechuan spice. Their toast was remarkably good: very buttery with some slight smokiness from the grill. Fries were fresh/crunchy and seasoned with the spice as well. Highly recommend to anyone liking Nashville hot chicken. Service could be better. I felt the cashier taking my order was not really friendly. My to go order was nicely packed anyways.

Food was phenomenal, their portions are massive so be careful a large fries is like a giant box!! Their passion fruit lemonade was really great as well!!

Got the shy guy chicken sandwich and their new kim -cheezy sandwich with waffle fries! Crispy, delicious, filling, and never disappoints on the days you crave a good chicken sandwich :)

This is some seriously good chicken. I can taste that the chicken was brined and that quality ingredients were used. I ordered the OG Hot and Spicy and and it's legit spicy. Customer service is top notch as well!

One of the best chicken sandwiches I've ever had. Chicken is fried perfectly and the Sichuan style sauce complements it in a new and amazing way. Flavor profile is unique and delicious. Can adjust level of spice accordingly. Waffle fries are fantastic. Fried chicken is great too, but this is one of the few times where I prefer the combination in the sandwich.

These sandwiches are huge and delicious. I got the OG hot and let me say it is definitely spicy! The Sichuan flavors in these are unbelievable. The slaw cools it down a bit and the buttered, toasted bun really made the whole sandwich. The lady who took our order was super nice and patient. The seasoned waffle fries were also perfect. I do wish they had some mayo (in their grab and go stations. Also I'm not sure how in the world we racked up a $49 bill between two sandwiches, two orders of fries, and two IPA beers but it's not exactly cheap for lunch so keep that in mind.

Never come back. Only me in the restaurant not busy, but two meal waited around 40 minutes not ready.

Pretty good chicken. Pick ur heat level from 1 to 10. A sign by the register explains each heat/spiceiness level. U can watch as the make and cook and apply the spices and the service was good. Order at the counter and they delivered food to our table. There is outdoor seating too.

Great place for chicken the chicken tasted homemade, breading not to heavy and spiced just right, you have about 4 different spice levels to choose from, waffle fries seasoned perfect, a great piece of Texas toast served with the meal, staff was very friendly.