Drew W.
Google
There are meals that satisfy, and then there are meals that make you slap the table, hoot, holler, and say "Oh my God, this is dangerous". Poppycox, the Nashville Hot chicken spot tucked inside Charlotte’s buzzing Optimist Hall, belongs firmly in the latter category.
I dove into the Crazy Daddy Fries, a loaded masterpiece piled high with chopped tenders, comeback sauce, slaw, and pickles. Every bite was a riot of flavor — crispy, juicy chicken seasoned to perfection, balanced by tangy, sweet slaw and the addictive punch of comeback sauce. Fun fact: comeback sauce is named "comeback" sauce because it will have you coming back for more.
My wife’s Sando, their signature chicken sandwich, was no less impressive: a towering creation with the same sauce-and-slaw magic, served alongside PERFECT fries. None of that soggy, undercooked/undersalted nonsense from most other restaurants. Portions here aren’t just generous; they’re downright gigantic, as well - the kind that make you grin when the plate hits the table. I mean, the chicken on the sando was quite literally the size of a BRICK. We both got "wimpy" heat levels, because we didn't want the spice level to outshine the flavor.
The atmosphere only amplifies the experience. Optimist Hall’s modern, hip setting — a remodeled industrial space filled with specialty eateries, light music, and a lively crowd — makes Poppycox feel like the beating heart of the food hall. The aroma alone could lure food lovers from miles away, but it’s the execution that seals the deal.
Absolutely no issues with service either. Everyone was polite, smiling, quick, and respectful!
Simply put: all other chicken restaurants, you better sit up, pay attention, and take notes. These guys at Poppycox are mopping the floor with you, because this is how fried chicken SHOULD TASTE AND BE CONSUMED!
We're definitely coming back, and recommending everyone we know that passes through Charlotte to stop in!