Joe S.
Yelp
As I stood outside at the order window, she told me that my nose would run and my eyes would likely water as my mouth burned. Was I signing up as a guinea pig for a scientific experiment or trying to order a sandwich? I lost track. Anyway, she was not entirely wrong.
She asked if I was sure I wanted the "Hot" level 3 and recommended that I start with Mild (level 2). I appreciated her concern, and I said I have had the Medium and Hot at Chicken Fire and she changed her recommendation and she thought I could handle the heat of #3! I never felt so manly!
I got my food about 20 minutes after I arrived and maybe 5-8 minutes after I ordered, which was better than I expected. I just got a sandwich and that breast was huge! Dolly Parton must have a chicken farm where they get these things.
Everyone's heat tolerance is different, so I can't make a recommendation. I was able to eat L3 with no beverages, which is what I like. Your Milage May Very depending on what your mouth can handle. But the combination of slaw and pickles helped a lot in tackling the spicy sandwich. I will say it's one heck of a delicious sandwich and I recommend going, even if you don't like any heat (Just get the no-heat level).
I can't help compare to Chicken Fire on 50 which I love. The flavor profile is a little different, but the key is they BOTH have flavor, not just heat. If I try to pick a favorite, I just can't so they're currently tied for #1 for the best hot chicken in Orlando. Chicken Fire DOES have a much more engaging front of the house with Jorge! The good think is I don't have to choose, I can go to both. Maybe I'll try both on the same day, sometime. Hot Chicken Run! Who's with me?
I will definitely be back, but it won't be when it's like 90+ degrees out for sure. I hope they do something and open a 2nd location with indoor seating.
If someone asks where to get a great chicken sandwich, your answer should be "Def JAM". Let's pay homage to the label which housed Slayer's Iconic "Reign in Blood" which many consider to be the best metal album of all time... It's also responsible for Montell Jordan's "This is How We Do It" and lots of stuff in between. It's fate that I first tried JAM Hot Chicken on the day 60 Minutes debuted their interview with Def JAM's founder, Rick Rubin, which I happened to be watching while I write this review. You Gotta Fight, for your Right... to eat Hot Chicken! Yea, Beastie Boys were on Def Jam too. Or maybe I should have went with Pearl Jam (Glorified Version of a Hot Chick-un)... Dang It! Or Space Jam? With Foghorn Leghorn and Larry Bird... Crap! Lol... Bird Crap!